Optic for 1894 .44 mag

[Ribwizzard]

I put some RPP peep sights on my 1894 .44mag. But now I'm thinking maybe a red dot or small scout scope. I'd like to keep it light and quick, but leaning toward a 3x or so scope just to help out the old eyes, but still able to pick out a hog
Anyone ever play around or have any input on this subject.

 

[jerry52]

scout scope 2.5x works great, shoot both eyes open

 

[BAM-BAM]

I've become very fond of two scopes for light, handy, utility rifles and PC Carbines

Leupold 1-4x20 shotgun scope

Weaver 1-3X20 shotgun scope

1X is great for Penn's Woods or just both eyes open shots

3 or 4X is plenty for 'varmints" out to +100yds.

I have several; including Ruger and CZ .22 magnums, CZ 527 FS in .223 a Ruger 77/357 carbine and my newest a 16" Ruger American Ranch rifle in 5.56 (which uses AR magazines)

 

[Ribwizzard]

I was looking at the Leopold pigplex , just dont want anything huge on there, if you know what I mean.

 

[22hipower]

You don't say Winchester or Marlin 1894. Either way, for scout type set up the XS mounts are hard to beat:

XS Sight Systems, Inc. - Product Detail - Lever Scout Mount - Winchester 94 AE - $75.00

Here's my Marlin with a Sig Red Dot. Works well on pigs to 100 yards or so although becomes a problem at dusk; can see the dot fine but no light transmitted to see the target. I'd go with a EER scope and while I like the 2.5X the 2-7 variables offer advantages at longer ranges.

Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[dusty3030]

This scope in an AO scout mount is what I had on my little Marlin 1894P and it worked well.

Scout Riflescope 2.75x20mm | Burris Optics

 

[BAM-BAM]

You don't say Winchester or Marlin 1894. Either way, for scout type set up the XS mounts are hard to beat:

XS Sight Systems, Inc. - Product Detail - Lever Scout Mount - Winchester 94 AE - $75.00

That's coooool.

 

[LoadedRound]

Weaver V3

Very good scope for not much money. Very light.

Buy Weaver 1-3x20 Classic V Rifle Scopes at SWFA.com

 

[BB57]

I put some RPP peep sights on my 1894 .44mag. But now I'm thinking maybe a red dot or small scout scope. I'd like to keep it light and quick, but leaning toward a 3x or so scope just to help out the old eyes, but still able to pick out a hog
Anyone ever play around or have any input on this subject.

I had to look up "RPP". Once I saw what they were, I see your point. RPP, Skinner, Marbles or Williams, the problem with a receiver mounted peep sight is that you lose a lot of the benefit of an aperture mounted sight. On a hammer fired lever gun the mounting point of the sight is just too far forward to allow the aperture to be small enough and close enough to increase the depth of field of your eye. With younger eyes it's not an issue. However with older eyes seeing the front sight clearly is a problem.

However, I'm a big believer in a tang sight on a lever gun. Even after flunking out of bifocals and into progressive readers, I can still see the front sight clearly using a tang sight (and no reading glasses). When fairly close to your eye, the aperture works just like a small aperture in a camera and gives your eye a much deeper depth of field for focus, allowing you to see the front sight clearly when looking through the aperture, when it would look blurry if you looked around the aperture.

My recommendation is to try a Marbles tang sight before giving up and going with a scope. Scopes ruin the lines, balance and handling of a lever action.

 

[BB57]

If a tang sight doesn't trip your trigger then go with a Burris Fast Fire III.

This one is mounted on an Uzi, rather than a lever gun but it is small and low profile and can be mounted on a rail. It also has a lot less parallax error than most red dots.

 

[Gamecock]

I had a 4X scope on my Marlin 1894 a number of years, but eventually took it off. I figured my 1894 was a 125 yard gun, and the improved sighting from the scope wasn't much value at such short range. I took it off, and just use the iron sights.

 

[Ribwizzard]

Yes, it's a marlin 1894. I originally just planned on using iron sights. Just not working out that well , original sights were better than peep sights ( as far as speed)
I have a aim point comp m4 on my 6920, and I guess it has me a bit spoiled. Plus, I think I'd like a little magnification for the 100 yd shots.

 

[Farmer17]

Very good scope for not much money. Very light.

Buy Weaver 1-3x20 Classic V Rifle Scopes at SWFA.com

I agree I put one on my Marlin 30/30 and I paid about $140 and it's great and has "true 1x" which is very few scopes have. It's just as easy to use on running game as a red dot.

 

[Ribwizzard]

I've been looking at the Leopold vxr pigplex , little pricey but looks nice

 

[silentflyer]

Put a Burris Fast Fire on my Marlin 1894 .44 mag, works great.

 

[shouldazagged]

Do many people shoot a rifle with a scope or aperture sight with one eye closed?

That was never comfortable for me. I wanted to see the background of my target at will.

May be a dumb question.

 

[rich5674]

1-4x20
Was fine for me. In the Catskills of NYS about 75 yds was about the farthest you would shoot

 

[Jonzim]

I put a Bushnell Trophy Shotgun Scope 1.75-4x 32mm on my 1894C Marlin. Should work great on a .44MAG as well.

 

[Ribwizzard]

Thank, I'll check it out

 

[mchech]

I've had my Marlin 1894 44 mag. for almost 40 years. Been through a few scopes, a Williams receiver sight and finally settled on a Leupold 1x4 with a Beartooth cheek riser set-up to maintain good eye alignment. I do have a Burris FF3 that has wandered through a few revolvers and a Marlin 39A 22 rifle. The FF3 actually felt best on the 39A and would probably be a great match on the 1894 but it resides on a semi auto 22 pistol at the moment. I use the 1894 for deer hunting and do not like the idea of batteries on a hunting rifle so I'll probably stick with the Leupold 1x4. But the FF3 on the 39A felt so handy it just might get a trial run on the 44 mag.