C&R optics recommendation needed

[ARFrog]

Recently I had the good fortune to use my FFL03 and purchase a 1963 Sears 46 C (same as Marlin 56) 22 cal Levermatic at a good price.

image.jpg

At the time of purchase I knew the rifle/stock/sling were in good shape but that the 1963 period specific Tasco scope was questionable. I took it to the range today and the rifle worked flawlessly but the scope is trash. All shots were in the same spot of 3-4" to the right and 6-8" high no matter how the turrets were adjusted.

So my question is what would you do? Would you try to find and install another period specific scope like an old Weaver or Marlin or would you put modern glass on it? Personally, I like the old period look but my old eyes do like variable magnification. So I am in a quandary.

Budget would be $50 - $250 for replacement.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[Milsurp1]

Weaver K4. Ask the seller for photos taken through the glass and to check for fungus inside with a flashlight.

[TRAP55]

Redfield Widefield 1.75 x 5 with the small objective, period correct, and new condition. Pretty sure I have the 1" rings that fit your receiver grooves too. Give me a call, I'll make you a deal.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Period specific scope would be the way I’d go. Plenty to choose from that would work on a .22

[dfletcher]

Recently I had the good fortune to use my FFL03 and purchase a 1963 Sears 46 C (same as Marlin 56) 22 cal Levermatic at a good price.

[ATTACH]795175[/ATTACH]

At the time of purchase I knew the rifle/stock/sling were in good shape but that the 1963 period specific Tasco scope was questionable. I took it to the range today and the rifle worked flawlessly but the scope is trash. All shots were in the same spot of 3-4" to the right and 6-8" high no matter how the turrets were adjusted.

So my question is what would you do? Would you try to find and install another period specific scope like an old Weaver or Marlin or would you put modern glass on it? Personally, I like the old period look but my old eyes do like variable magnification. So I am in a quandary.

Budget would be $50 - $250 for replacement.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

I buy period correct scopes for all my older rifles. There are a few challenges to be aware of.

Some older scopes, such as Redfield and Weaver, have fairly long eye relief that doesn't lend them to mounting on a rimfire. Your rifle is a fairly good sized one (I have a Marlin 62 in 30 Carbine) so that shouldn't be a problem. The other is cracked or chipped lenses or seals and plastic that is brittle and prone to breakage. Difficult to spot those on a website with mediocre photos, so it may be best to buy at a gun show. Still, good photos plus scopes in the 70's and you'd probably be OK.

It's difficult to go wrong with an older Japanese made scope such as Bushnell in whatever model name - Scope Chief comes to mind. They should run anywhere from $25.00 to $80.00 but some folks want an arm and a leg for them. Weaver made a V7 in a 7/8" tube, IIRC it's a 3 to 7X type. Was sort of the upgraded rimfire scope back in the early 70's. Pretty sure I had one on my Mossberg 640 "Chuckster" in 22 Magnum.

[ARFrog]

Thanks again for the recommendations.

I went with a Redfield 1.75 X 5 as per Trapp55's suggestion. The main reason other than being a close enough example of period specific was the widefield TV view. My old eyes really are loving it and you can really see what is happening around you in the field of view - even on 5 magnification.

I think this scope on my Sears 46 C (aka Marlin 56) is going to give my dedicated AR 22 a run for attention for which to use at the range.

Trapp55 - here are my second sighting-in range results (first time the rings walked ) at 25 yds with a supported barrel:



Only two downsides I can see so far:

1.) I think I will be spending more ammo money and time at the range to play with this
2.) I think I may have to buy a Redfield Widefield 3 X 9 (TV view) to try on another rifle

PS - dfletcher, I am envious of your Levermatic 30 cal rifle!

[dfletcher]

^^
Good choice on the scope, should be plenty for the 22. My Model 62 carries an older Japanese made Bushnell 1.5 to 6X with a lighted dot. One of the first lighted types I guess. On/off switch looks like a sewer grate sitting on top of the rear objective. Weaver swing away mounts allow for use of the iron sights as back up.

Way more fun than the ARs.

[ARFrog]

[dfletcher]

The Weaver swing out scope rings are attached to a one piece base, anchored on one side and spring steel on the other. They hold center. Pachmayer had a similar system, the Weaver is simpler and sturdier IMO.

The 62 holds only 3 or 4 rounds, I'd prefer more but I suppose the trade off is I don't lose my brass with a lever action. I wish the mags were less expensive though.

[TRAP55]

Frog, sorry about the ring slip, my fault. Got so focused getting the eye relief set for you, I forgot to give those screws the last snug down.
Post a pic of the new set up, I doubt many have seen one of those scopes. They were a Redfield rarity, only made a couple of years. The strangest thing about them, they have the largest field of view of all the Widefield models, but have one of the smallest objective lenses. Another rarity in itself is the tapered cross hair reticle. They start thick at the outside edge, and taper down to a fine cross in the middle.
What ammo were you using?