Fiber optics on the turkey 12 GA a first for this year…. Can’t cut the brass bead like the eyes used too… ugh old eyes but still in the field and on paper.
The field of view is the problem when shooting close. Trying to find that charging grizzly in scope or that grazing or resting deer. could be a problem No guides will have a scope or even a red dot on their 45-70s in places where real danger is lurking. . I use a fixed 4X scope on mine too. but I'm TRULY discounting ME being hunted..So the nature of your hunt should decide about usage Bad eye sight can be corrected with the right pair of glasses..when shooting iron sights in close range. Even younger folks have a hard time shooting a 8" plate /would be a vital for most wildlife/ 300 yards away..so use scopes there for sure.IMO.
I'm 51 now and definitely looking into mounting a 3x9 on my Marlin. Not into the 'tactical' conversion of a lever action, I just want to go back to one of my favorite gun that's been left on the shelf for way too long. As I'm getting older, I don't even think a nice scope looks out of place anymore, actually accentuate how good the Marlin looks.
Your rifle, your choice. My eyes aren't what they used to be so scopes for me. I get great groups out of the hornady ammo in my Henry 45/70 running a Burris droptine scope.
@@shanevonharten3100 Nice . Been running 325 red tips too but buck horns. May look into a lite low mag scope . Those groups are perfect for 90 percent deer hunting I would do around here. Every once in a blue moon one will be 2- 300 out in field but by gun season they are in the thick stuff.
@@bigben9379 . The Burris is 3-9 power, stays on 3 for hunting and only used 9 to aid in the longer distance sighting in. I only use it in the forests where 100yds is a long shot and run either my Remington 7600 in 270 or Tikka t3 in 300wm for the open country. Mostly pigs, goats and fallow deer here in Australia where i am but a few larger deer like Reds starting to show up. No designated seasons in my state but heavy regulations.
I swear by those "Limbsaver" recoil pads. It takes the "snappy, sharp" recoil out of anything. Great for any rifle above .308, great for shotguns. Even if the usual recoil, doesn't hurt you, this pad could help that shooting flinch you can get from heavy recoil.
You can do the same on the cheap.just take some bubble wrap and fold it into a pad some 4 layers thick, if you use the small bubble type and stuff it in your shirt where the butt would rest. One advantage as well, is that it cuts-down on your heartbeat being transmitted to your rifle and makes your aim much steadier. It's what I use.
@@untermench3502 Great cheap idea. Those padded vests with the gel in the shoulder work well, but they are expensive. Bought one of them for my Dad several years back after he was loading my 54 cal ML extra hot with 4F powder and kicking the piss out of me and back then I was about 300lbs and 6ft6in. He said let me try that ML out and he was sitting. It rolled him on to back. On the way home he asked me to drive because he had bad floaters in his eyes. Ended up going to the eye Dr the next day and Dr asked him if he had been in a bad car crash or some sort of trauma. He told the Dr that he had shot my ML with that hot load and a 425gr conical and it kicked really hard and the Dr said no more of that and you have detached your retinas. That was about 30 years ago. We load those MLs with lighter charges of 2F now. Kicks like a cream puff now.
My 1895G goes naked without a scope. I appreciate that Marlin gave it a side eject and flat top design for easy scoping for those who wish to do it. I just like the look and feel of my 45/70 without glass on it. Personal preference.
I shoot the 325gr leverevolution and I consistently get about a 1-1.5” group at 100. But considering two of those holes stacked on each other is an inch. One thing you have to keep in mind is that those barrels heat up quite a bit due to the power of that load. Hornady loads that round quite hot. After mine heats up the group opens to about a 2-2.5” group.
I got my Dad's 16 gauge Ithaca pump. It's a featherweight. I used this shotgun when I was a teenager back in the 80's hunting doves. Even with bird shot, that rascal would just maul my shoulder. On the plus side, it has been THE best bird gun that I've ever had in my hands! I got my limit on doves many times. And I ate every blessed one of them!
!! I have this rifle, but haven't shot it yet. Really looking forward to it! Just bought it a few months ago. It's been too cold to go out shooting comfortably and I've had to build up my ammo supply before using any of it.
hey wtw I hunted years with a model 94 .30-30 my dad talked me into a scope and it improved my shooting improved light gathering convinced me. I wont go back.
I have 5 lever guns and 72 year old eyes. When I was doing load development for my 1895 CBA I was having a hard time deciding id it was me, the gun or the load that was shooting the groups. I was one of those guys who said "no scopes on lever actions" but I finally broke down and bought a Leopold 1.5X4 scope for it. Love it. It compliments my rifle and the 45-70 perfectly. I also put on a "grind to fit" KickEez recoil pad. To keep the original lop I had to cut 1 3/8" off the butt stock. Refinished the rifle at the same time. I shoot my own cast bullets so I can shoot the 45-70 very cheaply. I shoot this gun a lot. Thanks for the vid
I think that a great deal of the problem in getting a good group with the 45/70 is with the light bullet, most 45/70’s usually shoot best with 380 to 405 grain slugs. As usual a great video
I have a JM Marlin 45/70 that I hand load for. At 54 I use a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5 in Leupold QRW rings. Best of both worlds. If you want to sight in any rifle and you have a rest like yours just fire your first shot. Then before your second shot with the rifle held steady, move the reticle until the center of the cross hair is placed on your first shot and your sighted in. Just adjust the third shot to an inch or whatever height you prefer at 100 yards and you're good to go. Thanks for sharing!
XS with the large aperture rear. My SS Guide gun will make one ragged hole with handloads at 50 yds. Large rear is like a ghost ring with good light in deep woods. The smaller target aperture is OK but I like the ghost ring effect rear better. Much quicker target acquisition.
The Chapman-James scope hit the market in 1840. However, I think the first scope on a rifle was attempted in 1776. Point being, the scope has been around and on rifles longer than the Lever gun has existed. Please feel free to verify this information. Great post. Thank you for taking all the necessary time to present this video to us.
