Need advise with optics

[Hitch]

I've been researching online scopes, but I have zero knowledge or experience with them. Basically, I want to mount a scope on my Marlin. Something good out to maybe 200 yards, for elk hunting. A lot of the terminology seems to be going right over my head.

I've got time to read and learn, but if anyone has any advise on where to start, I would appreciate it. An optics for dummies book would come in handy for me, to just get started on this project.

[Hitch]

This scope seems to be recommended. The gun is a marlin guide gun, 18.5 " barrell, 45-70. Range is limited because of the ballistics of this round.

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/fixed-power-riflescopes/fx-ii-scout-ier-2-5x28mm/

[midnight rambler]

Range is limited because of the ballistics of this round.


Wrong. The range is not that limited if one masters the rainbow trajectory. Dunno if that can be done with scope though, haven't looked into it, but it can certainly be done with a tang sight.

[osoab]

Why do you want to mount the scope on the marlin? The marlin is your boat gun. If you are working in an area of less than 100yds, a scope will be a hindrance imho.

Get bolt rifle and put your scope on that.

[Hitch]

Why do you want to mount the scope on the marlin? The marlin is your boat gun. If you are working in an area of less than 100yds, a scope will be a hindrance imho.

Get bolt rifle and put your scope on that.

I really want to hunt elk with the marlin though. I'd like her to multitask, so she will be the boat gun and the big game hunting gun. :) I thought about getting a remington 700 in 30-06, what most of the other guys use on the hunt. However, I decided I'd like to use the marlin even with the range limitations. I'd like to become an expert with it out to 200 yards. Also, the money I save not purchasing the remington, I can use for optics and a lot of ammo for the marlin to train with. Also, less space. I need to be realistic and conservative on what guns I buy and for what reason.