I can't decide what scope! Help

Jevyod · September 9, 2014, 11:26 AM

I have been thinking and researching for several weeks what scope to put on my newly acquired marlin 1895 in 45-70. I keep going back and forth, and am about driving myself nuts trying to pick one. Maybe you all can help me decide which one to get! I will probably just have to pick one, and be happy with it. Before I lay them out, I am not really looking at any other scope. I am on a tight budget, and these 2 seemed to be pretty good for the money.

The first one I am considering is the Leupold 1-4x20 Shotgun scope. The price is $219. What I like about this scope is it is shockproof, and has eye relief of 4.3-3.8. What I am not sure about is if I will like the heavy duplex. But it is a Leupold, and lifetime warranty etc.

The other one is a Nikon Monarch 3 also in 1-4X20. The price is $229.I believe this scope has a constant 4 inch eye relief. I really like the looks of the German #4 reticle. I From what I have heard, the glass quality on the Nikon may be a bit better.

I keep going back and forth on these 2. Some days I think the Leupold will be better. Since it is designed for a shotgun, it should certainly hold up to the recoil. If that Leupold had a different reticle, I think I could go for it. But I really am intrigued by the Monarch!
So any advice/personal experience with either? Any other scope in the same price range that would be better than either one of these? I hunt in the woods, where a shot less than 50 yards is common. There are some fields there, but I doubt I will shoot over 150 yards. I really like the looks of a small scope like that on a lever gun, plus it shouldn't throw the balance off too badly!

Unlicensed Dremel · September 9, 2014, 04:16 PM

Well, either/or. But the heavy duplex is perfect for that rifle - that's a plus, not a minus.

Jevyod · September 9, 2014, 05:37 PM

Does the heavy duplex not cover too much of the target at say 100 yards? The reason I ask is I do a lot of shooting paper at that distance.

jmr40 · September 9, 2014, 05:53 PM

I'd have already bought this

http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-1-...pe-P51851.aspx

The heavy duplex is easy to see in low light, but tapers down right small. Not small enough for a long range varmint rilfe, but more than enough for your 45-70 @100 yards. This is what I use on my AR and would use on a lever if I scope one.

Brian Pfleuger · September 9, 2014, 06:01 PM

That Leupold scope with what they call the "Turkey Reticle" would be fantastic for deer. My favorite deer reticle ever is the Bushnell Circle-X, which is essentially identical to Leupold's Turkey Reticle.

ammo.crafter · September 9, 2014, 07:03 PM

Check out the Burris Scout Scope in 2 - 7x. I have one on my Marlin .444 and it has never failed. Get the heavy reticle for your woods rifle.

Which ever you choose, enjoy and good hunting.

Nathan · September 9, 2014, 08:58 PM

You have narrowed to 2 good choices. . .

AllenJ · September 10, 2014, 09:02 AM

If it were me and I got it down to those two choices, I'd go with the Leupold. I'd base that on the fact that while Nikon has a good reputation I have read reviews from users that were not good, including about their customer service/warranty repair. I have never seen a bad review about Leupold.

Unlicensed Dremel · September 10, 2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

The heavy duplex is easy to see in low light, but tapers down right small. Not small enough for a long range varmint rilfe, but more than enough for your 45-70 @100 yards. This is what I use on my AR and would use on a lever if I scope one.

+1, Precisely.

Jevyod · September 10, 2014, 03:18 PM

Ok you all helped me decide! I just ordered the Leupold. Thanks for your advice! Now what rings should I get? It is the SBL so it has the rail. Can I get by with extra low?

September 9, 2014, 11:26 AM	#1
Jevyod Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 172	I can't decide what scope! Help I have been thinking and researching for several weeks what scope to put on my newly acquired marlin 1895 in 45-70. I keep going back and forth, and am about driving myself nuts trying to pick one. Maybe you all can help me decide which one to get! I will probably just have to pick one, and be happy with it. Before I lay them out, I am not really looking at any other scope. I am on a tight budget, and these 2 seemed to be pretty good for the money. The first one I am considering is the Leupold 1-4x20 Shotgun scope. The price is $219. What I like about this scope is it is shockproof, and has eye relief of 4.3-3.8. What I am not sure about is if I will like the heavy duplex. But it is a Leupold, and lifetime warranty etc. The other one is a Nikon Monarch 3 also in 1-4X20. The price is $229.I believe this scope has a constant 4 inch eye relief. I really like the looks of the German #4 reticle. I From what I have heard, the glass quality on the Nikon may be a bit better. I keep going back and forth on these 2. Some days I think the Leupold will be better. Since it is designed for a shotgun, it should certainly hold up to the recoil. If that Leupold had a different reticle, I think I could go for it. But I really am intrigued by the Monarch! So any advice/personal experience with either? Any other scope in the same price range that would be better than either one of these? I hunt in the woods, where a shot less than 50 yards is common. There are some fields there, but I doubt I will shoot over 150 yards. I really like the looks of a small scope like that on a lever gun, plus it shouldn't throw the balance off too badly!

September 9, 2014, 06:01 PM	#5
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	That Leupold scope with what they call the "Turkey Reticle" would be fantastic for deer. My favorite deer reticle ever is the Bushnell Circle-X, which is essentially identical to Leupold's Turkey Reticle. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

September 9, 2014, 07:03 PM	#6
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	Scope choice Check out the Burris Scout Scope in 2 - 7x. I have one on my Marlin .444 and it has never failed. Get the heavy reticle for your woods rifle. Which ever you choose, enjoy and good hunting. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

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September 9, 2014, 04:16 PM	#2
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Well, either/or. But the heavy duplex is perfect for that rifle - that's a plus, not a minus.

September 9, 2014, 05:37 PM	#3
Jevyod Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 172	Does the heavy duplex not cover too much of the target at say 100 yards? The reason I ask is I do a lot of shooting paper at that distance.

September 9, 2014, 05:53 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,803	I'd have already bought this http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-1-...pe-P51851.aspx The heavy duplex is easy to see in low light, but tapers down right small. Not small enough for a long range varmint rilfe, but more than enough for your 45-70 @100 yards. This is what I use on my AR and would use on a lever if I scope one.

September 9, 2014, 08:58 PM	#7
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,321	You have narrowed to 2 good choices. . .

September 10, 2014, 09:02 AM	#8
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	If it were me and I got it down to those two choices, I'd go with the Leupold. I'd base that on the fact that while Nikon has a good reputation I have read reviews from users that were not good, including about their customer service/warranty repair. I have never seen a bad review about Leupold.

September 10, 2014, 03:18 PM	#10
Jevyod Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 172	Ok you all helped me decide! I just ordered the Leupold. Thanks for your advice! Now what rings should I get? It is the SBL so it has the rail. Can I get by with extra low?