Need help selecting a scope for a 45-70

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Rich 10mm

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I’m getting the new Marlin 1896 Dark Series in 45-70 govt. It’ll be a low magnification power set out on the pic rail pretty far up (kinda like a scout rifle). Here’s the question I’m hoping somebody has some insight into. I’ll be developing 2 load. A 250 to 300 grain supersonic sledgehammer load, and a heavy 400-500 grain subsonic load. Does anybody know of any scopes that have dual reticles that can be zeroed independently?
 
I would mount this, or something like it conventionally. You'd have 4+" of eye relief and much better optics than a scout scope. This is about the least expensive option, but any Leupold is going to be pretty tough and what I'd put on a 45-70.

https://www.swfa.com/leupold-15-4x20-vx-freedom-riflescope-178471.html?___SID=U

If your budget will allow it you can go with more expensive versions. They make them with illuminated reticles, and with multiple aiming points if you want to use them. At 50-100 yards there probably won't be enough difference in POI to matter with those loads. Maybe if you plan to shoot at 200-300 yards it will matter.

I find 1X or 1.5X with a conventionally mounted scope to be as fast, or faster than any other options. 4X is more magnification than you can use with 45-70.

Another similar option with a different reticle.

https://www.swfa.com/leupold-15-4x20-vx-freedom-riflescope-178472.html?___SID=U

Or with all the bells and whistles.

https://www.swfa.com/leupold-1-25-4x20-vx-r-patrol-30mm-riflescope.html?___SID=U
 
I have a Burris Fullfield E1 on my 45-70. It’s held up well so far. I’m not sure what to do about your 2 loads. When I change loads (I have 2 I go back and forth with) I rezero. I know roughly what the adjustments are, so it only takes 4 or 5 rounds. Usually.
 
I have found scout setups to be much hyped and offer very little for that hype other than being able to retain the receiver sights which is a non starter IMO when a low power optic is involved and/or the rifle has conventional barrel mounted sights.

Normal receiver mount 1-4x20, 1.5-5x20, or fixed 2.5x20 Leupolds are what I recommend and would be my own choice if I was in your position. I have 1.5-5x20 Vari-X III on my Marlin 444, 45-70, and 20 ga slug gun. I have a 1-4x20 on my Marlin 1894 44 mag rifle.
 
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Dual reticle optics are sufficiently rare such finding a dual reticle SCOUT scope... well, I wouldn’t want to be so selectively pigeon-holed into the ONE product on the market which meets that particular requisite combination.

I’ll echo those above - Scout scopes sound like a great plan, but ultimately tend to suck in application.

Dual Reticle options are also illogical for me, especially in this application. The subsonic load won’t be a long range option, nor will the supersonic load, really, so given those circumstances, I would buy an LPVO I liked which has a milling reticle and knob type turrets (opposed to coin operated machines), capped or exposed either one. I’d zero the optic for the supersonic primary load and simply dial to the subsonic zero. A data card could be modified to reflect the correction from zero (or simply managed by using the zero offset in your calculator app), or you can simply hold-over in the reticle for the sub-load, as appropriate and preferred.

Or, have two scopes - one zeroed for each, if you wouldn’t plan to swap on the fly as often.
 
VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20 AR

This one is just one that pretty well fits @Varminterror's suggestion. You can either dial in elevation for differing loads using the exposed turrets or use the ballistic reticle for holdover reference.
 
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