Best scope for Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 ?

[Illuminaughty]

Hi, can anyone recommend a good scope for the Marlin 1895 45-70 SBL? Any real-use cases that led to best practices? This is my first time stepping away from the AR platform and my first scope purchase. I've only purchased red dots before and my head starts to swim with all the info.. From what I've read, scout scopes seem to be the most popular given the relatively shorter range. Also, should I have it installed professionally? Or would my novice gun skills/tools and YouTube suffice? And last, how much is too much on scope rings? They seem to range in prices as wide as the scopes... Looking to spend under 1k and buy once if possible.. Appreciate any info!

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[Illuminaughty]

Oh forgot to mention, I'll be using this on an Alaskan hunting trip. Not some tacticool application..

 

[The Heretic]

Scout scope.

I use a Burris 2-7X pistol scope because it is variable power and has adequate eye relief to be mounted as a scout scope.

If you can't take to the idea of a forward mounted scope, I would suggest a LPVO something ~1x-6X.

 

[Illuminaughty]

Love it, thanks for the info!

 

[The Heretic]

I just wish someone like Leupold or Burris would make a 1x-6x or 1x-4x pistol scope.

 

[Zingger]

I would recommend a Leupold with the old German #4, fixed 4x scope. Set it for x inches over at 100 and be happy. The heavy duplex will guide you on low-light conditions, where light isn't great. I have an old M8 on my 9.3x62 and love it. You don't have to worry about changing magnification under the stress of hunt. We have switched over to hunting with fixed scopes from variables. And love it.


I had very briefly put a pistol scope on my Henry in 38-55, with a 3" Vortex solid mount on bases. There was too much eye relief- my cheek weld was crappy, even though it was set way out there.

 

[The Heretic]

I would recommend a Leupold with the old German #4, fixed 4x scope. Set it for x inches over at 100 and be happy. The heavy duplex will guide you on low-light conditions, where light isn't great. I have an old M8 on my 9.3x62 and love it. You don't have to worry about changing magnification under the stress of hunt. We have switched over to hunting with fixed scopes from variables. And love it.


I had very briefly put a pistol scope on my Henry in 38-55, with a 3" Vortex solid mount on bases. There was too much eye relief- my cheek weld was crappy, even though it was set way out there.

I leave my scopes at their lowest power when hunting. I use a higher power for testing loads and sometimes for scoping game or longer shots.

Some people can't get used to the longer eye relief, but I love it because I can keep both eyes open and with the low power (2X) I have no problems getting off quick accurate shots.

 

[dangerranger60]

My own favorites for any lever gun are open sights. Look at either Full Buckhorn or peep sights. If you are used to a red dot you will have an easy time picking these up. they are very quick to align and don't require you to focus on the front with peeps, or with the Full buckhorn you have three trajectory's for up close mid range or long range shooting.
Heres a pic of the sight picture using a Buckhorn sight.

full buckhorn sight picture - Google Search

When you use peep sights you get a little more precision and My old eyes don't focus at all on the front or rear sights. You just aim through and only focus on the target. These work on the same principal as the open Olympic sights that World Records are set with. I use a Williams FP rear sight and a Lyman 17A front sight.
Both of them are historically correct on a lever gun . And they are tough enough to travel with without worry of getting them knocked off target during travel. Good Luck in AK!

 

[The Heretic]

Another option is a 1X prismatic sight

Leupold Tactical Prismatic Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 1x 14mm Illuminated

Leupold's Tactical Prismatic Rifle Scope features a glass-etched reticle combined with an illumination module to create a fast sighting system for use...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Zingger]

My GBL has the XS ghost rear and what amounts to their "Bear buster" front. Putting it through the paces the other day- I killed a milkjug at 200, offhand on the 2nd go. Mr. Heretic- Murphy's law dictates that when things can go wrong they will. Yes, it does have an etched reticle. I do appreciate your advice on a low-magnification optic, no need to get the fellow in trouble shooting further than the caliber will be "effective" but if he is used to an intermediate eye relief, why not fixed in a heavy reticle? Mr. IN- get comfortable in your new rifle and shoot it- as much as you can. Then determine if you are in need of any optic. The very best of luck to you in AK!

 

[Illuminaughty]

Wow! You all have been super helpful, gracias!

