Author Topic: 45/70 optics advise (Read 2067 times)

rebAL · « **on:** September 13, 2011, 05:01:15 PM »

I have tried different red dots in the $50-$75 range and have yet to find one that will withstand the recoil from a 45/70 Encore. I have given up on scopes because even a 4" eye relief whacks me in the face with recoil. So I am still looking for red dots or something else- perhaps ghost ring. I am open to all options.

Austin from NC · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2011, 07:24:56 PM »

Get a good red dot, not junk. If a 4 inch eye relief hits you you are doing something wrong. Probably have scope mounted too far back. Good luck whatever you decide.

Austin

drdougrx · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2011, 10:05:32 AM »

I use a leupold scout scope on my 45/70 #1. It has 9-13" of eye relief. It's 2.5x. I've mounted it forward using an extension ring. Works for me!

BTW...it's shown in my avetar.

rebAL · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2011, 02:08:04 PM »

Quote from: Austin from NC on September 13, 2011, 07:24:56 PM

If a 4 inch eye relief hits you you are doing something wrong. Probably have scope mounted too far back. Good luck whatever you decide.
Thanks Austin; I agree. I know I'm being cheap but my Bushnell and scope mounts only allowed me so much space for mounting with my bases. I mounted it as far forward as I could and still leave room for hammer to clear. If only Encore came with longer stock. I also installed Limbsaver recoil pad adding some length. Trying to avoid a more expensive scope set-up.

rebAL · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2011, 02:10:45 PM »

Quote from: drdougrx on September 14, 2011, 10:05:32 AM

I use a leupold scout scope on my 45/70 #1. It has 9-13" of eye relief. It's 2.5x. I've mounted it forward using an extension ring. Works for me!

BTW...it's shown in my avetar.

Thanks Dr Doug; What's an extension ring?

drdougrx · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2011, 04:13:41 PM »

Hi rebAL
It's a ring with an extended shelf on it to mount a scope closer or further than usual.

Here's an example: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=122613

vincewarde · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2011, 11:02:54 PM »

On my NEF 45/70 I went with a BSA 2.5x Shotgun scope. Lot's of eye relief handled the recoil fine.

KAYR1 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2011, 04:41:36 PM »

I have a Leupold 1-4x variable in conventional Warne rings on my .450 and has held up great. I am a big guy, but have a long neck, so eye relief is critical for my build. No problems, never been whacked once, and the scope has held up great for 600+ heavy handloads. Ghost Rings are fast, but I needed (or wanted) more precision. As far as red dots go, good ones (Aimpoint, Eotech, etc cost more, but are tested and guaranteed). cheap ones OK for rimfires, etc, but not for a kicker or a hunting rifle, in my opinion.

poncaguy · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2011, 03:31:01 PM »

I have the Mueller 2x7 Multi Shot on my 45-70 Handi, works very well, good eye relief....

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2011, 12:35:28 AM »

only scoped 4570 i own is my #1 and its got a leupold 1.5x5 on it and it works great. If you want to use a redot look at aimpoints. there more expensive but hold up to about anything and one big advantage to them is battery life is so good they can be left on for years. Nothing more agravating then forgetting to turn off a sight and having the batterys dead the next day or going to shoot and realizing you forgot to turn it on. I have aimpoints on my ars that have been running constant for 3 years.

Rolly · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2011, 10:18:46 AM »

Same question here. Had a red dot and removed it for a bit better accuracy and thinking low powered sub-$225 scope. Redfield, burris or nikon are the ones I've been looking into and reading reviews on. Any users of these?

demented · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2011, 10:26:03 AM »

We just yanked a Bushnell Trophy XL off a 45-70, it lasted less than 100 rounds. Hopefully the 6X Leupold we just mounted will do better long term.

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2011, 10:41:24 AM »

The Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32 is perfect. It shouldn't even come close to your eye.

tobster · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2011, 11:51:30 AM »

In this same forum they are discussing the Nikon Omega 1.65-5x36. The stats claim 5" of eye relief. That should be enough to keep from getting dents in the forehead!

simplicity · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2011, 10:45:37 AM »

I have run into a similar problem as far as the nikon prostaff goes I had one on my guide gun and yes it didstart hitting me in the face once I got up torwards the heavier loads. As far as the quote your doing someting wrong I've been shooting hard kicking guns all my life none of the ohers have bitten me and this gun was biting a few. I went with the XS rail sights but still have a hard time choking down the money that leupold and burris want for their scout scopes. The other problem is I wanted to keep the ghost ring sights on the rifle so I would need a scope with enough ey releif for it to sit forward of the rear sight. I know leather wood makes a 2-7 scout scope but I don't know if it'll hold up to my 45-70 loads aka 405's at 1800fps out of a 18.5 barrel (chrono'd)

Swampman · « **Reply #15 on:** November 05, 2011, 11:31:40 AM »

You just have to mount the scope properly and hold the rifle correctly.

simplicity · « **Reply #16 on:** November 05, 2011, 04:10:24 PM »

Well swampman you only shoot springfeild loads read your posts many times. and You are 100% correct when only using sprinfeild level loads. But if you read the second part of what I wrote you'd realise that a 2-7 prostaff won't work for what I want to do.

Swampman · « **Reply #17 on:** November 05, 2011, 04:35:54 PM »

I shoot hot loads too. But they are unnecessary in North America.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** November 06, 2011, 01:32:17 AM »

if your looking for eye relief not to many standard eye relief scopes have more eye relief then a vx2 2x7 leupold

wtxbadger · « **Reply #19 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:11:33 PM »

I use a Leupold fixed 6X power on my Handi 45-70 and have had no problems. Tried and aced several bushnell scopes before going with the Leupold.

rebAL · « **Reply #20 on:** July 05, 2012, 06:42:39 AM »

Thanks for all reply's. I am trying a XS Sight system from Midway for $81. It is specifically made for my encore and comes with 2 apertures. So far so good. Never tried a ghost ring before but for my short range heavy cover hunting this may be the ticket. Very easy to install and looks & feels good on the gun.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #21 on:** July 06, 2012, 11:32:11 PM »

Ive got that same setup on my 444 outfitter and it works great for close in deer combat!