Lower power scopes

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Blkhrt13

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Okay so in the interest of not side tracking the current thread on why 3-9x40 are so popular. I am starting a new thread on scopes. I have a 375 Winchester Marlin ii bought recently and am working on paying down a 45-70 handi-rifle. I have never been big on thumpers but I got both of these at a fair deal. What would you say is an optimal set up for this type of caliber and gun. Both are for shorter ranges and have a trajectory like a rainbow. I’m thinking more like a fixed power 2 or 3 magnification. I’m not sure they wouldn’t shock a digital scope to death and some states don’t allow electric red dots. What set ups are y’all running and why? Thank you for your input.
 
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I have a 1-4x 20mm Leupold VX2 on my Ruger Mini-14. It's good enough for 220 yds which is our max range. I've had other scopes with higher power on it and two different dots, but I always keep coming back to that 1-4X. I wish I had bought several of them at $300 before they discontinued those. Compact, light and high quality. I think the Pig Plex replaced it. That would be my choice.
 
For short range cartridges, a 1-4 or 1-6 is probably plenty. Maybe a 2-7 if you like the option of extra magnification. I feel like I've seen quite a few shotgun/muzzleloader specific 2-7's lately.
I run a 4-20 on my current muzzleloader lol.....my go too tho ar 2-7s 3-9s for muzzys.

For a lever tho i agree any if of the "sporting/hunting" 1-4 straight tubes would be nice. My major issues with optics on lever funs is the stock is set up for irons so any scope will raise your head.
Less you gotta go up, less you need to raise the comb.
 
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I use an old Leupold M8 Compact 4x on my Handi in .30-30. With the glass black finish it is a nice match to the rifle aesthetically, and 4x is a good power for the reasonable range of that rifle. Looks like the photo below is the only one I have with that scope on it, need to take a few more next time I have it out. Hopefully that gives and idea of the scale at least.

Congrats on the Handi, I wouldn't mind having a .45-70 barrel for mine.
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I have a fixed 4 on my 30.30, and I think a 1.5-4 on a muzzle loader. Both Leupolds. The fixed what was I could afford at the time. The low variable for flexibility. Both are great pieces of glass.
 
Not many options with fixed power scopes and most of the ones still in production are either low end budget scopes, or high end and expensive. Something with 1X or 1.5X on the bottom end and around 4X on the upper end is about ideal. I like my Leupold 1-4X20's that I have on a couple of rifles. A 2-7X would be my 2nd choice on that rifle. You'll find many more good options and better prices than trying to go with a fixed power scope.

If you've never tried 1X it is an eye opener. You can get on target much faster than even 2X, faster than irons or dot sights. And 4X on the upper end is enough scope for at least 200-yard shots at big game. You only really need more magnification if shooting varmints or expect shots at ranges over 200ish yards. It is possible to shoot MOA with 1X for each 100 yards. 2X for each 100 yards is plenty

And it is 3-9X40. No such thing as 3X9X40
 
I have a Weaver Classic V 1-3x20mm on my Henry .357 rifle. It works very well. Haven't tried it past 130 yards, but was hitting 6" steel gongs with ease.
Those types of scopes are ready made for a lever gun.

I must not have been paying attention because I didn't know Weaver was making the low power straight tubes again. I think that a straight tube scope just looks right on a lever gun. I was going to recommend trying to find a K-series 2.5 or 3x on eBay or Gunbroker or the like. The Accutracs are the most modern and probably the most reliable. I don't think you'll be handicapped at the ranges those rifles were designed for.
 
I must not have been paying attention because I didn't know Weaver was making the low power straight tubes again. I think that a straight tube scope just looks right on a lever gun. I was going to recommend trying to find a K-series 2.5 or 3x on eBay or Gunbroker or the like. The Accutracs are the most modern and probably the most reliable. I don't think you'll be handicapped at the ranges those rifles were designed for.

I don't believe Weaver makes them anymore either. Mine is an older one, not sure of the year, but, it has "Japan" marked on it, so, it is one of the better models. I fact, I have three Weaver's marked as such: the 1-3x20mm, K4 on my Mod 94 30-30 and a 3-9x38 thats in my safe. All excellent glass. You can still find them, just a little digging involved.
 
I have a leupold 1-4x on a marlin 30-30 and a leupold 2.5x fixed power scope on the 1894. fixed is a little smaller. I never turn the 1-4x lower than 2 or 2.5x. I don't like seeing the barrel in the scope.
 
I have a Leopold 1.5X4-20 VX Freedom on one 1895 SBL and on the other 1895 SBL I have a Burris 2.75-20 Scout. On my 44 Magnum CVA single shot I have a 2.5X fixed power. These are adequate for out to 200 yards or so that these rifles are best used at.

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3C
 
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as an aside, the leupold fxii 2.5x20 has a longer eye relief than the 1-4x. I can actually mount it forward of the hammer on my marlin. That might have some appeal to the OP.

That was why I went with the M8 4x as well, there is enough eye relief that it can be mounted in front of the hammer so no extension is needed.
 
I have used a 1.5x5 Leupold scope for decades on my dedicated slug shotgun. My buddy also has the same scope on his sluggun. While I usually hunt with it set on 3x. I have cranked it up to 5x for some longer shots.
 
I own 2 Leupold 1x4 - 20 scopes. Outstanding products IMO,plus they are made in Oregon. One of them has the heavy reticle. I've got it on an AR15,its perfect for the woods and other low light conditions as well as regular daylight.
 
I own 2 Leupold 1x4 - 20 scopes. Outstanding products IMO,plus they are made in Oregon. One of them has the heavy reticle. I've got it on an AR15,its perfect for the woods and other low light conditions as well as regular daylight.
I went and looked them up. They have an older one that was only two bills. But they upped the price with the newer version.
 
I have several 2x and 4x Leupolds and prefer them over other scopes - but 300 yards is a long shot for me, and I prefer to keep shots at game to 200 yards at most. In that capacity, I think low powered fixed scopes are far superior to big variables.
 
I have an old 2.5x fixed scope from my Dad's deer rifle on a Ruger 10/22. It is a dandy to shoot 6" steel targets at 50-75 yards off hand. Once it is sighted in and set up, you don't touch or do anything to the scope, you just aim and fire. Simple is a win sometimes.
 
I don't believe Weaver makes them anymore either. Mine is an older one, not sure of the year, but, it has "Japan" marked on it, so, it is one of the better models. I fact, I have three Weaver's marked as such: the 1-3x20mm, K4 on my Mod 94 30-30 and a 3-9x38 thats in my safe. All excellent glass. You can still find them, just a little digging involved.

Weaver discontinued these (the Japan-made 1-3x20) about three or four years ago. Natchez had them on super-sale at the time so I got on for a CZ carbine. They're really small and light and have classic lines. Even the turret caps are shorter than most other brands and don't protrude to catch on things. Can still find them used if you don't mind searching for a while.

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Weaver discontinued these (the Japan-made 1-3x20) about three or four years ago. Natchez had them on super-sale at the time so I got on for a CZ carbine. They're really small and light and have classic lines. Even the turret caps are shorter than most other brands and don't protrude to catch on things. Can still find them used if you don't mind searching for a while.

183610.jpg
Yessir, that is the one. I may find another and put it on my Mod 94 and put the K4 on someting else.
 
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