45/70 purchase

[Francis]

I could not wait until sportsmans warehouse got the rifle in, so I paid a few bucks extra and bought it now (waited 4 weeks already). I have other H & R weapons and if the 45/70 is the same quality, I will be happy. I like to make my weapons very personal, so I mounted a 6.5x20x50 scope w/a 3" shunshade. I plan on doing something different with the stock and forend, just haven't figured out what yet. I will post pictures when I am done. Can't wait to have time off to go shoot it.

[stimpylu32]

Just seems like a lot of scope for a 45/70 , but then my eyes arn't what they used to be either .

[quickdtoo]

If the scope is an inexpensive optic and not well built, I doubt it will stand the recoil of the .45-70 and the ATI Shotforce stock isn't likely a good choice either.

Tim

[Mac11700]

so I mounted a 6.5x20x50 scope w/a 3" shunshade.

...I hear that sickening crunching sound of the scope crushing and cutting your face just above or in the eyebrow ...Not fun.....Not fun at all...I would suggest...if possible...to drop to a lower power scope,one you won't have to crawl the stock to see thru...to keep plenty of eye relief...

Mac

[jack19512]

Just seems like a lot of scope for a 45/70

Not being an expert on scopes but that was the first thing I thought myself.  Waaayyyyy too much scope for a 45/70. 

[Datil]

Welcome Francis, That one thing you'll get here opinions, advice, and help.
 That is the scope i have on my P. dog guns, 204, 223, 219 Zipper.
 I put just 4 power on my 45-70. Marv.

[Francis]

Thanks for all the opinions. It would be a boring world if everyone thought the same. Even though not everyone agrees with my options, New Englands are fairly low cost and fun to modify as you want, without getting a ton of money involved. I don't plan on hunting with the 45/70, just punching paper. I hunt in states where my slug gun is the weapon of choice and with a 1.25 oz slug running 1400 fps, I like it. The 45/70 is my "post buster". I like to zero in on the fly sitting on the targets. Being a 260 lb former Marine probably helps my tolerances for the recoil, but I am not getting any younger either. Once again, thanks for the opinions and I look forward to trying different loads when I get shooting.

[jack19512]

I wouldn't mind having that scope for my 17 HMR.   

[mattparliament]

Personally, and I mean personally, I have a 6.5-20x50 on my 45-70 BC barrel with a synthetic stock filled with shot.  I handload some quite stout loads and have never brushed an eyebrow with the scope.  This gun is capable of quite good groups with this setup.  In my opinion, do whatever trips your trigger but do it with a little common sense mixed in.  A little common sense with shooting goes a long ways....  I don't know what scope you've chosen but do watch your eye relief, be careful, and by all means have fun!

[quickdtoo]

Matt, would that be a WTC18??? Great scope if tis!! There's a fella on RFC that has one on his .300Win mag!

Tim

[myarmor]

I guess I'm thinking outside the box with Matt and Francis here.
If I were only shooting targets and paper I personally would like to have a higher power scope on a 45-70, especially with a decent Mil. Dot.
However, this is where it could get tricky as was mentioned with the eye relief of most "budget high power scopes".  And I personally would spend decent $$ on a scope for some better eye relief and good glass.
A decent fixed scope wouldn't be bad at all.
Here's a crazy idea, what about mounting a Super Sniper on a BC? Rated for 50cal baby!
http://www.riflescopes.com/departments/231/rifle_scopes/super_sniper_rifle_scopes.htm
 I believe Tim has a good choice with the Bushnell 3200 10x40 Mil.Dot on his BC....not to mention these can be had at under $170 usually.
Eye relief and durability would be my main concern for picking glass for this caliber.
-Aaron

[mattparliament]

I'm using the 6.5-20 Simmons 44 mag rifle scope, sorry about the misprint above, it's actually 6.5-20x44....  Great scope!

[quickdtoo]

That's a great scope too, I have one of the 801056 Mildots that I got from Jon on closeout!!

Tim

[acearch72]

I put a Buschnell 4200 3x9x40 on my 45/70.

Got a real good price from Jon.

Get the best glass you can afford.

[safetysheriff]

bushnell makes a banner with a 6" eye-relief.

weatherby puts bushnell banners on their vanguard kit rifles.....even in their .300 weatherby mag', from what i can tell.

i'd go with a banner, with the long eye relief in 3-9 power and never look back.

but.......that's just me!

ss' 

[quickdtoo]

The Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5x32 is highly regarded as one of the best buys for the .45-70 leverguns at Marlin Owners, there are several threads there praising it and the 4" of eight relief it offers which is plently for even a hot loaded .45-70. It only weighs 10½oz too!!

Tim

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3294