Lever gun scope

chipchip · October 21, 2013, 11:57 AM

Has anyone mounted a scope on their Henry Big Boy or any other CF lever gun.
What power did you get.

jmr40 · October 21, 2013, 12:05 PM

If I were to mount a scope on one of my levers it would be one of these.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-1-...pe-P51851.aspx

I have this scope on one of my AR's. On 1X it is faster to use than irons or red dots, and it offers enough magnifiction for 300+ yard shots. That is farther than I'd shoot any lever gun. It only weighs about 8 oz and can be mounted really low which messes up a levers balance as little as possible.

jimbob86 · October 21, 2013, 12:13 PM

I mounted a 2X Burris Handgun scope on Eldest daughter's Marlin 30A, on a XS Leverscout mount. Though it mounts pretty low, we still had to raise the comb 1/2 an inch or so to maintain a good cheek weld enabling a fast snap sight picture.

Pretty slick set-up now.

Husqvarna · October 21, 2013, 02:09 PM

jmr had it a 1-4 leupold is great, my pops got it on his guide gun,

I almost like that more then my aimpoint mini I have on my argo

he can do pretty much everything he wants to with that and i could do even more, hmm I think I am gonna propose a trade

my 9,3x62 could use the 1-4 more than him who won't shoot past 100 or so meters anywway with the 4570

Vince44 · October 21, 2013, 02:14 PM

I just can't bring myself to put a scope on one of my lever guns.

SteelChickenShooter · October 21, 2013, 02:33 PM

If used for hunting, and a CF lever action, I'd think a good number of scopes in the 4X range or perhaps a 2 to 7X would be fine. Some of mine are Leupolds, some are not. So I'm in agreement with those that posted previously.

Idahosd · October 21, 2013, 03:23 PM

I have mounted a scope on both of my /Henry big boy rifles (357 & 45 colt). I went with 1.5 X5 powers scopes (voltrex and vx3 Leopold ), as I don't expect the range to go beyond 150 yards. I only use them for steel target shooting anyway. I like the fact that I can use them with both eyes open, when they are on low power. It does bring out the accuracy that my aging eyes are no longer compatible with open sites past 50 yards. I think that it was the best thing to do, and now I have 2 tack drivers.

I am sure that you will get several comments about scoping a lever action and just how it is sacrilege to do so. I would not give those options any weight what so ever. Maybe about 20 or 100 years ago, that could have been correct then, but not now. Scopes have changed so much.

Personally, when I put a fast fire III on my Bisley single action, I expected to get a comment or two from some passing by Range Rats. But so far nothing said to my face. However that could also be because I am 6'4" and very BIG. Likely, a smart move on their part.

I buy and out fit guns how they please me, not some old stereotype; nor would I be discouraged by comments from people less informed and lever action wise, still living in the 1940's. If you want one, put it on and enjoy it. Henry's are great firearms.

PawPaw · October 21, 2013, 03:55 PM

The only levergun I've ever scoped was a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington. In 1975 I put a 2.5 Simmons scope on it and zero'd it for the Remington 200 grain load. It's been ... durn... almost 40 years now and it's still zero'd for that load.

I do admit that I've been toying with the idea of scout scoping one of my Wincheter 94s. Both of mine are the old style, post-64, but not angle eject, so the scout setup would get the scope out of the way of ejected brass.

steveNChunter · October 21, 2013, 03:57 PM

I used to have an older Japanese Tasco 4x32 fixed power on my Marlin 336 .35 rem. I recently pulled it off and I'm just using the open sights. They aren't bad, but this is what will be going on it soon:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/799...vc=subv1968159

I pulled the scope off because I find myself hunting in at least one spot every season where I'm in a treestand with a 50 yard shot or less, and always see deer right before sunrise or right after sunset. For this scenario an open sighted levergun can't be beat.

Also all of my other rifles have scopes, and I wanted to have one that didn't

hammie · October 21, 2013, 04:35 PM

My Winchester 94, .30-30 has a weaver 1-3 X. My marlin 336, .35 remington has a bausch & lomb elite, 1.5- 4.5 X with a "firefly" reticle. Since I use these rifles for brush hunting, I've grown to like an illuminated reticle. It doesn't get lost in all the brush, twigs and trees.

