Last Updated on March 15, 2021
Let’s begin with a brief history of Marlin 336. Well, Marlin 336 rifle was introduced by Marlin Firearms in 1948. From then until now they are widely held as popular centerfire lever-action rifles like the henry 44 and carbine for deer hunting, casual hog hunting, and black bear hunting purposes. The reasons behind such widespread use of the Marlin 336 is its price, accuracy, power, ease of use, reliability, usefulness, and much more.
Nowadays, this rifle is available with dozen of variations with barrel lengths. However, all of them are limited to two types of calibers .30-30 Winchester and .35 Remington. And their range is around 200 yards for most cases.
A rifle or firearm is not the only thing that stands behind a successful shoot. There are many other things also and you can’t overlook a good quality scope in this regard. So, what is the best scope for Marlin 336 rifles from tons of options? Below, you will find the 7 top choices for quick purchase. If you have any confusion, the buying guide will quench your thirst, we bet. Stay tuned!
Top Choices
7 Best Scope for Marlin 336 Reviews
01. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Marlin 336 Riflescopes
Our top-listed Marlin 336 scope is the Vortex Optics 2-7×32 Crossfire II riflescope. This scope comes with numerous styles. Out there, we choose the Dead-HOLD BDC 2-7×32 mm Crossfire II model for its popularity, ease of use, and price. Besides, the Dead-Hold BDC reticle will help you eliminating guesswork while shooting or hunting at varying distant ranges so that you can easily understand where your bullet is going to hit.
Crossfire II has long eye relief so you can get a quick sight picture of the target. And fast-focus eyepiece will let you rapid and easy reticle focusing facility. The finger adjustable capped turrets can be easily reset to zero with MOA clicks after sighting in. Elevation can be adjusted up to 60 MOA. You can rely on this riflescope whether you mount this on Marlin 336 rifle or any other firearms.
This riflescope is a single tube construction of aircraft-grade aluminum that ensures shockproof and durable performance. The lenses are fully multi-coated and anti-reflective which gives crystal clear images. If you want to use the scope to any harsh weather condition where water and fog are challenging, don’t worry this is a 100% waterproof and fog-proof device.
Features:
- 2-7x magnification
- 32 mm objective lens
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Second focal plane
- O-ring seals
- Nitrogen purged
- 60 MOA elevation adjustment
- Anti-reflective and fully multi-coated lenses
Pros
- Visual appearance remains the same with power change
- Fast and simple reticle focusing
- Can be used in any weather
- VIP warranty
- Best scope for 30-30 Marlin 336
Cons
- The reticle is not illuminated like the Dot
02. Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10×40 Riflescope for Marlin 336
Our runners-up pick is the high-performing Leupold 3.5-10x Riflescope. The price seems comparatively high but the quality worth the money. The duplex reticle will help you fast target acquisition. You will see DiamondCoat 2 coating in the lenses where ion assists maximum light transmission with the greatest abrasion resistance.
Leupold is made from 6061-T6 aircraft rating aluminum that will ensure the harshest recoil for lifetime use. The matte finish helps you camouflaging in the outdoors. The 1/4 MOA finger click adjustment precision works correctly for elevation and windage adjustment. It is a completely waterproof, fog-proof, and shock-resistant device.
While you have VX-3i Riflescope in your hand, no matter how far the target is. Even you can easily detect the target if it hides behind the tight brush. This is one of the best-illuminated scopes for a 30-30 lever gun.
Features:
- 5x-10x magnification
- 40 mm objective lens
- 6 to 4.4-inch eye relief
- Aluminum housing
- DiamondCoat 2 lens coating
- Duplex reticle
- Linear FOV (ft/100 yd) 29.8/11
- 1-inch tube
- 3:1 zoom ratio
Pros
- Multiple reticle options
- Fog-proof, waterproof and shock-proof
- Withstand extreme temperatures
- Works great in low light
- Ensures higher light transmission
- Lifetime warranty
- Best scope for marlin 30-30
Cons
- Expensive than others
- No HD glass
03. Simmons Truplex Riflescope for 35 Remington
Simmons 3-9×40 Truplex Riflescope
is an ideal scope for those who need the best budget scope for Marlin 336. This is an 8-point Truplex reticle (extra fine aiming lines in the middle) that offers outstanding precision.
