Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Good Scope for Marlin 444S

There are 3 that are worth a look. The Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32 is an awesome scope. The Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32 and the Bushnell 3200 Elite 2-7X32 are good too. The little Banner will give you more shoting time than a scope costing 4 times as much. You can get them for $60.00 shipped on Amazon. I recently bought a new Leupold 2-7X33 VX-1, and it doesn't come close to the other 3 mentioned. It's very dark and almost imposible to adjust. I won't be buying another Leupold.

+ on the banner scope, that's what I use on my muzzleloader's, small, lightweight and plenty of FOV and the price is great

I have an older Marlin 444 and want to scope it. I have the
VX-1 2-7x33 and from one of the posters above...this scope is [bleep]. Crappy buy if it does not work but I am going to try it out.

A couple or three of questions here. Who likes the matte versus the gloss scope on lever rifles? And what bases/rings for my older 444 Marlin.

I am also going to need to order reloading dies and stuff since a box of ammo is going to cost a couple legs so what boolits do you have successful shooting with your 444 Marlin...please specify product number for boolits and RCBS dies...what powder you like best. I've looked for the dies on Midway and cannot seem to locate it.

Thanks for the inputs. BTW this loading is for hunting deer...

Scope finish is personal preference; I like matte.

Reloading info:

Hornady 265 grain bullets (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=605468)

or Barnes 225 pistol X bullets (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=716126)

RCBS dies (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=386516)

Lee factory crimp die (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=113497)

IMR4198 powder

Weaver Low Tip-Off Rings are great. Burriz Zee Rings are also very good. The standard Weaver base is all I use. I like Matte. eBay and Gunbroker is a good source for cheap stuff.

I see some guys trashing the Leupolds, but I've had good luck with them, although I've never had a VX-I or II. I do also own Bushnell, Burris, Nikon, Simmons, etc - I don't have anything against any of them, having used all of them with success. My Big bore lever guns - the .444 has a 2.5-8X36 vari-x III and my 45-70 has a 2.5-8x36 vx-3. They look right on the rifles and are brilliant and clear - the VX-3 a little better.

The VX-3 is matte and I prefer that finish even on a shiny rifle. The Vari-X III is gloss, doesn't look bad and I already had it, so it went on the rifle. The matte does look better and is probably more appropriate in the woods.

Apparently the Hornady 265 FP is the do it all hunting bullet for this caliber. I've had good success with H4198.

Bushnell Banner is a good medium priced scope. They hold up.

My 444 really suited the Leupold 2.5X M8 Compact. Lots of eye relief and capable of feet to as far as a 444 can hit. Thier called ultralights now.

In a variable I'd go 1-4 with a straight tube. The Weaver 1-3X20, Nikon 1-4X20, Weaver Dangerous Game etc. I would pick a true 1X on the low end. Real close in the bush its nice to have the sight picture the same as the offside eye, incredible instinctive configuration when shooting with both eyes open and fast.

Older low power Weaver variable. Perfect for my 444 Guide gun.