Scoping 45/70, opinions?

rommelrommel

rommelrommel

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Well, I hunted with my Marlin 1895XLR with open sights, and a Burris XTS135 this year, and I didn't like either of them.

I had planned to put a Leupold VXIII 1.5-5 on it, but then I started looking at the Zeiss Conquest 1.8-5.5x38, and then I kept looking up market...

But I got to thinking, maybe the Zeiss or whatever is a little better, but is it REALLY better the way I plan to use this rifle? This is at best a 200 yard gun, sometimes 50 yards. I want the scope so I can work on handloads out to 200 yards. Mainly it must be fairly clear, transmit light well enough, handle 45/70 handload recoil, and have a good FOV.

Now I'm looking at the Leupold VXII 1-4, Burris ShortMag 2-7, Nikon Monarch UCC 1.5-4.5, etc...

Opinions?
 
I have several of the Nikon 1.5-4.5x20. Like them alot - very clear, dependable, and has a large internal adjustment range (120 moa). Not sure if they stand up to recoil as well as Leupold.
 
I have seen many Marlins set up to utilize the scout scope comfiguration. For purely hunting scenarious they seem to really be the ticket and moving the scope so far forward saves one's beak.
 
Here's a pic of some of the guns I use for wilderness defense...

I have set up my Marlin 1895GS with a Leupold Compact 2X - 7X scope mounted on 2 piece Warne nickle bases with Leupold quick release rings.

When I don't want the scope on which is most of the time because I use the gun for defense more than hunting I remove the scope and mount an XS Sights Ghost Ring Backup sight onto the rear base.

Here's the link to the XS Sights Backup sights http://xssights.com/store/rifle.html I'm using the low Weaver Back Up

Turned my Marlin into an awesome all round rifle that I can squeeze it's maximum potential performance from for every situation that I can ever use this rifle for...

Dec_25_to_28_2007_086.jpg
 
I think your first thought of the VXIII is right. For some reason I just think the aesthetics of a scope with a front bell on a lever gun look goofy.

The 1.5-5 magnification is just about right for the ballistics of that round. If it were me, I'd try to get one with the wide duplex reticle for fast sight picture on close or moving shots.
 
How can you ignore Loopie's 2.5 Compact? One power magnification for each 100 yards is an old and good standard and that scope will be minimal weight and maximum recoil resistance as it has been well tested and much heavier recoiling rifles than the 45-70. Also great field of view.
 
stocker said:
How can you ignore Loopie's 2.5 Compact? One power magnification for each 100 yards is an old and good standard and that scope will be minimal weight and maximum recoil resistance as it has been well tested and much heavier recoiling rifles than the 45-70. Also great field of view.
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It seems to be designed for scout mounting, which I don't want.

I'm even looking at the VX-I 1-4x20mm now...
 
Over the past several years I've guided quite a few bear hunters who arrived with scoped 45-70's. The Leupold VXIII 1.5-5 seems to be the glass of choice....I've never seen any other brand mounted on a 45-70 and problems were non-existent.
 
For quite some time I used a Vari-X II 1-4x20 on one of my 1895's and I found the scope to rifle match almost perfect. The VX-III 1.5-5 would be perfect IMO...

I think your first thought of the VXIII is right. For some reason I just think the aesthetics of a scope with a front bell on a lever gun look goofy.

The 1.5-5 magnification is just about right for the ballistics of that round. If it were me, I'd try to get one with the wide duplex reticle for fast sight picture on close or moving shots.
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
If you check out the pic I posted in Post #6 on page 1 the shotgun has a Leupold Vari X 11 1X -4X that used to be mounted on the Marlin...

I switched to the 2X - 7X Leupold Compact and got even better all round performance out of my Marlin.

I never get hit by the scope and I load my 45-70 with top velocity loads from 300gr to 550gr bullets.
 
rommell: Scout mounting? Not really although it has substantial eye relief and perhaps sits an inch further ahead due to it's shorter eye piece. Might give you better access to the hammer. Have a look at the current issue of Rifle mag to see it mounted on a Brno 416 in a John Barsness article
 
crazy_davey said:
For quite some time I used a Vari-X II 1-4x20 on one of my 1895's and I found the scope to rifle match almost perfect. The VX-III 1.5-5 would be perfect IMO...



I agree.
Click to expand...
X2.:)
On my .45-70 Marlin 1895GS I've mounted a Leupold 1x4 Vari-X II and prior to that on my Marlin 444S I have a Bushnell Scopechief 1.5 - 4.5. Both have been a help, especially when load testing, to compensate for the slight decline in eyesight.
For quick access to the open sight in hunting situations, should the need arise, I've used Weaver pivot mounts in both applications. With the 444 this combination has worked well on a few Moose as well as a number of Deer.:D
The VX-III 1.5-5 sounds like a good choice and a definate consideration for my next Marlin.
Biguglyman lead me to believe my #### would fall off if I put a scope on a levergun but so far so good.;)
 
Looks pretty good Win94, and nicer wood than is on my 444S. I'm slowly getting into the world of new technology in that I've started taking pics with my digital camera. Soon I'll get into posting.;)
 
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