Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions My New Marlin Marauder...!!!

Hello All.

I recently picked up this Marlin Marauder in .30-30 and would like to put a scope on it for Deer hunting. I want to put something compact to keep with the idea of the gun, light and quick.

Any ideas would be appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance, Mike...







[img]http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o243/rgr223cal/Marlin%20Marauder/new026.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o243/rgr223cal/Marlin%20Marauder/new027.jpg[/img]

[would like to put a scope on it for Deer hunting. I want to put something compact to keep with the idea of the gun, light and quick.]

JMO, but putting a scope on a nice, trim carbine like that will negate anything to do with light & quick.

There's NOTHING quicker & lighter than the issue iron sights, so if you have vision problems, why not try illuminated (fiber optic) sights, or a ghost ring/peep like the Skinner ?

.

I use the XS on a few of my Savage 99's and love it. (Pics below of my 99E in .243 with the XS Ghost Ring). I know that they make the XS for the 336 also.

What is a Skinner???

Thanks, Mike...

Nice carbine. For leverguns I like something w/ a 20mm objective like the scope above. For me that means a Leup 1-4x20 or a 1.5-5x20. For less coin, think Weaver V3 1-3x20mm.

burris 2-7 compac would be a good suggestion.

Hey Mike, I'm glad you found a Marauder, it takes the pressure off me to sell you my .35 Marauder! LOL!

If I were to change the very poor factory sights, I would go with a Williams 5D and a small bead front sight. Your gun has an aftermarket rear sight and the front sight may be smaller than factory. If you look down the sights and the front sight looks smaller than a basket ball, someone wisely already changed the front sight.

Because of the barrel length, I consider it primarily a short range arm so magnification is not the issue. If you must put a scope on, I'd recommend a Weaver K2.5 60-B or a Redfield or leupold single power of comparable power. These should all be 8 ounces or less. Go with the original Weaver rings and base, also, for light weight. Because of the lightness and shortness of this carbine, I feel it's critical to keep the weight of the optics down so as not to ruin the excellent handling qualities.

Have fun with the Marauder, they're just a super handy, fun to have gun!

Actually, I think there is a Weaver K1.5 for sale in the Classifieds. As long as that is one of the light weight Weavers, that would probably be ideal for a Marauder!

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...owflat/Number/2593159/page/2#Post2593159

The smallest lightest quality scope you can get for your rifle is a Leupould 2.5X compact. I had one on my Marlin Marauder 35 before I had to sell it. With Warne Maxima bases and Weaver low rings, it was a perfect setup, and remainded very light and handy despite the addition of the scope.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Would any of you have a picture of a Marauder with a scope?

I do not want to invest the cash and then not even like the way it looks...!!!

I hunt with a 1923 Savage 99G, .300 sav. with a tang peep sight so the ghost ring set up just might be the way to go, but I was hoping to put some glass on this one!!!

Thanks in advance, Mike...

This came up when I googled it.

WOW... Two things about that picture just ain't right.

1) That is not a Marauder

2) A big scope like that sure does make for one BUTT UGLY rifle!!!


Mike...

Absolutely right - that pic above is NOT a marauder
(pic from my own website)- a fake discussed there -
http://35cal.com/rep.html
BUT this is the real deal;
Ready to hunt - my 35Rem Marauder scoped with
Simmons 2.5X fixed shotgun model - weaver medium rings/bases.
No hammer spur needed with almost 6" eye relief.

Nice...

Thanks for the idea...


That set-up Sure does look good...


Thanks, Mike...

That rifle is begging for one of these Weavers ;



L-R K3 60B , K3 60B , V4.5 , V4.5W , V4.5W with post

Mike

Of that selection, the only ones I would suggest would be the K3-60B models because there ARE relatively light. The v4.5 and the V4.5W's are grotesquely heavy (14.75- 15 oz!).

It's amazing how a heavy scope can ruin the handling of a light rifle and how a light scope can improve the handling of a heavy rifle.

I used a 1975 vintage Redfield Widefield on my latest rifle because the scope weighs 8 oz. What an improvement in handling from a similar vintage Weaver K2.5.

I already have this Beautiful Weaver V4.5 Duplex, but it really is on the heavy side for the balance of the rifle. I did find a scope, a newer scope, that I am going to try out. I should have it in a few days. I will post pictures when it is mounted. It might just suit my needs!!!

Thanks, Mike...

The top gun is an 1894 in .44 with a Weaver 2.5x.
The bottom gun is a 16" 336 LTS 30-30 with a Weaver V3 1x3.

Personally I think the Weaver V3 is perfect for the Maruader.

Sorry to burst your bubble but an LTS is NOT a Marauder, it's an LTS. It may be similar but similar is not the same.

Whoops, sorry! Disregard my previous post.
I completely misunderstood the post by MacKay. I got to cut back on the coffee!!!

I'll go along with the 1st Responder ...
------------------------------------
"...putting a scope on a nice, trim carbine like that will negate any thing to do with light & quick."

(It will also negate those "darn good looks".)

I carry my scoped hunting bolt-rifle into my blind overlooking some CRP land in North Dakota.
My 2nd or back-up rifle is my "un-scoped" Marlin Spikehorn which comes in handy in early morning fog-
or when we leave the blinds and "walk" in heavy grasses and cover.

I'll scope most any rifle, but not my Marlins.

The Marauder's lever is rounded at the back? Nice rifle, I'm looking for a beater 336 to turn into a rifle like yours.

