Scope or Peep Sight for for Marlin 336?

[Spammy_H]

Greetings.

My wife and two of my sons completely surprised me on Christmas Day with a Marlin 336 in .30-30 Win. I was floored!

Anyways, while the shock and excitement have not worn off, my brain has engaged and I'm already thinking about upgrading the factory sights.

I'm not at all experienced with rifle optics, and want to get some wisdom on this purchase. This is going to be a plinking / patrol rifle. I'm not hoping to go out past 200 yds with it.

Here's my question:

Would peep sights be adequate for 100 - 200 yds? If so, I was thinking about a set of Willilams sights for ~~$70?

If not, I saw this house-brand scope in Cabella's that was specifically designed for Hornady LeverRevolution ammo:

Cabela's Pine Ridge Lever-Action Riflescope

The scope costs $99. I'm always a little suspect about house-brand stuff unless I'm familiar with it. I plan to reload, and would probably buy the Hornady bullets.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[butcher 50]

I like my lever guns with irons. However, if it's going to be a hunting rifle I'd be tempted to put a good quality 4 power scope on it.

[apexhunter]

Like Butcher an old style lever is made for irons as they just look and balance better. That said I did have a variable Nicon on a BLR- but that was a .308 BLR and not a Win or Marlin 30-30. If you are experienced with peeps I'd go that route as they are downright accurate and your hunting style will accommodate them.

[thetravlor]

Some things in life just shouldn't be and one is a scope on a lever gun. They can be very accurate with stock iron sights and deadly with the peep sights. I scored a 1937 Sears model 94 Winchester and the first thing I did was remove the scope on it. I can hit gong plates with it at 200 yards. Good Luck with it, the plinker ammo is $15 a box.

[Spammy_H]

Travlor - Thanks - I just ordered a Williams peep sight. It's on backorder at Midway, but I got my order in before it came off sale. $27.99

[AwPhuch]

Williams is the bomb...only problem I have is I have to get a drillbit to drill the frame of a pre-64 Winchester to mount it..and boy howdy you know how much I DON'T want to do that right!?!?!

[Spammy_H]

That sounds like a little too much stress for me. Fortunately, the 336 is already drilled and tapped & Williams makes use of the holes.

[Cuda66]

I've got XS sights on my .450 1895M; ghost ring rear and blade front.

I like 'em.

If you scope it...and I know this is gonna sound a little nuts...but for what you way you want to use it for, look at a Trijicon 1-4 Accupoint. Yes, it costs more than the rifle...but it's pretty much the perfect scope for the application.