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The Marlin Model 336 is easily one of the most popular deer rifles in the country. With a mix of a great price, good power, and great performance in brushy woods, it has proven itself time and again. While it will perform straight out of the box, adding the best scope for the Marlin 336 to your platform only increases its effectiveness and versatility.
I’m not talking just any scope but some of the best scopes out there that are tailored to this specific rifle. There are some considerations however to make depending on what model you own and how you use it. That is the best place to start, so let’s get to it.
Short on time? Our Top 6 Picks for The Best Marlin 336 Scope
- Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 Riflescope
- Burris Scout
- Vortex Optics Diamondback
- Vortex Optics Crossfire
- Simmons 510513 3-9×40 Truplex Riflescope
- Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn
What We Will Cover
What Makes The Best Marlin 336 Scope?
Model and Caliber
At current production, there are about a dozen different models of the 336 available in two different calibers. There have been many past models that varied from the current production and about 9 other calibers. For the most part, however, all perform about the same but there are a few notable differences.
When it comes to the specific setup of the 336 you have, the main thing it will affect is what mounting option is available for your scope. Some have a rail already in place while others use standard screw-in scope bases. This will generally not affect a standard scope but can have some impact on your options with red-dot sights. This is more something to consider when making your choice rather than anything that will make one scope less usable than another.
Caliber is where things get a little more complicated. The two current options are the tried and true .30-30 and .35 Remington. These are both cartridges from the turn of the 20th century and perform very similarly. The .35 has a little stiffer recoil but not enough to really affect a scope. It’s the older models with more powerful cartridges that you need to pay attention to.
If you have an older Marlin 336 chambered in .375 Winchester, you may want a scope with a little more eye relief. The same is true for a few of the older cartridges though most are on par with a .30-30 in recoil. A lot of this depends on how recoil-sensitive you are. Let me tell you, taking a scope to the eye is never any fun and can quickly ruin a day of hunting.
Magnification
In the world of rifle optics, it seems everyone wants to go over the top. There is no need for that with either of the current calibers offered for the Marlin 336, though I have seen scopes as high as 20x on a .30-30.
Realistically, anything 10x and below has use on a 336. My personal preference is for a 6-8x scope or so. A 4x is also a very good option. 10x is right at that cusp of too much power. If you could get a good deal, you could go into the low teens on a scope but you would probably want to keep it dialed back to somewhere in that range of 6x-10x.
Eye Relief
Some models of the 336 are very heavy with heavy barrels, rails, and other accouterments that add weight. This will reduce felt recoil to some degree. Others are comparatively light with short, streamlined barrels. This disparity means there are no firm rules as to how far you want your eye relief to be.
Much of this depends on how accustomed you are to recoil and how much you can deal with this. Body size and strength help. Generally, any scope will be sufficient to work with a .30-30 or .35 Remington cartridge. Neither has a very strong recoil.
That said, the layout of a lever-action rifle does lend itself better to longer eye relief. This has made red dot sights a fairly popular option. They can be placed as far away as needed with no issue. For a standard scope, you really need to pick up your rifle and see how far you need your eye relief to be before you buy something that doesn’t work.
Reticles and Adjustments
Thinking on this critically, there is very little reason to use any type of complicated, range delineated reticle for a Model 336. It lacks the range needed to make such a reticle useful. Stick to standard or duplex style crosshairs or even a circle, point, or other shaped reticles.
This reflects on the type of adjustment you use. The best scopes for long range rifles have turret adjustments to get you spot on target. For the 100 yards or so that you are likely to shoot, these are an added complication. Stick with standard capped adjustments that are usually used on a hunting scope. This will do everything that you need.
Best Marlin 336 Scope – New Products Updated
1 Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 Riflescope
Leupold is my top pick for the best scope to mount on your Marlin 336 for many reasons. As you may already know, Leupold is a leading manufacturer of firearm scopes and accessories, so it’s no surprise that they make the best scope for the Marlin 336.
The magnification is ideal for the Marlin 336. Combine the low-range magnification with the wide lens, and you get a near-perfect image when looking through the scope. The Leupold Twilight Light Management System creates superior light transmission and visibility, especially in low light.
The reticle is the Leupold Pig-Plex design that is ideal for hog hunting but can be used for any application. The scope is a single tube made of aircraft-grade aluminum and is fogproof, shockproof, and waterproof. In case the scope becomes damaged or defective, which it likely never will, Leupold will repair or replace the scope through their lifetime warranty.
2 Burris Scout Rifle Scope
For some reason, Burris has fallen out of popularity recently. This is a shame as their scopes are very nice and in the case of this scout scope, about the perfect match for a Marlin 336. It has everything you need to get the job done with nothing extra to get in the way or make it complicated.
For power, this goes from 2x to 7x. Set it on max and forget it. 7x is a great magnification for any range from 30 yards out past 100 if you do your part. Again, this has a reasonably sized 32mm objective lens for exceptional brightness. This is handy when you are hunting in the dim, tree-covered woods.
