Just as a quick follow up to those of you who gave me excellent advice in this and another thread I started about my new, used, Marlin 336...

Opening day, mid morning - nice 8 point buck, one shot, good clean kill (although this particular deer ran further than I've ever had a double lung shot deer run!).

Both the gun and my Weaver 1-3X20 V3 scope performed just as I'd hoped. I want to reiterate the importance of practicing at the range in exactly (or as close as possible) the same conditions, positions, etc. as hunting: wear your heavy clothes including jacket, gloves, hat etc. This stuff can alter the way your gun fits and make you clumsy. Practice a variety of shooting positions including turning in awkward ways and using various odd rests - as if yoi're in a tree stand or on the ground and have to minimize movement while still getting gun on target. Practice getting safety off (or with my 336, pulling hammer back). Practice flipping scope covers quietly. Practice re-chambering automatically after shot. Practice to acquire target quickly and get the shot off quickly and accurately (in other words, practice quick yet accurate "killing" shots - as opposed to slow, careful "MOA" shots - but you practice this slowly and build up speed according to how accurate your quick shots are). Practice putting your scope at the appropriate magnification right away when your hunting situation changes. Etc. Etc. Any excuse to shoot more!

Like usual, I had to do all of these things to make the shot in the field. I had to turn on my tree stand, cock the gun, flip the scope covers quietly (it had been raining so I closed them), get on target and shoot quickly when he paused and presented the target after coming out from some brush (frankly, I think it was the faint click when I pulled the hammer back that paused him!). I had on a heavy coat and gloves which made all this stuff a little more difficult. Because I did all my fumbling while practicing at the range, I did all of this stuff without thinking and without screwing up.

I was very happy with the scope on 1 -2 power which is all that is needed in the spot I was hunting. It has a very wide, clear field of view which makes getting on target almost as quick as open sights I think. I felt very comfortable and confident with the little scope even though it wasn't really magnifying because it was so similar to the larger scope I'd been using for years on my 30-06.

Anyway, although I only saw one deer and only got to shoot it once, I'm happy, and I enjoyed hunting with the 336.

Thanks again.