SteelChickenShooter · October 21, 2013, 06:47 PM

I'd like to reply to post #9.
One advantage to the small Leupold scope I use is that it gives me about an extra ten minutes of hunting each around that sun up and sun down hour. Not violating the legal shooting hours. I just mean sometimes it's pretty dark, but my Leupold "gathers light" and I can see clearly or at least a heckuva lot better using that scope on low power. You can certainly tell if you have a buck or doe and the rack if it has one, etc. Unaided approaching dark, I see a black outline of a tree. But when viewing that tree with the scope, I see the bark, the knots, and so on. I just think the light gathering ability of this scope gives me an extra total 20 minutes when it is very common to see a deer.

steveNChunter · October 21, 2013, 07:26 PM

I can partially agree with you SCS.

You can see the details of that tree better because of magnification as opposed to your naked eye.

Unless you have a night vision scope, it does not "gather light." That is simply a fancy marketing term to make scopes sound better. Similar to "knockdown power" when referring to a specific cartridge or bullet.

A scope transmits light. A good scope probably transmits about 90-95% of available light on the lowest magnification setting. Losing 5% of your light isn't a big deal but in low light conditions scopes lose clarity, and sometimes develop a bit of a glare, especially if the sun just sat behind you. Of course the better the scope the less these problems arise, but I'd rather have a $70 sight than a $300 or more scope that I'm only going to use short range that isn't going to work any better for me than the sight.

Open sights aren't for everyone and that's ok. But for situations like I mentioned they are definitely worth a try.

Daggitt · October 21, 2013, 09:18 PM

There is only one ideal scope IMHO. I have an old Weaver K2.5 on a Marlin 30-30. The scope was made for the rifle. These sell on auctions for $75 to $200 depending on condition. You flat won't find a better scope for a fast action lever action rifle. Mine has the conventional cross-hairs. I actually have four of them. The post reticles bring much higher prices. Try it. You will like it , I guarantee it.

SSA · October 21, 2013, 09:44 PM

A telescope gathers light. It collects light. It grasps light. Even a telescopic rifle sight with a diminutive 20mm objective lens is capable of transmitting 6 or 8 times more light to an eye than the eye is capable of gathering on its own.
A 32mm lens will collect 2.5X more light than the 20mm.

semi_problomatic · October 21, 2013, 11:56 PM

If I were gonna cripple a lever gun with some kinda sight other than irons it'd be a red dot or scout scope. I'd rather just put a peep sight on it. I've been wanting one of them skinner peeps for a while now...

Aint no regular scope going to collect or gather light. Aint no glass going to transmit every bit of light that passes through it. They aint magic. Just aint. Now they do use a bigger objective and magnify...but they aint pullin nothin in. It's a passive system. It does, however, concentrate light from a bigger objective to a smaller one.

hornetguy · October 22, 2013, 07:53 AM

Well... I'm not a scientist, and I don't play one on TV, so I won't comment on the "light gathering" aspect... but I wanted a scope on my Marlin 1895 so I could see things better.
I was on the short side, financially at the time, so I decided to try a TruGlo 4x scope that was on sale for about $50. It has the diamond reticle (for turkey?) and has been a really nice, clear scope. I haven't had it hunting yet, but it has worked wonderfully at the shooting range. It makes a huge difference in my ability to see the target, and make good, accurate shots.
I haven't seen that it has "ruined" my rifle at all...

jimbob86 · October 22, 2013, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Aint no regular scope going to collect or gather light. .

False.

It "gathers" (transmits) all the light that enters it's objective lens, same as your eye does.

Quote:

Aint no glass going to transmit every bit of light that passes through it. .

True.

Quote:

They ain't magic.

True. It's just physics.

Quote:

Now they do use a bigger objective and magnify

True. And more light hits that bigger (objective) lens than hits you naked eye.

Try this: get a quality large objective scope (50mm or more) and use it on the lowest power and compare it to your naked eye .....

jimbob86 · October 22, 2013, 09:08 AM

Folks that speak about "crippling" or "ruining" a levergun often say the handling of the gun suffers ..... I definitely find this to be the case if the comb height is not adjusted properly so that when you shoulder the rifle, your eye is below the line of sight for the scope ...... the stocks on the vast majority of these guns were designed for using the iron sights, which are invariably lower than any scope.

Also, putting a very large scope on heavy mounts above the reciever changes the balance of the gun considerably- add near 2 pounds of scope 3 inches above the reciever of a 6 1/2 lb gun will definitely change the handling .....

steveNChunter · October 22, 2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Try this: get a quality large objective scope (50mm or more) and use it on the lowest power and compare it to your naked eye .....

