Scope for 45-70 GG?

[Mossy Bloke]

I want to scope my Marlin 45-70 GG with the short barrel (ported).

It's my impression that putting a 3-9 variable on it would look foolish since the scope is so long and the gun so short. So I'm thinking about a fixed 4 power.

Your opinions?

Also, What distance would you be most confortable taking a shot at? I was thinking 100 to 120 yards.

I'll be hunting deer in GA.

 

[critter]

I have a Ruger #1 in 45-70 which is short because of the really short action. I agree with you on the scopes. I have a fixed 4X Burris on it which looks 'proportional' and I don't feel one of the big bell variables would.

I also agree that, for the most part, shots up to 100-150 yds is most appropriate for both of us. Others may shoot them at longer distances, but under 150 is optimum I feel.

Good luck with your GG-I love the big, booming, thumper 45-70 and it shows the effectiveness of the 'old' rounds well over 100 years old.

 

[Snorkel Bob]

Take a long look at the Leupold Scout scope. With the mounted forward platform its an incredible setup. Very easy to pick up your target and really a perfect match for this gun

 

[H&Hhunter]

Considering the intened use of a GG. If I were to put a scope on it, it would have to be a low power scope such as a Leupold 2.5 power scout.

Of course when you are required to answer to St Peter he may well send you down for even considering putting a scope on short barreled lever gun.

That's like getting a brand new jeep CJ and putting street tires on it.

 

[Northwest Cajun]

Mossy Bloke,
I have the 2.75X Burris"Scout" on my Guide Gun with the AO scout mount. It is a great set up. I took it to the range the other day and was hitting a 6" steel plate at 190yds. I shoot Rem 405's at about 1800fps. The scope is dead on at 100yds and at 200yds I use the part of the retical where the thin vertical crosshair goes from fine to thick.
I wouldn't have it any other way. A regular scope would take my eye out shooting the loads I do.


Cajun

 

[MarineTech]

I've had a Weaver 4X topping my Guide Gun for about 2 years now on a receiver mount. The scope has stood up to the pounding of several hundred rounds of 45-70 loads. Both normal factory Remington, Winchester, and Federal loads as well as a couple boxes of the Buffalo Bore magnums.

I prefer the 4X for the job. The 45-70 is a short range round to begin with, so you don't need a lot of magnification, and the lower power makes acquiring and tracking your target pretty easy.

 

[mete]

The factory 300s ,sighted in at 100yds will drop about 4" at 150. Therefore I sight mine in for 100 yds. My shots are usually under 100 and my 1x4 scope is used not to see things far away but to find openings in the brush. You should be able to do about 1 1/2 " groups with factory loads in that gun.

 

[Slingster]

I also think the Scout Scopes work well on the Guide Gun. For a conventionally mounted scope, the 2.5X Leupold would be a great match. Among variables, I'd look at ones that fall in a range starting at 1.5X and topping out at 6X. The one that seems most proven in this category is the Leupold 1.5-5X, a favorite for big bore dangerous game rifles, but there are others.

 

[Atticus]

http://www.expresssights.com/

That might be a good site to look around. I kinda like the idea of the Ghost ring sights AND a scout rail with a low power Leupold ( with quick release rings). Not much you couldn't do with that at 100-150 yards.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Nuther vote for low power. 4x or less, preferably less.

I would mount it far enough forward so that I have brow clearance during recoil....when shooting from ANY position.

I have been nailed by scope that was fine from offhand, kneeling and sitting....but I crowded it when prone. Learned.

Sam

 

[kentucky bucky]

I mounted a Simmons 2.5x shotgun scope to my Marlin 1895, and It seems to be holding up OK. It has a 6" eye relief and I mounted it as far forward as I could using the standard mount. I shoot some stout reloads and haven't been scope bit yet. It's not as safe as a scout mount scope, but It's what I had. Just make sure the gun is up in your shoulder good before you squeeze the trigger!! No long distance scope, but 150 yards is about the longest shot at a deer in these woods.