Rifle Scopes Cabela's Lever Action Scope?

kellogg2185

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Minuteman
Nov 13, 2009
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St. Louis, MO
So the rifle I have for deer hunting is a Marlin .30-30, paired with the 4x Tasco it came with when my father bought it for me on my 11th birthday. Since Hornady came out with their Leverevolution line, I'm considering putting a different scope on it. Not looking to throw down serious money on anything, as it's my brush gun, but stumbled upon this while I was looking. I don't have a whole lot of experience with optics other than a very basic level, so any feedback would be appreciated. Is this scope from Cabela's Cabela's Lever Action Scope something decent? Or too gimicky? Don't really want to spend more than $200 on a scope for this rifle, as I think it's a bit unnecessary. Particularly interested with anyone's actual experience with this scope. Thanks guys.
 
Re: Cabela's Lever Action Scope?

I bought one for my 45-70. It was flat out the crappiest scope I have ever owned. The $30 Tasco world class scopes are a step up to those in my opinion.

The fisheye effect was unbelievable in that scope. The sweet spot in the class was so small it was hard to see anything. Anything beyond about 50 to 75 yards and it started getting pretty hard to make out what the object was. I took mine back and put a 4x Leupold on it. It is a much better fit for my gun.
 
Re: Cabela's Lever Action Scope?

I have a Marlin 30-30 with a 3-9x40 Bushnell on it. It does fine, I actually thought about going to something like a 1.1-4x since even at 4x a 200y shot with the 30-30 isn't difficult. The rifle gets used in eastern PA and the longest shots I've had hunting were barely over 100y.

As was stated, those scopes are a total waste of money.
 
Re: Cabela's Lever Action Scope?

Look into a Nikon ProStaff 2-7x or 3-9x. They're on-par with Leupold VX-1. You really can't beat reliable Japanese glass like Nikon.

A second option would be a Bushnell Elite 3200 2-7x or 3-9x. Bushnell's Elite series is a great buy for the money.
Both are excellent under $200 options, IMO.

Another option could be a new Redfield scope, since Leupold took them over. Otherwise, a Leupold Rifelman 2-7x or VX-1 1-4x would also make you very satisfied for decent brush scope.
 
Re: Cabela's Lever Action Scope?

Yeah, I have the 4x Tasco on it, the only real issue is it's a pain in the ass for when a deer jumps up right in front, and you can't take a decent shot because you can't get a sight picture. That's why I'm considering a 1-4x scope. Just not sure I can justify throwing down the cash for a Leupold or Nightforce 1-4x for a lever action. Hmm...
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Re: Cabela's Lever Action Scope?

There are a number of quality scope out there that work extremely well on leverguns. I have all of mine setup with scout scopes using the XS Lever Rail mounts. The Leupold FX-II Scout scope is a 2.5x option with 9" of eye relief. It allows extremely fast target acquisition and I have used it on deer well beyond the stated 100 or so yards that you'll be using it. Same thing with the Burris 2.75x Scout.

If you don't go with the scout scope, then look at the following:

1) Bushnell Elite 3200 1.5-4.5x32 (should be around $250);
2) Bushnell Elite 4200 1.25-4x24 (<$500);
3) Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20 (<$400); and
4) Nikon Monarch 1-4x20 (around $275).

Out of those...the Nikon is probably the best bang for the buck. Lightweight, compact, bright/clear optics, true 1x and plenty of magnification at 4x for ANY type of shooting you'd want to do with a .30-30 (even with Hornady Lever. ammo).
 
Re: Cabela's Lever Action Scope?

I have a Sightron Big Sky 1.25-5x on my .357 mag lever gun and it is a fantastic little scope. Glass as good as my bushnell 4200s, and it held up to 50 heavy rounds on my 45-70 as well. I think the straight tube scopes look great on lever guns.
 
Re: Cabela's Lever Action Scope?

My hunting partner bought one for a 45-70 marlin xlr and the third shot caused a large clump of greese to splatter on the inside of the rear lense.. he sent it back and cabelas gave him a new one and after a couple trips to the range the elevation wouldn't adjust...