Remember we are talking about lever action rifles here. a 50mm or larger objective scope on a lever gun would be ridiculous. I agree they are brighter though.

btmj · October 22, 2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Folks that speak about "crippling" or "ruining" a levergun often say the handling of the gun suffers ..... I definitely find this to be the case if the comb height is not adjusted properly so that when you shoulder the rifle, your eye is below th eline of sight for the scope ...... the stocks on the vast majority of these guns were designed for using the iron sights, which are invariably lower than any scope.

Also, putting a very large scope on heavy mounts above the reciever changes the balance of the gun considerably- add near 2 pounds of scope 3 inches above the reciever of a 6 1/2 lb gun will definitely change the handling .....

- Agree -

I had to think long and hard before I put a scope on my wife's Marlin. But the fact is, both of us need a scope to shoot well due to aging eyes, particularly me.

I went with a Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5X fixed power scope. It weighs 7 oz, and combined with low-rise aluminum rings and mounts, I only added 9.5 oz total to the rifle.

I like the scope a lot. It has a great field of view, and eye relief is excellent.

PawPaw · October 22, 2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semi_problomatic

If I were gonna cripple a lever gun with some kinda sight other than irons it'd be a red dot or scout scope. I'd rather just put a peep sight on it. I've been wanting one of them skinner peeps for a while now...

I get it, I really do. However, my 60-year-old eyes can no longer see a front sight properly. Irons are pretty much out of the question at rifle distances. So, it's either a low powered scope, or quit using the lever guns. I think I'll stick with my scopes.

jimbob86 · October 22, 2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Remember we are talking about lever action rifles here. a 50mm or larger objective scope on a lever gun would be ridiculous.

It IS ridiculous, but I've seen it. On this forum .....

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472176

Somewhere on this forum is a picture of a 3x9x40 on those ridiculously tall "See-Thru" mounts atop a lever action rifle....... those are no better.

hornetguy · October 22, 2013, 04:11 PM

I don't see how putting glass on a levergun "cripples" it any more than putting glass on a boltgun.
Unless, of course, you are one of the .0003% (I made that statistic up

) of hunters that will actually use a horse to get you back in the wilderness, and you actually use a saddle scabbard to carry your "thutty-thutty" with you.
Yes, it changes the balance point a bit, but it does the same thing with a boltgun. You simply adjust to it.

Crippled? My idea of "crippled" is refusing to face the fact that if you DON'T put a glass on it, you are either limiting yourself to a 30 or 40 yard shot, or you are taking a shot with a high probability of wounding/crippling your game animal.

If you're still under 40yrs of age, and can shoot accurately with open sights... bravo! Enjoy it while you can. It doesn't last.

hornetguy · October 22, 2013, 04:12 PM

Quote:

I get it, I really do. However, my 60-year-old eyes can no longer see a front sight properly. Irons are pretty much out of the question at rifle distances. So, it's either a low powered scope, or quit using the lever guns. I think I'll stick with my scopes.

+1000, PawPaw. Very well said.

jimbob86 · October 22, 2013, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Crippled? My idea of "crippled"

....

.... is taking a gun that is best known for being quick handling and mild recoiling, and putting a sighting system on it that makes it neither.

It can still shoot, and a deer with a broken leg can still walk, after a fashion.

I'm not saying that it should not be scoped, but there's a couple of right ways to do it and many wrong ways ..... the wrong seem to be most prevalant to me, judging by what I usually see.

Madcratebuilder's 336 in the thread I linked above looks pretty close to right.

October 21, 2013, 11:57 AM	#1
chipchip Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Posts: 247	Lever gun scope Has anyone mounted a scope on their Henry Big Boy or any other CF lever gun. What power did you get.

October 21, 2013, 02:14 PM	#5
Vince44 Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Posts: 52	I just can't bring myself to put a scope on one of my lever guns. __________________ In an aircraft, the only time you have too much fuel is when your on fire and the only time you have too much ammo is when the house is on fire.

