Need your opinion on a scope for a 45/70

[jager247]

hey guys, I'm new to this forum.  i just bought a H&R handi 45/70.  I am  looking for a scope or red dot to put on it.  Not really sure where to start.  I almost bought a bushnell red/green dot scope with unlimited eye relief,  but at the last min. back out from buying it.  I told them i would just use the open iron sights for now and see how it goes.  i'm sure there are lot's of guys here that will have some good input for me.   I dam also using the Hornady LEVERevolution® Rifle Ammunition.  I am guessing that this should be ok even though its a single shot.               

1 more thing.  I am taking it out friday to shoot off some rounds on paper before taking it hunting on monday.  Can anyone tell me about which notch on the rear sights are for 100 yrds.  Not sure what the factory settings is set to.  Just wanting to get on paper then fine tune it.

Thanks
Matt

[Swampman]

Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32 is inexpensive and works great.  You can get them for $110.00 shipped.

[manatee1947]

I put a Simmons 4X pro diamond shotgun scope on mine. It is made to stand max recoil, extremely clear, and enough magnification for any big game to 150 yds at least. $66 plus tax and shipping @ Midway. If I could afford a V-III with a number 3 German reticle This has  worked excellently well though,and I recommend it.

[coues2506]

I have a Bushnell 2x7 legend on my 45-70. Bright, sharp image and holds zero. I have shot about 100 with no problems.

[luke6417]

I second the Nikon prostaff.  I have the fixed 4x on mine and it has worked flawlessly for the past 4 years.

[BrianB]

I would stick to low magnification, like everyone else here is saying.  We have Leupold compact 2X7's on our 45-70's and they have worked great.  The Nikon Pro Staff 4X seems to be a good scope for the money. Mainly, it just depends on how much money you want to part with.  My thinking has always been to buy the best scope you can afford. This has caused some ribbing from my buddies because the scopes on my handi's cost about as much, or more in some cases, than the rifle.

My next shorter range scope will be the Nikon Monarch African (I think that's the name) in a 1X4. It really looks like a great scope...just gotta save up the cash.

I've never been a big fan of red dots or holo sights.  I can see how athey would be great in some applications, I just don't like the idea of a battery running my sight.  It would be just my luck to see a 200 class buck and the battery go dead. Actually that wouldn't even matter.  If I saw a 200 class buck, I'd be so nervous I'd miss with any sight!

[Ditchdigger]

I use the Nikon Omega muzzleloader scope on my 45 70,it has 5" of eye relief,and can take a pounding.
Get the one with BDC and yardage reticules are just about right for the 45 70 out to 250 yds.   Digger

[BrianB]

I use the Nikon Omega muzzleloader scope on my 45 70,it has 5" of eye relief,and can take a pounding.
Get the one with BDC and yardage reticules are just about right for the 45 70 out to 250 yds.   Digger

That eye relief sounds great.

[Couger]

I have an old 1968 Redfield 2X7X Accurange that was my father's, that will eventually find a permanent home on my .45/70.

My plan is to use my 26" (Buff Classic - chopped) as a 200yd meat getter. 
250yds will be max range - when I get shots I decide to take that far.  2X7 power is plenty if I do my part.

BTW, a 1X4X or 1X5X variable would be a good choice too, or a fixed 2 1/2X or 4X.

[mechanic]

The Simmons shotgun scope has worked well for me......

[andrewtheelder38]

THIS IS GOING TO MAKE MANY HERE CRINGE BUT I HAVE HAD REALLY GOOD LUCK WITH THE TASCO WORLD CLASS 1.5-4.5X32MM SCOPES.......THEY HAVE THEM AT NATCHEZSS.COM FOR 39 BUCKS.

[revbc]

Natchez shooters has a weaver 4x32 shotgun scope that works well on my 45/70.  They call it a shotgun scope, but it is a weaver 4x classic and the best info I can find is the parallax is set at 100yds instead of 75.  Lists for 245 on sale for 80.

Have several weaver classics on handi rifles, love em, can't beat their profile for mounting.

Bobby

[jager247]

well i went with the tasco world class 3x9x40.  I have just over 4inch eye relief and it's a mill dot.  I see how it does tomorrow when i sight it in.  the hornady lever evolution 325 gr FTX that i am using says @ 100 yds it's +3.0".  i was wondering how they come up with that.  does that mean if the gun is sighted in at 25yds it will shoot 3 inches high at 100 yrd, or am i way off? or is it zeroed in at 150yds which would cause that?

[OSOK]

If you sight your rifle in 3" high at 100 yards, you should be close to what they are saying on the box. Don't trust it...shoot your rifle at different ranges and see where it hits. That is the only way to be sure.

[jager247]

is that what they mean but that?   i was wanting to zero it in at 100 yds   just trying to figure out if i do zero it at 100, what would the bullet drop be at 50 yds and 200 yds?

[BBF]

One 45-70 has the old Weaver Classic in 3X
The other has a Tasco 1.5X4.5 made in China I bought it years ago before becoming educated on Made in China stuff.

BTW I had the chance to shoot a Win 300 gr JHP and was impressed with the clean powder. No visible crap left in the barrel which is much different from the 405 gr Rem's

I still prefer my handloaded Speer 400 grainers pushed with RL-7

[Lazermule]

Mine wears a Nikon 3-9x Slug Hunter scope with the BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator).  I started with a Nikon 3-9x Prostaff and it failed last year when attempting to take a rather large doe at 100 yards.  Brought the Prostaff back to Cabela's and they traded me up to the Slug Hunter.  A couple of hundred rounds and the Slug Hunter is still working fine. 

LM