Thanks for testing out that Limb-Saver!! I've been thinking about one for my Rossi 45-70, but had never seen one in action, so to speak. What might have happened with that point of impact shift is not that the scope itself moved within the mount. It stayed at the same approximate distance from the vertical axis of your target. That makes me think that the internal workings of the scope may have shifted due to the recoil and physics of the force of firing the 45-70. I had a similar situation with a cheap scope on my 338 Lapua... basically the forces of the firing bullet knocked the internal workings of the scope loose. I now have a much higher quality scope on it... but I don't spend more than $300 for a scope! My step son in Utah keeps trying to talk me into buying one of those $2-$3000 scopes! I keep telling him that an expensive scope like that won't make any difference to almost 70 year old eyes. Then he says...laughing... True, but when you die I get to inherit it!! LOL!!! Thanks for the great video Adam!!
Got my CTK Precision P3 rest delivered late last week and I love it. I'd been using a Caldwell Stinger for a while but there isn't any real provision for leveling the front legs on it. That's where the CTK rest shines. Thanks for recommending it!!!!
I used to have a 45-70 like yours. I was reloading mine with 500 grain bullets. I didn’t have a way to check the velocity but I was pushing them pretty fast. It would do pretty good in 100 yards. It was deadly on both ends after about 15 or 20 shots. I all so had a marlin 444 , I was loading 300 grain bullets in it. I had 4X scoops on both of them. I still have a 35 rem and a 30-30 marlin they all so have scopes. I love scopes on my rifles it really helps when a deer are out 100 yds or more. That keeps more accurate. I was molding my own bullets For all my level guns With gas checks.
500 down to 300 here i like to feed through like a bolt action. I do this because im lazy but than i get to skip on the sizing step ! :). After all it is fire formed .
Scopes are good for “older”eyes. As we age our eyes lose the ability to focus open sights properly. This is where scopes or other optical sighting devices will help. If that scope does not allow you to shoot consistently-time to put it back in the junk drawer and get a better scope. I have seen scope sights on other lever weapons-even have a scope on a 35 REM Marlin 336-works just fine! Also have a 336 in 30-30-this one has the open iron sights. May get a scope later for this rifle.
Depends on the scope, I've seen some huge scopes that just dont even look right mounted on marlins before, they had them mounted as far forward as they could and it was still sticking so far back in their face I dont know how they didnt bash themselves in the eye every time they pulled the trigger, I put a small scout scope with an illuminated reticle on mine and I love it but my eyes are bad and I have a hard time focusing using irons.
A 1to5 leopold magnum scope works great with 45/70 as with lever guns as it gives quick acquisition and good eye relief. You do get what you pay for. In 1979 I purchased a Remington 8mm Magnum and a 2.5 to 8 leopold scope the 8mag is a shoulder breaker. I zeroed to 300yrds,in all these years I have never had to rezero. It traveled all over Alaska,fell off a horse in Wyoming got dents on it . Still going strong.
I have a 2-7 Leupold vx2 on my marlin 45-70. I am shooting a 320 home cast bullet. Off a rest it groups in about an inch at 100 yards. In a 5 shot group a few are always touching or in the same hole. It is a fun rifle to shoot and I’m not worried about running out of bullets because I can always make more, and the recoil is not so bad with the weight and speed I’m shootings at.
I have a Marlin 444 with Skinner sights I'm good to 100 yards. I did put a 3-9X40 With the parallax adjustment /AO it makes a huge difference and you don't need to spend a lot either I was good to two hundred yards I probably could have gone further but I didn't try . I don't hunt anymore because of wounds sustained while in service and I don't like the blood sport anymore. But I'm pro hunting and would to feed my family. If I did hunt I would put the scope back in a heartbeat because of my old eye's. I reload 7 different calibers so I have lots of AMMO. I bet those rounds are $4.00 each crazy. I've been saving ammo for years and the reloading helps a lot. These rifles aren't fun to shoot I like the stock pad that would help. Great video thanks.
You're young by my years, use your eyes now. You have shown, a great "Shootist " ability. After 40 then yeah all things eventually go south. Just use the "force" until 40. Lol 😆
Amen to that! Now I know why my grandfather cut down the stocks on so many of his rifles so that he could still shoot right handed, but could use his left eye. The Monte Carlo stocks pushed him the wrong way IIRC.
The scopes moving internally, the big 45/70 really generates a lot of vibration and recoil. You need a good shock proof scope on that beauty. Great video wtw . enjoyed it God bless you and your family
For that round I want a scope! A really tough scope, with stainless steel everything welded solid! A solid granite reticle! It’s a thumper! My dad’s 336 is a 1951 model. It’s a waffle top and I’m not gonna get it drilled or tapped for a scope. But there’s a set of peep sights that mount on the side, on screws built for that style of sight.
Iron sights for me are best . Never miss with my 30 .30 . Had a scope on it and couldn't hit crap . I live in brush country on the western banks of the Mississippi river and if you've ever been here you know what I mean . Wisconsin rocks ! The brush cutter kills !
Just a heads up you probably already know this but if you wrap the stock in a soaked towel with boiled linseed oil and torch it enough to get it good and hot without setting it on fire of course lol you can manipulate the wood cast off slightly and down far enough to get the toe off your shoulder and fit it into the crotch of your arm you will have a very different experience and save your shoulder, you can form it as slowly as you want as long as its wet with oil and hot, just let it sit for a while after so it stops springing back and its still a great fit, its an old wingshooter and safari rifle trick and it really works great, alot of the older gunsmiths did it to high end over and under, and big bore safari rifles you might be able to find someone who can do it for you if you're not comfortable doing it yourself, anyway I hope you have a great night, and I hope it may help if you want to bother with it, i learned practicing on an old shotgun with walnut and my grandfathers helpful insight.
