Best Scope for Marlin 336 – Top 10 Best Marlin 336 Scopes Reviews

Lever action rifles evoke images of cowboys, frontiersmen, and explorers holding their own against the threats of the wilderness. These rifles are fast-shooting, accurate, and reliable. Introduced in 1948, the Marlin 336 continues the long tradition of lever action rifles. 

Although the classic design of the lever action rifle hasn’t changed much, that doesn’t mean you can’t pair it with a modern scope. Check out the list below of the top ten best scopes for Marlin 336 rifles!

Lever action rifles like the Marlin 336 are best suited to scopes with generous eye relief, good light transmission, and reticles that allow fast target acquisition. Those features integrate seamlessly with the fast action and quick follow-up shots lever action rifles are capable of. While you can certainly take your time in between shots with a Marlin 336, having a scope adaptable to faster shooting is just a smart idea.

Scout scopes and red dot sights both work well on a Marlin 336. They meet most, if not all, of the criteria of a good lever action rifle scope.

If you don’t have time for the details, check out the list below for the best rated scopes for Marlin 336:

1. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 1.5-4.5x32mm Riflescope
2. Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Adjustable LED Red Dot Sight
3. Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Riflescope
4. Vortex Optics Strikefire II Red Dot Sight
5. Burris Ballistic Plex 2-7x32mm
6. UTG 2-7X44 Scout Scope
7. UTG 6″ ITA Red/Green CQB T-dot Sight with Offset QD Mount
8. Sightmark M1 2-7×32 Scout Scope
9. Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint 1-4×24 Dual-Illuminated Riflescope
10. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Scout

Scout Scopes

A scout scope is mounted farther forward on a rifle than a traditional scope, usually in front of the receiver. 

One major advantage of using a scout style optic is that it allows you to shoot with both eyes open. This benefit is two-fold. First, it preserves your peripheral vision, which means you won’t lose track of what is going on around you. Second, it allows for faster recoil recovery, which leads to a faster, more accurate follow-up shot.

Red Dot Sights

Red dot sights are an excellent choice for short-range shooting with a Marlin. These modern optics do not typically provide magnification, but they do provide the ability to get on target fast. With an illuminated dot as the aiming point, red dots are effective in almost any lighting conditions. They usually have adjustable brightness settings, which allows you to adapt to almost any shooting condition.

Choosing a Scope for the Marlin 336

There are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for a scope for a Marlin 336 rifle.

Eye Relief 

A generous amount of eye relief is an important feature for a scout scope. Most red dot sights feature unlimited eye relief and can be easily mounted at any point on top of a rifle.

Eye Relief is the distance between the rear lens of the scope and the shooter’s eye that is required for the shooter to see the full sight picture of the scope.

Fast Target Acquisition

The ability to rapidly acquire a target with any lever action rifle is critical for both hunting and target shooting. Field of view, eye relief, glass quality, reticle design, and magnification levels all factor into the process of target acquisition.

When shopping for a lever action scout scope, look for one that has low magnification, a large field of view, generous eye relief, and a simple reticle that is easily centered on a target.

Light Transmission

The more light that passes through a scope, the brighter and sharper the image will be for the shooter. Light transmission is affected by the diameter of the scope’s objective lens and glass quality. 

The coatings used on the glass also contribute to light transmission, so look for a scope with fully multi-coated optics. 

Keep those three things in mind while shopping for a scope for your Marlin 336 and you’ll be in good shape to make a final decision. Now keep reading to see the top ten best scopes for Marlin 336 rifles!

Best Scope for Marlin 336 on the Market Reviews

 1   Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 1.5-4.5x32mm Riflescope

Although this scope is not specifically designed as a scout scope, the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 1.5-4x32mm Riflescope functions well on a Marlin 336. The magnification level is ideal for most lever-action shooting purposes and allows for fast target acquisition. This scope is also ultra durable and has an IPX4 waterproof design that can stand up to even the toughest conditions.

The Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) fully multi-coated optics on the Bushnell Banner produce a bright, clear sight picture. With a simple Multi-X reticle and fingertip adjustable elevation and windage turrets, this scope is a great budget option for any Marlin 336 owner.

 2   Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Adjustable LED Red Dot Sight

The RMR Type 2 red dot sight from Trijicon is an excellent option for shooters who enjoy blasting away at short range targets. This high mounting red dot sight combines perfectly with the fast action of a Marlin 336 to provide extremely fast target acquisition and follow-up shots.

The reticle on the RMR Type 2 is a 3.25 MOA circle that is the perfect size for maintaining precision while shooting at a quick pace. This red dot optic features 8 brightness settings, including a Super Bright setting that is easily seen, even on the sunniest days. The scope is highly durable and resistant to shock. It comes with a tall Picatinny mount for high mounting purposes.