That's it - rub it in! I really like those straight stocked Marlins. Take a look at the Leupold 1X4. Mine are the older Vari X II shotgun scope with the heavy duplex. Small, light, the heavy duplex shows up on a black bear at dark-thirty. Not too awful expensive for the quality either. Hey, you want to trade that Marlin for a scope?

Mike FYI - I recently got this original Marlin brochure which I scanned. Marlin sure was thinking scoped lever guns back in 63 and 64. But I'm not a fan of big glass on a lever myself.

I'm thinking I paid waaaaaaay too much for my Marauder.

Well for kicks I put a Simmons Master Series 4x32 to see if I would like her with a scope. This scope is only 9 1/4" long so it is compact. I am going to giver her a shot set up this way. If I like hunting/shooting with this set up, I will go with a quality scope. Eye alignment and relief is just right...


Mike...

That looks darn nice to me ! I cant see for do-do anymore and have had to scope my Marlins so I could hit anything. That little scope looks about rite to me . I went with a Leupold 2.5x20 on my 336 , 35Rem and just love it . Kids went together and got me the scope , I would like another but they sure are spendy! I went with a Burris Timberline 4X on my 25-20 and it is nice too just cheaper. LOL.
If I live long enough I would like a Marauder in 35 Rem . Yours is sure a looker !

Thanks KERR...

I have not hit the range yet to see if it is a doable set up. Sure feels right when I shoulder it...!!!


Thanks, Mike...

You mounted a Simmons? On purpose?

Wow....................

Personally, I'm thinking a vintage straight tubed Weaver K would fit the bill very nicely.

I would go with a K-3 with a duplex reticule, in similar condition to the rifle. I still have time to play...!!!


Mike...

It should be noted that there is a big difference in weight between the older Weaver K and V series scopes and those with the microtrac adjustments. The older ones are much lighter. I have not weighed them, but a K2.5-C I have in MUCH lighter than a K2.5-1 w/micro trac I used to own. A nice older K series or V4.5 would not ruin the handling qualities of the rifle and would go with your rifle much better than a modern matte finish scope. I would actually go with the K2.5 over the K3. They have more eye relief and the difference in magnification is negligible.

...A K-1 Weaver would be even better, not easy to find but works like a super peep sight, both eyes open. I put one on my Winchester WranglerII in 38/55. A gun very similar to the Marauder, just a bit lighter, It is fast enough to shoot running game if the rifleman is up to it.

How are the ballistics of a .30-30 out of a 16" barrel? Seems to me not so good.

....but better than the ballistics of a .35 Rem out of a 16" barrel! LOL! The loss of about 50fps per inch means that the range of either cartridge is definitely compromised. All the more reason to stay with a light weight low power scope, to keep the rifle handy.

Personally, I think the Marauder is at it's best with a receiver sight and a fine bead front sight. More than adequate for any reasonable range for which the rifle is suited.

The velocity loss from a 20" barrel to a 16" barrel in 30-30 or 35 will not be noticed by the game you pursue within the ranges these carbines are used. A Marauder will still kill a deer quite dead within 150 yds just like the RC, SC etc.

Amen on the fine bead front sight recommendation. Anything larger than 1/16" looks like a beach ball through an aperture sight. I find the factory or similar sized front beads nearly useless past 50 yds with such a short barrel.

Were there any flip over scope bases made for the Marlin 336...??? I have a few old Weavers that I can play with. If I mount a tang or peep sight, I would still like the use of a scope if needed...!!!


Mike...

I know what you mean.I used to have scopes on my .35 and .30-30 .I decided to take them off because the only deer I shoot are within 100yards. The iron sights are good enough,no more fogged lenses.I even took the scope off my inline.

I do hunt my 1923 Savage 99G, ,300 savage, with a peep sight. I do not like iron sights. If I can find a decent peep set up for the Marauder, I would definitely go that route...!!!


Mike...

Just my 2 cents OK?,but I myself would never mount a scope on a Timber Rifle it's made for quick-snap shooting.

PS,Nice Rifle!

Well , This is as close to a Marauder as I am likely to get . LOL . I chopped the barrel on my 1966, SRC, 30-30 to 16 3/8" and put the dovetail sight on in place of the ramp .I had a hankerin to do something like this for awhile now . I thought what the heck!

I dang near an in the Marauder club.


[IMG]
Oldest grandson modeling with it for me .http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334/mountainkerr/TheGunRoom135.jpg[/IMG]

Howdy Kerr,

I just fitted that same stock on my LTS tonight that GONZO gave me. I could not make myself cut it into a pistol grip. The flute is what was missing.

All those short rifles sure look nice.

Got my fluted stock on, 16" barrel, square lever, safety

Her name is Loretta

Kerr: i recently acquired a texan straight grip marlin 336 1n .30-30with a brass saddle ring. the saddle ring is not mentioned in the standard catalog of firearms. are you aware of any references to this gun with the saddle ring? the ring appears original and not aftermarket. someone suggested that is the texan deluxe. the gun is not marked texan or delux. the serial number is stamped on the lower tang, not the receiver and is 69 41xxx

The Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32 is perfect IMO. The Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32 is also excellent. You can get them new & cheap on ebay.

Well she is gonna be my hunter this year... Wish me luck...!!!

Mike...


Click For Goodies (lots more to come)...!!!

I just came upon this ad and i know it's been a long time but just wondering if the MARLIN MARAUDER you had sold or is still available? Thanks, Rick.

PM sent...


Mike...

Not for sale any time soon...!!! Gotta bust a few deer first...!!!


Mike...