The reticle is a take on the duplex reticle that has a few bullet drop markers. This could be handy if you learn your round and its range. Most of the time you probably aren’t going to be shooting far enough to need them.
The biggest advantage of this optic is the massive eye-relief. It’s 11 inches meaning you can push this way up on a rail and shoot both eyes open if you are so inclined. Regardless, you are never going to have to worry about getting a scope to the eye socket with the Burris Scout.
3 Vortex Optics Diamondback Rifle Scope
Despite its place as 3rd on our list, Vortex scopes are simply amazing. When it comes to cost for quality, they are nearly impossible to beat. The lenses are top-notch and fully multi-coated. Their durability is almost legendary, and their warranty is among the best in the optics world. These all add up to a scope that will last a lifetime and work flawlessly.
There are several variants of the Diamondback suitable for the 336. Some argument could be made for the 5x power scout model scope but I prefer the 3-9x which is a perfect match for a .30-30. You could go up to the 10x but it costs a good bit more and doesn’t offer much of a bonus.
There are also several reticle options but the standard V-plex is a solid bet. It’s more or less a standard crosshair. Go with the Dead-hold BDC if you do want some bullet drop markings. Either will do the same job and even the BDC reticle doesn’t come across as cluttered.
Among many strengths with a Vortex optic are their VIP warranty, outstanding durability, and impeccable lens quality. These are simply amazing scopes available at a price that is almost unbelievable for the overall quality.
4 Vortex Optics Crossfire Rifle Scope
Because they are such a good value, let’s look at one more Vortex that is an exceptional choice for the model 336. In this case, it’s the Crossfire II. There are a number of variants of this optic but the one that really stands out is the Crossfire Scout. It is very much in line with what you would need for a shorter range rifle.
The power on the scout tops out at 7x and like with the Burris, set it there and leave it. There is no need to scale it back unless you are shooting very short ranges or in very thick brush. For a scout scope, the objective is a little larger than expected at 32mm. This is really a good match, just not the norm in the optics world.
The reticle is the same V-plex as on the Diamondback so nothing new to add there. In many ways, this is very similar to the Diamondback with the same great lenses, warranty, and quality. The difference lies in the eye relief. The Crossfire II Scout has nearly 10 inches making it a very good choice for higher powered lever-action rifles.
The Crossfire has a couple of other notable features that may not be huge concerns on a .30-30 but can be handy if you ever move it to another rifle. Zero reset turrets are a great addition. Though the turrets are capped, they are finger adjustable for fine-tuning. All this is just extra but it’s worth considering.
5 Simmons 510513 3-9×40 Truplex Riflescope
The Simmons 510513 3-9×40 Truplex riflescope is likely the best scope for your Marlin 336 for the money. It’s an affordable price that doesn’t sacrifice quality, features, or functionality.
This is a Simmons 8-point riflescope which means it’s packed with features. First, it has fully coated optics that create a bright, clear, high-contrast image when looking through the scope.
Second, it has ¼ MOA SureGrip adjustable windage and elevation turrets that make it easy to adjust while on the go. Third, the tube is waterproof, recoil-proof, and fogproof, making it durable enough to withstand continuous use from your Marlin 336.
The Simmons 510513 magnifies between 3x and 9x and is a second focal plane scope. It has a Truplex reticle with razor-thin crosshairs in the middle of the reticle and thicker crosshairs near the perimeter of the reticle.
The Simmons 510513 is an affordable scope for a Marlin 336 that doesn’t lack any features or functionality.
6 Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Rifle Scope
To end on a high note, we need to talk about Bushnell. There are probably more of their scopes on hunting rifles than any other brand out there. This isn’t so much about quality as it is about value. You can get a solid Bushnell scope for far less than many other brands and it will still do the job. Their Banner line is among the most popular by a wide margin.
At 3-9x we are in that sweet spot for a .30-30. And when combined with their DDB coated lenses, this is a perfect choice for dim woods or overcast days. You aren’t going to be shooting in the dark but you can easily squeeze a couple of extra hours out of your hunting day.
The Multi-X reticle is just Bushnells name for a duplex reticle. In this case, the thicker part of the line is quite thick making it easy to pick up in poor light. The thinner part is just what you would want for precision shooting. It’s a good reticle if a bit clunky looking.
The one issue I see with Bushnell is their quality control. You do occasionally get a bum scope from them. This is not a huge issue as their customer service is great and they always take care of these issues but it can be a minor inconvenience. You also want to stick to lower powered rounds with this scope, no magnums, and probably no .375 Winchester. Otherwise, you are good!
Final Thoughts
At no point can I imagine not owning a 336. They are simply a great rifle perfect for taking a deer or some casual hog hunting. Back in the day, they were a reasonable turkey rifle. While the base rifle is good and tends to be quite accurate, adding a scope is a no-brainer. Stick one on your rifle and give it a shot. I promise you will never look back!
