Marlin 1895SS .45/70: To scope or Not?

[GunNut]

Just picked up a like new condition Marlin 1895SS 22" .45/70 for hunting here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

The plan is to use this for blacktail deer, elk and black bear.

So should I scope it or not? If so, what magnification and brand do you recommend?

My budget is $200 or less for a scope.

 

[Macgille]

It depends on your eyes. I shot mine with iron sights for a while, but then I put a 4 power scope on it because my eyes are not so good anymore. The rifle was very accurate with the scope and if you buy a good quality scope, it can be very rugged.

 

[GunNut]

My eyes are still pretty good.

The other option is to go with some type of ghost ring rear with a hi-viz front site.

The gold bead just is not cutting it for me.

 

[Gator]

I have an XS scout mount and a red dot on mine. It is a great set up

 

[GunNut]

Gator,

On the full size gun or the guide gun?

Do you have any pictures?

 

[Gator]

Mine is the guide gun. No pics, but it looks exactly like the first pic on the XS page (only with a red dot sight). The XS ghost ring sights are excellent too.