Best Marlin Model 60 Scopes

While it can be loads of fun to tinker with the newest and most innovative hunting rifles, sticking to simple pieces for a fun afternoon can be just as satisfying. The Marlin Model 60 rifle is one of our go-to choices for no-hassle hunting.
When looking for the best scope for Marlin 60 rifles, one of the most important considerations is the weight of the scope. Since this type of hunting rifle is best for shorter to mid-range shooting, you won’t need that 16x-24x power scope you’ve been eyeing (sorry, folks). We suggest either sticking with a standard 3x-9x range or keeping to a fixed power scope. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite Marlin 60 scopes on the market, and we’ll let you know what our top pick is at the end of this review.
If you keep to low power ranges and lighter weights, you’ll be sure to find the best scope for you!

Burris Fullfield II Ballistic Plex

Materials – The Burris Fullfield II with Ballistic Plex Reticle is made of a rugged, one inch tube body with steel on steel adjustments. The magnification range is not fixed, and it has 2x-7x power. This scope is under a foot long, and you can expect to get about 3 to 4 inches of eye relief on your Marlin Model 60. It weighs about 12 ounces total. The 35mm objective lens is fully multicoated, and the tube is treated, so the entire product is water proof, fog proof, and shock proof. The adjustment click value is at ½ inch MOA at 100 yards. The eyepiece is integrated, and the focus adjustment has a non slip feature, so target acquisition is fast and easy.

Performance – The Burris Fullfield II with Ballistic Plex Reticle is one of the best scopes for short range hunting and rifles. The 35mm objective lens is slightly smaller than the average 40mm, but you’re getting nearly the same magnification range as a 3x-9x power rifle scope. The few inches of eye relief are perfect for any shooter without being too much or too little. For this size of scope, we would hope the click value was ¼ inch, but ½ inch click value is still acceptable with this style of hunting rifle. Of course, shock proof scopes are incredibly important and valuable, even if the Marlin Model 60 isn’t known for strong recoils. There’s nothing particularly unique or out of the box on the Burris Fullfield II scope, but it’s just slightly different from the basic 3x-9x40mm scope that it may be the best scope for Marlin 60 rifles.

What we say – The Burris Fullfield II with Ballistic Plex Reticle scope costs about $155-$170 online, making it the cheapest option within this review. It’s a spectacular standard rifle scope, without limiting itself to beginners only.

Nikon Force XR 2X Matte with Nikoplex

Materials – The Nikon Force XR 2X Matte Marlin 60 Scope with a Nikoplex Reticle is the lightest and most compact scope within this review, and it’s ideal for the lightweight Marlins and scout rifles. This scope has a fixed 2x magnification, and the objective lens is 20mm – perfect for short range hunting. The lens is also coated with an Ultra Clear Optical System, which allows for a ninety five percent light transmission. The one inch tube is treated with nitrogen, and the lens is O-ring sealed, so the entire scope is water proof, fog proof, and shock proof. The click value is ½ inch MOA at 100 yards. The Nikon Force XR 2X Matte Marlin 60 Scope with a Nikoplex Reticle is just over 8 inches long, and it only weighs about 7.5 ounces.

Performance – Right away, you may be asking, “isn’t this type of scope normally for handguns?” In most cases, yes. You can definitely use the Nikon Force XR 2X Matte Scope on your handgun, but this makes a great scope for Marlin 60 rifles due to its light weight and loads of eye relief. If your kid or niece/nephew is learning to hunt for the first time, this also makes a wonderful scope for beginners. The light transmission is fantastic, and you can always expect a beautifully clear picture from Nikon. A fixed magnification leaves little adjustments needed. For some shooters, this scope may obviously be too small or have too many limits. For the price and quality, this makes a great starting point for finding the best scope for Marlin Model 60 rifles.

What we say – The Nikon Force XR 2X Matte Nikoplex scope costs about $190, making it the second cheapest option within this review. Its light weight and minimal features make the perfect beginner’s hunting scope.

Leupold VX-2 Rifle Scope

Materials – The Leupold VX-2 Rifle Scope for Marlin 60 Rifles is made of 6061 T6 aluminum, which has been treated to be completely water proof and fog proof. This scope is just barely over one foot long, and it weighs only twelve ounces. It has a standard magnification range of 3x to 9x with a 40mm objective lens, which has also been multicoated with the Leupold Multicoat 4 lens system to be water proof and fog proof. The eye relief will be about four inches, give or take a few millimeters. The eyepieces are lockable for accurate targeting. The adjustment knobs fine tune the windage and elevation, and there is a ¼ inch MOA click value. Whether you’re the original owner or not, all Leupold VX-2 Rifle Scopes come with a forever lifetime warranty.

Performance – The Leupold brand has always produced high quality rifle scopes with crystal clear sights. Their VX-2 Rifle Scope is one of their more standard offerings, but you get a scope that performs above expectations for an affordable price. While we tried to show a variety of lightweight scopes for your Marlin Model 60, sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics and should stick with the basics. If you’re looking for the regular 3x-9x scope with 40mm objective lens, Leupold is one of the best brands you can look into for high quality. Our only complain is that this scope does not appear to be advertised as shock proof.

What we say – The Leupold VX-2 Rifle Scope costs about $250 online, which is a fantastic price for one of the most popular scope brands on the market. The features are standard, but there’s nothing standard about Leupold’s fine quality and craftmanship.

Vortex Optics Strike Eagle

Materials – The Vortex Optics Stroke Eagle is, easily, one of the best Marlin 60 scopes available online. The single, 30mm, one inch tube is very durable. The best part of this optic is the reticle. The reticle is etched within two layers of glass, and it uses a second focal plane to stay about the same size during any magnification. It is also illuminated for low light conditions, which sets it apart from many other average scopes. The full magnification range of this Marlin Model 60 scope is 1x-6x. The objective lens is fully multicoated with multiple anti-reflective coatings for some of the best light transmission possible. The entire body of the Vortex Optics Strike Eagle scope is just over ten inches long, and it weighs about 17 ounces.

Performance – The Vortex Optics Stroke Eagle scope is absolutely one of our favorite scopes for hunting or rifle use in general. The magnification range is another winner for short range hunting. With a Marlin Model 60, you can likely keep the magnification on the lower end during hunting, but six levels of power are exactly what you need for those special occasions. This scope is easy to use and easy to install in a set of scope rings. We love that this scope is under a foot in length, but we don’t love that it weighs over a pound. Of course, a pound isn’t very much weight on its own, but this is the heaviest option we are suggesting for a Marlin 60 scope.

What we say – The Vortex Optics Strike Eagle scope costs under $350 online. Depending on where you purchase it from, you may also buy a package with scope rings included. Scopes rings or not, this is a great scope to invest in.

Our Favorite Marlin Model 60 Scope

Our top pick for this review was a unanimous decision: the Leupold VX-2 Rifle Scope. We love that this is a scope that is easy to use, and the buyer will know what to expect. At the same time, Leupold always delivers high quality function and optimally clear pictures. That magnification range and size is what the average hunter needs, and the light weight makes this the best scope to install on top of a Marlin Model 60. Although there is our one complaint that it doesn’t appear to be shock proof, this is a situation where we’re not too worried about strong recoil. You can still expect to accurately lock in your target quickly with the Leupold VX-2 Rifle Scope.