how much eye relief?

[duckslayer72]

How much eye relief do I need on a Marlin 1895g in 45-70 shooting hot buffalo bore loads in it?  I saw a post on here about a good price on a 3200 2-7x32 but I noticed it had only 3" eye relief.  I been researching and found that many scopes in this power have eye relief in the 3.5"-5" range.  Just don't want to rearrange my brow. looking for any suggestions on scope with plenty of eye relief, a low power setting for a wide fov, preferably compact/lightweight. Price range up to about $225. 

[Graybeard]

I'd want between 3.5" and 4" at least. I personally would not want any scope with only 3" on such a kicker. Can you avoid getting scope eyebrow with such? Sure but it only takes one moment of less attention than required to see blood flow. To me around 3.8" to 4" is what it would take to make me comfortable.

[duckslayer72]

That is kinda what I thought.  This is what I have narrowed my choices down to Leupold vx1 2-7x33,  Bushnell Legend 2-7x32, Bushnell Trophy 2-7x32, Burris Timberline 2-7x26, Nikon Prostaff2-7x32, and Burris Fullfield II 2-7x35.  Has anyone tried the Burris Timberline series?  Are there any other choices I should consider?

[Troyboy]

Seems like nikon omega and other scopes for shotguns and muzzleloaders would work well. My 45/70 handi has an old bushnell 3-9x40 that has worked well.

[charles p]

You'll be able to answer that question for yourself.  I have a double X scar above my nose.  One was from a left handed shot I made at a steep angle from a tree (lights out for a few seconds), and the other was at a bench rest when I assumed I would not have to hold my rifle.  The scars form a perfect X.  Now that a surgeon has removed a good portion of my nose, I am not the least bit worried about the scars.

The scopes were both Leupolds.

[kyelkhunter3006]

I'd want as much relief as I could get!  The Nikon Omega is good with ", but that's too much scope for a 1895, IMO, both in size and power.  If you're set on a 2-7 power scope, it's pretty much going to be the Prostaff or the Leupold to get enough relief.  Sightron makes some great compact scopes with 4" or more of relief, you should look at them, most of them are under $250 if you shop the net. 

If you don't mind a little less power, Nikon still makes the Monarch 1.5-4.5x20 scope for slug gun and other hard kickers, that's what I'd go with in your price range.  Tons of eye relief, more than enough top end at 4.5x for a 45-70, and with the low end of 1.5, the field of view is huge for those fast close up shots.  It's small and light, and won't change the balance of the gun very much at all.

[Dave in WV]

duckslayer72 , if you can go up to $290 the Nikon Monarch 2x8x32 would be a winner. If you would consider a 3x9 the options improve in your price range.

[dpe.ahoy]

I've got one of the Nikon 1.5x4.5's and like it fine.  Thinking of taking it off the BLR it's on now and putting it on my Marlin 444P.

[victorcharlie]

I don't know if you can get enough eye relief.  I've got a Vari-X III 1.75 X 6 and I got cut twice shooting my 45.70 off bags on the bench.  It was my fault, I should have held the gun tighter!

[Graybeard]

Wal now the reason fer that be that you selected the Leupold scope that has the absolute least eye relief of them all I think. It's got even less than the 2.5-8 which is kinda shy on it also. Strange those two are made that way but they are. That one will get ya if you use a heavy kicker. Strangely the 2-7 kinda mid way between the two in magnification has one of the longest eye reliefs.

[Bigeasy]

How about a red dot sight with adjustable dot size, or better yet, one of the newer heads up holographic sights?  Should be fine for big game within practical 45/70 ranges.  Speed, and no eye relief concerns.

Larry

[R.W.Dale]

Normally I'm not a fan of lower end scopes but Bushnell makes a 3x9x40 Banner that's the best scope out there for these types of heavy kicking applications. I have one of these on my 35 Whelen and at an honest 6" of eye relief I don't have the slightest worry about scope eye. Just be sure you use a mounting system that'll allow you to take advantage of this.

 Even though relatively inexpensive I've found the Banners to be extremely durable scopes

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=667093

[Cement Man]

I know you mentioned the 2X7 power range, but one of my favorite .45-70 scopes is the Sightron SII 4X32 with 4.5" of eye relief.  A nice compact scope with durability and good optics.  4X, in my opinion is a good match for the cartrdge.

[quickdtoo]

Another vote for the Banner, but the 1½-4½x32 for the wider FOV, it's a great budget scope for the 1895, well tested and recommended at MarlinOwners. 

Tim

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=2433&highlight=banner

[kyelkhunter3006]

I know you mentioned the 2X7 power range, but one of my favorite .45-70 scopes is the Sightron SII 4X32 with 4.5" of eye relief.  A nice compact scope with durability and good optics.  4X, in my opinion is a good match for the cartrdge.

That's a nice scope.  I had one that I used on ML'ers for a few years, and even with hot loads and heavy bullets, it never came close to hitting me.