I have obtained the scope side mount plate (Weaver #3Dj I was looking for to go on my ‘94 30-30 Winchester. It is currently at a gunsmith getting the side scope mount from my old Mini 14 modified to fit (it will centre the scope much better than the standard Weaver mount does). Now comes the big question.

What scope should I fit?

My original idea was a nice compact 6 power scope. As my eyes age I find I am preferring the 6X over the 4X power scopes I have always used. Unfortunately fixed power compact scopes are very hard to find locally.

I have two spare scopes, both Tasco. One is a 4 X 32 And the other a 4 X 40. Both are standard size scopes and so bigger than what I envisaged the completed project would look like adding weight and perhaps effecting handling.

But I can get a compact 4.5X24 scope. The only problem is that the 4.5 X needs to come from overseas and the new changes to our firearms laws make this a long and complicated process.

So what would your choice be?

Remember this is for use in slightly wooded areas with quite open shots out to 225 yards.

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View from down under

Nothing personal or anything, but putting a scope on a '94 don't seem right to me.

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Just a shooter

I like and have a 2x7x36 on my 30-30. Seems to be a good setup for close quarters out to the effective range of the 30-30. If I had to pick one you have it would be the 4x32.

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USN Submarine Service '66-'71

Yeah, It does not seem right to me either. Unfortunately I am at he age when my eyesight, even with glasses or contact lenses, makes open sights difficult for me at hunting distances. It is fine if I can keep my head up and look through the centre of the lens, but getting right down onto the stock distorts my view.

I am even fitting red dots to some of my pistols

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View from down under

I'm 54 and blew right through bifocals and trifocals to progressive readers and I can't shoot with open sights on a rifle at all due to an inability to see the front and rear sights well enough to get a good sight picture.

That said, I still have no trouble at all focusing on the front sight and getting an excellent sight picture with a tang sight. Looking through the small aperture greatly increases your eye's depth of field and lets your eye focus on the front sight, even if you normally would not be able to focus on it. If you use an adjustable aperture, like the Merit #3 or #4 aperture, you can quickly adjust the size of the aperture to match the ambient light and maximize the effect, without dimming the image.



I've owned four pre-64 Model 94s over the years and all of them would shoot 1.5 MOA 5 shot groups with either factory 150 gr soft points, or handloads with Hornady 150 gr soft points, when equipped with either a Lyman or Marbles tang sight.



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That said, if you really want to commit a mortal sin and scope Model 94, then go as small as possible to minimize the impact on lines and handling of what is otherwise one of the best balanced carbines around.

In that regard the 4.5x24 compact scope is a better option. It'll still give you an exit pupil of 5.3 mm, which will be fine in all but the lowest light situations.

My first choice however would be a 2-7x32 or 2-7x33 compact variable. It'll be smaller than a 4x32 or 4x40 and better suited to practical Model 94 ranges and uses.

In the late 70's and early 80's the Tasco 4x32 standard scope with the "30-30" reticle were about $30 new. I bought stacks of them, new and used and scoped everything I could. 30" cross hair to cross hair at 100 yards, 30" cross hair to center at 200 yards was all I needed back then. About 1984 I discovered Leopold and their "It's under warranty policy" since then I've replace every Tasco I own and given many of the to the young guys that couldn't afford a scope at all!

But your question is what we think is better of the "AT HAND" scopes, my experience leads me to believe the 4x32 is the better choice. (Until that 6x compact falls in your lap)

Ivan

I guess that I would go with the 4 x 40 just for the little better light gather ability.

For hunting,Williams or Lyman's receiver peep with small disc removed.
For target,a good tang sight with thinned front.
I know I'm off but I just can't stand a scope on a 94.Not that I condemn those who put one on theirs(it's theirs,they can do whataver they want with it and I respect that)but I can't decide myself to do it.
I've scoped my Ruger no 1 in 45-70 and since then,haven't taken it out of the safe room more than a couple of times.I even am considering selling it.Maybe if I take it off,I'll fall in love with it once more!

On a 30-30 I'd stick to iron sights.

My Marlin 30/30 has a Weaver V1-3X and it's very light and compact and has "true 1X" so shooting at moving game is about as easy as using a red dot, and I highly recommend it. Compact fixed scopes are getting rare and the main reason is a variable is just about as compact and lightweight with more flexibility.

Lyman or Williams peep rear is the perfect sight for your Winchester.

Screw peep sights.
I listened to all that and wasted money on peep sights ( junk) then turned around and got me a nice 1-7 with pig plex reticle and it is a whole new animal.
Quick to find target like a red dot but also able to zoom in on further targets.
Adds hardly any noticeable weight and I think it looks good.
On yours, I'd think the mount would make or break the eeal

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People equate and sometimes confuse receiver mounted peep sights with tang sights. I'm not a fan of a peep sight on a lever gun, but I love a tang sight on a lever gun. It's more effective and almost always
much better quality.

That said, a scope on a Marlin is less of an issue than a scope on a Model 94 or Model 92 Winchester as the Marlin is already clunky in comparison, so it takes less of a hit in terms of handling traits.

Really dig those tang sights BB57.

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Some Might Say.

Have shot der, etc. withe iron sighted 03 and 03-A3 riles since 1980. Due to my eyes changing, I've had to go to a scope. Shots in my area are not likely to be more than 200 yds. Had a 03-A3 reconfigured into a faux 03-A4 using a Weaver 2.5 scope. That thing is outstanding. Only thing I'd change is go to a 4x w/ 40 mm objective, but that is not permitted if one wishes to participate in local range WWII type sniper matches. It is however as configured a whale of a deer rifle. So... given that you are focusing on hunting game animals, use the 4x40 scope. It will offer you good sighting on any target on the range or in the woods and fields. The 40 mm objective will give superior light transmission yielding a brighter target image which is of importance given that so much hunting involves early morning and late afternoon/early evening hours when available light is at a premium. Sincerely. bruce.

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If you need a scope for hunting and your skills are good enough by a Nikon Prostaff 7 2.5-10x42 with a 30mm body for very good low light clarity . For a cartridges designed for longer range Nikon has there BDC reticle and you can go on line , down load your cartridge in to Nikons SPOT ON system and get what the BDC would be out to your cartridge or personal range limit .

I agree, optics on a Win 94 is analogous to putting a Draw Tite trailer hitch on a 63 split window Vette. And even with a scope the 94 in 30 30 is not a 225 yard gun.

I have two Winchester 94's and I don't think I'd ever put a scope on either one, for me it kind of defeats the handiness of a model 94.

I do have a Marlin 336 in .30-30 with a 4x Nikon that works out just great. I've taken several whitetails with it, as have my sons when they were in their teens.

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- Change it back -

If I was going to scope a 30/30 it wouldn't be with a compact. All the ones I've seen have smaller field of view than a standard scope. I bought a Burris compact 6x. Beautiful scope clear and fully functional. I took it hunting one trip and replaced it with a standard Redfield 4x. I have 6xs on
several rifles. Leupolds, Red Fields and Weavers. I like them because they seem to gather more light. Perfect for early and late in the day low light conditions.