The 8 Best Scopes for Marlin 336 in 2020
Photo: petersenshunting.com
A Marlin 336 is a lever-action rifle that was introduced in 1948. It is not really a quick gun and does not carry a huge payload but its range of about 200 yds makes it suitable for hunting.
However, at 200 yds, you need a scope because most sights can only help you hit targets 100 yds away. Ideally, a magnification of up to 12x is recommended so as to let you see clearly.
With that in mind, we have compiled a list of 8 of the best scopes for Marlin 336s that you should consider buying.
You can also read other product reviews such as scope for Marlin 60 , scope for mini 14 , 22lr scope , rimfire scope .
8 Best Scopes for Marlin 336 – Review
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1. Trijicon RS20-C-1900011 (Best Overall) |
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2. Barska AC11204 (Best Budget) |
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3. Leupold 56170 (High Magnification) |
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4. Burris Optics 200123 (Has Wide Field of View) |
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5. Nikon 6721 (Complete Scope Kit) |
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6. Nikon 16338 (Versatile) |
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7. Simmons 510513 (With Precise 8-Point Reticle) |
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8. Nikon 6719 (Has Nikoplex Reticle) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Trijicon RS20-C-1900011 (Best Overall)
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2. Barska AC11204 (Best Budget)
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3. Leupold 56170 (High Magnification)
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4. Burris Optics 200123 (Has Wide Field of View)
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5. Nikon 6721 (Complete Scope Kit)
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6. Nikon 16338 (Versatile)
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7. Simmons 510513 (With Precise 8-Point Reticle)
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8. Nikon 6719 (Has Nikoplex Reticle)
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1. Trijicon RS20-C-1900011 – Best Overall Scope for Marlin 336
Photo: Trijicon
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Field of View: 11.8-35.5 ft. @ 100 yds
Top of the list is Trijicon’s RS20-C-1900011 and it is the overall best scope for the Marlin 336 primarily because it has an illuminated reticle with 11 adjustable brightness settings plus an “off” setting between each of the eleven.
This allows you to clearly see the marking at different times of the day and in any weather condition.
That said, you get a mil-dot reticle, which is considered one of the best because it enhances accuracy, and is placed on the second focal plane so as to retain its size during magnification. This ensures you get a more precise aiming point at higher magnification.
Other features include a tough aircraft-grade aluminum housing that is very durable, multi-coated lenses for superior light-gathering capabilities with zero distortion and 31 hours of battery life at maximum reticle brightness (using a CR2032 battery).
The only problem is that this scope is very expensive.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Barska AC11204 – Best Budget Scope for Marlin 336
Photo: Barska
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Eye Relief: 3.3 in.
- Field of View: 14-36 ft. @ 100 yds
Just in case you are on a tight budget, Barska’s AC11204 is the most affordable scope for the Marlin 336 to consider. Despite this, the unit still comes as a complete set with scope caps, a lens cleaning cloth and 0.625-in. mounting rings for easy installation.
On the inside are fully coated optics that allow as much light in as possible while a 30/30 reticle with some range finding capabilities gives you a target point to hit.
You also get windage and elevation side adjustment knobs with 1/4 MOA, a parallax-free view at 100 yds, a relatively wide 36-ft field of view at 100 yds with 3x magnification and a waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof design.
However, the scope comes in a striking silver finish, which might expose your location when hunting because it is not camouflaged.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Leupold 56170 – High Magnification Scope for Marlin 336
Photo: Leupold
- Magnification: 4-12x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Eye Relief: 3.7-4.9 in.
- Field of View: 9.4-19.9 ft. @ 100 yds
Leupold’s 56170 features the highest magnification power in this review, which goes up to 12x. This ensures you get a clear view of distant objects and is matched by a wide Duplex reticle that is ideal for large or moving targets.
Another benefit you get with this scope is its twilight management system, in which the lenses deliver high brightness and clarity for hunting at dusk or dawn. This is because they enhance light transmission, image contrast, and resolution while reducing glares.
