Best Scope for Marlin 336 – Buyer’s Guide

A hunter who knows his guns knows that when it comes to hunting big or small game, a Marlin 336 can get the job done easily.

Which is not a surprise since it is designed for hunting.

However, the only limitation this powerful rifle has is that it’s designed for short-range shooting.

So if you need to do some long-range shooting with it, you need a good scope.

But not any scope is suitable for this type of rifle. So read on and discover the best scope for Marlin 336.

Scopes for Marlin 336 Comparison Chart

6 Best Scopes for Marlin 336 (as of October, 2023):

The Leupold LP113874-BRK VX-1 3-9×40 is a great scope for short-range shooting rifles. Not only is it designed to improve your accuracy, but it also boosts the shooting speed of your rifle. It allows you to lock in on a target and hit it dead on.

Reticle

You can also choose to go with any of the three different reticles available for this scope. There is the Firedot Duplex, Fine Duplex, and Pig Plex.

The Firedot Duplex is ideal for night hunting or for hunting or shooting in poor light conditions. The Fine Duplex is great especially when you need a clear view of your target.

And the Pig Plex reticle is specially designed for hunting hogs. It has a holdover of 600 yards and it features a centralized circle which enables you to hit a moving target.

So when it comes to reticles, the Leupold VX-1 gives you some good options, each with its own benefits and purpose.

Quality Optical System

The Leupold VX scope is designed to deliver clear views in any weather conditions. The lenses are coated to reduce glare thereby delivering sharp and clear images even in poor light conditions.

It has an objective lens of 40mm, which means it delivers a wide field of view and therefore is ideal for people with poor eyesight.

Another great advantage of the size of the objective lens is that it’s not too heavy to carry around. You may not really need a bipod to mount your rifle unless you really want one.

The VX has a 9x magnification which is typically the ideal power range for outdoor activities such as hunting.

Construction

Like most quality scopes, the VX is O-ring sealed for waterproof performance. The scope tube is made of aluminum for durability and purged with nitrogen for fog performance.

Main Features

• Multi-coat 4 Lens System
• Fine Duplex Reticle
• Longer Eye Relief and Generous Eyebox
• Classic/Standard Lockable Eyepiece
• Versatile 3:1 Zoom Ratio Erector System
• 1/4 MOA Finger Click
• Tactile Power Selector
• Ultra-Lightweight 30mm Maintube
• 6061-T6 Aluminum
• Durable Lens Cover
• Proprietary Nitrogen Fill Process
• Waterproof & Fogproof
• Full Lifetime Guarantee

Leupold VX 1 3-9x40mm:

The Nikon 16423 Black X1000 6-24x50SF is a long-range shooting scope that features precision aiming reticles, a solid construct, and quality optics.

This is the kind of scope you need to enhance the capabilities of a Marlin 336 especially when it comes to long-range shooting.

Illuminated X-MOA Reticles

The X1000 has an illuminated reticle placed on the scope’s second focal place. The X-MOA reticle allows you to easily estimate the range and maintain a holdover giving you a clear shot of your target.

When you think about it, if you don’t’ want to spend a whole day trying to kill a deer or hog, this would be the ideal scope to help you kill your target quickly. This is because it is designed for precision aiming.

Lens Coatings

A scope without coated lenses is not a scope. However, this is one area the Nikon X1000 does not fail. Its lenses are multi-coated with anti-reflective coating to provide you with high-contrast, bright, and sharp views.

The coating also helps minimize color fringing which can make viewing difficult or impossible.

Solid Build

The X1000 scope tube is made of aluminum to ensure that it lasts long. The body has an O-ring seal to help prevent water or moisture damage. It is also purged with nitrogen for shockproof performance.

Main Features

• Illuminated X-MOA Precision Reticle
• Second Focal Plane
• Full Multilayer Coatings On All Air-to-Glass Surfaces
• Anti-Reflective Coating
• Lead & Arsenic Free Eco-Glass
• Side-Focus Parallax Adjustment
• Precise, Ergonomic Windage & Elevation Turrets
• Consistent Eye Relief
• Rugged Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof Construction
• Lifetime Repair/Replacement

Nikon Black X1000 – X-MOA:

The Burris 200261 Ballistic Plex 2-7×32 is a scout scope that is designed for hunting and target shooting. With a 7X magnification and 32 mm objective lens, this scope sports a lightweight and compact design.

So this one of those scopes you can place on your Marlin 336 rifle and walk with it over your shoulder without getting tired quickly.

Good Magnification

The Burris Ballistic is a 32mm scope with a magnification of 7x, which is adequate for hunting. The 32mm objective lens provides a small field of view, which means that if you have poor eyesight or you wear glasses, this scope is not a good option for you.

Posi-Lock System

One advantage that the Burris Ballistic may have over other scopes is its posi-lock system, a small device that secures your accuracy ensuring that you don’t miss your target.