Simmons riflescope features SureGrip audible-click 1-4 MOA elevation and windage adjustment. The TrueZero fingertip adjustment ensures locked tight to zero. There is QTA eyepiece that ensures easy target acquisition.
This is fully-coated optics that provides bright images in the field. It is a genuine waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof device. This is a good entry-level scope for hunters for short-range.
Features:
- 3-9x magnification
- 40 mm objective lens
- 8-point riflescope
- FOV (ft. at 100 yds.) 31.4/10.5
- Eye relief (inches/mm) 3.75/95
- Exit Pupil (mm) 10.7/3.6
- Fully-coated optics
- 1-inch tube size
- 1-4-MOA SureGrip audible-click adjustments
- Truplex reticle
Pros
- Waterproof, fog-proof and recoil-proof
- Outstanding precision
- Budget-friendly scope
- Best scope for a 30 30 lever-action rifle
Cons
- Blurry images may form at high power
04. Vortex Optics 3.5-10×50 Diamondback Lever Action Riflescopes
Vortex Optics Diamondback 
is another widely held riflescope for Marlin 336. It is ideal for long-range applications for the big game, predator, or varmint hunting. But if you want you can use it on slug shotguns. Like most other Vortex Optics this comes with a Dead-Hold BDC reticle that will be handy for varying range hunting and shooting when estimating hold-over is important.
The solid hard-anodized one-piece tube will ensure durable and shockproof performance. Argon purged and O-ring sealing made this device unparalleled for waterproof and fog-proof performance. The fully multi-coated lenses confirm maximum light transmission and help you get the brightest images.
This optical equipment has a fast-focus eyepiece that lets rapid and simple reticle focusing. There are capped turret for zero resets after sight in. All these make this a good go-to hunting scope for Marlin 336.
Features:
- 5-10x magnification
- 50 mm objective lens
- Second focal plane style
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- FMC lenses
- Capped turret
- 1-inch tube size
- 3-inch eye relief
- 4 to 11.3-inch FOV @ 100 yards
- Argon purged and O-ring seals
- 1/4 MOA adjustment per click
- 65 MOA for both windage and elevation adjustment
- Parallax setting 100 yards
Pros
- Waterproof, shockproof and fog-proof
- Image proportion remains the same with power change
- Crystal clear glass
- Lifetime warranty
- Best scope for 30-30 lever action
Cons
- Not parallax free
05. Nikon Buckmasters II 3-9×40 Remington 30-30 Riflescope
Nikon Buckmasters II Riflescope
comes with great features that make it a trustworthy choice for hunters and shooters. And this fits any Marlin 336 rifle correctly. Both magnification and objective lens are quite good for short-range as well as mid-range shooting like benchrest.
This comes with a patented BDC reticle that helps you understand where your bullet will be hitting. It provides standard and consistent eye relief. The fully multi-coated lenses will ensure image clarity. Where you use this scope in rain, fog, or dust, it can survive any extreme situation.
Buckmasters II uses Spot On Ballistic Match Technology to discover all exact aiming points on reticles for various ranges according to your ammunition and load. The black matte finish lets you hunting without exposure in the wilderness. Besides, the positive-click reticle allows adjusting zero quickly and maintains it even after heavy recoil. So, this Nikon Scope will be a great buy for your next hunting trip like turkey hunting.
Features:
- 3-9x magnification
- 40 mm objective lens
- BDC reticle
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Uses Spot On Ballistic Match Technology
- 1-inch tube diameter
- FOV @ 100 yds 4.4-13.3 ft
- 4-13 mm exit pupil
- 1/4 inch adjustment graduation
- 6-inch eye relief
- Parallax setting 100 yards
Pros
- Can withstand harsh weather
- Extremely bright output
- Excellent scope for the money
- Best scope for Remington 30-30 lever action
Cons
- Not a parallax-free scope
06. Primary Arms SLX 4-14×44 Riflescope for 30-30 Winchester
SLX 4-14×44 FFP Riflescope 
by Primary Arms is another great choice. Without this scope, our review will remain incomplete. So we plan to cover this here!
Primary Arms SLX is a versatile and good scope for Marlin 336 that fits almost all rifles. The ACSS HUD DMR reticle will combine BDC and a MIL ranging system, wind leads, intuitive design, and many more options.
