I've read lots of complaints from people with the newer ones with the REM marked barrels, and I've read of several having accuracy issues. However, they are decent rifles. I just think you'd be much better off paying a few dollars extra and getting a Savage that you know will be accurate, and isn't having issues. Not to mention it's much easier to find aftermarket parts for. Walmart sells the Savage Model 10 or 110 depending on the caliber with the accu trigger, and a cheap package scope for right under $400. IMO this is the way to go and then sell the scope off. You won't have much more into it than buying the Marlin, and you will have a much better rifle from a much better company. I used to be a big Marlin fan, but since Remington owns them, and this Cerberus owns Remington, these companies have turned into a joke putting out sub par products with lousy slow customer service. I'm sure you can find lots on that.
As for the scope, I'd also skip the Bushnell. I've never had a Bushnell that's impressed me including their elite scopes. They also have horrible customer service, and more often than not it seems that if you have an issue, you will have them tell you either it's your fault, or the tube is bent and not covered by warranty and then they will offer to sell you one at a very slight discount off of MSRP. There are tons of posts online about this too. I just don't care to give my money to a company like that, not to mention every Bushnell I've had with the exception of an Elite 3200 10x Tactical has tracked horribly. The Elites have had good glass though and worked while I used them, they just didn't track accurately and for that price range to me that's not acceptable. That combined with Bushnells customer service, I decided to sell them and no longer own any.
I'm also not a big Leupold fan as I've had so many issues with the lower end Leupolds, but I'd buy one over a Bushnell. If you get a Leupold don't get anything below a VX-II. The VX-II and above seem to be halfway decent, you just greatly overpay for them and get technology that would have been good 10 years ago, but is far surpassed by many other companies now.
I'd look into a Burris Fullfield II, Vortex Viper, Nikon Monarch, or similar for this rifle.
The Burris FFII's I've had have blown the Leupold VX-I's away, not to mention each VX-I I've used has failed to hold zero and had to be repaired, as have both of my friends that have used VX-I's. The glass is also no where near the glass quality of the FFII and the friction adjustable turrets suck.
The VX-II I had, I never mounted, but at least it did have click adjustable turrets. Granted they were the old coin style ones and not what I'd prefer, but at least it was better than friction adjustments. The glass was better than the VX-I, but honestly the Burris FFII still had better glass, and seemed to be a better scope all the way around. IMO I think it's one of the best buys in it's price range. I'd actually look into the new E1 probably, but I can't comment on it as I've never personally used it.