I have a scope on my 1895 GBL and I love it . It has a long eye relief and I have a 1.25" group sighted in 2.5" high at 100yrds. Also with Hornaday ammo. I enjoy this rife and use it now more than anything I own. Unless I'm shooting long range areas it's my go to now...
Plenty of 45-70 on the shelf where I live in Australia Who Tee. All different weights. 300,325,405,410. I have one of those marlin dark series. Beautiful rifle.👌🏻
Back when I could see a little better. I did not use scopes but as I have aged I see a little better with one. I have had scope on a lever action it was good. I still have my very first 22 caliber rifle. It’s a Lever Action that was made for Western Auto stores. Got it at tenth birthday and I am 65 now. Also have a 20 gauge single barrel that I got at 8 years old. And it is a Western Auto store gun. Thanks for sharing
For me, the best 2 things about the Limbsaver are 1) it’s also an eyeball saver if you tend to get too close to the scope, and 2) it increases length-of-pull, and distance from the scope, which helps my viewing through the scope. I actually have one on my 17 hmr!
I have a stainless 1895 Guide Gun with a Leupold VX2 2-7 on it, love it! I get sub MOA 100 yard groups consistently with my handloads using IMR4198 and 350gr Hornady RN.
I hate I missed the premiere. Catching up today. There comes an age when you need optics. When I find a 45-70, I plan on putting a Sig Whiskey3 3-9x40 on it. I have one on my .450 BM and love them.
I own that same 45-70 AND that same Limb Saver! It is ESSENTIAL for shooting a 45-70 for SURE! It makes it kick like a 20 Gauge, instead of an elephant gun!
I never expect too much from factory ammo as long as it hits in a kill sized circle of 8 - 10 inches. Factory rounds are loaded to reliably feed and operate in a variety of different guns and chambers. If I'm going for moa or sub moa groups I handload. By doing that I can turn out identical ammo that's tailored to my specific rifle, even down to fireforming the cases to my chamber. Plus I can pick and choose the bullets and powder that works best in my rifle. As for the scope....most lever guns were never intended to be 300 yard guns. They were carbine sized brush guns intended for short ranges 50 - 100 yards. I've used my model 94 in areas where it's thick and it works great for that.
Possibly as the barrel heated up the impact point changed. I usually let the barrel cool after a few shots. Your gun is shooting minute of deer already. Thanks for video!
This is why I love my Savage Scout rifle with a scout scope. See target, raise rifle, shoot target. So freaking cool with both eyes open and never getting lost in the scope.
Thanks for the tip on the limbsaver. I ordered it from amazon, but think I ordered the wrong one "small/medium". Checked Brownells and they have the "small" so will see what happens with my amazon "cancel order". I am 64 years old. I can either quit doing something I love or scope my lever guns, my Mosins, my National Match Garand. I am scoping my life-loved guns so I can enjoy shooting again. Someday some Doctor is going the make a million developing shooting glasses for those of us that wear bifocals so we can continue using iron sights.
A trick I learned back in the 70's for sighting in a new scope: Start at 25 yards to zero in, then out to 100 yards to fine tune. Of course one must use a ballistics chart to figure out just how high one wants shoot at 100 yards as a mmmm - 270 is not the same as a 45-70. The 25 yard thing makes it real easy to get a great start and works every time. If anyone tries this method, let me know how u like it.👍
The only .45-70 I shoot is a H&R single shot. The guy I bought it off had a scope, but I ended up taking it off and replacing the rear buckhorn with a peep sight. I am shooting a 4 inch group at 100 yards with either 405 grain or 325 grain Leverevolution ammo.
I had issues with my 45-70. It did trash a cheap scope. I put a better scope and was real glad to see your groups were no better than mine. These guns aren't tack drivers, they don't exactly have to be. Mine was so inconsistent that I was beginning to think something was wrong with it. Watching your groups shows me it's just the nature of these and nothing specifically wrong with mine. The scope I put on mine is a scout scope, I really like how fast I can pick up a target with it. The limb saver is worth every cent.
Personally I like irons on my lever and encore 500 S&W with ghost ring. Works great where I hunt usually only get 30-50 yard shots super thick woods. But scopes are sweet also 🤷♂️👍👍
Lots of times the ammo can throw you off. I thought the lever stuff was a better load but maybe not. As far as the scope goes heck yeah. Why not have the advantage in the deer woods. Heck I got a scope on my turkey gun.
I shoot .30-30. LeverRevolution DEFINITELY has less drop over distance. But, for me, it grouped like a carnival BB gun....After playing with about 10 different cartridges, I found Hornady American Whitetail was my favorite. Grouped in my rifle, got some really good, clean kills (heart looked like cooked taco bell meat in a blender), good stuff.
I have a Cabella's brand caliber specific on my 45-70 Marlin, I got my best groups with Winchester Super X 300gr. (About 1 11/2 inch group). I have Tried Hornady, Federal and Winchester factory loads as well as my 300gr hard cast handloads.
Remember that ol 4570 burns alot of powder and the barrel isnt freefloated cos of the magtube underneath, so when the barrel heats up the metal expands and the tube underneath dont expand with it, practically bending the barrel a pinch downward.. groups like that is common with rifle/shotgun combos where the barrels are fixed together when you start sighting the rifle barrel in.. let the gun sit and get cold again 15-20 mins with the pipe skyward and action open to let it all cool down properly and take a coldbore shot to confirm point of impact :)
My younger years and keener eyes did not require a scope. Now at 56, things have changed and my 1895 45/70 has a Weaver K 2.5, and things are great again.
I was an iron sight only type person until I put a scope on a 22 and saw where I was hitting at 100 yards. I stay around 50 yards. I can't hit a penny at 50 yards with iron sights or a red dot, but I can when I got "ALL THE ZOOMS". I do know I want something chambered in 45-70 and have for years, I just haven't seen anything under $1200ish that is in stock.
