45-70 Scope

W

Wendyj

New member
I got the husband a 45-70 a few years ago in a Marlin / Remlin. He had an older guide gun and I bought him a Henry 45-70 for Christmas early present this year. He talking about scoping the 22 inch Remlin. Notice at Midway he's been looking at a Crossfire II v Brite. Will this handle the recoil of the 45-70? He doesn't want or wouldn't think of scoping the other two but wants one on this one. He has a birthday coming up and I found one in a gun store in 30 mm tube for $239.00. Is it worth it. We have a lot of Vortx Scopes but not sure of the recoil on this one. Lot cheaper than the Leupold.
 
That vortex scope you mentioned is rumored as being made in China,I don,t know that as a fact,just some stuff I read online.If it is, I would be weary of putting it on a 45-70.JMO,the choice is yours.
With that being said,I do know a lot of people that say their customer service is top notch.
Most people I know put fixed scopes on their 45-70,not all but most.
I have a 6x fixed on my falling block 1885 and it serves me well.
 
I put a Cabelas Pine Ridge 4x scope on my 45-70. The first three shots were touching. This was a brand new rifle and these were the first shots fired from it. The next three shots went about 2" for group. The next three were over 6" in group. The last three were barely on the paper. That scope had already gave up the ghost.

Cabelas took it back no questions asked. I walked with a new Leupold and never regretted it. That wasn't fair to that little scope. It looked to be made by Tasco and was better suited to a 22 rifle.

For a 45-70 I would save and get the Leopold. In ten years when it still works as new the extra cost will be forgotten. I had to learn that myself the hard way by buying cheap scopes that I have been replacing a little at at time as money allows.

There is an old saying. Buy cheap, buy twice.
 
Leupold are great optics that will last forever however they show it with their price, same as Trijicon.

Vortex has a lifetime warranty on their products and they seem to be very affordable, the whole "It's made in China" argument is void because they carry a lifetime warranty, also they can't be having to many come back to the factory or they'd be out of business ;)...I've owned several Vortex Optics and never had a problem...

I've also heard great things out of Nikon and Redfield...I have a Nikon mount on my AR and the thing is tough but I can't really comment of the quality of their optics because I've never owned one but again I hear great things...

Redfield is the surprise to me, they are a Budget Brand Optic that has a "No Excuse" lifetime warranty on none electronic products. They are also owned by Leupold from what I hear and the quality shows.


I'm also looking to scope my 45-70 Marlin (Remlin) and thinking about a 2-7x33 power scope myself...

something that is big enough to show a good sight picture without giving this huge profile and 2x would be great for close shots and 7x should be MORE then enough magnification for anything the 45-70 can reach out and touch reliably in my hands...granted I plan to use mine for hunting hogs ;)

just my opinion and some food for thought...
 
On the other side of the coin, old optics can still work fine, for some things.

My Ruger No.3 wears a 2.5x Post w/crosswire scope marked J.C. Higgins. (Its a Weaver) that originally came off my Dad's Uncle's .300 Savage in the early 60s.

Not up to modern standards, I suppose, but it works, and works well. So well, I sought out and found Weaver K1.5, K2.5, K3, and K4s with the same reticle. MY Marlin 1895 .45-70 wore a K3 for decades, it survived recoil of 385gr @1800fps just fine.

I have a cheap ($35) Red Dot sight on my 14" .45-70 Contender. I keep waiting for it to fail, 200rnds so far, and it hasn't.

.45-70 recoil isn't all that fierce, until you get close to .458 Win mag levels, any scope made to survive modern centerfire magnum rifles should do just fine.

Buy quality, get quality. Buy cheap, buy again, and again, more often than not...
 
45-70 scope

It might be above price point but I put a Leupold fixed 4 power scope on my Henry 45-70. Great for 25 to 150 yards. My shots on game are 30 to 75 yards most often.
All the best
Bill
 
The best bang for your dollar, IMO, will be with the Cabela's brand optics. Buy one meant for the task and I think it will hold up well.
Cabela's Lever Action Scope in 45-70 I have two Cabelas and can't complain.
A leupold would be better of course, but if it isn't in the budget it isn't in the budget.
Most of us have a preferred type of reticle among other things, so a gift card may be the best purchase. I would hate for my wife to spend good money on a mil-dot sight as my christmas present.
 
