Marlin 60 Scope

[ZeeOSix]

Looking to put a cheap 2x7 or 3x9 scope on a Marlin model 60, which has the 3/8" (11 mm) dovetail style scope mount.

One option is to just get good 3/8" dovetail style scope mounts, or the other option would be to get a good 3/8" dovetail to Weaver mount adapter and then use some nice Weaver scope mounts.

I would only do option #2 if I could still use the iron sights (if needed to) with the mount adapter in place, so the adapter would have to be pretty low profile, and may still not work even if the adapter was low profile.

The plus side of using the adapter would be it could be left on permanently and the scope could be taken off without ever disturbing and chewing up the dovetail.

What kind of scope setup do you Marlin 60 guys have?

Also, any recommendations of an inexpensive scope ($40~$50) that would go well with this rifle?

 

[sonofbumperbolt]

I use this mount on my Marlin 7000 which has the same receiver as the 60:
http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Medium-Profile...ailpage_o00_s01
I currently have a Nikon Prostaff RF scope on it also. It's a nice scope for the dough:
http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon...e-nikoplex.html

 

[jhs914]

I don't have Marlin 60 so I'm no help on the mounts, but I can recommend this scope which can be had for about $60 at Amazon or Optics Planet; http://www.opticsplanet.com/tasco-25-10x42-targetvarmint.html

I have about three of them that I bought about 10 years ago. I have swapped them around on several rifles, from rimfire to .30-06 and have had no problems. It is an adjustable objective mil-dot scope and is as good a sub $100 scope as you can get.

 

[JetStar]

Originally Posted By: sonofbumperbolt
I use this mount on my Marlin 7000 which has the same receiver as the 60:
http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Medium-Profile...ailpage_o00_s01
I currently have a Nikon Prostaff RF scope on it also. It's a nice scope for the dough:
http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon...e-nikoplex.html


I ended up going with that mount. I had tried rings that engaged the dovetail directly. I had problems with them sliding in the groove. IIRC I read a thread on rimfire central where others were having the same sliding issue and went with a 1 pc mount to resolve it. It worked for me.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I was thinking of going with something like this, then using some low profile Weaver scope rings since this 11 mm dovetail to Weaver adapter gives some rise.

I do see an advantage of having lots more clamping on the dovetail with a mount than has 3 or 4 fasteners along the run.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KKETHA/ref=...=I2R9UGVS0QPX0B

 

[ZeeOSix]

Or possibly going with a more beefy dovetail scope mount, one that is wider and has more clamping length per ring like these.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IKYMO/ref=...d=IY5LZ2L9HNY5G

 

[sonofbumperbolt]

I have tried most mounts trying to avoid scope creep and have found that the mount I recommended above has no creep and offers the lowest scope height for the money. Something that helps with all clamp on style mounts is to clean all mating surfaces with paint thinner to remove all traces of grease and lube.
D.I.P. makes quality stuff also. You might take a look at this:
http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=164828&CAT=3603
Good luck, I hope you find something that suits your needs. My self and my family have a lot of Marlin semi-autos in various configurations and love them all.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: sonofbumperbolt
I have tried most mounts trying to avoid scope creep and have found that the mount I recommended above has no creep and offers the lowest scope height for the money. Something that helps with all clamp on style mounts is to clean all mating surfaces with paint thinner to remove all traces of grease and lube.
D.I.P. makes quality stuff also. You might take a look at this:
http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=164828&CAT=3603
Good luck, I hope you find something that suits your needs. My self and my family have a lot of Marlin semi-autos in various configurations and love them all.


That looks like a super beefy setup for sure. Only thing I don't like is driving set screws down into the top of thereceiver to hold it tight. Once the adapter is installed it pretty much has to stay on the gun since the top of the receiver will get chewed up.

These look pretty interesting, and get a pretty good review by people. They just clamp on, but are pretty wide so have more clamping area then just dovetail style scope rings.

http://www.amazon.com/Weaver-48459-T-22-...8431&sr=1-8

Could then get a low profile set of Weaver style rings to mount to the 3/8" dovetail to Weaver adapters.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M9M7G72?psc=1

Total cost would be around $20.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Looking to put a cheap 2x7 or 3x9 scope on a Marlin model 60, which has the 3/8" (11 mm) dovetail style scope mount. One option is to just get good 3/8" dovetail style scope mounts, or the other option would be to get a good 3/8" dovetail to Weaver mount adapter and then use some nice Weaver scope mounts. Also, any recommendations of an inexpensive scope ($40~$50) that would go well with this rifle?


This is my Marlin Model 60 scope / base set up. It's the strongest, and easiest to install I've found when dealing with 3/8" dovetail .22 mounts. And I've tried several. The bases are B-Square 3/8" Dovetail to Weaver adapter bases. I got them from Brownell's. The scope is a Tru-Glo 6-24X I purchased from Natchez Shooters Supply. It's been a fantastic scope. The pictures show it with both sun shades installed, (3" & 6"), but they simply screw on and off as needed. They really help when shooting in the bright Arizona Sun. Both come with the scope, and are not extra. The scope also comes with the battery installed for the illuminated reticle, which has several brightness settings, and both front and rear screw in lens covers.

These B-Square mounts are fairly easy to install, and they provide a nice wide clamping surface, that at the same time allows you to separate them for the best ring placement depending on your scope tube. The Hex Head Cap Screws they come with can be easily torqued nice and tight once you place them where you want them located. The rings I used were a set of Burris Signature Zee Rings I had from another project. They have the plastic inserts that really hold well, and won't mar up your scope tube.

I, like many, have had nothing but trouble with 3/8" dovetail scope mounts coming loose over the years on countless rifles. They also tend to scratch up your receiver when they do, which makes for a marred up looking rifle over time. These mounts will never come loose. Overall it's the best base / rings / scope set up I've found for this purpose, that's affordable, and works very well. I have 2 other Marlin Model 60 rifles that I will eventually equip with these bases.

http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting...-prod18690.aspx

https://www.natchezss.com/truglo-infinit...ir-reticle.html

 

[bubbatime]

Some decent clearance scopes on Midway USA right now.

http://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocatio...%3D1%26Ntpr%3D1

 

[ZeeOSix]

billt460 - I really like those B-Square dovetail to Weaver adapters. Low profile, clean looking and work well from what you experienced (they have lots of clamping power with 2 screws per base). And I do like that they are separate so you can place the rings exactly where you need them. I'm going to probably go with those, cost a bit more but probably worth the extra money. Nice setup on your Marlin!

bubbatime - thanks for the scope link. This is just a plinker rifle, so will probably go with a 3x9-32mm or 40mm for around $50~60. Looking at the Simmons ProHunter, which I have on a couple other rifles and I've been pleased with them.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Here's a similar adapter to the B-Square, but about 1/3 the price.
http://www.amazon.com/Hammers-Adapters-Crossbows-Airguns-Dovetail/dp/B002DQWRLE/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8

These also look interesting, as it's basically an insert that goes into the bottom of a Weaver style ring and then gets compressed and clamps when the Weaver ring is tightened down. Makes for a very low profile adapter.
http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Airgun-Picatinny-Weaver-Adaptor/dp/B007BNHFLQ/ref=pd_sim_200_1?ie=UTF8

 

[ZeeOSix]

Anyone here know of this scope brand Hammers? This 3x9-40mm has some really good reviews (5-star) from customers, and it's only $41. This one has a Mil-Dot reticle. Can also get it with Weaver scope rings included for the same price, but the rings look a bit high for my taste.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UNS9H0/ref=...=I2W3QO7N33KWOD