This is a great feature for hunters that prioritize accuracy when it comes to selecting rifle scopes. It’s also a great scope for novice hunters who are not used to using scopes.

Clear Optics

With multi-coated lenses, the Burris Ballistic delivers sharp and bright images even at long distances. You don’t need to fiddle too much with the windage and elevation knobs to shoot at long ranges.

Main Features

• Ballistic Plex Reticle
• Reticle placed on rear (second) focal plane
• 1/4 MOA per click impact point correction
• 66 MOA windage and elevation adjustment range
• Anti-reflection multicoated optics
• Non-illuminated crosshair
• Thick posts are easily visible, even in low light
• Thin hairs provide precision aiming point without obstructing target
• Capped turrets are resettable to zero after initial sighting
• Fast focus eyepiece with 9.2-12″” eye relief
• Aluminum housing with 1″ one-piece main-tube
• Scratch and corrosion-resistant matte-black anodized finish
• Nitrogen-filled for water and fogproof performance

The Vortex Optics CF2-31007 Crossfire II 3-9×40 is one of the most popular second focal place scopes. And what hunters love about this scope is its advanced features which help deliver high-resolution images improving their hunting experience.

Quality Optics

You have to applaud the Vortex Optics for providing reticle options you can choose based on your preference.

The scope reticles include V-illuminated MOA, V-Plex MOA, and BDC MOA reticles. The fast focus feature on the scope allows you to easily and quickly adjust the reticle to your liking.

Aside from that, the scope has a 40mm objective lens which provides a generous field of view and 9X magnification for clear viewing at long-ranges.

Its lenses are coated and have anti-reflective properties to ensure that your imagery is sharp, bright, and clear.

Solid Construction

No one wants to spend a fortune on a scope that looks good but is far from good. Scope manufacturers are trying to outdo each other by making sure that their scopes have superior optics and solid construction.

And Vortex doesn’t mess around when it comes to ensuring that their scopes are made of durable materials. The Crossfire II like all other Vortex scopes is waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof.

Good Optics

Nothing makes a hunter more excited than a scope that has good optics. A scope with clear optics makes hunting easy and quite enjoyable.

And this is the kind of experience you can get with the Crossfire II. Aside from using multi-coated lenses for sharper viewing, the scope has a long eye relief.

This means when you mount it on the Marlin 336, which by the way is a heavy recoil rifle, you don’t have to worry about getting smacked on the face. So this is a scope that can be used by people who wear glasses.

Additionally, the scope has a large objective lens and adequate magnification for hunting.

Main Features

• Dead-Hold BDC Reticle
• Second Focal Plane
• Fully Multi-Coated
• Fast Focus Eyepiece
• 1″ Diameter Tube Design
• Single-Piece Tube
• Capped Reset Turrets
• Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
• Hard Anodized Finish
• Waterproof, Fogproof & Shockproof

If you are looking for a compact, lightweight scope for your Marlin 336 rifle, consider the Nikon 6719 ProStaff 2-7×32. Not only is it designed for portability, it has superior optics that deliver such clear imagery it can make you weep.

Superior Optics

You can’t go wrong with a scope that has quality optics. It doesn’t matter whether you are an expert or novice hunter, a scope that provides you with sharp and clear views of your target can help improve your accuracy.

It doesn’t matter whether the light conditions are good or bad, this scope is designed to perform well in both conditions.

Quality Build

A good scope should be durable and easy to handle. The Nikon ProStaff is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed to ensure that it performs well in any weather conditions. This is also to ensure that the scope doesn’t get damaged easily if dropped by mistake.

However, it’s not impervious, if dropped from a great height, it may get damaged.

Main Features

• Nikoplex Reticle
• Precise Hand-turn 1/4-inch Click Adjustments
• 80 MOA Maximum Adjustment
• Parallax Setting 100 yds
• 1″ Tube Diameter
• Zero-Reset Turret with Spring-Loaded Adjustment Knob
• Quick Focus Eyepiece
• Generous, Consistent Eye Relief
• Fully Multicoated Optical System
• Up to 98% Light Transmission
• Nitrogen Filled & O-ring Sealed
• Waterproof, Fogproof & Shockproof

The Nikon 16338 Buckmasters II 3-9×40 scope is a great option for your Marlin 336 because it has a dead-hold BDC reticle, which makes it possible to hit anything that is more than 600 yards.

It’s made for heavy recoil rifles so you don’t have to worry about eye relief issues especially if you wear glasses.

Large Objective Lens and High Magnification

The 7X magnification is sufficient for hunting. But if you want higher, that is up to you but keep in mind that a magnification of 10X or higher is not ideal for hunting.

Clear Optics

Nikon is one of the few brands reputed for producing scopes with high-quality optics.

Sporting anti-reflective multi-coated lenses, a large objective lens, and high magnification, the Buckmasters II scope is designed to deliver peak performance day or night no matter the weather.

