Open Sights for Marlin 30-30

BuckBerry · January 7, 2019, 07:21 PM

Hi Guys,
I have a Marlin 30-30 (Model 30AW) that I'd like to replace the open sights on. The brass bead at the end of the barrel now is too hard for me to see. Also, I can't currently get the rear sight low enough to get the rifle to shoot on target. It consistently shoots 8-10" high at 100 yards. I basically keep this rifle as a "truck gun" for whatever triggers my fancy. I'd like to have sights that help me extend my range a bit. I guess I'd like to have a 200+ yard range for whatever critters may be in need of correction...Coyotes, etc. I may also find myself using this as an Indiana Whitetail rifle on occasion. I'm a shooter of moderate ability, I'm good but no superstar or anything.
Anyway, any advice is always appreciated.
Thanks

ms6852 · January 7, 2019, 08:09 PM

Check these guys out.
http://www.skinnersights.com/1895_sight_4.html

Blindstitch · January 7, 2019, 08:57 PM

If the skinners don't work then some DNZ mounts would be a great addition.
https://www.amazon.com/Game-Reaper-M...001EYH4I2?th=1

hoghunting · January 8, 2019, 05:36 PM

You might also check Williams Gun Sight for the Marlin 336

https://www.opticsplanet.com/william...336-70282.html

gwpercle · January 10, 2019, 04:20 PM

The Williams FP peep sight and fiber optic front work well for old eyes especially if you don't want the bulk of a scope .
Several years ago I mounted a Williams 5D receiver on a Winchester 94 with the stock front sight , at 50 yards it works OK but the fiber optic front may be needed now that the eyes have aged more . Those fiber optics are much easier to pick up .
Gary

Drm50 · January 11, 2019, 09:33 PM

I have several Lever Actions, I have no "new" ones but I have a couple Marlins as new as 1970 that I hunt with. Most off them from WW2 to 1970 I have reciever sights on them with
Patridge blade fronts. The best for my eyes. If you want to keep the open sight mode look
into Williams Fire Sights. They sell them in sets for Marlin & Win levers and replace existing
sights. They are flouresent fiber optic. My eyes can't take them but others with eye problems swear by them. I can't see the back sights on a lot of rifles any more, the reciever
sight solves that. I haven't got to the point that I have trouble with front sights.

Cheapshooter · January 12, 2019, 10:53 AM

I put these on my Henry Golden Boy 22 WMR. Much more visible than the gold bead, and buckhorn rear.
https://www.truglo.com/firearms-rifl...rifle-sets.asp

T. O'Heir · January 12, 2019, 01:11 PM

200+ yards is kind of optimistic with a .30-30. However, the Williams Fire Sights is the thing to buy. Not stupid expensive and a DIY thing with moderate skills and no expensive one time use tools required.

bamaranger · January 13, 2019, 11:51 PM

The advice to upgrade to a peep sight is sound. Adding peeps to my lever carbines tighted up iron sight groups, and added several years to my iron sight shooting, by lengthening the sight radius and working positively to aid my aging peepers.

My experience with fiber sights is not completely positive. Those plastic tubes are exposed and a bit fragile. I find myself babying the short turkey shotgun that I have that is so equipped. Not ideal for a truck rifle perhaps.

If you can find them, the XS sight company sells a stout steel ramped/post with a bold white stripe and a rear ghost aperture. They are not cheap, but are quality sights. You may also find just the XS post in the height you need, and pair it with a more affordable peep like the Williams.

Nearly any peep set up will aid your shooting I feel certain.

Wyosmith · January 14, 2019, 09:06 AM

Yes, a peep sight is the best iron sight you can use. Especially if you use the large aperture. I like the ones Williams makes.

Or you can go to a low power scope, which is even faster to get on target with and gathers light far better then any human eye can in lower levels of light.

Brutus · February 7, 2019, 06:42 PM

+ 1 on the Williams apeture. Everyone in my family has been putting them on our wood's rifles since I was a little boy. Hell I even have one on my assault rifle. A 1894 Marlin in 44 mag.

Pathfinder45 · February 8, 2019, 02:16 PM

I have had excellent results with tang-mounted peep sights on two lever-action rifles. One of them has a Lyman aperture front sight as well and is remarkably easy to shoot. In fact, when my friend tried it, he exclaimed, "Hell, buddy, you can't even miss with those sights!". The other rifle, a Winchester, had a front bead so small it was difficult to pick out in a woodsy background. So I enlarged the bead and painted it with fluorescent nail polish so now it's all good. The fiber-optic front sights have too much of a glow for me, so I like a conventional bead filed flat at an upward angle and painted with the afore-mentioned nail polish. The bead needs to be fairly large for quick acquisition in the woods. When sighted properly to place bullet-strike at the top of the bead, (that is, a close 6 0'clock hold), the larger bead does not obscure the target.

Pathfinder45 · February 8, 2019, 02:43 PM

Here is the link to the front aperture sight: https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands...ont-sight.html
I've got one of these on a Marlin Cowboy, coupled with a Marble's tang sight, it works so well I wonder why I don't have the same set-up on everything. But, on the other hand, the Winchester with the Lyman tang-sight and bead front is also working well.

