Scope for 1885 Winchester in 45-70

[snuffy789]

I bought a new Winchester 1885 in 45-70 and love it.
The idea was to try to stalk deer or elk witht he idea of taking them with open sights.
I have purchased, installed and sighted in a new Skinner Peep sight.
It is a very nice product and Andy is a dream to work with.
I have it zeroed it @ 2"' high at a hundred yards but with my 59 year old eyes I am not happy with the groups.
I know I am accustomed to some fine Zeiss and Leupold scopes and a peep sight is not near as accurate.

I feel like I am not giving this gun a fair chance and think I need to install a scope.

I am considering the Nikon Monarch 2x8x32 or Leupold VX3 in 2x7x33.

I do not plan to shoot over 200 yards.

What would you recommend for a beautiful 1885?

Thanks!

 

[wleoff]

I was in the same situation with my 1885 45-70, old eyes. I put the Leupold 2X7 on mine with the LR reticle. The hash marks come in handy. Just wish that I had found a gloss finished scope instead of the matte to match the 1885 better. I zeroed mine at 200 yards. Can't remember if it is a VX2 or VX3. Mine is an ultralight. I need to get a photo. Just wish that I had changed sooner.

 

[snuffy789]

Thanks!

 

[Robert]

I run a Weaver K4 on my Marlin 1895G. The 4x is plenty for out to 200 on an Elk, at least to my eyes. And being a fixed power I do not have to worry about what power I left it on if I need to make a fast shot.

But between the two you have listed it is really 6 one way 1/2 dozen the other.

 

[snuffy789]

Thanks!

 

[Limey46]

I had a Leupold VXII 2x-7x on mine and liked it a lot, but that was before I discovered the Leupold 1x-4x (gloss finish) and put one of those on all three of my hunting rifles. The bad news is that Leupold doesn't make them any more. The current model is a 1.5x-5x, in matte finish only -- still a great scope, but not quite perfect.

 

[snuffy789]

Yes - I think I need to go with Gloss for that rifle.

Thx

 

[Limey46]

http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-5x20-VX-3-Riflescope-P12631.aspx

IT seems I was wrong. Currently Leupold offers a VX-II in 1x-4x, matte finish only, but in the more expensive VX-III model they have a 1.5x-5x with a gloss finish. Link above.

 

[snuffy789]

Based on the feedback and discussions with 3 different Leupold techs I decided on and purchased a FX-II 4x33 Gloss and Leupold bases and rings. Should turn this nice gun into an efficient hunting machine up to 200 yards. Thanks!

 

[snuffy789]

scope for 1885

I shot my 1885 with new Leupold FX 4x33 and shot a 2" group of 5 shots at 100 yards. I am very pleased with the gun and scope with one reservation.

We had to turn the rear base backwards and it hangs over the breech slightly so that we could get the scope close enough to my eyes.

I guess this is common with a normal scope?

The only option is to get a scope with a loooooong rear end?

Any suggestions?

 

[wleoff]

My 1885 with a Leupold VXII 2X7 and Leupold rings and mounts.. No problem with eye relief.

 

[Dr T]

I like the Burris 2x7 with the P3 Reticule for that application and 59 year old eyes (and I know exactly what you mean).

However, I would observe that eyes our age with iron sights, the group size may well be a function of target selection for testing. For aperture sights, I prefer a big bullseye target and a distinct bead on the front. The bullseye should be big enough so that the bead is centered inside of it. The eye will naturally center the bead in the aperture, so don't worry about it. You can concentrate on centering the bead inside the bullseye. While I admit I can't get too much better than 2.5 inch groups, it works for hunting.

 

[eastbank]

on my browning low wall in 260 rem i put a 2x7 leupold, but i,m thinking of putting a 6x leupold on it, eastbank.

 

[SwampWolf]

I've got a Burris 3x9 Compact scope on my Browning 1885 Low Wall rifle, chambered in .223. To not lose any more of the handling qualities that this little single-shot rifle affords than I have to, I like to keep my scope as petite as possible without giving up anymore optical advantage than I have to.

However, with what the op has in mind-a deer/elk stalking rifle chambered in .45-70, with anticipated ranges limited to 200 yards and less, I think I'd go with something like a 1x5 variable or a fixed 4x scope.