Honestly. I have a scope on mine right now, got a doe last hunting season at about 100 yards. Before that I tried a red Dot and got two...the red Dot was a lot of fun and works really well with lever guns
Scopes are one thing where you absolutely get what you pay for. I had a scope just like that given to me and had it on a .270 until recently when I sold the gun. I shot it quite a bit right before I sold it just to make sure it was on and the new buyer would be happy with the gun. Then I took the scope off and literally threw it in the trash can. It was junk, I could outshoot it at 250 yards with the open sights on the rifle. With that said I've got several cheap Walmart ( Center Point ) Scopes on other rifles that shoot lights out. But at least they are proud enough of them to put their name on them.
I have scopes on most of my rifles. Including my 30-30 lever action. I need all the help I can get to see longer distance. Wearing glasses with bifocal is a bit more of a challenge
It's all about personal preference, on lever guns I prefer iron sights. I like fiber optic on the front, if not, I paint the front orange or green fluorescent.
Goue absolutely right 45-70 will put a woop ass on you because i shoot minw all the time!,& and my wifw don't want me to scope my Henry 45-70 says it'll ruin the looks , but i want to scope it i like how yours looks great even with the cheap scooe on it thanks for your time keep up with your good work you do.
I have 61 years old eyes and need a scope. Besides, the average person needs a scope to reach way out there to 1000 yds. You’re great with a gun, so it’s not shooter error. I’d get a better scope, one that’s rated to take the punishment of a 405 grain 45-70, and has the correct graduated military markings on the optics for the 45-70. Also, Change out the trigger to lesson that pull, you might be flinching and hence are fighting that trigger. The accuracy you displayed is more than enough for the northern Minnesota/Wisconsin woods: our average shot is 100 yards or less. And get match-grade ammo or press your own. I love taking a well made bullet, an 1886 Winchester with a comfortable butt pad, a high end scope, a trustworthy spotter, and laying them in there with a minute between shots (to let the barrel cool down) at 600 yards. It’s a great way to relax during a day off with a buddy. I took both a spike buck and a 300 lbs bear last year with my 45-70. Both animals died where they were shot because of the energy of the 45-70.
2” grouping with 45-70 is pretty awesome, and would take your deer out to 200yds if necessary. Scope or no scope, it is your gun and if you want the scope on it, I have no issues with it.
Nice video who-tee….…..you run that lever action the way you want to, I do the same thing so im not chasing brass either….when I’m blistering the deer then I’m jacking the lever action……you might want a little better scope, that rifle was really jumping off the rest….
I was always a no scope guy until your eyes get older and it becomes difficult seeing. Getting old is such a joy.
Fiber optics on the turkey 12 GA a first for this year…. Can’t cut the brass bead like the eyes used too… ugh old eyes but still in the field and on paper.
I'm a scope guy. Especially as I get older.
I'm with you on that!
@@terrysimmons9160 same here
Yep! I used to say real men use iron sights now I say real men hit their target.
For sure!
The field of view is the problem when shooting close. Trying to find that charging grizzly in scope or that grazing or resting deer. could be a problem No guides will have a scope or even a red dot on their 45-70s in places where real danger is lurking. . I use a fixed 4X scope on mine too. but I'm TRULY discounting ME being hunted..So the nature of your hunt should decide about usage Bad eye sight can be corrected with the right pair of glasses..when shooting iron sights in close range. Even younger folks have a hard time shooting a 8" plate /would be a vital for most wildlife/ 300 yards away..so use scopes there for sure.IMO.
I never thought twice about having a scope on my Marlin 30-30. I took deer with a scope and without a scope, and I liked having a scope a lot better.
I'm 51 now and definitely looking into mounting a 3x9 on my Marlin. Not into the 'tactical' conversion of a lever action, I just want to go back to one of my favorite gun that's been left on the shelf for way too long. As I'm getting older, I don't even think a nice scope looks out of place anymore, actually accentuate how good the Marlin looks.
Your rifle, your choice. My eyes aren't what they used to be so scopes for me.
I get great groups out of the hornady ammo in my Henry 45/70 running a Burris droptine scope.
I have the Redfield accurange 2x7x33 🤠
What groups are you getting Shane? Got Marlin but kind of like the pistol grip on Henry.
@@bigben9379. Inch and a half at 100 yards off bench.
Grips nice and recoil is light considereing calibre, like a nice shotgun.
@@shanevonharten3100 Nice . Been running 325 red tips too but buck horns. May look into a lite low mag scope . Those groups are perfect for 90 percent deer hunting I would do around here.
Every once in a blue moon one will be 2- 300 out in field but by gun season they are in the thick stuff.
@@bigben9379 . The Burris is 3-9 power, stays on 3 for hunting and only used 9 to aid in the longer distance sighting in.
I only use it in the forests where 100yds is a long shot and run either my Remington 7600 in 270 or Tikka t3 in 300wm for the open country. Mostly pigs, goats and fallow deer here in Australia where i am but a few larger deer like Reds starting to show up. No designated seasons in my state but heavy regulations.
I swear by those "Limbsaver" recoil pads. It takes the "snappy, sharp" recoil out of anything. Great for any rifle above .308, great for shotguns. Even if the usual recoil, doesn't hurt you, this pad could help that shooting flinch you can get from heavy recoil.
I love it
You can do the same on the cheap.just take some bubble wrap and fold it into a pad some 4 layers thick, if you use the small bubble type and stuff it in your shirt where the butt would rest. One advantage as well, is that it cuts-down on your heartbeat being transmitted to your rifle and makes your aim much steadier. It's what I use.
@@untermench3502 Great cheap idea. Those padded vests with the gel in the shoulder work well, but they are expensive. Bought one of them for my Dad several years back after he was loading my 54 cal ML extra hot with 4F powder and kicking the piss out of me and back then I was about 300lbs and 6ft6in. He said let me try that ML out and he was sitting. It rolled him on to back. On the way home he asked me to drive because he had bad floaters in his eyes.