 

[huntpotter]

I've got this Leupold fixed 2.5 on my Marlin lever gun. It's perfect for that. Fixed power. No moving parts to break or mess with. Short and light.

Leupold FX-II Ultralight Rifle Scope 1 Tube 2.5x 25mm Wide Duplex

These fixed power scopes optimize light transmission for an exceptionally bright field of view which makes them perfect for a wide range of...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Koda]

Hi, can anyone recommend a good scope for the Marlin 1895 45-70 SBL? Any real-use cases that led to best practices? This is my first time stepping away from the AR platform and my first scope purchase. I've only purchased red dots before and my head starts to swim with all the info.. From what I've read, scout scopes seem to be the most popular given the relatively shorter range. Also, should I have it installed professionally? Or would my novice gun skills/tools and YouTube suffice? And last, how much is too much on scope rings? They seem to range in prices as wide as the scopes... Looking to spend under 1k and buy once if possible.. Appreciate any info!

I hunt deer with a scoped Marlin lever gun and my scope recommendation for any hunting scope is one with the widest field of view. To me thats at least 30 feet at the lowest setting or 3x. A wide FOV is even more important on a close range hunting rifle like a lever gun.

I recommend any of the Leupold VX-Freedom series and highly recommend if you can find one with their Firedot reticle its worth it for low light conditions. Mounting a scope to a picatinny rail is easy with Warne Maxima rings as long as you get the proper torque wrench, Maxima series rings do not need lapping or professional installation.

VX-Freedom Rifle Scopes | Leupold

The Leupold® VX®-Freedom® riflescope delivers reliable, accurate, and extremely clear performance in a package that outperforms its price season after season. Decades of American manufacturing combined with our unbeatable optical engineering are rolled into a riflescope that is guaranteed to get...

www.leupold.com

 

[The Heretic]

My GBL has the XS ghost rear and what amounts to their "Bear buster" front. Putting it through the paces the other day- I killed a milkjug at 200, offhand on the 2nd go. Mr. Heretic- Murphy's law dictates that when things can go wrong they will. Yes, it does have an etched reticle. I do appreciate your advice on a low-magnification optic, no need to get the fellow in trouble shooting further than the caliber will be "effective" but if he is used to an intermediate eye relief, why not fixed in a heavy reticle? Mr. IN- get comfortable in your new rifle and shoot it- as much as you can. Then determine if you are in need of any optic. The very best of luck to you in AK!

I am an advocate of peep sights, but the OP asked for optics.

Also, as I get older, I prefer optics more and more, especially on rifles which typically have a longer sight radius making it harder to focus on the front sight that is typically more than 2 feet distant from my eyes. Even with a scout scope I find easier to focus on the reticle than the front sight.

They each have their pros and cons - almost any optic can have problems with heavy rain, and some with fogging (especially when going between indoors and outdoors).

I have different optics for different guns. For my PS90 I have a dual illumination Mepro M21. For other defensive carbines I may use the M21 or the Leupold prismatic sight. For hunting or a longer distance SD rifle (like a 7.62x39) I prefer the scout scope setup with variable power. I have a long distance only scope 5-30X.

 

[belshawelk]

I have a scout scope on mine and i use for bear. Would also take it for elk in a heartbeat.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Not a scope...sorry...
I'd suggest a Lyman Model 66 receiver peep sight.
Andy

 

[Twodogs]

I use an Aimpoint on my 45/70 very fast to get on target hits at 200 yds no problem and best of all no scope eye.

 

[No_Regerts]

I wouldn't use a scout scope unless the gun is equipped to mount the scope forward of the receiver. A Leupold 1-4x20 or 1.5-5x20 in warne detachable rings would be my choice. This way, in the event you need to use your irons, you can remove the scope easily.

 

[The Heretic]

I wouldn't use a scout scope unless the gun is equipped to mount the scope forward of the receiver. A Leupold 1-4x20 or 1.5-5x20 in warne detachable rings would be my choice. This way, in the event you need to use your irons, you can remove the scope easily.

View attachment 846070

Marlin 1895 SBL:


With scout scope:

 

[No_Regerts]

Marlin 1895 SBL:

View attachment 846076
With scout scope:
View attachment 846078

Then it's definitely in the cards. I keep forgetting that lever guns aren't blued-wood with top ejecting actions!