John Williams that seems like a nice choice, never used the Cabela brand scopes myself.

I went ahead and took the gamble and picked up a Redfield Revenge 2-7x34 scope online. When it comes in I'll post up my thoughts if you'd like Wendy, mine will also be going on a 45-70 lever gun...
 
The Crossfire 2 should work on a 45-70. I have a diamondback 2-8 that is working well. Be sure he really checks the base fit to receiver and laps the rings. It will matter on 45-70.
 
I have to second the cabelas lever action scopes. Put on my guide gun and its very clear for the price. So far has held up just fine to the recoil. The reviews for it also are very good. Good scope for $100
 
I have a Leupold VX2 2-7 and a VX3 2-7 on two different 45-70s. One is a High Wall and the other is a Win lever gun. I haven't had even one bit of a problem with either. They just don't cost much more than the scope you're considering and they have a lifetime warranty you'll probably never use but is honored every time.....even if you're not the original owner. You get what you pay for, and in this case you don't pay all that much more. Get the Leupold.Either fixed or variable. Neither will be a problem.
 
I put a made-in-usa Burris Full Field II on my 45-70 nine years ago. 2-7 x 33 mm with the Ballistic Reticle. Several hundred rounds later it is still performing admirably.
 
Flashole, I got to look through the Burris today. Clicks were more positive. Light seemed good looking at the darker part of the store. Glass was good. Only a 1 inch tube but I think it's what I'm going with. Warne steel rings and a weaver base. Eye relief was nice too. Think I found it. If not I'm going to get a Leupold 4x14 with CDS and do some swapping out with the Diamondback I have on a 243. I have a really nice red dot and it's OK for ar and man size shots but not enough precision for my older eyes.
 
I think you will like the Burris. Aside from the 45-70 I have Burris scopes on my 25-06 and 7mm Rem Mag. I think their product is better than Leupold.

Uh-oh, I think just invited all the Leupold owners to flame me. Truth be told, I like Nikon and Zeiss scopes better than Leupold too.
 
I'll be bashed with you I guess. I like the European ocular adjustment and even though I would like the CDs Leupold it seems if you don't spend the money for a Vari X 6 you don't get the quality they one had. I'm fond of Vortex, Zeiis and Nightforce myself. If I could afford it all my optics would be Nightforce and I only own 2. Took awhile to part with that much money but they are hands down outstanding scopes.
 
If/when I get another rifle (something I need like I need a hole in the head) I will try a Night Force. Mine have been outfitted they way they are for many years and I like them they way they are. Can't argue with ragged one hole groups and lots of freezer fodder.
 
Scope for 45-70

Shop the Internet. For the price you mentioned you can get a 2X7 Leupold VX1at a number of reputable dealers. I own six of these scopes and have never had a problem with them. Two of the scopes date back to the days when they were labeled Vari X II. Three of the scopes are mounted on Marlin lever actions including a 45-70.

There is no way that I would go for a "Pacific Rim" made scope when I can buy a Leupold for at or near the same price.
 
Shop the Internet. For the price you mentioned you can get a 2X7 Leupold VX1at a number of reputable dealers. I own six of these scopes and have never had a problem with them. Two of the scopes date back to the days when they were labeled Vari X II. Three of the scopes are mounted on Marlin lever actions including a 45-70.

There is no way that I would go for a "Pacific Rim" made scope when I can buy a Leupold for at or near the same price.
Click to expand...

EXACTLY! You never regret buying a Leupold. And the 2-7x is a perfect choice for a 45/70. It can be used for a life time on this many other guns and passed on to you grand children for another lifetime of use. AND PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP all the way.


Another great 45/70 scope is one of the Leupold shotgun scopes also 2-7x.
 
I have a Zeiss 1.8 x 5 om mine. More important is the scope rings s/t they clear what is left of the rear sight. I have a set form Talley (Midway), very nice and low with min head lift.
 
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