Ended up going to the eye Dr the next day and Dr asked him if he had been in a bad car crash or some sort of trauma. He told the Dr that he had shot my ML with that hot load and a 425gr conical and it kicked really hard and the Dr said no more of that and you have detached your retinas. That was about 30 years ago. We load those MLs with lighter charges of 2F now. Kicks like a cream puff now.
@@user-bn3zo3mh5v
I like creampuffs. Never been the same since Twinkees disappeared.
I've got an AR LimbSaver on my 450 Bushmaster and I love it! Had one on my Winchester Ranger 12 gauge that tamed the recoil perfectly!
My 1895G goes naked without a scope. I appreciate that Marlin gave it a side eject and flat top design for easy scoping for those who wish to do it. I just like the look and feel of my 45/70 without glass on it. Personal preference.
Totally agreed with this until my vision started to make sights hard to use.
I shoot the 325gr leverevolution and I consistently get about a 1-1.5” group at 100. But considering two of those holes stacked on each other is an inch. One thing you have to keep in mind is that those barrels heat up quite a bit due to the power of that load. Hornady loads that round quite hot. After mine heats up the group opens to about a 2-2.5” group.
I load the same bullet, they're incredibly accurate!
CMMC 1776 , That’s called a flinch 😉
I got my Dad's 16 gauge Ithaca pump. It's a featherweight. I used this shotgun when I was a teenager back in the 80's hunting doves. Even with bird shot, that rascal would just maul my shoulder. On the plus side, it has been THE best bird gun that I've ever had in my hands! I got my limit on doves many times. And I ate every blessed one of them!
I have this same rifle. THANK YOU for showing the package for the Limb Saver. I was able to see the model number and ordered one for my gun.
Thanks for watching Kurt. I like the limbsaver on it for sure
I love, love, love this rifle!!!
One of my favorites
!! I have this rifle, but haven't shot it yet. Really looking forward to it! Just bought it a few months ago. It's been too cold to go out shooting comfortably and I've had to build up my ammo supply before using any of it.
hey wtw I hunted years with a model 94 .30-30 my dad talked me into a scope and it improved my shooting improved light gathering convinced me. I wont go back.
Awesome! Can't knock it if it works
Always listen to dad
I have 5 lever guns and 72 year old eyes. When I was doing load development for my 1895 CBA I was having a hard time deciding id it was me, the gun or the load that was shooting the groups. I was one of those guys who said "no scopes on lever actions" but I finally broke down and bought a Leopold 1.5X4 scope for it. Love it. It compliments my rifle and the 45-70 perfectly. I also put on a "grind to fit" KickEez recoil pad. To keep the original lop I had to cut 1 3/8" off the butt stock. Refinished the rifle at the same time. I shoot my own cast bullets so I can shoot the 45-70 very cheaply. I shoot this gun a lot. Thanks for the vid
The 325gr lever evaluation has worked great out of my 45/70 with a scope can have 3 shoots touching at 100yds
I think that a great deal of the problem in getting a good group with the 45/70 is with the light bullet, most 45/70’s usually shoot best with 380 to 405 grain slugs. As usual a great video
I like em 45/70 30-30 35 Remington etc with a scope and see thru mounts so you can still use open sights. Makes a perfect woods and food plot gun.
I have one lever action rifle with a scope and another one with just iron sights.....i love lever action rifles regardless!
Use whatever works best for you.
I installed a Holosun Green Dot on my 1895 SBL
I like a red dot on mine the best I think
It probably shifted from the bounce on the rest after recoil. Cheaper scopes in my experience are temperamental about shock.
I’ve broke 2 scopes off of cheap scopes on my 45/70 now I’m on to my vortex
I use vortex as well.
I have a JM Marlin 45/70 that I hand load for. At 54 I use a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5 in Leupold QRW rings. Best of both worlds. If you want to sight in any rifle and you have a rest like yours just fire your first shot. Then before your second shot with the rifle held steady, move the reticle until the center of the cross hair is placed on your first shot and your sighted in. Just adjust the third shot to an inch or whatever height you prefer at 100 yards and you're good to go. Thanks for sharing!
XS with the large aperture rear. My SS Guide gun will make one ragged hole with handloads at 50 yds. Large rear is like a ghost ring with good light in deep woods. The smaller target aperture is OK but I like the ghost ring effect rear better. Much quicker target acquisition.
I've got same dilemma for my 336 but now decided to put a score on. Cheers WTW
The Chapman-James scope hit the market in 1840. However, I think the first scope on a rifle was attempted in 1776. Point being, the scope has been around and on rifles longer than the Lever gun has existed. Please feel free to verify this information. Great post. Thank you for taking all the necessary time to present this video to us.
about dark, look through iron sights later, look through a scope . I figure at least half hour or more hunting
Thanks for testing out that Limb-Saver!! I've been thinking about one for my Rossi 45-70, but had never seen one in action, so to speak. What might have happened with that point of impact shift is not that the scope itself moved within the mount. It stayed at the same approximate distance from the vertical axis of your target. That makes me think that the internal workings of the scope may have shifted due to the recoil and physics of the force of firing the 45-70. I had a similar situation with a cheap scope on my 338 Lapua... basically the forces of the firing bullet knocked the internal workings of the scope loose. I now have a much higher quality scope on it... but I don't spend more than $300 for a scope! My step son in Utah keeps trying to talk me into buying one of those $2-$3000 scopes! I keep telling him that an expensive scope like that won't make any difference to almost 70 year old eyes. Then he says...laughing... True, but when you die I get to inherit it!! LOL!!! Thanks for the great video Adam!!
