Scope power for the Henry 45-70

Bill Daniel · October 22, 2013, 05:09 PM

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

NoSecondBest · October 22, 2013, 06:08 PM

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).

106RR · October 22, 2013, 06:53 PM

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.

SSA · October 22, 2013, 07:27 PM

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.

horselips · October 22, 2013, 08:23 PM

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.

hornetguy · October 22, 2013, 11:45 PM

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..

SteelChickenShooter · October 23, 2013, 03:35 PM

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.

Doyle · October 23, 2013, 06:04 PM

+1 on the Leupold 2-7. I use that on my muzzleloader which has about the same ballistics as a 45-70.

Jerry45 · October 23, 2013, 07:05 PM

I'm using a UTG 1-4 x 24. Links for visual purposes only.

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-1-4x24-Rel...d_sim_sbs_sg_3

With UTG Quick Release mounts.

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/30mm_Q...ent_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.

SteelChickenShooter · October 23, 2013, 07:39 PM

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.

Doyle · October 23, 2013, 09:17 PM

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.

Bill Daniel · October 24, 2013, 05:46 PM

Thanks to all.
Bill

October 22, 2013, 05:09 PM	#1
Bill Daniel Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Location: Bowling Green, KY. Posts: 518	Scope power for the Henry 45-70 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 __________________ Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless. "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt 1903

October 22, 2013, 11:45 PM	#6
hornetguy Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: on the north side of DFW Posts: 970	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 always felt that if I got to the point where I thought it was time to bury my firearms, it was actually time to pick them up..

October 23, 2013, 07:05 PM	#9
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	I'm using a UTG 1-4 x 24. Links for visual purposes only. http://www.amazon.com/UTG-1-4x24-Rel...d_sim_sbs_sg_3 With UTG Quick Release mounts. http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/30mm_Q...ent_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. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA!

October 23, 2013, 07:39 PM	#10
SteelChickenShooter Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Posts: 863	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.

October 24, 2013, 05:46 PM	#12
Bill Daniel Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Location: Bowling Green, KY. Posts: 518	Scope power for the Henry 45-70 Thanks to all. Bill __________________ Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless. "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt 1903

October 22, 2013, 06:53 PM	#3
106RR Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2002 Posts: 234	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.

October 22, 2013, 07:27 PM	#4
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	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.

October 22, 2013, 08:23 PM	#5
horselips Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Posts: 159	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.

October 23, 2013, 03:35 PM	#7
SteelChickenShooter Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Posts: 863	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.

October 23, 2013, 06:04 PM	#8
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	+1 on the Leupold 2-7. I use that on my muzzleloader which has about the same ballistics as a 45-70.

October 23, 2013, 09:17 PM	#11
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	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.