The Marlin 336 is an American classic, a lever-action rifle revered for its reliability and timeless design in the deer woods. Whether you’re tracking through dense brush or taking a longer shot across a field, pairing your 336 with the right scope is crucial for an ethical and successful hunt. The right optic can enhance your rifle’s inherent accuracy and extend your effective range, turning a good shot into a great one.
Choosing a scope involves balancing factors like magnification, eye relief, light transmission, and, of course, durability. With so many options on the market, finding the perfect match for your needs and your rifle can be a challenge. To simplify your search, we’ve compiled a list of top-performing scopes that complement the Marlin 336’s characteristics, from trusted budget-friendly picks to premium models built for the most demanding conditions.
Our Top Picks for Marlin 336 Scopes
- Bushnell RP3120BS3 Hunting Scopes Rifles
- Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire
- Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 MOA-Ring
- BURRIS Fullfield 2-8x35mm SC
- Vortex Optics Copperhead 3-9×40 SFP
- CVLIFE 3-9×40 Optics R4 Reticle Scope
- Barska AC10380 Plinker-22 Scope 3-9×32
- Sig Sauer Whiskey3 3-9x40mm Riflescope
- UTG 3-9×32 1″ BugBuster Scope
Bushnell RP3120BS3 Hunting Scopes Rifles
Bushnell is a trusted name in the optics world, and this scope is built to meet the demands of active hunters. It is designed to provide a clear, bright sight picture, which is essential for making accurate shots in various lighting conditions. The robust construction ensures it can handle the recoil of a .30-30 and the rigors of outdoor use.
This model offers a straightforward and reliable setup, making it a great choice for hunters who value simplicity and performance. Its features are tailored for quick target acquisition, a key advantage when hunting with a fast-handling rifle like the Marlin 336. For a dependable scope from a reputable brand, this Bushnell model is a solid contender.
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire
The Vortex Crossfire II Rimfire, while designed for rimfire rifles, is an excellent low-power variable optic for the Marlin 336, especially for woods hunting. Its 2-7x magnification range is ideal for close to medium-range shots, and the long eye relief makes it comfortable and safe to use on a lever-action. The fast-focus eyepiece allows for quick reticle adjustment.
Fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear views, which is a significant benefit during the low-light conditions of dawn and dusk. The V-Plex reticle is a simple, effective design for a variety of hunting scenarios. With capped reset turrets and a reputation for durability, this scope offers fantastic value and performance from a brand known for its unlimited lifetime warranty.
Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 MOA-Ring
For hunters who demand top-tier optical quality and lightweight construction, the Leupold VX-Freedom is a premier choice. The 1.5-4x magnification is perfectly suited for the typical engagement distances of a Marlin 336, allowing for fast, both-eyes-open shooting on low power and more precise shots when zoomed in. The MOA-Ring reticle provides a useful reference for holdovers.
Built in the USA and backed by the legendary Leupold lifetime warranty, this scope is an investment in reliability. It features hardened lens coatings for exceptional scratch resistance and durability in harsh environments. The capped windage and elevation turrets offer clean lines and protection from accidental adjustments, making it a rugged and dependable hunting companion.
BURRIS Fullfield 2-8x35mm SC
The Burris Fullfield 2 offers a versatile 2-8x magnification range, giving you excellent flexibility for both thick cover and more open areas. The 4x zoom ratio provides a wide field of view at the low end for tracking moving game and higher magnification for precise shot placement at extended ranges. This scope is designed to be a true all-rounder.
With high-performance glass and multi-coated lenses, the Fullfield 2 delivers impressive brightness and clarity, maximizing your shooting time in low-light conditions. The build quality is consistent with Burris’s reputation for creating tough, reliable optics that hunters can count on season after season. It’s a feature-packed scope that represents a great balance of performance and value.
Vortex Optics Copperhead 3-9×40 SFP
The Vortex Copperhead is a hunter-focused scope that brings a popular 3-9×40 configuration to the table. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is particularly useful for the Marlin 336, as it provides holdover points that can be used for different ranges without needing to adjust the turrets. This is ideal for the quick, opportunistic shots that lever-action hunting often presents.
Fully multi-coated lenses ensure maximum light transmission for a bright and clear image. The scope also boasts a long eye relief, which is a critical safety and comfort feature on a rifle like the 336. With a solid construction and the confidence of Vortex’s VIP warranty, the Copperhead is a reliable and effective optic for any big-game hunter.
CVLIFE 3-9×40 Optics R4 Reticle Scope
For those on a tight budget, the CVLIFE 3-9×40 scope offers an incredibly accessible entry into using an optic on your Marlin 336. It provides the versatile 3-9x magnification that is a standard for a reason, suitable for a wide array of hunting situations. The package often includes mounting rings, making it a complete and ready-to-install setup.
While it may not have the advanced coatings or warranty of more expensive models, it represents a functional and economical solution. For a hunter looking to try a scoped rifle without a significant financial commitment, or for a plinking setup, this CVLIFE scope gets the job done and allows you to enjoy the benefits of magnified optics.
Barska AC10380 Plinker-22 Scope 3-9×32
The Barska Plinker is another budget-conscious option that brings important features to the table. Its 3-9×32 configuration is compact and lightweight, maintaining the handy feel of the Marlin 336. The fully coated optics improve light transmission and viewing clarity compared to non-coated lenses.
Notably, this scope is advertised as waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. This rugged construction is vital for a hunting optic that will be exposed to the elements and the recoil of a centerfire rifle. With 1/4 MOA click adjustments for sighting in, the Barska Plinker offers a surprising level of functionality and durability for its price point.
Sig Sauer Whiskey3 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Sig Sauer brings its expertise in firearms manufacturing to the optics market with the Whiskey3 line. This 3-9x40mm model is built to military standards for durability and reliability, ensuring it can withstand heavy use in the field. The lenses are fully multi-coated to provide a sharp, high-contrast image across the entire magnification range.