Got my CTK Precision P3 rest delivered late last week and I love it. I'd been using a Caldwell Stinger for a while but there isn't any real provision for leveling the front legs on it. That's where the CTK rest shines. Thanks for recommending it!!!!
I really like mine. Been using it for years
I used to have a 45-70 like yours. I was reloading mine with 500 grain bullets.
I didn’t have a way to check the velocity but I was pushing them pretty fast. It would do pretty good in 100 yards. It was deadly on both ends after about 15 or 20 shots. I all so had a marlin 444 , I was loading 300 grain bullets in it. I had 4X scoops on both of them. I still have a 35 rem and a 30-30 marlin they all so have scopes. I love scopes on my rifles it really helps when a deer are out 100 yds or more.
That keeps more accurate. I was molding my own bullets For all my level guns
With gas checks.
500 down to 300 here i like to feed through like a bolt action. I do this because im lazy but than i get to skip on the sizing step ! :). After all it is fire formed .
It all depends on the rifles intended purpose. There are valid reasons to go either way. You decide what works best for you
Scopes are good for “older”eyes. As we age our eyes lose the ability to focus open sights properly. This is where scopes or other optical sighting devices will help. If that scope does not allow you to shoot consistently-time to put it back in the junk drawer and get a better scope. I have seen scope sights on other lever weapons-even have a scope on a 35 REM Marlin 336-works just fine! Also have a 336 in 30-30-this one has the open iron sights. May get a scope later for this rifle.
I have a 30-30 with a scope that swings to the side so you can use the iron sights. Imo, the more recoil the more fun
I was looking for those for my Marlin. How well do they hold zero?
@@gierhedd75 mine holds about 4 inches at 100 yards
A nice Williams peep sight would do fine. They work for old eyes, and look good on a lever gun.
I am a scope guy but when it comes to lever action I say iron sites only. However, each to their own. 👍🏼
I hear you
Well said,
Depends on the scope, I've seen some huge scopes that just dont even look right mounted on marlins before, they had them mounted as far forward as they could and it was still sticking so far back in their face I dont know how they didnt bash themselves in the eye every time they pulled the trigger, I put a small scout scope with an illuminated reticle on mine and I love it but my eyes are bad and I have a hard time focusing using irons.
A 1to5 leopold magnum scope works great with 45/70 as with lever guns as it gives quick acquisition and good eye relief. You do get what you pay for. In 1979 I purchased a Remington 8mm Magnum and a 2.5 to 8 leopold scope the 8mag is a shoulder breaker. I zeroed to 300yrds,in all these years I have never had to rezero. It traveled all over Alaska,fell off a horse in Wyoming got dents on it . Still going strong.
I have a 2-7 Leupold vx2 on my marlin 45-70. I am shooting a 320 home cast bullet. Off a rest it groups in about an inch at 100 yards. In a 5 shot group a few are always touching or in the same hole. It is a fun rifle to shoot and I’m not worried about running out of bullets because I can always make more, and the recoil is not so bad with the weight and speed I’m shootings at.
I’m glad I am not the only one with these problems sighting in new scopes🤦♂️
If you can't decide, it'll give you an excuse to buy another rifle to do the opposite.
Hell Yeah!
YES!!!! Now that's what everyone should do!!!!!🤣🤣
@timmybmn instead of selling a spare magazine on EBay for a savage 99c I traded 25 years ago, I was at my ffl last night picking up a 99c.
@chris mclaughlin my favorite all purpose hunting rifle is my 1963 savage 99f in 308.
I had a 2x Leopold barrel mounted on my 94 Winchester 30 30 Loved it.
My 45-70 has a vortex red dot
Nice!
My Marlin 1895 has a Leopold 1x4 "Pig Plex" reticle that is fantastic in low light brush conditions.
i have a 45.70 and a 3×9 red field and the bullet over lap
Great information thank you my friend
I have a Marlin 444 with Skinner sights I'm good to 100 yards. I did put a 3-9X40
With the parallax adjustment /AO it makes a huge difference and you don't need to spend a lot either I was good to two hundred yards I probably could have gone further but I didn't try . I don't hunt anymore because of wounds sustained while in service and I don't like the blood sport anymore. But I'm pro hunting and would to feed my family. If I did hunt I would put the scope back in a heartbeat because of my old eye's. I reload 7 different calibers so I have lots of AMMO. I bet those rounds are $4.00 each crazy. I've been saving ammo for years and the reloading helps a lot. These rifles aren't fun to shoot I like the stock pad that would help. Great video thanks.
Got 2. Both are scoped. Both are shooters. Good video. Limbsavers are a must. 3 bullets through 1 hole is not rare at all.
You're young by my years, use your eyes now. You have shown, a great "Shootist " ability. After 40 then yeah all things eventually go south. Just use the "force" until 40. Lol 😆
Amen to that! Now I know why my grandfather cut down the stocks on so many of his rifles so that he could still shoot right handed, but could use his left eye. The Monte Carlo stocks pushed him the wrong way IIRC.
LOL Some things get bigger, some smaller but everything gets wrinkles.
The best movie that features a Marlin 95, 45-70 with a scope is "Wind River". Great movie.
The scopes moving internally, the big 45/70 really generates a lot of vibration and recoil. You need a good shock proof scope on that beauty. Great video wtw . enjoyed it God bless you and your family
For that round I want a scope! A really tough scope, with stainless steel everything welded solid! A solid granite reticle! It’s a thumper! My dad’s 336 is a 1951 model. It’s a waffle top and I’m not gonna get it drilled or tapped for a scope. But there’s a set of peep sights that mount on the side, on screws built for that style of sight.
Iron sights for me are best . Never miss with my 30 .30 . Had a scope on it and couldn't hit crap . I live in brush country on the western banks of the Mississippi river and if you've ever been here you know what I mean . Wisconsin rocks ! The brush cutter kills !
I blew the reticle out of a mid grade scope with a 35 Wheelen. The 45-70 has similar if not greater recoil.