January 7, 2019, 07:21 PM	#1
BuckBerry Member Join Date: December 1, 2017 Posts: 36	Open Sights for Marlin 30-30 Hi Guys, I have a Marlin 30-30 (Model 30AW) that I'd like to replace the open sights on. The brass bead at the end of the barrel now is too hard for me to see. Also, I can't currently get the rear sight low enough to get the rifle to shoot on target. It consistently shoots 8-10" high at 100 yards. I basically keep this rifle as a "truck gun" for whatever triggers my fancy. I'd like to have sights that help me extend my range a bit. I guess I'd like to have a 200+ yard range for whatever critters may be in need of correction...Coyotes, etc. I may also find myself using this as an Indiana Whitetail rifle on occasion. I'm a shooter of moderate ability, I'm good but no superstar or anything. Anyway, any advice is always appreciated. Thanks

January 7, 2019, 08:09 PM	#2
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	Check these guys out. http://www.skinnersights.com/1895_sight_4.html __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

January 7, 2019, 08:57 PM	#3
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,691	If the skinners don't work then some DNZ mounts would be a great addition. https://www.amazon.com/Game-Reaper-M...001EYH4I2?th=1 __________________ NRA Lifetime Member

January 12, 2019, 10:53 AM	#7
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	I put these on my Henry Golden Boy 22 WMR. Much more visible than the gold bead, and buckhorn rear. https://www.truglo.com/firearms-rifl...rifle-sets.asp __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

January 12, 2019, 01:11 PM	#8
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	200+ yards is kind of optimistic with a .30-30. However, the Williams Fire Sights is the thing to buy. Not stupid expensive and a DIY thing with moderate skills and no expensive one time use tools required. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 8, 2019, 05:36 PM	#4
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	You might also check Williams Gun Sight for the Marlin 336 https://www.opticsplanet.com/william...336-70282.html

January 10, 2019, 04:20 PM	#5
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,748	The Williams FP peep sight and fiber optic front work well for old eyes especially if you don't want the bulk of a scope . Several years ago I mounted a Williams 5D receiver on a Winchester 94 with the stock front sight , at 50 yards it works OK but the fiber optic front may be needed now that the eyes have aged more . Those fiber optics are much easier to pick up . Gary

January 11, 2019, 09:33 PM	#6
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,376	I have several Lever Actions, I have no "new" ones but I have a couple Marlins as new as 1970 that I hunt with. Most off them from WW2 to 1970 I have reciever sights on them with Patridge blade fronts. The best for my eyes. If you want to keep the open sight mode look into Williams Fire Sights. They sell them in sets for Marlin & Win levers and replace existing sights. They are flouresent fiber optic. My eyes can't take them but others with eye problems swear by them. I can't see the back sights on a lot of rifles any more, the reciever sight solves that. I haven't got to the point that I have trouble with front sights.

January 13, 2019, 11:51 PM	#9
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,295	peep/receiver sights The advice to upgrade to a peep sight is sound. Adding peeps to my lever carbines tighted up iron sight groups, and added several years to my iron sight shooting, by lengthening the sight radius and working positively to aid my aging peepers. My experience with fiber sights is not completely positive. Those plastic tubes are exposed and a bit fragile. I find myself babying the short turkey shotgun that I have that is so equipped. Not ideal for a truck rifle perhaps. If you can find them, the XS sight company sells a stout steel ramped/post with a bold white stripe and a rear ghost aperture. They are not cheap, but are quality sights. You may also find just the XS post in the height you need, and pair it with a more affordable peep like the Williams. Nearly any peep set up will aid your shooting I feel certain.

January 14, 2019, 09:06 AM	#10
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	Yes, a peep sight is the best iron sight you can use. Especially if you use the large aperture. I like the ones Williams makes. Or you can go to a low power scope, which is even faster to get on target with and gathers light far better then any human eye can in lower levels of light.

February 7, 2019, 06:42 PM	#11
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	+ 1 on the Williams apeture. Everyone in my family has been putting them on our wood's rifles since I was a little boy. Hell I even have one on my assault rifle. A 1894 Marlin in 44 mag. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

February 8, 2019, 02:16 PM	#12
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	I have had excellent results with tang-mounted peep sights on two lever-action rifles. One of them has a Lyman aperture front sight as well and is remarkably easy to shoot. In fact, when my friend tried it, he exclaimed, "Hell, buddy, you can't even miss with those sights!". The other rifle, a Winchester, had a front bead so small it was difficult to pick out in a woodsy background. So I enlarged the bead and painted it with fluorescent nail polish so now it's all good. The fiber-optic front sights have too much of a glow for me, so I like a conventional bead filed flat at an upward angle and painted with the afore-mentioned nail polish. The bead needs to be fairly large for quick acquisition in the woods. When sighted properly to place bullet-strike at the top of the bead, (that is, a close 6 0'clock hold), the larger bead does not obscure the target.

February 8, 2019, 02:43 PM	#13
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Here is the link to the front aperture sight: https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands...ont-sight.html I've got one of these on a Marlin Cowboy, coupled with a Marble's tang sight, it works so well I wonder why I don't have the same set-up on everything. But, on the other hand, the Winchester with the Lyman tang-sight and bead front is also working well.

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