Considering a Peep Site for my Marlin 336

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Aqualung

Blackhawk
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Messages
823
Location
Philadelphia, PA, USA
I have a .30-30 Marlin 336 that was gifted to me a couple years ago and am putting it together to be a handy 2nd rifle for deer hunting around camp.

I have it dialed in now with my own loads with the stock sights. However, I hunted with it last year and was a little concerned at dusk-ish that I couldn't really see the notch in the rear sight too well (at all, really) if I had to take a shot while in the woods. I realized that if I needed to take a shot at that time, I'd have been better served using my scoped .44 Super Blackhawk.

I really don't want to scope or red-dot this rifle, because I really like the handiness of it. If I want a scoped rifle, I'll just carry my Savage 99, which has a 3x-9x mounted.

So, I was thinking of the peep sight options.
  • Ranger Point Precision - PROS: I really like this sight, as it keeps the top of the receiver pretty slick. I wouldn't have to change out the front sight, as I like the hood over the front sight and don't think I'd be able to keep it if I replace the front sight with a taller one. CONS: Price...I'm just a bit reluctant to put out $115 for the sights, as I want to do a couple more upgrades to it that aren't cheap...but those are also RPP (mid-size loop lever and loading gate), so it'd be a package deal.
  • Skinner (Express) - PRO: Same upsides as the RPP above, but no "wings" to protect the sight. CONS: Still price...same as RPP. If am going to spend the $115, I'll go with the RPP. Also would probably have to change out front sight.
  • Williams (WGRS and 5D) - PROS: Cost...I can get this sight with a fiber-optic front sight (see CONS) for a fraction of the cost of the RPP and Skinner options ($45). These are really good sights with lots of fine adjustment potential. CONS: Need to change front sight. Not as low-profile as the RPP & Skinner, but willing to live with the "bulge". The 5D is a bit more obtrusive since it takes up real estate on the side, too.
Now, about that front sight...I really should change it out anyhow for a taller sight, as my handloads for my .30-30 [33.0gn BL-C(2) behind 160gn FTX] hit really high at 50yds in relation to "normal", factory 150gn options, making me have to have the rear sight adjusted all the way down at the bottom of the ramp...so I think I'm already to the point where I need a taller front sight anyway. So, along with adding height, to increase visibility, I should replace it with a fiber-optic. But the hood will not let the FO sight gather as much light and will negate/limit the benefit.

So, maybe I should just get used to not having the hood on the sight.

I've also seen another couple options which will keep the top of the receiver clean:
  • Fiber-Optic front and rear sights to give a 3-dot effect (thought the RPP has this option, too)
  • A rear sight blade that has the peep in it, though it's not back at the eye (example here)

Anyhow, I'm throwing it out there to let me know what you think, what you've tried, and/or what you use now.

Thanks in advance,

Aqualung
 

beentheredone

Single-Sixer
Joined
Mar 27, 2022
Messages
400
Location
SC
Ditch the hood. It hurts low-light visibility and will inevitably get lost in the woods after being snagged on a vine or branch. Sounds like you need a higher front anyway...
 

BRL

Single-Sixer
Joined
Sep 11, 2010
Messages
283
Location
Tahuya Wa.
My friend brought over his Marlin 1895 GBL in .45-70 (flippin' cannon!) and he put a peep sight on his.

That thing was very nice.

He also suggested you get the Williams WGRS-336 peep sight.

I think a hood looks cool but like beentheredone said, it would defeat the fiber optic and could snag on something out there.

If you also like the hood, maybe you could cut a slot on top?

Amazon product ASIN B0028MAU2G
011.JPG
 

wwb

Hunter
Joined
Nov 18, 2004
Messages
2,867
Location
wisconsin
I put a peep sight on my 336, and replaced the front ramp with a Williams ramp that was taller than the Marlin, and came with a hood (which I used). Been too long ago to remember the specifics, but I had to machine off the long tail on the Williams, and drill & counterbore a new screw hole to match the Marlin barrel.
 

trapperon

Blackhawk
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
783
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Not to add confusion, but I am a fan of the tried and true (and inexpensive) Williams 5d. Several aperatures available and mine have always sighted in fine with the factory front sight....without the hood.
And typical marlins have a fold down barrel sight so you could leave it installed for backup if needed. A tad more work to dial in vs the foolproof, but once on its there for the long haul! I actually just got 2 delivered today from midway. For a 336 and 39 marlin.
Tons to ponder!
Long live the Marlins!
Ron
 

Snake Pleskin

Banned
Joined
Mar 26, 2022
Messages
2,179
Location
Aiken, South Carolina
I keep trying to find an old Steel Lyman 66 for my Marlin 1894 CS and my two Rossi 92's but no luck , except for those priced more than the firearm! I May have to go with a Williams, but I have never been a fan of the aluminum construction. I am glad to hear that some people have had good luck with them. I need to figure it out, because the marlin is drilled and tapped from the factory & the Rossis 92's are not, so i do not want to make a mistake with the sight since drilling multiple holes in my rifles is not high on my list.
 

