While rifles serve many uses, sometimes the classics are best for the classic function: good, old fashioned hunting. The Marlin 336 is an astounding rifle that has been taking down deer for the last 65 years. Here, we covered some of the best Marlin 336 scopes, finding the right one for an oldie but goodie that doesn’t require any extravagant features. Now, let’s get started.
The Marlin 336 Rifle
When it comes to rifles, the Marlin 336 is near legendary. It was first produced in 1948 and has been in continuous production since then. At over 6 million units, it is not just one of the most mass-produced firearms in the U.S. but also globally.
The strength of the 336 bolt comes from its cylindrical shape, reducing the machinery required to make it. Its trigger is also easy to fine-tune the way you want. 336s have been produced with barrel lengths varying from 16 to 24 inches. Both are grossly inadequate in length, the former by far. Because of its intended use as a carbine, the 336 has a standard barrel length of 20 inches.
Although the 336 is not lightweight, it is well-balanced and can be fired as rapidly as any other firearm. It’s light enough to carry in one hand and travels low enough on the shoulder that it won’t snag on bushes or trees.
Ruger must chamber the 336 for both .30/30 and .35 Remington cartridges. Some kind presumably requires regulation. Both rounds have been around for a long time. Neither has any glamor linked to it, and neither would win you a match at 800 yards, but they do the job just fine if you want to take a deer down.
The 7 Best Marlin 336 Rifle Scopes
Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32
The Vortex 2-732 is a lightweight, small scope with a 1-inch tube. It has a magnification in the 2-7 power range and is more than adequate for shooting at 75 yards or beyond. You may position it closer to the bore, thanks to the 32mm objective’s compact size, and the high light transmission ensures a crisp, clear image.
This Crossfire II scope is 10.71 inches long and weighs 14.3 ounces, making it compact and lightweight enough not to impede the lever-action 336’s mobility in thick undergrowth. You can get this scope with the Dead-Hold BDC or the Vortex V-Plex reticle. I recommend going for the Dead-Hold BDC reticle. It’s also my favorite because it’s versatile.
- Generous eye relief
- Wide field of view
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle can extend the rifle’s range
- Durable construction
- Heavy
Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×50
Our next scope offers high-quality optics at an affordable price. The Burris E1 reticle included in this sight may be used as a regular duplex or as a BDC reticle to compensate for bullet drop. It’s flexible and has superior sharp and clear glass even in low light circumstances. Plus, it’s backed by the unbeatable Burris Forever guarantee.
This scope has a proven track record of durability and will survive a lifetime of recoil when mounted on a lever-action 30-30, despite the rifle’s relatively light recoil.
- Excellent low light feature
- Affordable
- Offers great warranty
- Eye relief may be too short
Vortex Crossfire II 3-12×56
This Vortex scope boasts a powerful 3-12 power range, offering more magnification without moving up to a higher-powered and heavier scope. It also provides a wider field of view. Even in low light, this scope’s lighted reticle and bigger objective allow you to see clearly. These two qualities make this scope an excellent choice for low-light hunting or use in areas with a dense tree cover.
Also, the 30mm tube in this model allows for fine-tuning the focus down to 10 meters. This sight might be a good option if you own a 30-30 and need a night vision accessory.
- Powerful magnification
- Illuminated reticle
- Adjustable parallax up to 10 yards
- Good for night use
- Bulky
Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12×40 CDS Tri MOA Riflescope
Leupold developed the VX-Freedom series to meet the vast majority of American hunters, rimfire plinkers, AR-15 owners, and long-range shooters at an affordable price. Like other Leupold scopes, it performs well in low light and has good light transmission.
The Freedom 4-1240 is built on a 1-inch tube, and has sufficient magnification to take care of shots from nearly any distance. It’s small enough to mount on a lever-action brush gun yet powerful enough to use in almost any hunting situation.
With the help of a MOA reticle, you can estimate bullet drop, determine how far their bullets travel in flight, and consistently hit their targets. The 30-30 and 35 Remington drop swiftly, and knowing how to predict drop might be useful even at 300 yards or so.
- Lightweight and versatile design
- Crisp and clear images
- Good low-light visibility
- Great Leupold warranty
- Only available with the Tri-MOA reticle
Vortex Optics Viper HST 4-16×44 Riflescope
The HST stands for “Hunting Shooting Tactical,” meaning it can satisfy various types of use. It’s a one-piece tube made of machined aluminum in a matte black finish. The 44mm tube has an objective lens made of extra-low dispersion glass to increase resolution and color fidelity, and an increased eye relief gives shooters plenty of room for comfort.
The Viper HS-T not only produces a very sharp and luminous image, but its glass is also fully multi-coated to maximize light absorption. Its multiple lens coatings give extra-low light dispersion, which boosts resolution and color fidelity.
The hashmark-based reticle is precise and one of the best at locking in on targets. The adjustment turrets are well labeled and marked for proper and accurate corrections during targeting, and the picture is very clear and bright. If you have the money to spend, this is an excellent Marlin 336 scope that will help bring in some of your most prized hunting moments.
- Excellent warranty
- Versatile use
- Clear and bright image
- Fine crosshair reticle
- Heavy
Leupold FX-3 6×42 Riflescope
For the Marlin 336 lever gun, a fixed power scope has long been recommended due to its low weight, small size, and ease of use. The Leupold FX-3 642 is a 1-inch tube scope with a fixed 6X magnification power. The FX-6 has a factory-set parallax of 50 yards, but Leupold can change it to whatever range you like. Despite its superior optical quality, this scope type is more expensive than most competitors.
The model’s low-light performance is enhanced by Leupold’s Twilight Management technology, which is patent-protected. With a weight of only 13.4 ounces, the FX-3 is a featherweight alternative to any lever action 30-30.
- Just-right weight — not too heavy or too light
- Excellent optical quality
- Light and compact design
- Low-light scope option
- Expensive
Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10×50 Riflescope
The Diamondback is made from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy extremely resilient to magnum recoil. The Diamondback series’ optics provide a more refined and clear view than the Crossfire II scopes. It has a diameter of one inch and a total weight of 16.2 ounces.
The 3.5x magnification is suitable for close range, but the 10x magnification is powerful enough to allow a 30-30 or .35 Remington bullet to travel beyond 100 yards. When hunting, this is the best magnification power to have.
- Powerful magnification range ideal for hunting
- Two reticle options
- Outstanding glass clarity
- Durable and ergonomic design
- Fixed parallax
- Eye relief is quite short
Wrap Up
After all of those styles of reticles, technology, and performance, we still believe the most basic and standard option is not only the best option for installing on your Marlin 336, but it’s also the best bargain for the money. You can stick with the 3x-9x selection, or you can go for the 4x-12x, if you plan to shoot at a longer range.
Which of the scopes above is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
