Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Scope for a .450 marlin

I'm looking to put a scope on my Marlin 1895M. I've currently got an xs lever rail on it, an xs ghost ring rear, and xs front blade. I'd like to leave the ghost ring on, and still mount a scope. What do you guys recommend? Scout scope, or a small variable like a leupy 2-7. I'd prefer variable over a fixed, but I supposed fixed is an option as well. Also, can anyone recommend a good set of QD rings? Suggestions/photos of your set ups would be great.

Warne QD's for rings. Leupy 1.5x5, 1.75x6 or 2x7 would all be good choices for variables. Leupy 2.5x, 3x or 4x for fixed. My lever guns wear 2x7 Leupy's and Nikons.

Not sure how QD rings and bases would function with the XS ghost ring, but my scope choice would be a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20 and I may even consider an illuminated reticle. The scope is compact and at low power, very quick. At 5X, I've shot some great 100 yd. groups and the 1.5X may be optimal for that kind of rifle.

DF

Would I be able to let the rear ghost ring on without using a scout style scope? It seems like I would have to have the regular scope back to far and need to remove the ghost ring for proper eye relief with the regular scopes.

Not sure of the mounting details with the XS ghost ring.

I just like the VX-3 1.5-5x20 and like the Fire Dot reticle.

DF

Borden811 - The Leupold 1.5-5 x 30 is a great scope for the 45-70 or 450 Marlin. Mine sits in a set of Warne quick release rings and a cheap rail. The weaver rails have always held up fine for me and when I take the scope off, I can still see the factory sights.

My guide rifle is set up with scout rail, XS sights and a Leupold scout scope. Also very nice. Will be trying your (my) DeltaPoint on this.

Cheers

Find a low power short scope with the widest field of view for the best $$$. Invest in good rings & base and forget the irons or a ghost ring. I have an older Meopta Artemis 1.5-5X30mm which performs amazingly similar to a higher dollar Zeiss or Kahles etc.

for a conventional scope on the marlins, i like the bushnell banner 1.5-4.5x32. about $75 new. for the scout style, i use the lupe 2.5x28 scout scope. you will most likely have to remove the rear site on the xs if you go conventional. even if it clears the scope, it will be in your eye if your scope is mounted as low as it should be.

I have used a leupold VX-ll 1-4 on several 45-70's with no problems

Have thought about this myself recently. Conventional, Leupo Big Bore 3x is what I'd look at first.

I have a Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5X20 on my Guide gun. It adds very little weight and has plenty of eye relief, which would likely be handy on a .450 Marlin.

I have a Leupold m8 2.5x20 on my 1895G that is perfect for what I use it for. It's light, has a good FOV, is bright even in the thick early/late, and has held up great to recoil.

FWIW, I've set up more than a few leverguns, using the XS rail, and have some points for your consideration.

1) While a variable is fine in the normal/rearward mounting position, they're a decided minus in the more forward "scout" position - I recommend a low-X fixed power with a prominent reticle, especially on a .450M or .45-70 (I've has both).

2) YMMV on whether to mount an IER (intermediate eye relief) "scout" scope, or an LER (long eye relief) handgun scope (riflescopes don't have a long enough eye relief).
The choice depends on each user's ergonomics - because a full sight picture is very desireable (if not mandatory) when sighting through the scope (especially on a hurried game shot).

IMHO, it's best practice for every individual to have a helper actually measure the distance from their aiming eyeball to the location where the scope's rear lens would fall, with the rifle held in a shooting position.

The reason for the measurement is that people normally have different length arms & necks, different facial characteristics (thin, full, long, short, etc) and rifle holding methods - each of which makes for custom mounting a scope for optimal eye relief & a full sight picture.

It's not a good practice to just mount the scope, and then have to adjust your hold/shooting position so a clear/full view may be had through the scope.

If that person's eye distance is more than about 7-1/2", the use of a Scout scope (Burris/Leupold/etc) would usually result in either a partial sight picture or no (blacked-out) sight picture. (Please refer to each Scout Scope's tech sheet for eye relief distance, as each is a bit different)

If the measured eye distance is 9" or greater, a handgun scope would be indicated, since handgun scope's have an eye relief "window", like 9"-17" or 11" to 21", etc - and not a set distance.(again, please refer to each scope's eye relief specs).

FWIW, I've tried (bought) both Scout Scope's, but found them inadequate for ME (YMMV) - and sold them in favor of a Weaver 2X Classic handgun scope with an eye relief window of 9"-17" (my optimal measured eye distance is 11" in the scout position - again, YMMV).

Here's a pic of one of my rifles with a scout setup - a Marlin with the Weaver pistol scope (uppermost rifle, below)




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Ranger, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for! How do you like the weaver as compared to a leupy, or a burris?

Love to see a photo...

Leupold Scout scope on a Guide Gun


Plenty of room for ghost rings and one can operate the rifle while wearing boxing gloves.

Nice but now it needs XS irons. I'd look hard at the Leupold 1-4x Scout. Its only available through the Custom Shop

Yes. I am planning on a ghost ring installation.

Nice set up! What kind of scope mount you have mounted on the 1895M?

XS rail and Weaver rings. One uses the rear sight dovetail and one of the forward scope mount hole to install the rail. Also, one could probably chop a little off of the rail, but it doesn't weigh much.