More features include nitrogen-filled optics with sealed ends for water and fog proof performance, a relatively high eye relief of up to 4.9 inches and a rugged design that is shockproof and very durable. However, the product is quite expensive.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Burris Optics 200123 – Marlin 336 Scope with a Wide Field of View
Photo: Burris
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Objective Lens: 35mm
- Eye Relief: 3.1-4.1 in.
- Field of View: 13-45 ft. @ 100 yds
At its low magnification of 2x, Burris Optics’ 200123 offers a very wide field of view, which covers a length of 45 ft. This enables you to see lots of targets at close range so that you can pick which one to hit.
That said, the scope is equipped with a ballistic plex reticle that has a simple, uncluttered design and has a long-range accuracy of up to 500 yds. It has several bullet-drop compensating markings, which are ideal for such a long-range.
However, with its maximum magnification of only 7x, the unit cannot give you a clear view of very distant objects. It is recommended for short, fixed distance hunts such as stalking in the woods or driven hunts.
Other features include a small and lightweight size that is only 11.4 in. long and 12 oz. in weight, 1/2 in. click adjustments with 60 MOA max windage and elevation adjustment, and a sturdy 1-piece aluminum build.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Nikon 6721 – Complete Scope Kit for Marlin 336
Photo: Nikon
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Eye Relief: 3.6 in.
- Field of View: 4.4-13.3 ft. @ 100 yds
Just like the Barska AC11204 , Nikon’s 6721 comes as a complete kit with mounting rings for quick and easy installation, as well as a scope coat to cover it when not in use.
Other than that, you get fully multi-coated lenses that allow up to 98% of light to penetrate through. This creates a very bright and high-contrast field of view, which is ideal for low light hunting.
More features include a Nikoplex reticle, precise 1/4 in. click adjustments with zero-reset, spring adjustable turrets that maintain the settings even with heavy recoil, a quick focus eyepiece and nitrogen-filled optics that are sealed using O-rings for water and fog-proof performance.
The only problem is that the reticle does not have bullet drop compensation markings, which makes it a bit difficult to use in long-range hunting.
Pros:
Cons:
6. Nikon 16338 – Versatile Scope for Marlin 336
Photo: Nikon
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Eye Relief: 3.6 in.
- Field of View: 4.4-13.3 ft. @ 100 yds
With its spot-on ballistics match technology, Nikon’s 16338 is very versatile because it allows you to identify all the exact aiming points on the reticle for various ammo at different yardages. This basically means you can use it on different types of rifles that fire different types of bullets.
The technology is further enhanced by a BDC reticle, which contains 4 bullet-drop markings that allow you to hit distant targets accurately.
You also get a fully multicoated optical system with a relatively large 40mm objective lens. This setup allows as much as 98% of light to penetrate through for crisp, clear imaging of the field of view.
Other features include a generous eye relief of 3.6 in., a waterproof, fog proof and shockproof design, 1/4 in. click adjustments at 100 yds and 80 MOA max windage and elevation settings. However, you don’t get mounting rings in this set for quick installation straight out of the box.
Pros:
Cons:
7. Simmons 510513 – Marlin 336 Scope with an 8-Point Reticle
Photo: Simmons
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Eye Relief: 3.75 in.
- Field of View: 10.5-31.4 ft. @ 100 yds
Simmons 510513 features an 8-point Truplex reticle, which offers superior precision because you get multiple spots for adjusting your target. You also get TrueZero windage and elevation fingertip adjustments with 1/4 MOA on each click and a maximum of 60 MOA.
The turrets used for making these adjustments have tight zero lock settings, which maintain their positions even under heavy recoil.
More features include a matte black finish that camouflages easily, especially in the dark, fully coated optics that are also water, shock and fog proof, a quick target acquisition eyepiece and a long eye relief of 3.75 in.
However, the required mounting hardware is not included and therefore, this must be bought separately.
Pros:
Cons:
8. Nikon 6719 – Marlin 336 Scope with a Nikoplex Reticle
Photo: Nikon
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Objective Lens: 32mm
- Eye Relief: 3.8 in.
- Field of View: 9.5-33.4 ft. @ 100 yds
Nikon’s 6719 is characterized by a Nikoplex reticle, which has a simple, uncluttered design that gives a clear field of view.
It also has spot-on ballistics match technology that determines the exact aiming point on this reticle for your specific ammo at different yardages. This makes it very versatile.