You gun... Put what you want on it. 45-70 is my favorite caliber. Time to start reloading.
Gotta love 4570
I like iron sights just for the challenge, inventive to put that scope on but year it is rattling with that 4570!
Just a heads up you probably already know this but if you wrap the stock in a soaked towel with boiled linseed oil and torch it enough to get it good and hot without setting it on fire of course lol you can manipulate the wood cast off slightly and down far enough to get the toe off your shoulder and fit it into the crotch of your arm you will have a very different experience and save your shoulder, you can form it as slowly as you want as long as its wet with oil and hot, just let it sit for a while after so it stops springing back and its still a great fit, its an old wingshooter and safari rifle trick and it really works great, alot of the older gunsmiths did it to high end over and under, and big bore safari rifles you might be able to find someone who can do it for you if you're not comfortable doing it yourself, anyway I hope you have a great night, and I hope it may help if you want to bother with it, i learned practicing on an old shotgun with walnut and my grandfathers helpful insight.
Y'ALL DO YOUR THING.THATS WHY I WATCH Y'ALL. ITS RAW OR JUST FUN.👍👍👍👍👍
I have a scope on my 1895 GBL and I love it . It has a long eye relief and I have a 1.25" group sighted in 2.5" high at 100yrds. Also with Hornaday ammo. I enjoy this rife and use it now more than anything I own. Unless I'm shooting long range areas it's my go to now...
Plenty of 45-70 on the shelf where I live in Australia Who Tee. All different weights. 300,325,405,410. I have one of those marlin dark series. Beautiful rifle.👌🏻
Back when I could see a little better. I did not use scopes but as I have aged I see a little better with one. I have had scope on a lever action it was good. I still have my very first 22 caliber rifle. It’s a Lever Action that was made for Western Auto stores. Got it at tenth birthday and I am 65 now. Also have a 20 gauge single barrel that I got at 8 years old. And it is a Western Auto store gun. Thanks for sharing
For me, the best 2 things about the Limbsaver are 1) it’s also an eyeball saver if you tend to get too close to the scope, and 2) it increases length-of-pull, and distance from the scope, which helps my viewing through the scope. I actually have one on my 17 hmr!
I have a stainless 1895 Guide Gun with a Leupold VX2 2-7 on it, love it! I get sub MOA 100 yard groups consistently with my handloads using IMR4198 and 350gr Hornady RN.
No scope for me, skinner peep sight works very well, and looks damn good too
I hate I missed the premiere. Catching up today. There comes an age when you need optics. When I find a 45-70, I plan on putting a Sig Whiskey3 3-9x40 on it. I have one on my .450 BM and love them.
Appreciate you watching Kevin
I own that same 45-70 AND that same Limb Saver! It is ESSENTIAL for shooting a 45-70 for SURE! It makes it kick like a 20 Gauge, instead of an elephant gun!
Awesome!!!
I never expect too much from factory ammo as long as it hits in a kill sized circle of 8 - 10 inches. Factory rounds are loaded to reliably feed and operate in a variety of different guns and chambers. If I'm going for moa or sub moa groups I handload. By doing that I can turn out identical ammo that's tailored to my specific rifle, even down to fireforming the cases to my chamber. Plus I can pick and choose the bullets and powder that works best in my rifle.
As for the scope....most lever guns were never intended to be 300 yard guns. They were carbine sized brush guns intended for short ranges 50 - 100 yards.
I've used my model 94 in areas where it's thick and it works great for that.
Non-branded WHAT?!?!?! You got me laughing.
A big objective scope 1-4x illuminated with mildots or similar to allow You to shoot at different ranges from 25 to 150 meters ( 30 to 170 yards).
Possibly as the barrel heated up the impact point changed.
I usually let the barrel cool after a few shots. Your gun is shooting minute of deer already. Thanks for video!
What about maybe upgrading the front sight to fiber optic?
I threw a Bushnell Banner on my Henry in 45-70 and it made it a lot more fun to shoot.
If hunt bush then (no) . If hunt fields then ( yes )
Eezactly !
This is why I love my Savage Scout rifle with a scout scope. See target, raise rifle, shoot target. So freaking cool with both eyes open and never getting lost in the scope.
Love how you say the 45-70. Only reason I bought one
I have the same limbsaver for my old single shot 12 gauge. Glad I bought it.
The way you change scopes around, does it really matter? If it has one this week, come next week, not so sure... HaHa!
Ha!!!!
Lol
Thanks for the tip on the limbsaver. I ordered it from amazon, but think I ordered the wrong one "small/medium". Checked Brownells and they have the "small" so will see what happens with my amazon "cancel order". I am 64 years old. I can either quit doing something I love or scope my lever guns, my Mosins, my National Match Garand. I am scoping my life-loved guns so I can enjoy shooting again. Someday some Doctor is going the make a million developing shooting glasses for those of us that wear bifocals so we can continue using iron sights.
A trick I learned back in the 70's for sighting in a new scope: Start at 25 yards to zero in, then out to 100 yards to fine tune. Of course one must use a ballistics chart to figure out just how high one wants shoot at 100 yards as a mmmm - 270 is not the same as a 45-70. The 25 yard thing makes it real easy to get a great start and works every time. If anyone tries this method, let me know how u like it.👍
Aim center 100 yards or meters. Shoot one. Fix the gun, aim center again and without moving the gun turn the scope to the impact of the shot. Done.
The only .45-70 I shoot is a H&R single shot. The guy I bought it off had a scope, but I ended up taking it off and replacing the rear buckhorn with a peep sight. I am shooting a 4 inch group at 100 yards with either 405 grain or 325 grain Leverevolution ammo.