 3   Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Riflescope

The slim design, matte finish, and lightweight design of the Leupold VX-Freedom perfectly matches the aesthetics of the Marlin 336. Weighing only 9.6 ounces, this compact scope won’t slow you down on a long hunt. The scope features a 100 percent waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof design for use in rugged conditions.

Leupold’s Twilight Light Management System can add up to 10 minutes of extra shooting time in low light conditions. This unique system of optical coatings also works to reduce glare and improve edge-to-edge clarity. The VX-Freedom is built to withstand shock and repetitive recoil. It features a one-inch main tube and a unique Pig Plex reticle optimized for hog hunting.

 4   Vortex Optics Strikefire II Red Dot Sight

The Strikefire II red dot sight from Vortex Optics is a nice compromise between a scout scope and a red dot. The included offset cantilever mount allows this sight to work in conjunction with existing iron sights. The scope also comes with flip-up lens caps, to keep everything clean and protected.  

The reticle is 4 MOAdot, which can be changed between red and green to accommodate shooter preference. The optic also features  10 brightness settings powered by a CR2 battery. 

With fully multi-coated optics, a single piece chassis, O-ring seals, and nitrogen purging, this is one rugged and reliable optic.  While the tactical design of the Strikefire II might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it does its job and does it well.

 5   Burris Ballistic Plex 2-7x32mm

With extremely generous eye relief, the Burris Ballistic Plex 2-7x32mm Scout Scope can be mounted well forward for true scout scope performance. Shooters can acquire targets at blazing speed with both eyes open. Plus, the scope’s Ballistic Plex reticle allows for accurate shots, even when holdover is required.

The optic’s magnification range makes rapid-fire, short-range shooting possible, while also allowing enough power to reach out to longer range targets. That ability makes the Burris Scout an extremely versatile hunting scope. The lenses are precision ground for superior light transmission and sight picture quality.

 6   UTG 2-7X44 Scout Scope

The UTG Scout Scope offers impressive light transmission, thanks to a 30mm main tube and a 44mm objective lens. This heavy-duty scope is completely sealed and filled with nitrogen giving it rainproof, fogproof, and shockproof performance. The UTG Scout Scope is equipped with a parallax adjustment wheel on the side for fine-tuning precision at any magnification.

This scope has an illuminated Mil-Dot, etched glass reticle. Users can choose from 36 different colors for a true custom feel. The scope also features a memory function that returns the reticle to the previous color and brightness. This feature can save tons of time on the range and in the field.

 7   UTG 6″ ITA Red/Green CQB T-dot Sight with Offset QD Mount

The ITA T-Dot Sight is a solid budget red dot. It allows for co witnessing with iron sights and features a T-Dot reticle that allows for fast centering and precise targeting. Built on UTG’s true strength platform, the ITA red dot can stand up to rough use and tough conditions.

This sight comes with a bidirectional, quick detach, offset mount, which provides plenty of versatility. With zero locking and zero resettable knurled turrets, the UTG ITA T-Dot Sight will get on target and stay there.

 8   Sightmark M1 2-7×32 Scout Scope

The Sightmark M1 Scout Scope pairs well with the Marlin 336 in both performance and design. With fully multi-coated optics and an IP67 waterproof rating, you won’t have to worry while using this scope in wet conditions. The rapid power rotation eyepiece gives shooters the freedom to quickly dial in the magnification level, even while wearing gloves.

The M1 features a glass-etched, illuminated reticle, a hard anodized finish, low profile capped turrets, and plenty of eye relief for comfortable shooting and fast target acquisition.

 9   Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint 1-4×24 Dual-Illuminated Riflescope

If you want to pair a more modern, high-end optic with your Marlin lever gun, the Trijicon AccuPoint is one of the best. Crammed with modern features like always-on, battery free illumination, this is a fantastic optic to bring your Marlin 336 into the modern era. 

The AccuPoint comes with a fast-focus eyepiece, a simple, easy-to-use reticle, and seriously durable construction. Tested to military standards, this riflescope is proven to withstand rough use and harsh environments.

 10   Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Scout

The Vortex Crossfire II Scout Scope features 9.45” of eye relief and a fast focus eyepiece. Those two things combine to create an excellent scout scope for the Marlin 336 rifle. Built to the typical high quality of Vortex Optics, the Crossfire II will perform admirably in even the toughest conditions.

The V-Plex reticle is ideal for jump shooting game, such as wild hogs, while remaining precise enough for target shooting. Considering all the impressive features of the Vortex Optics Crossfire II Scout, this scope is one of the best value Marlin 336 scopes on this list.

Putting It All Together

Scout scopes and red dot sights are great matches for the rapid action offered by the Marlin 336. However, a more traditional scope will also pair well with this classic lever action rifle. Consider your personal shooting needs and use the list of the ten best scope for Marlin 336 rifles above to help you make a well-informed buying decision.