Scope for marlin .444 lever
 

I'm looking for a scope for my marlin lever,most of my shots are going to be less than 100yds.I was looking at the leupold vx2 or 3 and also the weaver classic v3 any others ? anyone have the new weaver is it a good scope...ED

One of the few times I would recommend a "fixed" (+/-4X) powered scope.

Hard to argue with that .

A good 1x4 or 2x7x32 would be yummy as well .

Had a buddy who used one
 

Most shots were under 100 yards. A lot of hunters using high expensive optics are looking for those 700 yard shots. Keeping to 100 yards reduces the need for powerful scopes.

I own two Marlin .444s and took my Kentucky buck with my .444S this season. My .444S wears a Bushnell Trophy 30mm 1-4 with illuminated #4 reticle (~$200) and I am impressed with it at that price break. My .444P wears a Vari-XII refitted by Leupold with a #4 reticle and it suits that rifle perfectly. I own several rifles with fixed 4X scopes, but none of my big bores wear that type scope.

I'd prefer (DO prefer) a scope with a lower power for close-in shots and for trailing game after a shot, if needed. I feel 4X is completely suitable for most hunting I do, but want 1X-2X for close work. I also own Marlins in 45-70 (1895G) and .450 (1895M) as well as a BLR in .450 and they ALL wear Leupolds in 1-4x20 (VXI SG with HD reticle) or Leupold Euro 1.25-4 30mm #4 reticle.

I also own two Weaver V3 1-3x20 scopes (one mounted on a Marlin .375) and find them to be a fine value/$$. I like the Leupold VX1 SG better tho. If you're choosing between the Weaver V3, VX1 and VX2 in 1-3 or 1-4, my suggestion would be the VX1 1-4x20 SG with Heavy Duplex reticle if very low light performance is important to you. I own a lot of Leupolds and my low light comparisons between a VX1 with heavy duplex and VX2 with regular duplex reticle (I do not think the VX2 is available with HD reticle), show the VX1 to be superior in very low light.

If you're going to spend VX3 $$, my suggestion is to get the VX-R 1.25-4x20 with Firedot #4 reticle at about the same price break. It is vastly superior in very low light. I own two VX-Rs, the 1.25-4x20 and a 2-7x33 with Firedot Duplex and they are simply fantastic scopes in their price class. FWIW, I now own over 20 Leupold scopes.

Good Luck!

Although I do not own one of these scopes I know others that have it and really like it on their big bore rifles. For the money this Nikon seems like a real winner.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-monarch-3-1-4x20.html


For another $100 the time tested Leupold is a great option. I have used this scope on rifles as large as the 458 Lott.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-...fle-scope.html

I've got a compact 4x Burris on my 450 Marlin. It has worked well and handles the recoil of that round easily. I would imagine just about any good quality 4x would work well for you. A 2.5x would too but they are harder to find. 4x are pretty common just about everywhere.

As mentioned above the 1-4x20 (#4 reticle) Nikon Monarch is a fine scope, I have one mounted on a Rem M750 Carbine in .35 Whelen. I also own two of the Nikon Monarchs in 1.5-4.5x20 that preceded it in their line-up (one shown on my BLR/.358). All are excellent scopes. But when going that high in price, along with the fine Leupold VX3, I'd simply say to make sure and compare the Leupold VX-R to them. I don't think they can be beat at anywhere near their price range. Mine shown on a double rifle, a Verney-Carron Sagittaire in 9.3x74R and on a BLR/.325 WSM.

In years past, I had a fixed 3X on my triple 4. Never wanted or needed anything else.

Part of my reasoning has to due with most shots under 100 yards and more importantly able to take heavy recoil better !!!


Fixed power VS Variable power - all else being equal.