October 21, 2013, 03:55 PM	#8
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	The only levergun I've ever scoped was a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington. In 1975 I put a 2.5 Simmons scope on it and zero'd it for the Remington 200 grain load. It's been ... durn... almost 40 years now and it's still zero'd for that load. I do admit that I've been toying with the idea of scout scoping one of my Wincheter 94s. Both of mine are the old style, post-64, but not angle eject, so the scout setup would get the scope out of the way of ejected brass. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

October 21, 2013, 07:26 PM	#12
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	I can partially agree with you SCS. You can see the details of that tree better because of magnification as opposed to your naked eye. Unless you have a night vision scope, it does not "gather light." That is simply a fancy marketing term to make scopes sound better. Similar to "knockdown power" when referring to a specific cartridge or bullet. A scope transmits light. A good scope probably transmits about 90-95% of available light on the lowest magnification setting. Losing 5% of your light isn't a big deal but in low light conditions scopes lose clarity, and sometimes develop a bit of a glare, especially if the sun just sat behind you. Of course the better the scope the less these problems arise, but I'd rather have a $70 sight than a $300 or more scope that I'm only going to use short range that isn't going to work any better for me than the sight. Open sights aren't for everyone and that's ok. But for situations like I mentioned they are definitely worth a try. __________________ DEO VINDICE

October 21, 2013, 09:44 PM	#14
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	A telescope gathers light. It collects light. It grasps light. Even a telescopic rifle sight with a diminutive 20mm objective lens is capable of transmitting 6 or 8 times more light to an eye than the eye is capable of gathering on its own. A 32mm lens will collect 2.5X more light than the 20mm. Last edited by SSA; October 21, 2013 at 09:50 PM.

October 21, 2013, 12:05 PM	#2
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	If I were to mount a scope on one of my levers it would be one of these. http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-1-...pe-P51851.aspx I have this scope on one of my AR's. On 1X it is faster to use than irons or red dots, and it offers enough magnifiction for 300+ yard shots. That is farther than I'd shoot any lever gun. It only weighs about 8 oz and can be mounted really low which messes up a levers balance as little as possible.

October 21, 2013, 12:13 PM	#3
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	I mounted a 2X Burris Handgun scope on Eldest daughter's Marlin 30A, on a XS Leverscout mount. Though it mounts pretty low, we still had to raise the comb 1/2 an inch or so to maintain a good cheek weld enabling a fast snap sight picture. Pretty slick set-up now.

October 21, 2013, 02:09 PM	#4
Husqvarna Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,000	jmr had it a 1-4 leupold is great, my pops got it on his guide gun, I almost like that more then my aimpoint mini I have on my argo he can do pretty much everything he wants to with that and i could do even more, hmm I think I am gonna propose a trade my 9,3x62 could use the 1-4 more than him who won't shoot past 100 or so meters anywway with the 4570

October 21, 2013, 02:33 PM	#6
SteelChickenShooter Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Posts: 863	If used for hunting, and a CF lever action, I'd think a good number of scopes in the 4X range or perhaps a 2 to 7X would be fine. Some of mine are Leupolds, some are not. So I'm in agreement with those that posted previously.

October 21, 2013, 03:23 PM	#7
Idahosd Member Join Date: October 18, 2013 Posts: 18	I have mounted a scope on both of my /Henry big boy rifles (357 & 45 colt). I went with 1.5 X5 powers scopes (voltrex and vx3 Leopold ), as I don't expect the range to go beyond 150 yards. I only use them for steel target shooting anyway. I like the fact that I can use them with both eyes open, when they are on low power. It does bring out the accuracy that my aging eyes are no longer compatible with open sites past 50 yards. I think that it was the best thing to do, and now I have 2 tack drivers. I am sure that you will get several comments about scoping a lever action and just how it is sacrilege to do so. I would not give those options any weight what so ever. Maybe about 20 or 100 years ago, that could have been correct then, but not now. Scopes have changed so much. Personally, when I put a fast fire III on my Bisley single action, I expected to get a comment or two from some passing by Range Rats. But so far nothing said to my face. However that could also be because I am 6'4" and very BIG. Likely, a smart move on their part. I buy and out fit guns how they please me, not some old stereotype; nor would I be discouraged by comments from people less informed and lever action wise, still living in the 1940's. If you want one, put it on and enjoy it. Henry's are great firearms.

October 21, 2013, 03:57 PM	#9
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	I used to have an older Japanese Tasco 4x32 fixed power on my Marlin 336 .35 rem. I recently pulled it off and I'm just using the open sights. They aren't bad, but this is what will be going on it soon: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/799...vc=subv1968159 I pulled the scope off because I find myself hunting in at least one spot every season where I'm in a treestand with a 50 yard shot or less, and always see deer right before sunrise or right after sunset. For this scenario an open sighted levergun can't be beat. Also all of my other rifles have scopes, and I wanted to have one that didn't __________________ DEO VINDICE Last edited by steveNChunter; October 21, 2013 at 04:02 PM.

