45/70 govt......should I go scope or no scope?

[keeter]

I just purchased a 45/70 encore barrel for my pro hunter. I plan on using it for black bear in PA, and maybe deer on days when I know I will be walking (short running shots). Anyone have recommendations about scoping this rifle. Scope or no scope? What kind? Power? etc.

Thanks

[sgtt]

I would go with a Leupold low power variable or maybe an extended eye relief.

[bulletstuffer]

Nothing like good glass at the first and last few minutes of legal shooting time

Good luck,

Bulletstuffer

[teddy12b]

Sounds like you'd like a scope.  I like nikon buckmaster series glass because it's very clear and good quality at a great price.  With the 45/70 you may want to consider a BDC type reticle because even at short range there's quite a difference between where it'll hit at 25 yards versus 100.  I'd like to know how this shoots for you though.

[wpgtkd]

I have a nikon monarch 3-9x40 on my 45-70. Eye relief is important at that caliber. The hornady 325g have pretty good recoil.

[martineta]

I'm at the delicate age where I can see the target animal but the sights are blurry.  I can put on reading glasses and the sights are perfect but the animal is blurry.  Or I can leave the reading glasses in my pocket and look through a Leupold VX II 2-7 power and murder everything in range.  Love scopes on everything except my shotguns.

[bulletstuffer]

I'm at the delicate age where I can see the target animal but the sights are blurry.  I can put on reading glasses and the sights are perfect but the animal is blurry.  Or I can leave the reading glasses in my pocket and look through a Leupold VX II 2-7 power and murder everything in range.  Love scopes on everything except my shotguns.

Must be why I like scopes on everything too

Bulletstuffer

[hoosierdome]

I have a Weaver 1-3 scout on mine, work great. Open and peep's just don't cut it anymore for my older eyes.

[wreckhog]

Short running shots calls for a red dot

[luckydawg13]

i would think a 4x leupold would do the trick

[BillC.]

Scope for me, I can't see iron sights anymore, not the back one.  1-4x Leupold  would work for me, got one on my Encore M.L. and am happy with it.

[Camp Cook]

Why not set yourself up with both?

Buy a MGM scope base and XS Sights backup ghost ring sight with Leupold QRW rings you can quickly install the scope or remove it and install the ghost ring sight.

Here is a pic of my Contender in 375JDJ scope is an older Leupold Vari X 111 2.5-8X36mm that I had the new Boone & Crockett reticle installed in I mount it onto a MGM scope base with the Leupold QRW rings I mentioned earlier the rear iron sight you can see just in front of the front scope ring is a stock T/C rear adjustable sight all I need to do is pop the scope off and I'm good to go.



The forth barrel up from the bottom is my 22" T/C Custom Shop 45-70 barrel it has a Leupold Vari X 11 1-4X duplex reticle scope (now a new Redfield 2-7X scope) again mounted with Leupold QRW rings and once again you can see the stock rear iron sights I just need to pop the scope off and I am using iron sights.



My eyes are rapidly failing on me as well but this set up still works for me my next move is to switch over to the XS ghost ring sights I have them on 2 of my rifles now a 21" barreled Rem 700 LSS in 375RUM & my Marlin 1895GS in 45-70...

Top gun = Marlin 1895GS with XS sights low Weaver backup ghost ring mounted on rear Warne 2 piece base.



Rem 700 QRW 2 piece bases XS Sights tall Weaver backup ghost ring sight

[Varmint Hunter]

I put a Leupold VX-3 1.5x4 with illuminated reticle on my 45/70 ProHunter. Like you, I set it up for bear hunting. Worked out great.

[Swampman]

Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32......you'll like it.