It's your rifle who tee I like it either way thanks for another really fun video 👍👍👍👍👍 always look forward to your show
I had issues with my 45-70. It did trash a cheap scope. I put a better scope and was real glad to see your groups were no better than mine. These guns aren't tack drivers, they don't exactly have to be. Mine was so inconsistent that I was beginning to think something was wrong with it. Watching your groups shows me it's just the nature of these and nothing specifically wrong with mine. The scope I put on mine is a scout scope, I really like how fast I can pick up a target with it. The limb saver is worth every cent.
I ve got the aimpoint accro on my marlin sbl 45/70 it s perfect
Personally I like irons on my lever and encore 500 S&W with ghost ring. Works great where I hunt usually only get 30-50 yard shots super thick woods. But scopes are sweet also 🤷♂️👍👍
Lots of times the ammo can throw you off. I thought the lever stuff was a better load but maybe not. As far as the scope goes heck yeah. Why not have the advantage in the deer woods. Heck I got a scope on my turkey gun.
I shoot .30-30. LeverRevolution DEFINITELY has less drop over distance. But, for me, it grouped like a carnival BB gun....After playing with about 10 different cartridges, I found Hornady American Whitetail was my favorite. Grouped in my rifle, got some really good, clean kills (heart looked like cooked taco bell meat in a blender), good stuff.
I have a Cabella's brand caliber specific on my 45-70 Marlin, I got my best groups with Winchester Super X 300gr. (About 1 11/2 inch group). I have Tried Hornady, Federal and Winchester factory loads as well as my 300gr hard cast handloads.
They do pack a punch !! Have been waiting to put a scope on the one I have . Have a great day !!!
Remember that ol 4570 burns alot of powder and the barrel isnt freefloated cos of the magtube underneath, so when the barrel heats up the metal expands and the tube underneath dont expand with it, practically bending the barrel a pinch downward.. groups like that is common with rifle/shotgun combos where the barrels are fixed together when you start sighting the rifle barrel in.. let the gun sit and get cold again 15-20 mins with the pipe skyward and action open to let it all cool down properly and take a coldbore shot to confirm point of impact :)
Scope is the way go !!! I had one on my Marlin stainless steel guide gun. It preformed well for a Cheap scope...haha yeah..😜😆
I didn’t get a notification on this one and I can’t remember what or when your videos are on. My memory is bout gone.
I like scopes but on lever guns if they have a straight stalk its a no go but with a more pistol stile grip what ever it takes to shoot straight
My younger years and keener eyes did not require a scope. Now at 56, things have changed and my 1895 45/70 has a Weaver K 2.5, and things are great again.
I was an iron sight only type person until I put a scope on a 22 and saw where I was hitting at 100 yards. I stay around 50 yards. I can't hit a penny at 50 yards with iron sights or a red dot, but I can when I got "ALL THE ZOOMS".
I do know I want something chambered in 45-70 and have for years, I just haven't seen anything under $1200ish that is in stock.
Honestly. I have a scope on mine right now, got a doe last hunting season at about 100 yards. Before that I tried a red Dot and got two...the red Dot was a lot of fun and works really well with lever guns
My 1895 loves those LeverRevolutions. I did well at 100 yds open sights when I first got it. I don't know about now.
Scopes are one thing where you absolutely get what you pay for. I had a scope just like that given to me and had it on a .270 until recently when I sold the gun. I shot it quite a bit right before I sold it just to make sure it was on and the new buyer would be happy with the gun. Then I took the scope off and literally threw it in the trash can. It was junk, I could outshoot it at 250 yards with the open sights on the rifle. With that said I've got several cheap Walmart ( Center Point ) Scopes on other rifles that shoot lights out. But at least they are proud enough of them to put their name on them.
I have scopes on most of my rifles. Including my 30-30 lever action. I need all the help I can get to see longer distance. Wearing glasses with bifocal is a bit more of a challenge
Yes! It should
It's all about personal preference, on lever guns I prefer iron sights. I like fiber optic on the front, if not, I paint the front orange or green fluorescent.
My 1895G guide gun in 45-70 shoots almost identical to that at 100 yds. Nice gun. WHO-TEE-WHO
The 325 grain ammo of this brand packs an awesome wallop! I like red dot Vortex on all my lever guns....
Goue absolutely right 45-70 will put a woop ass on you because i shoot minw all the time!,& and my wifw don't want me to scope my Henry 45-70 says it'll ruin the looks , but i want to scope it i like how yours looks great even with the cheap scooe on it thanks for your time keep up with your good work you do.
good quality scope are so much a peace of mind.
Thank you for limbsaver because I think they can customize that a lot better
I have 61 years old eyes and need a scope. Besides, the average person needs a scope to reach way out there to 1000 yds. You’re great with a gun, so it’s not shooter error. I’d get a better scope, one that’s rated to take the punishment of a 405 grain 45-70, and has the correct graduated military markings on the optics for the 45-70. Also, Change out the trigger to lesson that pull, you might be flinching and hence are fighting that trigger. The accuracy you displayed is more than enough for the northern Minnesota/Wisconsin woods: our average shot is 100 yards or less. And get match-grade ammo or press your own. I love taking a well made bullet, an 1886 Winchester with a comfortable butt pad, a high end scope, a trustworthy spotter, and laying them in there with a minute between shots (to let the barrel cool down) at 600 yards. It’s a great way to relax during a day off with a buddy. I took both a spike buck and a 300 lbs bear last year with my 45-70. Both animals died where they were shot because of the energy of the 45-70.
Haft to work but will definitely look for it on break!!! I love my 45/70 !! Have a great day!!
Thanks for watching Timothy
2” grouping with 45-70 is pretty awesome, and would take your deer out to 200yds if necessary. Scope or no scope, it is your gun and if you want the scope on it, I have no issues with it.
Nice video who-tee….…..you run that lever action the way you want to, I do the same thing so im not chasing brass either….when I’m blistering the deer then I’m jacking the lever action……you might want a little better scope, that rifle was really jumping off the rest….
Exactly Larry! I'll slap it hard in the deer woods