Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Zeroed the 45-70 today

Well, I am kinda short on the scope department BUT I have a couple of Aimpoint M3's hanging around, so both my buddy and I mounted them up on our rifles. He actually has Charlie's old 1895, and I mounted mine on my Guide Rifle. While not exactly traditional, it is very functional. Wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but it is FAST and comes to the eye really nicely.





Again, I know there are lever purists cringing at the sights, but it does shoot really well like that. It is a 2MOA dot, so it can be dialed fine enough for most hunting the 45-70 will do and should be excellent at close range deer hunting. Which, is really what it gets carried for.

I have a great load using Dave's (Onesonek) 405 grain cast, 40 grains RL7, CCIBR2, and Starline cases. It shoots well in this rifle.

I zeroed it at 25 yards and came up with this group.



Then I pushed it back to 100 yards. I was pretty impressed with the group and decided it would be just fine for most any hunting I would be doing with this rifle.



Easily minute of deer or black bear!

My buddy was using the same set up on his rifle and the exact same load. Turned in some impressive groups for his first time shooting a 45-70.





So again, I apologize to the purists, but I didn't have a scope or money to get the one I wanted, so I took a chance with the red dot. I like red dots alot, since I have been shooting them since around 2003. They are fast and make it pretty easy to put bullets on target out to at least 300 with an M4 platform. Thinking I might have fun with this one. It does make it nice, so you can carry the rifle right around the receiver..

I wouldn't be apologizing to anyone beretzs. If it works (and it appears to do just that) then run it. Put your meat in the freezer and sleep well.

Nice work.

I plan on it, at least for this year. My plan was to put a 2.5X IER Leupold on it, but right now, I have other rifles that need scopes first. I do like the Scout Set up a bunch. It is fast to the eye and the 2MOA dot is pretty easy to aim accurately to at least a 100 yards or more. I have ran an Aimpoint on my M4/HK416 for a number of years and they have been accurate to 300 yards or better. Can't see it being any different on the 45-70.

Nice shooting, and don't sweat the setup. That combo will do to ride the river with.

I've got pretty much the same rig in stainless, took it out Sunday with just about the same results. Only problem is that the dot covers up the entire black of the target at 100 yards.
Not much of a problem since it's intended to be a close up timber and snow gun

C'mon, when ya think about it, just how tight a group do ya NEED when the slug is damn near a half inch to begin with!!

ha! Good point. No real need in worrying about expansion with them monsters either.

Nice lookin Rig Scotty:)!!

Thanks Pat! It shoots well buddy.

The Guide guns in 45-70 that I've been around have more than impressed me. Awesome accuracy for the money.

You aren't kidding. They are bolt gun accurate with the right loads and mine seems to shoot alot of loads really well.. It is one of my better rifles..