Back when I was a kid, Dad bought 3 Marlin 336's. Two were in 30/30 and mine was in 35. They scoped theirs (4 power Weavers). I decided to go with iron sights. Bad mistake. They were taking deer in dim light when I couldn't even see the darn iron sights. I got smart and put a 4 power Weaver on it and ...Game On. My point is that a scope is a big help, even when you have teenage eyes, and 4 power is all you need. The rifle is good for deer up to 150 yards (and more if you're a good shot), but you will need the scope to make the longer shots.

I have a near mint Marlin 336 in 30-30, my parents have used it as a ranch rifle for years and it's still in great shape. I plan on making it my back up deer rifle to my 30-06. The only ammo I have a decent stash of is Fusion 150 grain. While I am very confident with open sights, my vision is not that great and need to scope it. I tried a cheap Simmons 8 Point 3-9 40 that I got at Academy for 29.99, it would not sight in and I immediately placed it on my Ruger 10/22 where it is decent. I got in a hurry at the end of deer season and couldn't find a good scope so I bought a Tasco Bucksight at Wally World and wasted a box of Leveroution ammo while trying to sight in. Wasted time and money on that expensive ammo and took the scope back to Wally. As I mentioned I only want to scope it because of my eyesight and I need to make sure a Whitetail Buck is legal. What is the best scope you have used without spending a large amount of money?

This...no need for a high variable scope on the 30-30. Nice compact 4X if you must scope it IMO

If you tried 2 new scopes (even if they were cheap ones) and couldn't get it sighted in then I think your problem lies somewhere with the gun, mounting system, shooter, or ammo..........not with the cheap scopes.

i would never own a scope thats not variable, even a pellet gun gets a 3x9

Yep. I just don't see the point. If you really like 4x you can just leave it set to that, but in more than one occasion a 9x setting had acted as a set of binoculars when I forgot mine at the house.

I would rather pass up a shot then risk pointing a loaded rifle at something I'm not sure I want to shoot.

pretty sure he means looking at and judging a bucks rack, not a day care center.

sheesh where do people come up with this stuff

If you can't judge a deer you can't see what's behind it. Using a scope to judge a deer can lead to bad habits something I prefer not to do.

If you can't judge a deer you can't see what's behind it. Using a scope to judge a deer can lead to bad habits something I prefer not to do.