It often features Sig’s proprietary ranging reticle, which can assist with judging distance and making accurate holdover shots. The precise and repeatable adjustment turrets make sighting in a straightforward process. For hunters who appreciate the Sig Sauer brand and want a robust, full-featured scope, the Whiskey3 is a compelling option that delivers professional-grade performance.
UTG 3-9×32 1″ BugBuster Scope
The UTG BugBuster is a compact and versatile scope known for its “true strength” platform. Its smaller 32mm objective lens and shorter overall length give it a low-profile look that pairs very well with the compact nature of the Marlin 336. Despite its size, it is built to be shockproof, fogproof, and waterproof.
A standout feature of many BugBuster models is the illuminated reticle, which can be a significant advantage in low-light conditions or against dark backgrounds. It also typically includes a side-mounted parallax adjustment, allowing you to fine-tune focus and parallax for different ranges. This scope offers a unique set of features in a small package, making it a great choice for hunters who want maximum functionality without a bulky optic.
What to Look For in a Scope for Your Marlin 336
When I’m picking out a scope for my Marlin 336, I think about where and how I’ll be using the rifle. This classic lever-action is a workhorse for thick woods and medium-range shots, so the scope needs to match that role. The first thing I consider is magnification. For most hunting with the 336, especially in dense cover, a low-power variable optic (LPVO) is my go-to. Something like a 1-4x or 1-6x scope is perfect. It gives me a wide field of view for quick shots up close, but I can dial up the power if I need to make a more precise shot out to 150 or 200 yards. A fixed-power scope, like a 4x, is also a solid, simple, and often more affordable choice.
Next up is the objective lens size. A bigger lens lets in more light, which is great for dawn and dusk hunting. But on a lever gun, a huge 50mm bell can force you to mount the scope too high for a comfortable cheek weld. I find that a scope with a 28mm to 40mm objective lens is the sweet spot for the Marlin 336, providing a good balance of light gathering and a low, stable mount.
Durability and reliability are non-negotiable. The 336 has a distinct recoil impulse, and it’s not a gentle rifle. You need a scope that can handle that punch shot after shot. I always look for scopes that are nitrogen-purged to be fog-proof and are fully waterproof. A tough, one-piece tube construction is a must for maintaining zero under recoil and general field use.
Finally, I think about the reticle and eye relief. For a fast-handling rifle, a simple duplex-style reticle is hard to beat for quick target acquisition. I also pay close attention to eye relief, which is the distance your eye needs to be from the scope for a full sight picture. Generous eye relief is a safety and comfort feature, especially on a rifle with some kick. It helps prevent getting “scoped” – when the scope hits your eyebrow during recoil. Getting the right scope for your Marlin 336 rifle makes all the difference in turning a great firearm into a trusted hunting partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best magnification for a Marlin 336?
For the vast majority of hunting scenarios with a Marlin 336, I think a low-power variable optic is the best choice. A 1-4x, 1-6x, or 2-7x scope gives you the versatility you need. At the 1x or 2x setting, you have a wide field of view for close-range, fast shots in thick brush. When you need to take a more careful aim at a deer across a clearing, you can zoom in to 4x, 6x, or 7x. This flexibility makes a variable power scope the most practical option for this rifle.
Can you mount a scope on a Marlin 336 without drilling and tapping?
Yes, you absolutely can. Many modern Marlin 336 models come from the factory already drilled and tapped for a scope base on the receiver. If you have an older model that isn’t, or if you simply prefer not to modify the gun, a scout scope mount is a great alternative. These mounts replace the rear sight and allow you to mount a long-eye-relief pistol or scout scope forward of the receiver. This keeps the top of the receiver clear for loading and can give you a very fast sight picture.
Is a 3-9×40 scope too much for a 30-30?
While a 3-9x40mm is a very popular and capable scope, I feel it’s a bit more than what the 30-30 cartridge typically needs. The effective range of the 30-30 is generally considered to be around 200 yards. A 9x magnification is overkill for that distance and sacrifices the wide, quick field of view you get with lower power at the bottom end. A 2-7x or 3-9x set on its lower powers will work, but a scope with a lower maximum magnification is often a better fit for the cartridge’s capabilities.
What type of mount do I need for a Marlin 336?
The Marlin 336 uses a specific scope base due to the curved top of its receiver. You will need a base that is designed for the Marlin 336/1895 series of rifles. These are often available as a single-piece or two-piece base. I have a slight preference for a one-piece base because it can add a bit of rigidity to the setup. Once you have the base, you’ll need a set of rings that match the tube diameter of your scope (usually 1 inch or 30mm) and that are tall enough to clear the barrel and the rear sight if you decide to leave it on.
How does eye relief affect my scope choice for this rifle?
Eye relief is a critical factor, especially on a rifle with noticeable recoil like the 336. You want a scope with generous, long eye relief—typically 3.5 inches or more. This ensures that during recoil, the scope has plenty of room before it could potentially come back and hit your face. It also makes it easier to get a quick sight picture when you bring the rifle up to your shoulder, as you don’t have to place your eye in an exact, specific spot. Good eye relief makes shooting more comfortable and much safer.
Are the 9 best scopes for Marlin 336 rifle suitable for other calibers?
Many of the scopes that work well on a Marlin 336 in 30-30 are also excellent choices for other light to medium-recoiling rifles. Scopes selected for their durability and features on a 336 would also be a great fit for a .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester in a lightweight rifle, or even a slug shotgun. The key is to match the scope’s magnification, eye relief, and construction to the rifle’s purpose and recoil level. A scope that holds zero on a 336 will likely perform well on many other popular hunting platforms.