Recommend me a new 45/70 sighting system!

[moolfson]

Well, I was outdoors trying out my hot new hand-load for the 45/70 when lo, and behold the recoil ripped the wires right out of my old Barska scope (that's what I get for buying crap) The Handi is mostly for brush hunting in western Washington, rarely do I see a shot over 100 yards. At this point I'm poor, and open to anything but the factory sights. Help me put an elk in the freezer this year!


Specifically I've been looking at the
Bushnell Banner Shotgun Scope 1.75-4x 32mm Circle-X Reticle Matte
and
Sightmark Ultra Shot


or possibly a set of weaver fire sights


if anybody has any experience with either of those.

[petemi]

I use the Bushnell Banner 32s with the circle X on my pistol caliber Handis.  It's not enough scope for the .45-70.  You'd be selling it short.  The crosshairs are too coarse and cover too much of the target for the longer shots the .45-70 is capable of making.  I recently put a Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40 duplex on my .243 and really like it.  It's bright and clear and works as close or as far as you want to shoot.

Pete

[mechanic]

Take a look at the Simmon's pro diamond in 2-4x or similar.  I'm not a fan of Simmons usually, but these have done well for me at a budget price.  Very good eye relief.
 
Ben

[bucmeister]

For that kind of distances have you considered a set of peep sights?

[twoshooter]

I go with Mechanic on this one. The ProDiamond Master series, I prefer the fixed power, 4X. They are $59.95 @ Midway, maybe even cheaper where you are. They are designed for slug guns so they are pretty stout. They are light , relatively compact, excellent eye relief, and surprisingly bright and clear for the money. You have to go up a LONG way in price to beat them.

[quickdtoo]

See 45-70 Scope and Peep and Firesights in the FAQs. Be aware that any scope like the variable power Bushnell Banners with the huge power ring/ocular bell will require high or extra high rings and/or modification of the hammer spur which is covered in the FAQs.

Tim

[mrchongo]

I have a Handi "Gummit" rifle, and here's what worked well for me. I went on eBay and bought a used Leupold M8 4x fixed power scope for a little over a hundred bucks shipped. Took me a few tries before I got one at a price I could be happy about. I sighted it in, and it's solid as a rock. Best part is: If that Gummit Rifle evers breaks it, Leupold will repair it for free. I feel that's a bargain for what I paid. Here's something that might work:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-LEUPOLD-M8-X6-POWER-/190735110718?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c68b2d23e
 
And these vintage El Paso, TX fixed-power Weavers are famous for taking a pounding:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Weaver-Four-4X-Power-Rifle-Scope-60-B-Crosshairs-Click-Adjustments-/230862073944?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c073b058
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Weaver-K3-3X-Power-Rifle-Scope-3-power-Crosshair-reticle-/251164535321?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7a92aa19
 
This one's a steal. Ask him what the reticle is...probably just crosshairs.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=311125807
 
Have fun!
 
 

[srussell]

i put a 4x El paso on my 45-70. seems to work well.

[mrchongo]

Dude, go to www.24hourcampfire.com, register (if you haven't already), and open the 'Free Classifieds' forum. Guy there has a nice looking Weaver (El Paso) K6 he posted for $70 shipped. Now he's looking for an offer. Buy it!

[mrchongo]

....or I just might be forced to add it to my El Paso posse! 

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

on one of my Handi 45/70's I put a base on it that I think had an extra groove, as well was shortened.

Then I installed a 2.5x20 scope so the eyepiece is just ahead of the hammer.

looks good, taking it moose hunting next week.

I'll be in the market for M8 2.5x20 Leupold scopes when I return.   a 45/70 needs nothing more than 2.5x

[Wagguy80]

If your not going to be shooting over 100 yards I would go with the peep sights.  Open sights have numerous advantages over optics the only advantage optics actually has is in long range shooting.

[bikerbeans]

I'm with 2shooter & Mechanic on the simmons fixed power scope on the 45-70.  I have 7 of these scope and they are tough and have good eye relief.  I have one on a 10 ga slug gun and so far so good after about 1/2 a hundred 2 oz slugs @ 1400 fps so should be fine for your 45-70.
 
BB