Bore sighting a Marlin lever action...

echo3mike · August 3, 2001, 05:06 PM

and I'm totally flummoxed. Just mounted a scope on my father's 336C, and I have NO FRIGGIN' CLUE as to how to bore sight this thing.

Any ideas?

TIA.

Redneck2 · August 3, 2001, 05:21 PM

Well, obviously the normal way would be to take it to a dealer that has a bore sight. My local dealer will do one for a few dollars.

The "best" way to sight in a rifle is the one-shot method. Get a super steady bench (I use a Black & Decker workmate). Put a large sheet of paper (I use a full sheet of newspaper) at 25 yards. Be really careful to hold steady and shoot at a spot in the middle. After the shot take off the scope caps and clamp the gun tight with the crosshairs on the mark. Now without touching or moving the gun, adjust the crosshairs to line up with the bullet hole. With a .30-30 you'll probably be back at line of sight somewhere around 125-150 yards. A sheet of newspaper is big enough that you'll hit it somewhere at 25 yards.

RiverRider · August 3, 2001, 06:11 PM

You can remove the bolt from a 336 by opening the action and removing the lever pivot screw. Remove the lever and the bolt comes right out. It's been a while since I have done it, so I can't promise you there are no other small parts that come out with the bolt, but if you're careful and p[ay attention, you should have no trouble getting it back together.

Anyway, once the bolt is removed just adjust your scope so that it looks about two inches directly above whatever object it is you are boresighting on. That should get you on paper at 50 yards or so.

-RR-

Guyon · August 3, 2001, 06:30 PM

1. Remove the bolt as you would when cleaning the rifle.

2. Find a way to securely position the rifle on a table or other steady rest (sand bags, a rifle rest, etc.)

3. Sight down the bore to a distant object. I usually set up on my kitchen table and sight down to my neighbor's bright white mailbox about 100 yards away. Maneuver the rifle so that your chosen object is directly in the center of the bore.

4. Now look down the the scope and without disturbing the rifle, center your crosshairs on this object.

5. At the range, shoot a three shot group at 25 yards. Then steady the rifle with the crosshairs on center of target, and again without disturbing the rifle, adjust your scope so that the crosshairs line up in the center of this group.

This is the method I use. No expensive bore sighters; no fees to pay. It ought to put you awfully close at 100 yards.

August 3, 2001, 05:06 PM	#1
echo3mike Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2000 Location: Chantilly, VA...Just barely behind the lines! Posts: 490	Bore sighting a Marlin lever action... and I'm totally flummoxed. Just mounted a scope on my father's 336C, and I have NO FRIGGIN' CLUE as to how to bore sight this thing. Any ideas? TIA.

August 3, 2001, 05:21 PM	#2
Redneck2 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 519	Quick sight in.. Well, obviously the normal way would be to take it to a dealer that has a bore sight. My local dealer will do one for a few dollars. The "best" way to sight in a rifle is the one-shot method. Get a super steady bench (I use a Black & Decker workmate). Put a large sheet of paper (I use a full sheet of newspaper) at 25 yards. Be really careful to hold steady and shoot at a spot in the middle. After the shot take off the scope caps and clamp the gun tight with the crosshairs on the mark. Now without touching or moving the gun, adjust the crosshairs to line up with the bullet hole. With a .30-30 you'll probably be back at line of sight somewhere around 125-150 yards. A sheet of newspaper is big enough that you'll hit it somewhere at 25 yards.

August 3, 2001, 06:11 PM	#3
RiverRider Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2000 Posts: 341	You can remove the bolt from a 336 by opening the action and removing the lever pivot screw. Remove the lever and the bolt comes right out. It's been a while since I have done it, so I can't promise you there are no other small parts that come out with the bolt, but if you're careful and p[ay attention, you should have no trouble getting it back together. Anyway, once the bolt is removed just adjust your scope so that it looks about two inches directly above whatever object it is you are boresighting on. That should get you on paper at 50 yards or so. -RR-

August 3, 2001, 06:30 PM	#4
Guyon Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2000 Location: Over the Hills and Through the Woods, Tennessee Posts: 1,207	1. Remove the bolt as you would when cleaning the rifle. 2. Find a way to securely position the rifle on a table or other steady rest (sand bags, a rifle rest, etc.) 3. Sight down the bore to a distant object. I usually set up on my kitchen table and sight down to my neighbor's bright white mailbox about 100 yards away. Maneuver the rifle so that your chosen object is directly in the center of the bore. 4. Now look down the the scope and without disturbing the rifle, center your crosshairs on this object. 5. At the range, shoot a three shot group at 25 yards. Then steady the rifle with the crosshairs on center of target, and again without disturbing the rifle, adjust your scope so that the crosshairs line up in the center of this group. This is the method I use. No expensive bore sighters; no fees to pay. It ought to put you awfully close at 100 yards.