Scope power for the Henry 45-70

B

Bill Daniel

New member
For those with "mature eyes" who are unsure of using iron sites to humanely harvest a deer (White Tail), what power would you recommend for a 45-70 with an 18 inch barrel. Distance less than 150 yards to target.
Thanks,
Bill
 
I have several 45-70 rifles and a variety of scopes and aperture sights on them. My favorite sight is a red dot Burris FF3 mounted on my Winchester 1886. For "old eyes" they can't be beat. Not very traditional, but very effective. Contrary to what you might hear, you can shoot very good groups with a red dot (a quality one). I'm getting consistent 1.0-1.5" five shot groups at a measured 114 yds (my deck at camp to the backstop).
 

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I use a Trijicon 1-4x24 on a Leupold mount. This is on a Marlin 1895 45-70.
Works great, no problems with eye relief or loose mounts. It features a Bindon Concept green triangle aiming point. Lightening fast pickup and great in low light.
 
1.75-6x32, 2-7x35, 2-8x32, something like that.
I don't have a 45-70, but I have a couple of short bolt actions. Used to have a 1-4x20, but that rifle now has a 2-8x32 that I like much better, especially early and late in the day.
 
Henry, to the surpassing annoyance of clean, decent people everywhere. sticks a ghost ring rear sight right on the receiver, and to mount optics, the ghost ring sight has to go, leaving the shooter a completely useless front sight should his optics fail for any reason. Marlin, and even Rossi (whoever they are) wisely mounts the rear sight on the barrel, where God intended it to be, leaving their solid top receivers completely open for attaching optics. Orchids to Marlin and Rossi, onions to Henry.

The Henry .45-70, which lists for $799, is given a checkering pattern that is not just ugly, it's awful, the Rossi's non-existent. That leaves the Marlin, which sells for under $600. Marlin uses some pretty nice wood, available in a pistol grip or straight grip style, and they generously checker it with class and style. For all kinds of reasons, I'd buy a Marlin first, and because many moons have passed my old tired eyes, a Rossi second, if only for the scope rail they obligingly fit to their receiver top.

What scope? a decent 3x-9x should do nicely.
 
I think a 4X is just about perfect. Good enough magnification to use for checking things out, but not too much so that close shots are blurred.
A 1-4X variable as mentioned above might be even more perfect.

For the game normally hunted with a 45-70 (not usually prarie dogs) 4X should be all that is necessary out to 150 or even 200 yds..
 
I happen to like the Leupold 2 to 7X because I actually have had range experience with the 45-70 nailing a one inch target at 100 yards in addition to 200 yards. The scope diameter is smaller and it seems to work better than no scope and is not overly large. I'm not a fan of bigger scopes on lever actions. For me there doesn't seem to be a need, and I also agree a scope can spoil the looks of a lever. My small scope choice is a good compromise. I know the round is capable. And maybe 200 yards is not in agreement with most all of deer hunting with a lever action. But it can be done and my 45-70 was certainly able. If you limit your range to around the 100 yard figure, no doubt a good 4X is plenty considering the size of the animal.
 
+1 on the Leupold 2-7. I use that on my muzzleloader which has about the same ballistics as a 45-70.
 
I'm using a UTG 1-4 x 24. Links for visual purposes only.

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-1-4x24-Relief-Mil-dot-Reticle/dp/B005EOV1GY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_3

With UTG Quick Release mounts.

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/30mm_...y_See_Thru_Compact_Law_Enforcement_Grade/3472

It fits right over the Marlin 1895 Ghost Ring rear sight. If the scope ever has a problem just pull the leavers on the rings and you're good to go with Ghost Ring. I've put several hundred HOT rounds down range and the scope and rings have held up.
 
Reply to Doyle

That was an incredible day at the range setting up my 45-70. I set the cross hairs and punched a hole through a one inch black dot at 100 yards, then used the first ballistic drop mark and did the same at 200 yards. I kept the targets and notes to show others. Trouble is, I got into some medical problems which forced me to sell raising cash for bills. Hated to see that rifle go. But I got about $700 for the entire package deal then replaced the 45-70 with an older Marlin 336 in 30-30 for $200. So I yielded $500 for bills. The Marlin 45-70 is and was just a superb and capable rifle. Might be in the market to get another if I can afford it down the road.
 
I happen to be sort-of in the market for a 45-70 myself. I need an Encore barrel in that calibur to use for Mississippi primitive weapon season. When I find one, I'll sell my Encore muzzle loader barrel and move the Leupold VXII 2-7 to the new barrel.
 
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