And this is truly the type of scope you need for your short-range Marlin 336 rifle because you can shoot at long ranges with great accuracy.

Main Features

• BDC Reticle
• Precise Hand-Turn 1/4-inch @ 100 Yards Click Adjustments
• Fully Multicoated Optical System
• Spot On Ballistic Match Technology
• Quick Focus Eyepiece
• Generous, Consistent Eye Relief
• Waterproof, Fogproof & Shockproof
• Nikon No-Fault Repair/Replacement Policy
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

Nikon Training Series – Buckmasters II Riflescope:

Buyer’s Guide

What type of scope is best for a Marlin 336?

If you have a Marlin 336, you may already know that it is a rifle specially designed for hunting. And it is designed for short-range shooting. It is a favorite for hunting deer, bears, and hogs just to name a few.

So it’s a pretty powerful gun despite what others would consider a limitation when it comes to its shooting range capability.

However, you can improve the shooting range by fitting it with a quality scope. Not any scope is ideal for this type of rifle so to determine which one is suitable, think magnification, construct, objective lens and other factors.

The lighter the scope, the easier it will be to carry around. So you might want to avoid a scope with an objective lens that is bigger 40mm in size.

What to look for when choosing a scope for a Marlin 338

Before you buy a scope for a Marlin 336, there are certain considerations you need to take into account. And these considerations include:

The Magnification

Magnification is as important as every other feature on a scope. And knowing what magnification scope to buy depends on the outdoor activity you engage in often.

So the Marlin 336 rifle is ideal for hunting. Of course, you can use it for target shooting and other activities of this nature, but ideally, it is best suited for small and large game hunting.

But if you hunt small animals like deer or hog, a scope with a 4x magnification is adequate. Assuming that you don’t take shots that are beyond 400 yards.

Construction

Scopes tubes come in varying sizes. Some are larger than others and for good reason. Larger scopes are designed for long-range shooting. So this would not be the ideal scope to place on a Marlin 336 rifle, which is designed for short-range shooting.

Most scopes add extra weight when placed on a rifle, which is why you need a bipod to hold the gun when shooting. Otherwise, placing it on your shoulder may prove to be a challenge after some time. So consider weight when buying a scope for a Marlin 336 as well.

Also, most rifle scopes are either purged with nitrogen or argon to make them waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof.  So when it comes to durability, check to see if the scope is weather resistant.

Glass and Lens Coating

Ideally, when you are selecting a scope, the glass quality and the lens coating are key elements that should be at the top of your list.

When your scope has a quality glass lens, you are able to see clearly. But if it doesn’t, you might as well just toss it away, because it would be of no use to you.

The other thing is the glass layers. You don’t want a scope with an excessive number of layers as this can make the scope heavy. Although having multiple glass layers deliver high-resolution images, it may not be ideal for a hunting rifle.

When it comes to lens coatings, almost all standard scopes have multi-coated lenses for clear and sharp viewing. The type and number of coatings may differ from scope to scope.

Also, some lens coatings are water-resistant, which is a great feature when you think about hunting in the rain. Others scratch-resistant, which improves the durability of the lenses.

Reticle

There are many reticle options, whichever you decide to go with is totally up to you. But bear in mind that there are reticles that are designed to make hunting super easy at all ranges.

For example, BDC reticles are great for long-range shooting, while Mil dots reticles are great for all ranges.

And since you are looking for a scope for a rifle that is designed for short-range shooting, MOA or Mil dots reticles would be most suitable. This is because they are versatile and deliver great performance.

You can also opt for an illuminated reticle; however, you need a battery, which means extra weight to carry.

Objective Lens

A large objective lens gathers more light, which translates to clearer and sharper viewing even in poor light conditions. Also, it provides a wide field of view, which is ideal for people who wear glasses.

Objectives lenses vary in size. You can find one that is 20mm in diameter to one that is 72mm in diameter. Most hunters, however, go for a scope that has a 40mm objective lens.

Keep in mind that the bigger the objective lens, the heavier the scope. Most scopes with an objective lens of 50mm or higher need to be mounted. You can’t go around carrying a gun that has a scope with a large objective lens. As it might cumbersome.

Also, check to see that the lenses are coated, preferably multi-coated for a good viewing experience. With a multi-coated lens, you can see images clearly no matter the weather. And if the lenses are water-resistant or scratch-resistant, that is even better.

Eye Relief

If you wear glasses, opt for a scope with an eye relief of more than 5 inches again to avoid eye or facial injury when the rifle recoils.

Conclusion

The Marlin 336 is a great rifle for hunting game, but it’s meant for short-range shooting. And unless you can turn into a stealthy ninja when hunting, it’s hard to get close to your prey without making a sound.

But with a quality scope, you can shot your target dead-on from yards away with this rifle. So when choosing a scope for any type of rifle, make sure that above all, its optics can deliver clarity and accuracy.