The 4 Best Scopes for Marlin 60 Model – Reviews 2023

best scope for marlin 60, best scope for marlin model 60

Photo by Roddy Keetch / CC BY

The Marlin 60 is one of the most popular .22 caliber rifles in existence and is known for its accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. One the rifle’s best traits is that it is lightweight and easy to use by shooters of any age and size. When it comes to equipping the weapon with a suitable optic, those traits should remain. A good optic for the Marlin Model 60 should be lightweight, compact, and free of complication. The Marlin 60 should not be weighed down by any accessory.

The Marlin 60 fires the .22 long rifle, a small and simple round. The round is fun and easy to shoot, but lacks power over a long range and can be affected by winds due to how light and small it is. The Marlin Model 60 needs a simple, short-range optic. This provides a clear sight picture at closer ranges, compared to a powerful scope which tends to blur targets at close range. Anything more than a 9 power scope would be a little much for the Marlin 60, not only that but will be heavier and more expensive.

Here are the 4 best scopes for Marlin 60 Model rifles:

Tasco Rimfire

Designed for use with rimfire rounds, the Tasco implements a variety of features that makes it perfect for a .22 long rifle like the Marlin 60. The Tasco Rimfire is a 3 to 7 power optic and uses a small, 20 mm objective lens. This allows the weapon to remain compact, and lightweight. The Tasco Rimfire uses a magenta, multi-layers lens coating to increase light transmission.

The scope changes magnification with a simple twisting ring that allows simple, ambidextrous adjustments. The addition of the 7 power makes it perfect for picking off pesky squirrels at 50 yards, and the 3x makes it easier to take out running rabbits with ease.

The 30/30 reticle is brilliantly simplistic and is extremely precise. There is no complication, no bullet drop reticle, and the reticle remains unobtrusive and easy to use for any age or experience level. The Tasco Rimfire is back by warranty and is perfectly priced. The Tasco is simple to use, precise, and made from a durable aluminum. The Tasco Rimfire is hard to beat and is easily one of the best scopes for Marlin Model 60 rifles.

Barska Plinkster


The Barska Plinkster is an interesting little scope built for those looking to hunt with their Marlin Model 60. The optic is waterproof, debris proof, fog, and shockproof. This allows it to be taken to the field and used ruggedly without worry. This optic may be called the plinkster, but the Hunter would be a much better description.

The Barska Plinkster is a 3-9x power optic, with a 32 mm objective lens. The Plinkster has a very wide magnification ring that is easy to use when wearing gloves or dealing with cold hands. The Plinkster is very lightweight, at only 11.5 ounces and 12 a tube length of twelve inches, and this places this scope in an excellent size range for the Marlin Model 60.

The Barska Plinkster also is very easy to use and features a dead simple 30/30 reticle. Simplicity is not a bad thing, and can close range shots much easier with an unobstructed view. The lenses are fully multi-coated and the larger 32 mm objective lens makes light transmission much better for those early mornings and evenings where the hunt is most successful

The BSA Sweet .22
The BSA Sweet .22 is the second in the rimfire series and keeps up with its predecessor in terms of features. The BSA Sweet .22 has features normally reserved for centerfire caliber scopes and effortlessly incorporates them into a smaller, lighter weight package. The BSA Sweet .22 comes complete with fingertip adjustment turrets for easy zeroing on the range and in the field.

The BSA Sweet .22 is perfect for hunting or plinking. The Marlin 60 is quite accurate and for an experienced shooter looking to equip the Marlin Model 60 with something a little more suited for precision plinking. The BSA Sweet .22 is outfitted with a bullet drop compensator from 50 to 175 yards.

The optic is outfitted with a 3-9 variable magnification, and a 40 mm objective lens. This wide light-catching objective lens does add some weight to the optic but keeps it at a light 19.4 ounces, and a short 13 and a half inches. To add precision, the BSA Sweet .22 comes with three different interchangeable turrets. They allow the use of different, popular bullet weights and are 40 grain, 38 grain, and 36 grain. The BSA is perfect for the precise target shooters out there, and should be on any list of the best scopes for Marlin 60’s.

Bushnell AR Optics Drop Zone .22

The Bushnell AR line has become incredibly popular. Although the AR line started for a specific rifle, they now classify optics for shotguns, bolt actions, and, of course, rimfire weapons with the AR branding. The Drop Zone .22 is embedded with all the quality Bushnell puts into their centerfire AR line.

The Drop Zone (see full specs) gains its name from the bullet drop compensator designed around the drop of the .22 long rifle round. The Drop Zone is equipped with target turrets that are finger adjustable and use a ¼ MOA click value. The optics use multi-coated lenses and a wide 32 mm objective lens to gather and transfer light.

The single piece aluminum construction is sealed to prevent the elements from entering, and is both shock and fog proof, on top of the typical waterproofing. The Bushnell Drop Zone .22 optic is excellent for hunting or plinking, as well as precision marksman shooting. A Marlin 60 equipped with the Drop Zone .22 is perfect for a multitude of different applications.

Plinking

The Marlin 60 is an awesome little rifle. Its simplicity makes it easy to use for experienced shooters, and aids in the weapon’s reliability. The best scopes for Marlin 60 rifles should embody the same philosophy of simplicity and ease of use. A good optic makes it much easier to shoot the Marlin accurately and turns it into a viable small game hunting rifle. Have fun!

  • Owner of Reloaderaddict.com, Boyd Smith is a major handgun enthusiast, and although he owns Glocks, he prefers the revolving wheel type. His go-to guns are a Smith & Wesson 642 Performance Center for carry and a Ruger GP100 in the nightstand biometric safe (he has kids). He loads both revolvers with old-school 148-grain Federal Gold Medal .38 wadcutters. It’s OK if you think he’s a wimp. Email him.

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