This Primary Arms scope is constructed from aircraft-grade heavy-duty 6063 aluminum that is shockproof, waterproof, and fog-resistant. As it is a first focal plane (FFP) riflescope so you get extra leverage to any magnification.
There are 5 brightness levels with red illumination. The large objective lens helps you getting targets to any large distance. And wide range magnification can easily spot targets even they hide behind long-brush.
Features:
- 4-14x magnification
- 44 mm objective lens
- 30 mm tube
- Illuminated reticle
- 1 MRAD click value
- First focal plane
- ACSS HUD DMR reticle
- Eye relief 3.22 in low, 3.14 in high
Pros
- Waterproof, shockproof, and fog-resistant
- Intuitive and clear reticle
- Bright and clear images
- Great for novice and expert
- Best scope for lever-action rifles
Cons
- Warranty for 3 years only
- Mushy turret knob
- Little bit heavy
07. Burris Ballistic Plex 2-7×32 Hunting Scope for Scout Rifle
We will wrap up our review with the last product Burris Ballistic Plex. It is one of the best riflescopes for scout rifles like the Marlin 336 rifle But you can also use it with the fighting carbine and other rifles. It is good for mid and close-range shooting. The aluminum housing makes this solid and shockproof. It is a lightweight and compact scope so you can easily carry it with the rifle.
Burris scout riflescope uses Ballistic Plex reticle for quick and clear target acquisition. It comes with a forward-mounted design to mount in front of the ejection port that extends eye relief greatly. This also allows keeping both eyes open with super-fast target acquisition. The hand-filtered internal assemblies and precision gauged to keep the points consistent and hold the true magnification.
This scope uses FMC and precision-ground lenses for maximum light transmission. The high-grade optical glass gives back bright and clear images. There are nitrogen-filled in the tube that prevents fogging in rain and cold weather.
Features:
- 2-7x magnification
- 32 mm clear objective lens
- 1-inch tube
- Multi-coated lenses
- Second focal plane
- Ballistic Plex
- FOV (ft. @ 100 yds.) 23 low, 8 high
- Exit pupil (mm) 16 low, 4.6 high
- Nitrogen purged
Pros
- Allows both eyes open shooting
- Very fast target acquisition
- Lightweight design
- Water, fog, and shockproof
- Lifetime warranty
- Best Marlin 336 scout scope
Cons
- Pricy scope
Buying Guide for Best Scope for Marlin 336
Choosing the Best Reticles for Marlin 336 Rifle
There are various types of reticles. But not all are good for Marlin 336. The complex reticles aren’t appropriate in this case. Rather than choose standard or duplex crosshair style when fast target acquisition is required.
Illuminated reticle vs non-illuminated retiles is another dilemma. The illuminated reticles are good for the low-light situation as they ensure accuracy. If you want to hunt from dawn to dusk, illuminated options will be most preferable. With lots of perks, they have some disadvantages such as extra weight, replacement batteries. That’s why we enlisted a few non-illuminated options for you.
Dead-hold BDC MOA reticles eliminate guesswork and provide bullet hold over for long distances. Using the right reticle hash-mark, hunters and shooters can easily attain the reference of the dead-hold bullet drop for the desired distance. The customized dot design provides clear targets. Also, the second focal plane (SFP) reticles don’t visually change with magnification and they need less adjustment.
Marlin 336 Scope vs. Iron Sight
Both scopes and iron sights are used in Marlin 336 rifles and they provide dissimilar advantages. But which one is better for hunters and shooters? Well, this depends actually on situations and needs.
Scopes are handy for long-range shooting and low-light conditions. They allow magnifying targets with easy aiming and shooting. While you are using the scope, there is a little chance of being detected as you are far from targets.
Iron sights are another sighting device for rifles and other firearms. They can be used for long-range and low-light situations also. But, you have to focus on the front sight before taking any shot which is tiresome for eyes and can form blur images.
As Marlin 336 can shoot only around 150 to 200 yards accurately, so you can choose both iron sights and scopes. However, when accuracy and fast target acquisition are the main concern, then scopes will provide unparalleled performance.
Quick Target Acquisition
While shooting with a lever-action rifle or Marlin 336, it’s not so easy to acquire targets fast. Different factors help in rapid target acquisition. So, whenever you buy a Marlin 336 scope for your rifle, look for the features that come with a large field of view, low magnification, handsome eye-relief, and a simple reticle that can be easily centered on the target.
