I picked up a Browning 1885 in 45-70. I'd like to mount a scope on it I could remove when the situation warrants it and use the irons.

It seems the Leupold base is too high to use the iron sights when the scope is removed (and it doesn't look like there are an QD rings for that base, anyway). Does anyone know of any base/ring combo that will fit the bill?

Talley makes a great base/detachable ring setup for the Winchester 1885. I don't know if it would work with the Browning. I didn't use my Winchester with the rear barrel sight but I did use it with a tang sight which just cleared the scope base when the tang sight was adjusted up for longer range shooting.

The Talley base for the 1885 is as low as is possible. And, it is quite stylish.

Talley used to have a peep sight too for their bases. If they don't anymore maybe the NECGG one could be adapted.

I have the Talley one piece base on my Browning Low Wall 22 Hornet. It is great.

I don't believe you will find any scope base that will let you remove just the scope and still use the iron sights with the bases in place. The OEM rear sight extends to about .2" of the forward most screw hole for the front base, then you have the step elevator which will extend back even further to cover that screw hole or interfere with any base that would be mounted there. So I doubt you could have a scope base and the iron sights on at the same time.

Even if you used a replacement rear like a Williams folding leaf, with the profile of the barrel you need a tall front base to end up level with the base on the receiver so it would block the rear sight anyway. Even on the Talley one piece you'll see that the front part is much thicker top to bottom to meet the barrel.

Looks like you'll have to just pick one or the other and dismount the scope completely if you want to use the irons.

That's a bummer, but not unexpected. I think it will be irons, at least for a while.