October 21, 2013, 04:35 PM	#10
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	My Winchester 94, .30-30 has a weaver 1-3 X. My marlin 336, .35 remington has a bausch & lomb elite, 1.5- 4.5 X with a "firefly" reticle. Since I use these rifles for brush hunting, I've grown to like an illuminated reticle. It doesn't get lost in all the brush, twigs and trees.

October 21, 2013, 06:47 PM	#11
SteelChickenShooter Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Posts: 863	I'd like to reply to post #9. One advantage to the small Leupold scope I use is that it gives me about an extra ten minutes of hunting each around that sun up and sun down hour. Not violating the legal shooting hours. I just mean sometimes it's pretty dark, but my Leupold "gathers light" and I can see clearly or at least a heckuva lot better using that scope on low power. You can certainly tell if you have a buck or doe and the rack if it has one, etc. Unaided approaching dark, I see a black outline of a tree. But when viewing that tree with the scope, I see the bark, the knots, and so on. I just think the light gathering ability of this scope gives me an extra total 20 minutes when it is very common to see a deer.

October 21, 2013, 09:18 PM	#13
Daggitt Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2011 Posts: 321	There is only one ideal scope IMHO. I have an old Weaver K2.5 on a Marlin 30-30. The scope was made for the rifle. These sell on auctions for $75 to $200 depending on condition. You flat won't find a better scope for a fast action lever action rifle. Mine has the conventional cross-hairs. I actually have four of them. The post reticles bring much higher prices. Try it. You will like it , I guarantee it.

October 21, 2013, 11:56 PM	#15
semi_problomatic Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Ft. Polk Posts: 883	If I were gonna cripple a lever gun with some kinda sight other than irons it'd be a red dot or scout scope. I'd rather just put a peep sight on it. I've been wanting one of them skinner peeps for a while now... Aint no regular scope going to collect or gather light. Aint no glass going to transmit every bit of light that passes through it. They aint magic. Just aint. Now they do use a bigger objective and magnify...but they aint pullin nothin in. It's a passive system. It does, however, concentrate light from a bigger objective to a smaller one. __________________ Freedom's just a word. If I'm gonna die for a word, my word is jello... Last edited by semi_problomatic; October 22, 2013 at 12:04 AM.

October 22, 2013, 07:53 AM	#16
hornetguy Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: on the north side of DFW Posts: 970	Well... I'm not a scientist, and I don't play one on TV, so I won't comment on the "light gathering" aspect... but I wanted a scope on my Marlin 1895 so I could see things better. I was on the short side, financially at the time, so I decided to try a TruGlo 4x scope that was on sale for about $50. It has the diamond reticle (for turkey?) and has been a really nice, clear scope. I haven't had it hunting yet, but it has worked wonderfully at the shooting range. It makes a huge difference in my ability to see the target, and make good, accurate shots. I haven't seen that it has "ruined" my rifle at all... __________________ I always felt that if I got to the point where I thought it was time to bury my firearms, it was actually time to pick them up..

October 22, 2013, 09:08 AM	#18
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Folks that speak about "crippling" or "ruining" a levergun often say the handling of the gun suffers ..... I definitely find this to be the case if the comb height is not adjusted properly so that when you shoulder the rifle, your eye is below the line of sight for the scope ...... the stocks on the vast majority of these guns were designed for using the iron sights, which are invariably lower than any scope. Also, putting a very large scope on heavy mounts above the reciever changes the balance of the gun considerably- add near 2 pounds of scope 3 inches above the reciever of a 6 1/2 lb gun will definitely change the handling ..... Last edited by jimbob86; October 22, 2013 at 02:50 PM.

October 22, 2013, 04:11 PM	#23
hornetguy Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: on the north side of DFW Posts: 970	I don't see how putting glass on a levergun "cripples" it any more than putting glass on a boltgun. Unless, of course, you are one of the .0003% (I made that statistic up) of hunters that will actually use a horse to get you back in the wilderness, and you actually use a saddle scabbard to carry your "thutty-thutty" with you. Yes, it changes the balance point a bit, but it does the same thing with a boltgun. You simply adjust to it. Crippled? My idea of "crippled" is refusing to face the fact that if you DON'T put a glass on it, you are either limiting yourself to a 30 or 40 yard shot, or you are taking a shot with a high probability of wounding/crippling your game animal. If you're still under 40yrs of age, and can shoot accurately with open sights... bravo! Enjoy it while you can. It doesn't last. __________________ I always felt that if I got to the point where I thought it was time to bury my firearms, it was actually time to pick them up..

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