Light Transmission
When more light passes through scopes, sharper and brighter images in general. This is very essential for hunters and shooters. How much light a scope can transmit? It depends on several factors like anti-reflection, fully multi-coating, and bigger objective lenses. Never compromise with image quality as this leads to effective shooting.
How to Mount A Scope on A Marlin 336?
Mounting a scope on a Marlin 336 is not a very tough job, you can do it easily following some simple steps. However, the incorrect mounting can cause missing more shots even more terrific. You need the best scope mounts for marlin 336 to do this. The mounting steps are as follows.
Step 1: Firstly, check out the base that Marlin 336 rifle box comes with. It may be a Weaver or Picatinny base. Luckily, you needn’t do drilling as most firearms have pre-milled, pre-tapped, or pre-drilled to accept standard mounts and bases.
After confirming, you have all things in hand go for the next step.
Step 2: Place your Marlin 336 on a solid base, workshop vise is a wonderful option. Put some soft rag in the vise and clamp the rifle to secure it in place. Make sure, the rifle is parallel or leveled to the ground.
Step 3: Now, clean the receiver ports nicely with some mineral oil to avoid rust formation later. Repeat this for base and scope.
Step 4: Let’s line up the mount and scope with the receiver. Make sure, base and scope are in the forward orientation. Recheck, the holes are perfectly lined up.
Step 5: Before screwing the base, secure the screws in place with Blue Loctite. This also prevents shaking the scope. Alternately, you can tighten the screws until no jiggles are found in the base before the Loctite fixing.
Step 6: Then, setup the lower half of the mounting ring on the base. Be sure, they have enough space from each other and do not collide with the turret. Now, tighten them with appropriate screws and Loctite.
Step 7: Put the scope on the bottom half of the rings. Then place the other half of the ring and screw it loosely for a time being with another half. Be sure, the scope can move back and forth and rotate.
Step 8: Before tightening the upper parts of the mounting ring, rotate the scope and align the reticle properly. When the vertical axis stands out parallel to the barrel of the rifle, the reticle is considered as right alignment. Also, adjust the eye-relief, where you see comfortably.
After completing the correct scope’s placement, tighten down it with screw holes using the Loctite. So, you successfully do the mounting. Now proceed to zero of the scope for your desired distances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Scope Bases Used Mostly for Marlin 336?
Weaver and Picatinny bases are two widely held bases for Marlin 336 scope mounting. They are almost the same with little difference. Weaver styles have 7/8” flat bases for recoil slots. The good side is that you can remove them without taking off the scope. So, you don’t lose too much of the zero while using Weaver.
Picatinny’s base width for recoil slots is thicker than the Weaver. So, if you want, you can use the Weaver ring on Picatinny. This style is more versatile and accommodates many scopes than Weaver. This is why try with a Picatinny base first. If this fails then install Weaver ring, not the base.
Fixed Power or Variable Power Scope Which is Better for Marlin 336?
Fixed magnification scopes come with constant power. They are cheaper but don’t have the same versatility as variable ones. Before owning this, you have to know shooting distance first. The larger magnification ones aren’t good for smaller distances and vice versa.
The variable magnification scopes are good in terms of power-changing capability. So, you can use one for different ranges. But they are expensive than the fixed power ones.
What Tube Size of Scope is Good for Marlin 336?
Nowadays, most scopes come with 1 inch and 30 mm tubes. Both of them have pros and cons. But 1-inch tube size is the most popular choice for Marlin 336W 30-30 lever-action rifle as it’s lightweight than the 30 mm tube. But, if weight is not an issue for you then go for the 30 mm tube.
Final Words
Marlin 336 rifle is a good option for mid-range shooting. Adding a good scope can enhance your easy aiming, fast target acquisition, and effective shot. Hopefully, by now you know everything about how to choose the best scope for Marlin 336.
Any scope from the above reviews will be a perfect fit for your favorite Marlin 336. Before getting one, check all the features with optical clarity. Happy hunting!
Kalman is a hunting expert who has a vast experience with wild game hunting. Though night time hunting is his favorite, he masters the art of daytime hunting and shooting. Being a nature lover and outdoor enthusiast, he wants to pass the knowledge acquired over time to the next generation.