Adjustments on the reticle are made using zero-reset turrets that are spring-loaded. The 2 knobs are also lockable and this ensures the settings are maintained even with heavy recoil.
You also get a generous eye relief of 3.8 in., a quick focus eyepiece, nitrogen-filled optics for fog-proof performance, an O-ring sealed housing for waterproof use and a fully multicoated optical system that transmits up to 98% of available light to create a bright, high-contrast view.
The only problem with this scope is its low magnification, which goes up to a maximum of only 7x.
Pros:
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How to Buy the Best Scopes for Marlin 336
Photo: nationalinterest.org
1. Magnification
Since the Marlin 336 is not particularly a long-range rifle, a high magnification that exceeds 12x will not be useful. Ideally, the best scope should have a wide magnification range so that you can use it for short and maximum range shooting using the gun.
That said, Leupold’s 56170 offers the most powerful magnification of up to 12x, and also the widest range, which can go as low ax 4x. This design is highly recommended because it gives you a versatile shooting range.
2. Objective Lens
A large objective lens, like the 40mm size in most of the scopes above, allows a lot of light to pass through. This helps to create a bright field of view, which makes it better to use in low light conditions.
Other technologies like multi-coating on the lenses further enhance the low light use by eliminating glares and reflections. This creates a sharp image in the field of view so that you can easily spot the target.
3. Reticles
Apart from the objective lens, you should also check the reticle type as this is very important. This is because reticles or crosshairs determine the accuracy that you get, especially at long range.
For instance, the BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) reticle in Nikon’s 16338 has 4 marking below the crosshair intersection, which indicates the ammo’s drop at different ranges. This helps to enhance accuracy by eliminating guesswork.
Trijicon’s RS20-C-1900011 offers an even better solution in the form of a mil-dot reticle. Though it requires some calculations before determining the best position to aim, this reticle is considered one of the best because it is highly accurate.
Additionally, this scope’s mil-dot reticle is illuminated, which makes it easier to use in low light because you can spot the markings quickly before the target moves away from the field of view.
4. Eye Relief
The danger posed by a gun’s recoil should not be underestimated. If you place your eye very close to the lens opening, you could be left bleeding after taking the shot. That is why you need a generous eye relief and the longer it is, the better.
Ideally, a 3-in relief is good enough but with Leupold’s 56170 and Burris Optics’ 200123 , this exceeds 4 in. This makes the two scopes much safer to use.
5. Materials
Lastly, you need to check the build quality of the scope. The best one should have a solid single-piece design with metallic construction. For this, check out Trijicon’s RS20-C-1900011 and Burris Optics’ 200123 , which are built using aluminum to create a sturdy, lightweight piece.
Other than that, ensure that the scope has a waterproof, fog proof and shockproof design for enhanced durability and long-lasting use.
Conclusion
To summarize, if you want the best scopes for the Marlin 336, all the 8 products listed above fit this description. However, Trijicon’s RS20-C-1900011 stands out as the overall best because it features an illuminated reticle with multiple brightness-adjustment settings.
Though expensive, this scope also has a precise mil-dot reticle and a tough aircraft-grade aluminum build for maximum durability.
If you want high magnification for long-range shooting, Leupold’s 56170 is the best option because its magnification goes up to 12x. If you are on a tight budget though, we recommend Barska AC11204 because it is very affordable.
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8 Best Scopes for Marlin 336 – Review
- 1. Trijicon RS20-C-1900011 – Best Overall Scope for Marlin 336
- 2. Barska AC11204 – Best Budget Scope for Marlin 336
- 3. Leupold 56170 – High Magnification Scope for Marlin 336
- 4. Burris Optics 200123 – Marlin 336 Scope with a Wide Field of View
- 5. Nikon 6721 – Complete Scope Kit for Marlin 336
- 6. Nikon 16338 – Versatile Scope for Marlin 336
- 7. Simmons 510513 – Marlin 336 Scope with an 8-Point Reticle
- 8. Nikon 6719 – Marlin 336 Scope with a Nikoplex Reticle
- How to Buy the Best Scopes for Marlin 336
- Conclusion
