Plain Ole 4X scope?

[GoBoilers!]

Ok, here's the deal. I just acquired a Marlin 30-30, and with my aging eyes, I'd like to be able to hit a pie-plate at 150 yards, which I cannot do with open sites. So I thought - I'll just get a regular ole 4X scope to put on it. I do not plan to drive tacks, so no high-dollar models or 3X-9X needed, just a low power scope to mount on it is all I want. And come to find out, they are hard to find! I do not want a new-fangled AR style scope either - this is a 40 year old rifle. Any suggestions?

 

[BoilerWes]

Weaver K series in 4x or 6x.

Leupold fixed power in 4x33 or 6x36.

I don’t believe any of these are made anymore but they can be found.

 

[Born2vette]

Try these guys

Vintage Gun Scopes — Fixed Power 1 Inch Tube

Shop vintage Weaver fixed power scopes - K Series and Marksman.

www.vintagegunscopes.com

 

[t-squared]

Optics Planet

Just a thought, but a 2x7 might serve your needs and be easier to find.....

Vortex 2x7 scopes

 

[Gingerbeardman]

Try looking for shotgun scopes. Or, get a 3-9 and leave it on 4x?

 

[Ruger_Ronin]

Meant for a .22, but I'm sure you can work out the holdovers. First thing that came to mind.

Primary Arms Classic Series 6x32mm Rifle Scope - ACSS Reticle - 22 LR

DetailsThe Classic Series™ proves that entry-level optics don’t have to be poor quality optics. Unlike some other brands, they don’t use the word “value” as a euphemism for “junk”. Classic Series scopes are perfect for the budget conscious and the new shooter. They take the time to 100% inspect...

www.primaryarms.com

 

[bcannon]

If you're looking for a vintage fixed 4× scope, look for a Unertl Hawk 4×. They're easy to find, not expensive, and would fit nicely on a vintage rifle. Look on ebay or gunbroker, there should be plenty to chose from.

 

[bgarman47]

I'm a huge fan of fixed power scopes in general, but they seem to be headed the way of the do do.

S&B discontinued the Klassik series fixed powers, Leupold discontinued the majority of their FX series, Meopta followed suit, etc.

At one point in the recent past Weaver was importing Japanese made fixed power optics that were very high quality. You can find those on auction sights for reasonable prices. As handsome as they are, I would likely pass on the older Leupold M8 series. Friction adjustments and sub-par glass compared to most of what is available today.

 

[snorko]

Try these guys

Vintage Gun Scopes — Fixed Power 1 Inch Tube

Shop vintage Weaver fixed power scopes - K Series and Marksman.

www.vintagegunscopes.com

Holy Carp! I have a Weaver K4-C3 in good condition sitting on a shelf. Thought about putting it in a lot with other basic scopes to sell to clean out but the link shows it at $249!

 

[Hookeye]

The post '74 Leupold M8 4x does not have arched logo.
Is of longer tube but kind of gangly w 28mm front.
They made a compact model, sharp looking, but has shorter tube so not as adaptable to various setups.

Had a 4X compact, minty, on my .35 rem. Had one on an 870 deer gun decades ago.
My neck is kinda screwed up and I don't stretch as well as I used to. Plus wearing layers hunting.
Sold my Compact 4x and put my 2-7X on the 760. It has longer tube and worked fine.

On the hunt for M8 4x regular. Sold my last one w the rifle.

Gloss and not scarred up, the prices for used 4X Leupolds is getting ridiculous.

I would not go w a Weaver steel tube. I don't know what Vintage Gun Scopes does on their rebuilds. Rebuilt/upgraded? Cost more than a clean used Leupold (even at todays silly prices) proly.

Have about decided to just go with newer 1-5x or 2-7X variable on pretty deer rigs.

 

[JimH]

4x Leupold..

2.5x weaver...

 

[Hookeye]

Leupold 4X regular

Leupold 4X Compact



You can see it was as back as far as it would go. Other brand "weaver" type rails extend fwd, don't get anything more on the back end. Solution was to get a longer tube 4x (or go w reg 2-7X- which I did).

The RSI 4X pic, had an offset rear ring. The scope was barely into the offset zone. It was moved even more rearward later.