TomC321

Bearcat
Joined
Mar 24, 2003
Messages
83
Location
Port Republic, MD, USA
My Marlin 39A is 60 yrs. old and wears an old Redfield receiver sight. I don't think I have changed the sight settings in years, although I finally got around to replacing the bead front sight with a serrated ramp, which I favor.
I picked up a used Marlin 336 and mounted a Williams Foolproof sight, with a slightly higher serrated ramp front. I suspect if I were to do it again, I would probably use the winged Skinner rear sight.
 

buckeyeshooter

Blackhawk
Joined
Nov 8, 2004
Messages
856
Location
Ohio
Williams 5D or Foolproof on 6 Marlins. 1 old Lyman on a winchester and 4 more foolproofs on winchesters.
 

trapperon

Blackhawk
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
783
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
The williams 5D and foolproof are basically the same sight. The foolproof has click adjustments for windage and elevation and the 5d is more manual adjust...unscrew and slide any direction.
Foolproof is twice as expensive and better if youre target shooting or switching loads. For a hunting rifle sighted in at 100 5D is just fine
 

SnowmanP89

Bearcat
Joined
Aug 3, 2004
Messages
15
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Williams 5D or Foolproof on 6 Marlins.
Same here for the 5-D on each of the four Marlins I have owned. In time, I learned to buy the larger .125" Williams aperture and use it instead of the factory .093" aperture that comes with the 5-D rear sight. The .125" aperture is the same size as the one in a mil-spec M-14. Faster on target and better in low light...at least for me.
 
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Messages
1,743
Location
Idaho
Whatever peep you pick your eyes will thank you. Any provide a better/sharper sight system. For what it's worth I own and shoot 1886 45-70 Redfield peep with a taller front sight needed. 94 30-30 Williams with a taller front sight needed. 1892 .357 with a Marbles tang peep, factory front sight. Henry Golden boy .22lr Skinner peep it needed a taller front sight. They all work in a slightly different way. The Marbles came with 3 or 4 different sized apertures, to me that was great. You use a small one for close target shooting and try larger ones to see what works best for hunting. I like to take the Williams small aperture out to hunt deer. You can shoot good and have a big sight picture without the disk, they use screw out. The best I belive is the Skinner and now he makes a adjustable aperture to fit different light conditions/range or use. I have not used one of his, you move a tab to make it larger or smaller. When I shot in the Master Class Smallbore matches I had an adjustable aperture peep. It helped with eye fatigue and kept the sight picture clear as possible. Matches starting about 8am it was opened up and as the sun got brighter it was turned smaller and smaller. That also had a polarized gray lens that went from light to dark with a turn.
 

bentblade

Single-Sixer
Joined
Nov 1, 2012
Messages
326
If it were me, I would try to find an old Redfield. Blued steel and built like a tank and I just plain like the classic looks
They are getting harder to find and not cheap when you do

1649825092501.png

Those are the target knobs, but you can also get them with a large dome head screw that you can adjust with a coin.
 

buckeyeshooter

Blackhawk
Joined
Nov 8, 2004
Messages
856
Location
Ohio
It would appear that you have a good deal of experience with the Williams sights. Any preference between the 5D & Foolproof?
The Foolproof is the one to go with if you change bullet weights and loads. If you shoot only one load the 5D is fine. The 5D is not as precise in adjustment, so it will usually take more ammo to sight in.
 

buckeyeshooter

Blackhawk
Joined
Nov 8, 2004
Messages
856
Location
Ohio
Same here for the 5-D on each of the four Marlins I have owned. In time, I learned to buy the larger .125" Williams aperture and use it instead of the factory .093" aperture that comes with the 5-D rear sight. The .125" aperture is the same size as the one in a mil-spec M-14. Faster on target and better in low light...at least for me.
Most times I use a drill bit to open it up a bit and sometimes I ditch the aperture and use the housing as a ghost ring.
 

LuckenbachTexas

Buckeye
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
1,207
Location
Leaky, Texas
XS for me, I've owned all (every variation and mixed and matched) of the others and just don't like them, they aren't as fast or durable as XS. Wings aren't needed on XS.

I've even installed Aimpoint H-2's and I'm always back to XS.

Another Pain is half of these sights just don't match up front and rear so you end up jumping through hoops for the front sight height and getting it dialed in. XS will sent you a new size front PRONTO.

I also found green front fiber to suck in new color turning fall foliage and fresh spring foliage, it just gets lost. Red is best.
 

Chief 101

Hunter
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
2,613
Location
Idaho
I have lever guns with peeps and original buckhorns. I like the Lyman/Redfield/Williams style. For hunting I take out the peep and use the hole they screw into. I also have 2 lever guns with tang sites which are fine for target use...I spent a lot on the Tang sites but I prefer the the peep mounted on the side...
 
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
1,895
Location
the Great State of Wide-open (WY)
I always liked the Lyman sights on my Marlins (back when I owned them), but if you can't find one for a reasonable price, it's time for another option. I've also had the Williams aluminum sights on rifles, and liked them, but there is the obvious caveat that aluminum is not steel - be careful tightening any little set screws, because you don't want to strip the threads (like I did on a Williams peep sight I once had mounted on a Mini-14 Ranch Rifle).
 

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