Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers What is everyone scoping their Marlin 45/70's with?

Not to offend the iron sight users but I really have to use a scope these days.

As far as scopes go, I recommend the Leupold 1-4x with "euro plex" reticle, which is great in low-light. If that's a little more than you'd like to spend, then I'd go with the Burris Minimag 4x scope. Both of these are very compact and have no "bell" in the front. They work very well on leverguns.

Here's a pic of a standard 1x4 Leupold:



If you haven't tried a good aperture sight, then I do recommend that you do so if you'd really rather stick with irons. They work with presbiopic eyes (old eyes) really well as you only focus on the front sight and let the rear blurr or "ghost". I'm only talking about the rear-mounted ones that are right in front of your eyes- not the ones that replace the mid-mount rear sight leaf. Really fast on target and quite accurate.

http://www.xssights.com/store/rifle.html makes a good one.

i second the 1-4 Leupy.......ive got one thats done duty on my Guide Gun.....works really well.....

A "3rd" for the Leupold.

Picked up this 2.5x compact Leupold for just over $100 used. It's turned out to be a great little scope on the Marlin. For big game at modest ranges I don't need any more scope than this. Great field of view and the light scope (about 8 ounces) barely affects the handling of the rifle at all.

Marlins are easy to scope, and I too shoot better with a scope anymore. I understand about eyeballs aging.

Regards, Guy

I had a 3-9X Leupold Vari X II on a cowboy rifle for about a year for load workup and the first season I hunted with it. Awful heavy, clumsy outfit. I traded it for a Guide Gun. For that gun I did load development and my first hunting season with a 2.5-8X Leupold, then switched to a 1.5-5X, then back to irons. Briefly a while back I had a Weaver K2.5 on it.

I can't get a right combination. Scoped the guns are clumsy IMHO. With irons (Willams receiver) they handle better but I've had trouble with getting on target fast enough.

Tom

Just want to point out the scope mount that Guym used (Leupold?) is nice and low - the lower the better on a lever IMHO.

And TOM, I agree about the cowboys - they just don't do well with scopes and aperture sights are a much better answer.

OSOK - that is the Leupold STD mount. I was concerned about it, because of the windage-adjustable rear screw on the mount, but 5 years on a Guide Gun and two years on this 1895 Marlin with no problems have eliminated all worries I had. Having the low powered scope mounted low and well forward like that has worked out great for me with these rifles. Quick on target and easy to use. I won't be changing the setup at all.

Regards, Guy

My eyes aren't doing so well either. I put a Leupold 1.5 x 5 VX-III on my XLR 45-70 and 308ME XLR. and like them well. When my eyes aren't so blurry (allergies and age)I have the same two caliber rifle combination with Williams FP reciever sights and fiber optic front sights. I prefer the reciever sights for all my shooting but will use the scoped one's for hunting if I'm having trouble seeing.

welcome to the board! Thanks for sharing your experience.

Guym, that scope looks like it belongs on that 45/70 haven't seen one yet that looks more aesthetic. I went to Leupolds site and would like to have one with a German # 4 reticle , not sure if they'll make it or not. If not the 1.5-5 with a german reticle would fit the bill but it won't be as short or lightweight as your combo. Very nice looking

Redfield Low Pro 1.75x5 low Weaver rings on a modified Weaver base.
This is a USA made Redfield wish they still made them.
It's a great combo and has served me very well.

Pat

My 50+ year old eyes just could handle the open sites, so I bought a XS gost ring set-up, but still couldn't do very well past about 75 yards. So I mounted a Leupold VX-II on it, developed loads with it, but at loads near max, just couldn't keep the thing from jumping in my face.

I ended up taking it off, putting the ghost ring back on. I can't get groups nearly as good anymore, but it feels better.

McInnis - take a look at how far forward that little 2.5x of mine is mounted in my post above. The fixed power Leupolds have a shorter ocular lens housing than the variables, by about an inch, and it can make a big difference.

Like you, when I used a variable power scope on my Marlin I would sometimes get just lightly brushed by the scope during recoil - this was with max level loads only. And only from some shooting positions. Prone was the worst.

I swapped to the fixed power scope, which allowed me to move the scope another inch forward and all was well. Have never been bumped by the scope since and these 52 year old eyes really appreciate the advantage given by a scope. Worth a try - really!

There's a big difference in the location of the rear of the scope between my setup and Hookers. His works for him, but would beat me up badly. Mine works for me, but maybe not for him?

Regards, Guy

I have an older Aimpoint red dot mounted on mine. I believe it is the 2000 model.

I love it. Although it can be a pain if you have antler laws, as it is only one power. I can group my short little guide gun with buffalo bore 350 grainers at about an inch and a half most of the time(obviously good and bad days)!

If you are hunting in low cover, the red dot works well. You do on the other hand have to deal with battery's. But the newer models have incredible battery life.

I may mount the shot gun leupold with a heavy duplex on it this year, or possibly the leupy mentioned above!

Good luck on your persuit!

Matt

+1 on the aimpoint. I have one on my G.G. and think it is just perfect for the gun.

I just picked up a Marlin 1895 XLR in 45/70 a week ago or so. I have a small stockpile of scopes. It came down to a Nikon Buckmasters 4X40 or a Leupold FXIII 6X42. I ended up with the Leupold on the 45/70 mounted in Dednutz mounts. Should be interesting how it works out!!!

Rahtree, sounds like it will be a good combo.

The Leupy FXIII has great eye relief...........that is the main reason for my pick over the Nikon.

2.5 x 8 leupold vari-x III



gwb