I do like 1X or 2X on the low end for movers. Have done it w 4x forever, but aint young anymore and less mag up close is just less stressful IMHO

 

[Hookeye]

There is a place that refurbs old Weavers, if one is really wanting that period correct look.
Im just not that OCD.

Vintage Gun Scopes

Vintage Weaver, Redfield and other Vintage Rifle Scopes, Guns, scope rings and mounts for sale.

www.vintagegunscopes.com

 

[snapping turtle]

Gloss is what they don't really make much anymore. Matte scopes are a no-no on a higher gloss gun. That eliminates all the newer stuff for the most part like vortex that get hit on every scope post on INGO.

Whatever you are looking for can be found at about any gun show if you look at the tables enough. Sure they will have mint vintage weavers El Paso TX. Older Leopold models but others which fit the need well. Cheap to paycheck whatever you want to spend and find.

What I find works well are on fixed power are those with generous eye relief and a shorter tube. You can place them further forward over the action and I like that look better and see little to no difference in game preformance.
Several makers had LPVO's in flood in the day and I will pay a little more for them over the fixed. The rage for LPVO's on ar's I believe stemmed from the spot and stalk style hunting I do. Walking goes down on 2 power for quick target. Kicked one up and it stops at 250 yards pop it up to 7. 1-4 and 2-7 set on several of my levers.

Also look for the big game models often called African or similar. The same rough and tough short tube and small magnification values with long eye relief.

Good luck hitting one up.

 

[nipprdog]

There is a place that refurbs old Weavers, if one is really wanting that period correct look.
Im just not that OCD.

Vintage Gun Scopes

Vintage Weaver, Redfield and other Vintage Rifle Scopes, Guns, scope rings and mounts for sale.

www.vintagegunscopes.com

https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/i-didnt-read-the-thread-but-wanted-to-post-a-reply-anyway.1503956/

 

[Hookeye]

LOL, missed it on my phone. Oh well. Emailed and sold some old scopes n stuff to VGS and they were good to do biz with.

 

[Hookeye]

Gloss is what they don't really make much anymore. Matte scopes are a no-no on a higher gloss gun. That eliminates all the newer stuff for the most part like vortex that get hit on every scope post on INGO.

Whatever you are looking for can be found at about any gun show if you look at the tables enough. Sure they will have mint vintage weavers El Paso TX. Older Leopold models but others which fit the need well. Cheap to paycheck whatever you want to spend and find.

What I find works well are on fixed power are those with generous eye relief and a shorter tube. You can place them further forward over the action and I like that look better and see little to no difference in game preformance.
Several makers had LPVO's in flood in the day and I will pay a little more for them over the fixed. The rage for LPVO's on ar's I believe stemmed from the spot and stalk style hunting I do. Walking goes down on 2 power for quick target. Kicked one up and it stops at 250 yards pop it up to 7. 1-4 and 2-7 set on several of my levers.

Also look for the big game models often called African or similar. The same rough and tough short tube and small magnification values with long eye relief.

Good luck hitting one up.

When it stops why not just shoot it at 2X ?

 

[snapping turtle]

When it stops why not just shoot it at 2X ?

When you bump them normally they just go out of sight line then come back out of the woods further down. Plenty of time to pop the power ring with the thumb can not see them much on the brush except the tail.

Normally if I bump them sleeping/unaware (normally we see each other at the same time) I have to the count of three or four till the front hoof stomps and off they go. If you be cool like Fonzie and just watch they will look back once they get a
Sight line out to the open and look back at you. I like a little more Magnifying power further out and very low power up close to get on target better.

Now the scout scope setup is for jump shooting and running up close and In 44mag the distance all you have is 1.75 so I call that scope assisted open sights.

I do stand hunt morning and afternoons at times but I seem to enjoy bringing me to them instead of waiting for them to come to me.

My hunts rarely look like the guys on TV.

 

[Hookeye]

Higher mag is cool for checking for busted tines or overall size.
But Im not that picky LOL
My spot isn't the best so pretty much if it's over 100" it takes a boolit.
Im figuring done w deer hunting in next 2 yrs anyway

 

[GoBoilers!]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. That helps a lot. I have looked up a few small low power variable scopes that look okay. The Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.0 looks like a possibility. I am not concerned about keeping a vintage look so much as I want to keep it simple and low power. I plan to do some window shopping in Fort Wayne tomorrow to see what is in stock locally.