A few years ago I got a Marlin in .44 mag. I also wanted to put a scope on it. Most of the scopes I looked at required a scope mount that stuck out beyond the receiver of the rifle. I decided, that since this was a short range rifle, I did not need anything beyond a 4 power scope. I bought 4 power shotgun scope. The short scope would not look so awkward on the rifle. Then I could not find a rifle mount that would both fit the receiver and the short scope. Soooo, I went to my gunsmith. He cut the mount to fit the receiver and cut another groove in the mount so I could mount the rings and short scope. I wound up with a nice, neat looking package, that proved to be a damn accurate little power house.

Now they are making rails you can have installed on top of the Marlin which make it MUCH easier….

I have one on a 45/70

This place just does complete guns BUT to see one go Click on photos and you will see some of them. You can order that rail and have it installed most anywhere and it opens up your rifle to a variety of scopes easily switched on and off.

As for which scope, I am a big fan of Leupold and then Zeiss

it depends on the area you will hunt, I have a 32 Winchester spl. mod, 94. this gun has a 3-9 mounted on it, when im in and around the thicker stuff make sure your power in turned down, now that Im getting older a scope is wonderfull thing, the eyes are not as good as 20 years ago, also in low light the scopes gives you edge. Alot of people think a strait 4x scope is all that is needed witch is really true , however I do alot of shouting at 90 - 150 yards and I find having my scope on 6 x works good for me, I also like a bigger scope say a 40mm, lets alot of light in for the low light conditions

I have the same rifle. I hace a BSA 40mm 4X12 power. That is more than enough. Where I live, I won't be taking any shots past 125 -130 yards cause you can't see any farther in the woods.

I put a pentax 1.5×6 40 mm scope on my 30-30 and love it. Made a 180+ yard shot this year in a soybean field on a small buck while hunting hogs in Georgia. A very nice scope. clear optics and fast to get on a target in thick woods. Highly recommended. Mueller also makes some very good scopes that will not break your budget.

Tasco makes great scopes for a good price. if you are deer hunting I would go with a 3X9. I have one on a 243 zeroed at 300yards, love it. also I like the rectical with mill dots.

A 4X is all you need on a 30-30, because of its range capabilities.*