I bought a Scope for my 4570 Marlin 1895 GBL,45/70 . I always look to Leupold 1st when thinking about a scope, But there is nothing in the currant line up That would bring my wallet out of my pocket.
I wanted a low power variable, with a lighted duplex reticle. To get that in a Leupold I would need to to spend 500.00
So started looking on line and came up with a Weaver Classic Extreme 1.5x4.5by24. its a 30mm tube.
It Has a duplex Reticle for 10 bucks more you can get a GERMAN #$ i got it through Natchez shooters supply. and deliverd it was right at 200.00 It seems a very sturdy scope, The reticle dot could light up a bit brighter, but It might just be a battery issue. Glass is Good, and so far its a lot of scope for the money.
I had to buy some 30mm rings, and went with Warne. The make them about 20 miles from my house, so thjats what I got, and the feel sturdy as heck.
Putting together some loads to try it out with.
...tj3006

I think that scope will work nicely, let us know the results when you shoot it.
The illuminated reticle will seem much brighter in dim light but you knew that, also most have settings of 1 thru 10 or so dim to bright, I don't know about the Weaver in particular though.

Suitable magnification range. Here's a VX-2 1-4x20mm on my GBL.

tjroberts, That weaver is an excellent choice. I use a weaver 1-5x24 (Super slam, I think it's called) on my 577NE and 50-110. It is excellent for cape buffalo.

Ive always doubted the wisdom of a scope on a 45-70 and some other big bores that I can throw a rock about as far as they will shoot!!! Im in trouble now!

Settled on a Leupold M8 Compact 4x28mm with German #4 reticle as the scope for my GBL. Better for low light conditions with this scope.

My .45-70 scope is a Leupold variable 1 to 4 power with "shotgun" cross hairs that look like the ones above called German #4.



They do make for quick target acquisition.

quote:

My .45-70 scope is a Leupold variable 1 to 4 power

A good choice I think I have 3 or 4 on my shorter range rifles.

Not necessarily limited to short range. Using a scope with a ballistic reticle on another .45-70. With the scope calibrated for this particular load I aimed with the 3rd circle for a 200 yard hit. Close enough.

quote:

Originally posted by 4sixteen:
Settled on a Leupold M8 Compact 4x28mm with German #4 reticle as the scope for my GBL. Better for low light conditions with this scope.



....

That much eye relief works well for you?

Prefer the looks and feel of having the scope mounted as far forward as possible. This scope has 5" of eye relief so no issues. And no chance of getting magnum brow.

I tried the Weaver out yesterday, for a black bear hunt i have coming in April , I am impressed.
I went out to the Oregon coast mountain range , put a target on a stump, at about 20 yards.
Took a few minuets to get the Turrets figured out,They are push pull type so you can reset the markings to zero, after you get it adjusted.
I was shooting a slightly Reduced load with 350 grain Hornady Flat point bullets And 350 grain Bear tooth gas checked , i think the call them hammer heads or something. And some of the 325 grain Flex tips.
I was pretty happy with the Hornady 350 load Witch gave me 3 holes touching at 50 yards,
My Rifle did not like the flex tip load at all, groups were terrible 4 inches at 50 yards !
I have a whole box of the damn things too. But the Bear tooth, was a little beater than the Hornady 350.I got down to three rounds, and i put 3 orange clay birds on a berm and walked 52 paces away. The Cast gas check bullet punched the center out of two of them leaving an orange ring , and broke the 3rd one also But did not center punch it quite so well..
I have another Bear tooth bullet i use in my 1894 Marlin and my S&W revolvers , and they are really good bullets.
But the Weaver scope is excellent for the money, its only draw back is the weight.
And i talked to a leupold employee at my Gunsmith shop, And was told there would soon be a VX Freedom 1.5 X 4 with lighted duplex. I might prefer that to the weaver, for weight, just a better looking scope. All my loads used IMR-4198.
43.5 grains I will bump them up to about 45. Witch is @ below book max and bench rest it soon.
Both my Marlins are Remlins and work very well. I might Get another 45/70 and mount the XO peeps on it. I have that set up on my 94...tj3006

I prefer a good receiver sight on a 30-30, 45-70. handier and nice to carry, balances better, and I can toss a rock about as far as either caliber needs to be shot, both are 200 yard guns plus or minus 50 yards..Even a good set of barrel mounted irons suit me fine..I still like and use iron sight a good deal, depending on the landscape or style of shooting..I like my 25-35 SRC for Texas Hill Country whitetail from a blind to a feeder at 100 yards..why more?

If you can throw a rock 200-250 yds, you had better sign with a baseball team soon!

Ray, i like peeps, but i started with a scope and i shoot much better with one, than without,.
...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by tjroberts:
Ray, i like peeps, but i started with a scope and i shoot much better with one, than without,.
...tj3006

And with the chance for a bear in the waning hours of shooting light being good a scope is much more appropriate.