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Author Topic: Need scope advice for 45-70  (Read 777 times)

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Offline wtxbadger

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« on: October 04, 2005, 03:30:33 PM »
The eyes have it(or maybe have had it). Any suggestions on a scope for my 45-70 handi? I have had good luck with Bushnell and Simmons in the past on other rifles, but wondered what other 45-70 shooters were using on their handi's.

Thanks

wtxbadger
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Offline trotterlg

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2005, 05:27:59 PM »
A month ago I needed a scope to put on a rifle so I could sell it.  I ordered up a 3-9X40 NcStar from crankyfarmer.com for $28.00.  When I got it I was amazed at how clear and bright it was, and it had the little tick marks on the cross hairs for ranging, I am kind of wishing I had kept it, it looks much better than my Simmons.  I looked some more and they also make a fixed 4X and 6X, but they cost more than the 3-9X.  It also has a small eye bell which is needed for handi's to clear the hammer.  Larry
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Offline Mac11700

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2005, 07:06:27 PM »
I only use 1 scope for any 45-70...Leupold 2x7x33...eye relief is outstanding,one of the clearest, brightest,rugged,repeatable scopes I have ever used..you can get them from one of our forum sponsers here....http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=2841...I have mine set up in a set of Leupold QRW medium rings...it doesn't move with heavy loads...

Mac
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Offline howard NZ

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2005, 07:23:19 PM »
yep, Leupold vx1 2-7x33
Regards Howard.
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Offline ONE HOLE 4570

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2005, 01:33:13 AM »
I have used a leupold vII 1-4 compact in the past. Now use a peep with a fire sight works well for me at the ranges I need it & as fast as a low powered scope
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Offline siamese4570

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2005, 03:33:13 AM »
I agree with Onehole4570.  I have the williams peep sight and fire sight combination on my Handi-45-70.  It will shoot about 2"-2 1/2" at 100 yards.  I recently tried a Bushnell Scopechief 1.5-4.5 scope.  The group was about a 1 1/2" AT 100 yds.  OK, so the scope helped a little, but in terms of practical accuracy and actual hunting conditions, the difference is negligible.  I also don't have to worry the scope hitting me when firing from awkward positions in the stand.  That happened to my hunting buddy, I marked it off of my list of un-tried life experiences.  Best of all, the peep sight is fast!  If you remove the aperture during the very early "twilight" period, you can see the front sight during any "Legal shooting time" at least here in Oklahoma.  I recommend the williams setup and practice until you get your confidence up.  

Siamese4570
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Offline RugerNo3

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2005, 08:12:06 AM »
I use a Leupold 1x4 on a 45-70 and it is as fast as a shotgun on the 1x setting and BOTH eyes open. Stand hunting on 2or3x gets the distant shots better.
The 4x setting is targets and testing for accuracy. Forty years ago a 2x or 4x was a std hunting scope. People haven't changed, just the idea of bigger is better came from the scope manufacturers.
If used only for stand hunting, the sky is the limit but certainly not necessarily better.
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Offline Mac11700

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2005, 08:51:14 AM »
Quote
The 4x setting is targets and testing for accuracy. Forty years ago a 2x or 4x was a std hunting scope. People haven't changed, just the idea of bigger is better came from the scope manufacturers.


Well...yes and no actually...a-lot of the scopes have become better than those old time scopes...better glass...better coatings...better  seals...stronger tubes....and having a 33mm or 40mm..or even a 44mm objective...and the larger field of veiw that comes from them is always benificial to the hunter....Granted...they do like making profit...and some of them are overboard...but for the most part...I wouldn't want to go back to those old leaky tiny field of veiw scopes,over what is made today..

Mac
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Offline Savage .250

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2005, 09:46:22 AM »
Eyes have a way  of getting a tad out of focus after they`ve been "used" through the years, i know full well.  For me it needs to be atleast a 4x or better. One thing the scope must have is clarity. Some of the guys on here have good comments and experiences so that may help the process.
 If you have a Bass Pro in the area it might be wise to check out the scopes. Nothing like spending some time looking at the ceiling or the back of peoples heads.  
 
 " The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."
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Offline poncaguy

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2005, 11:23:11 AM »
I have 2x7 Mueller on mine, Illumi Dot, works great............
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Offline Datil

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scope on 45-70
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2005, 01:28:45 PM »
I've got old redfield 4X on mine, first redfield every bought.
 I know it is over 40 years old. still going strong.
 Marv.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2005, 02:28:06 PM »
LEUPOLD all the way!!

 My all time favorite is the 2X7X33 matte VXII. I have it on everything! They do cost a bit more, but you get what you pay for!! Don't be afraid to buy them used!! I got many of mine this way. Buy it and send it right out to the factory, they are warenteed <sp> for life!!

I also have an affinity for the 1X4 as others have mentioned, Thats whats on my 45-70.

Here is a pic!



CW
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Offline DPRinks

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Scopes
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2005, 04:35:11 PM »
Badger;
I have 5 handirifle barrels, all have a Simmons 2.5x shotgun scope, eye relief is 5 to 10 inches, it is short enough to mount far enough forward to clear the hammer, so the spur is not needed, I have .308, .35 Whelen. .44 mag. 45-70 and 20ga rifled, all have done fine, so far.
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Offline FirstFreedom

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2005, 05:28:37 AM »
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Offline quickdtoo

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2005, 06:14:03 AM »
Firstfreedom, please give Jon or Tammy at The Optic Zone a call and see what kind of price you can get on that scope. He will match or beat anyone's price and is a GBO sponsor. :wink:

www.theopticzone.com

877-564-0286
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Offline FirstFreedom

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #15 on: October 06, 2005, 07:38:24 AM »
OK, Tim, will do.  Gotta get the gun first.  But I've talked to Jon and Tammi both before and ordered a number of scopes from them - good peeps, great service and great prices!  I just linked to swfa because it was the first site that popped into my head.  I've ordered from them too - good company also.  But I prefer to order from OpticZone all things being equal, since they are a GBO sponsor.  Lol, my prior post was MEANT FOR the *other* contemporaneous thread where someone else was asking about which scope for a .500 s&w handi.  Somehow I thought I clicked that thread, but clicked this one instead before posting.  Still, that scope would be ok on a .45-70 too.   But not ideal, since it's a 50-yd parallax-free scope.  I'd want at least a 75-yd setting on a .45-70 myself.  

FWIW, I have open sights on my non-BC .45-70 handi (Marble front and Williams rear), and a Bushnell Trophy 1.5-4x32mm with circle-X reticle on my Marlin 1895 .45-70.  The Marble front required a drill & tap by gunsmith on the handi barrel to install.
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Offline wtxbadger

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Need scope advice for 45-70
« Reply #16 on: October 06, 2005, 03:33:22 PM »
Thanks for the feedback. I was leaning towards a fixed power, but a lower power variable might be just right. I considered trying peep sights as an alternative but have had trouble seeing with my peep sight in low light conditions on my mauser, so ruled that out as a possibility. My son has a Bushnell 4X on his 243 with the circle x reticle and the clarity seems good.
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