I have been thinking about redoing my 336, as it sits right now its has Weaver see-thru scope mounts and a Tasco Pronghorn 3x9 40mm scope on it. I don't hunt with it much so I don't want to put alot of money into it but I want better then I have. I put the Tasco on it before I knew better but it has held zero without fail just isn't clear enough and I don't need 9x magnification. I am thinking about using it as a woods gun 150 yards and below, I have other rifles if the range grows. My budget is about $150 for glass so my thoughts are this. New weaver bases and low mounts along with a Burris Timberline 4x 20mm or Pentax 1.75x5 20mm. Any sugestions will be considered. Thanks.
As it sits now.

Either one of those or a Nikon prostaff 2-7x33 would work very well

I looked at the nikon and am still thinking about it but I like the style of the other two is why I am leaning in their direction.

Weaver makes a nice 1-3 power variable for around $160. About the same size, weight etc. of the Burris. A tad over your specified budget but it gets very good reviews.

Been thinking real hard of getting one of these for my Marlin .45.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=183610

I really like the Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32 but the Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32 is also excellent. You can get the best price on eBay.

A used Leupold 4x28, such as the one that is listed in the Free Classifieds for $145, would fit perfectly on that set-up. Ditto, same same for the El Paso Weaver K4 listed there.

Leupold FXII 2.5X20 Ultralite.

If it's drilled and tapped for a receiver sight, and your eyesight is decent, that might be another way to go. Your range limitations are well within what can be done with a decent aperture sight.

The maker escapes me right now, but there is a company that makes a insert for the receiver sights that has a variable aperture for various lighting situations.

At 150yds, or less, the ghost ring type sights will offer the needed precision if you practice a little.

I like Vic's idea of the FXII ultralight and that is what is on my 1894ss. For my remaining 336 I have an older Burris 4x mini that is just about perfect for that rifle. Sittin' right next to me here on the computer desk is a Leupold VxIII 1.5x5 that is looking for a home on another rifle (hoping for another 45-70). Open sights or a receiver sight are just fine but I prefer the finer aiming point a low power scope affords.

While there's nothing wrong with either of your scope choices, I can heartily recommend the new Weaver V3 Classic 1-3x20, as I have two of them.

I find them to offer a bright/clear sight picture, with a readily visible reticle for most conditions.

They're available in either a gloss or matte black finish for around $149 IIRC at www.swfa.com - a discount online dealer I can also recommend doing business with.

http://swfa.com/Weaver-1-3x20-Classic-V-Rifle-Scope-P2864.aspx


SWFA also carries the Burris & Pentax lines of scopes at discount.

They have the Burris @$149: http://swfa.com/Burris-4x20-Timberline-Rifle-Scope-P10998.aspx

and the Pentax @ $109: http://swfa.com/Pentax-175-5x20-Gameseeker-Rifle-Scope-P6970.aspx

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Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I am still undecided but the project will have to wait till season is over I have had a lot of unexpected issues to rise up the last two weeks that have been nipping on my scope funds.

I really like the Nikon 1.5-4.5X20 or the Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32. You can get a good price on eBay.

I like my Weaver 1-3x20mm V3

My vote too; that or a used Weaver of like power. Right power and size; no muss, no fuss.

get rid of that ugly mount, and buy new Weaver Rings and a new Pentax 1.75-5X 20mm scope from Doug at Cameraland. Here is how that set up looks on my old Marlin 336.

Seeing where you live and remembering the weather down there, I stongly recommend a Bushell 3200/2-7x32 with RainGuard. And please get rid of the "alerted turkey" mounts, PLEASE! ?

Lose the "see-thru" mounts! Then mount a good 2-7X32 scope, and hit the woods!

The 3-9 Tasco Pronghorns are good scopes, they are made in Japan.

3x is very low magnification for just about any application.

The mounts you have on the gun are apt to get bent, I would go with a Medium Leupold...get them off of ebay, and use the scope you have.

Seems like money is tight for you right now, so don't sweat the small stuff.

Your 3-9 also has great coatings on the lenses and gather's light well...it's hard to just be happy.

I have a 3-9x42mm on my Marlin now and could not be happier. I tried a 1.5-5 Leupold and on shooting lanes, it was not enough magnification, then a 2-8 Leupold and it was OK. Then I tried this 3-9 Pentax with a little heavier crosshair than the Leupold 2-8...could not be happier.

Also, the Bushnell 3200's in 3-9 are really good scopes, clearer than my Leupolds in the same power range.

Bought a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32mm the other day at Walmart for my 336 for $129. Good scope for the price.

I put a Bushnell Banner 1-4x32 on my 336. I like the rifle so much I just purchased another one.

Try a Burris Timberland. I have 2- 3x9x32's. Great little scope for the money.

my vote goes for the Nikon Prostaff 2-7x33. I have one on my 336 and got to run some lead through it this weekend. Mount it low, without the seethroughs and on two power you can get on a deer at 10' in a swamp. Good clear scope for the money. I have 6 of them on various rifles now. Can't beat them for the money in my opinion. Great combo for a 30/30

I know its not homemade, but dont overlook a 2-7x40 Swift. My son has one on his 336 and loves it.

A leupold M8 4x is what I use on mine.

1-4 Leupold with Turkey reticle. It will outlast you and your son.

The best thing you will do is replace those mounts and the Weaver mounts have always worked well by me. I have had good service out of two Bushnell Banner 1.5x4 scopes. I used a Weaver 1.5x4.5 with great service for 25 years and I hear nothing but good about the new Weaver's product.The roughly 1x5 range range is ideal for the Marlin.

The Weaver 1-3X20 is also interesting.

Gonna go with Sean on this one...nothing beats a good Leupold M8-4x IMO. I scored mine for $120 a few years back and it might as well of been NIB.