Scope recomendations

C

coyotewsm

New member
I am thinking of buying a lever action 45-70 for whitetail woods hunting. Not looking for anything special a 3x9x40 will do. I just want something super bright and super clear for low light situations. Scope lines have changed a lot over the years so I'm really not sure what I'm looking at. For instance Nikon used to have the prostaff buckmaster and monarch. Now they have prostaff 3,5,7 and monarch 3,5,7. With ziess I remember when the conquest came and was in the $400 to $600 dollar range now they have come out with the Terra not really sure what I'm looking at. I bought a sightron sii bigsky for my model 70 last year it works great but I think they are being discontinued. Need a little help.
 
A 3-9 x 40 would be pretty good, and a good value, and a used Conquest in this config would be great.

However, for that chambering, I personally would pick a configuration more along these lines with a 24 to 36mm objective lens:

2-7
2-8
1.5-5x
1-4 (ish)

etc. In other words, with a "maximum minumum" of 2.0x, for quick shots. 3 is sometimes just over the brink of "too much" in thick woods. However, if you never take snapshots, but always carefully and slowly aim no matter how close the game is, a 3-9x40 would be perfect, though possibly slightly heavier than one of these "smaller" configs.

If it's a forward mount ("scout" position) like an 1895 SBL, then I'd definitely want to find a used or refurb example of the discontinued Nikon Omega / Slughunter / TurkeyPro 1.65-5x36

Decide for sure on a *general* config, then coupled with your price range, I could make some specific recommendations - are you SURE you're sticking to 3-9x40 (or 3-10x40 or 3-9x42)?
 
^ +1. There are many options out there. Zeiss still makes nice optics. I'm not sure about the warranty for them though. Have you considered a smaller Leupold in VX2 or VX3 models? Both are outstanding optics and you won't any complaints about them or customer service.
 
A 3-9X40 would be really out of place on that rifle. I'd put a quality scope in the 1-4X20 or 2-7X32 range on it. Assuming equal quality glass a 20mm objective set on 4X lets in exactly the same amount of light as a 40mm objective set on 8X.

Some ideas:

http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-5x20-VX-3-Riflescope-P12633.aspx

http://swfa.com/Leupold-175-6x32-VX-3-Riflescope-P12639.aspx

If you just have to have a huge 3-9X40 scope on there this is the best deal I know of. They are made by Meopta and with the Cabelas brand stamped on them. The 3-9X40 version priced at $399 is the exact same scope that Zeiss used to sell as their 3-9X40 Conquest. That version of the Conquest has been discontinued and used is probably the only way to get one.


http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabe...rch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=cabelas+instinct+scope
 
Both of my current 45-70s have Leupold 2-7x36 scopes on them. They are very adequate for close range/good field of view and offer the ability to use them at higher magnification if needed for sighting in or taking a longer shot if one presented itself. I find the Leupolds are outstanding quality in every respect. They are crystal clear, offer good eye relief which is very important on a gun with sometimes significant recoil, and have an unsurpassed warranty. Notice I mentioned eye relief.....no matter what you get, get at least four inches of eye relief or you may end up being sorry.
 
I guess one thing I failed to mention is that even though I'm thinking of the 45-70 for close range I'd also like the ability to be able to shoot out to 200 yards. Anything over that and I have 300 wsm to do the job.
 
Do you plan to use the rifle at 200yds for pure target shooting or game? Personally I don't consider seeing 200yds "woods" lol. Granted where I go, I'm lucky to see 20yds. Back on topic, depending on you as the shooter, a max power of 7 or 9 would be just fine. Now that I'm older though, my "small" rifle scope will go up to 9x. My deer rifles go to 18 or 24. Granted, the higher power rarely gets used but its nice when setup on the bench and you don't need a second spotting scope to see your target grouping.
 
I'm not talking about 200 yards as woods hunting just saying I don't want it to be bound to 100 yards or less. My idea of woods hunting is 0 to maybe 60. Also I plan on using high rise see through mounts so as to be able to still use the iron sights.
 
You may want to reconsider the see-thru mounts depending on your load being shot. To me, they just seem to add un-needed stress and flex when you're going for accuracy. I do believe Leupold makes a base and rings that are quick release and are very strong if I remember right. I mean less face it, we aren't talking about a .22mag here. We're talking about a rifle that generates quite a bit of recoil. I would prefer a simplier setup, thats all.
 
I put a Burris 2-7 X 33mm Fullfield II on my Guide Gun. The scope has the ballistic compensation reticle. With my handloads, center cross hairs zeroed at 100 yards, first tick down keeps me in the bullseye at 150 yards, second tick down keeps me in the bullseye at 200 yards.
 
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