Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Browning 1885

I found one of these in 45-70 and was thinking about putting a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8 on top. I suppose I wouldn't be able to resist trying to lob some out to about 400 yards. Do you think I'll be able to see past the end of the barrel through the scope? What do some of you use on your 45-70s? Peeps are out of the question, my eyes you know. I figure on shooting 400ish grain bullets between 17-1800 fps.

I'm really biased, but a .45-70 should have an aperture tang rear sight and globe front sight and be loaded with black powder and lead bullets, extra points if they are paper patched.

Is there a club in your area with a Black Powder Cartridge Silhouette shoot? (there's 2 in phoenix) they shoot 200 to 500 meters with .45-70.

scopes belong on rifles shooting modern cartridges...

like I said, I'm biased.

400 yards is about the turkey line in BPCR silhouette, and the ram target is about 550. The .45-70 is the most popular round in that event, and loaded with black powder. I shoot mine in matches that go to 1000 yards.

Scope angle and seeing the end of the barrel can be an issue, but it's not the end of the world. If 400 yards or so is the longest distance you plan to shoot, it shouldn't be a problem. I can see the front sight as a dim shadow when I use a 3/4" vintage style scope, but it doesn't obscure the target.

As others have noted, one problem with mounting a modern scope is getting the right bases. The problem is that these rifles (the basic Browning/Winchester 1885) are or were made in various barrel weights and configurations, which determine which front mount is needed. Sometimes modification or shimming is the answer, and/or Burris rings.

Paul