had some problem dusk shooting my 18" 45-70, do not know if my bifocals gave me the problem or if it was the lighting. Gave some thought on mounting not a high power fixed but possibly a fixed low power. What exactly is available for a handy unobtrusive optic? 1x perhaps? Thoughts of f.o.v. is questionable. What do you think of the red dot but that cannot help I'm sure. Aging has its definitive drawbacks. I can shoot just fine either my handgun or my selection of rifles during normal lighting. My scoped guns are not a problem either, just wondering how I can gain better use of my lever gun or is it too late? :p Darn. I am seemingly always counted on making the questionable shot but know maybe I have take a step back- peer pressure is becoming a reality. ha.

Well I've found that the wider the field of view reguardless of the power. For a short range gun like your 45-70 I would look at the 1.5 to 5's or such. I've found that I've got to take my glasses off to shoot the scope effectivly.

I went to an aimpoint for my 7.5 inch Super Redhawk 44 magnum just because of the eye's problem your talking about. It has no magnafication and is quick and fast. I can shoot it with both eyes open and that really helps near dusk or right at dawn.

As far as "making that questionable shot" I don't know what to tell you. I do know that my "how far do I shoot limit" has gotten closer in the last few years. I do know that I can take a deer comfortably to 50 yards with open sights and a hundred with the red dot.

I know that in the last few years my son and granddaughters are pointing out game that I failed to see, so there you go, pretty personal choice.

Have had a couple of true 1X scopes...still have a T/C 1X scope in the closet. Thing is, a true 1X makes things look like they shrunk...can proove it isn't so, but it gives that illusion every time. Seems to take something like 1.2 or 1.25X to get what your mind sees as a normal size.

OR..for a true 1X, could look to the red dot electroic sights.

Personally, I like fixed power scopes...but realizing I'm in the minority, would recommend a good low powered variable...something wihh a LOW end of 1.5 - 1.75 and a high end at 4.5 - 5X.

Would also stick to a lighter weight scope for two reasons.
First, the lighter the scope the easier it is to keep it from moving on a hard kicking gun. Second, Marlins tend to mount scopes a bit high and this cahges the ballance of the rifle a bit...lighter scope changes it less.

As suggested, a low power varible would do the trick. I have Bushnell Banner 1.5x4.5 on my 444. Also you might want to look into the scout scope concept. While not for everyone, a lot of people fall in love with it.

Have one of the "old" Redfield 1.75x5 Widefield's mounted on my Marlin 45-70. Has a very fine crosshair and dot. Probably not the kind of reticle you're interested in, but the f.o.v. is pretty wide in it. Fast acquistion down on the lower end and POI doesn't shift with power settings.

Might look around at the latest offerings by the scope makers. I'm sure the newer glass offered with all the latest coatings and reticle styles will be much more scope for the money.

thanks fellas,
I see the "high" end problem with mounting on the receiver scopes of both designs, vari and fixed, I have considered the red dot and do not know a thing about them except that acquisition is quick. I have strongly considered the "IER" mounting system but all of this takes away from what I desired in the rifle in the first place. "Give and take" I suppose. Again, this like you say is "personal", more than likely buy the IER setup and see what and how this works. Doesn't matter what you have if you are charged that close albeit a hooved or claw critter anyways, just point and shoot and get the **** out of the way and shoot somemore if you have the opportunity. Something else eh?

I have a Leupold 2.5x Scout Scope on my 1895G. I can't say enough good things about this set up, especially after I had Leupold put in the heavy duplex reticle. This combination gives a wide field of view, and works great in wooded areas in dim light, even for aging eyes.

I also like the low powered variables for the same reasons. I have a Leupold 1.75-6x on a .308 that's great in the deep woods. Same thing for the shotgun scopes in the 1.75-5x and 2-7x range. These all have a wide field of view and long eye relief, particularly at the low power settings.

The scout type setup is very fast and probably the best for brush. What type of iron sights do you have? A peep sight might work. I favor the tang type.

The scout type setup is very fast and probably the best for brush. What type of iron sights do you have? A peep sight might work. I favor the tang type.
I have heard abit and nothing but good about that scout setup and awaiting the finances to swap over to it on my lever gun. The rear aperture that is now on it is and was made by WildWestGuns, if you never seen a pic of it, it is similiar I suppose to the protected wing style peep mounted and secured at top of receiver. With the 18" bbl I can at best only get a 100yd accurate range, it is elevated at max setting--but in the years past my ranges either for a true brush gun and camp gun if you will has worked wonderfully. I just need one shot if I can get it off. A couple of big grizz needed two but that was few.

I have a Leupold Vari-X II 1-4x20mm on my 1977 vintage Marlin 1895. I can keep both eyes open at 1x (actually 1.6x according to Leupold specifications) and get on target quickly for snap shooting. For woods deer hunting I don't think I have ever taken it off 1x.

I have to go with Jackfish on the Leupold 1-4........we use a lot of them down here in the swamps and islands..........James

i also agree about the Leupold 1-4X. huge field of view. look at the specs. it's gotta be the best scope at any price for this kind of work.

monty.

Ditto the Leupold 1-4X20. LOVE IT on my Guide Gun.

I was introduced to the forward-mounted-scope in the early 90's...aka known as the "Scout-Rifle" concept. It is the way to go in practical-riflecraft associatted with the "General-Purpose-Rifle" as taught to me by some very experienced hunters and riflemen. Get yourself a copy of the "Art of the Rifle" [COLOR-Edition] by Col.Jeff Cooper...available at Gunsite Press.

I have two-Steyr-Scouts...one in .308, and one in 375[6]Steyr.

It took me a long time to finally get my scout[s]...BUT well worth all the effort, time and money in more ways than I could ever imagine. I put the Scout-Rifle concept right up there next to my discovery of the proper deployment and management of the M1911-A1/.45ACP as taught to me by Colonel Cooper in the "Modern Technique" of the pistol.

I have had both reliable and excellent service from all my Leupold fixed power scopes in both the conventional and "scout" configuration[s].

GO WITH THE LOW-POWER MODELS...AND THE HEAVY-DUPLEX RETICLE.

I'm using a 2.5X Pentaax shotgun scope on my .357 Marlin and can recommend a similar setup.

Grizz

I have a Simmons 1 1/2 X 5 X 20 Pro Diamond shotgun scope on my .45-70 Guide Gun. $90 at Midway. Very compact. No front bell on scope. Good luck.

George

ordering the XS base and 2.5IER Leupold and am kind of wondering how reliable are the Leupold QR weaver style rings off/on on the Guidegun - still would like to have the peep system usable when I choose to.

I just ordered a 2x 30 mm red dot that Truglo came out with. fov @100 is 27. It's 8.8 oz. and 5.3" long. I was waiting for Red-Dot Magnification, because I REALLY like the 30mm I put on my 50 cal muzzle loader -- sub 2" groups at 100yds. and I can't wait to see how the 2x does on my 375 win! Anyway, there's a new item to throw into the discussion! good luck on your decision.

Grizz106.........I would take a real hard look at those Leupold SHOTGUN SCOPES if I were you! I have had one mounted on a couple of lever guns for working up loads (eyes aren't as good for long range iron sights either) then took them off for hunting under 75 yards in the hardwood.

I used the 2 x 7 power when I did this testing business with the lever guns. I also have the same type scope mounted on a couple of big bores as well, with over 400 shots going out of a .416 Rem mag and a .458 LOTT in a 4 year period. They are available in the 1 X 4 also and are a lot cheaper price wise too, with the same warranty on the product. Good Luck! :)

Grizz, I like the low power variables. Have a handful of them. Burris, Weaver (USA made V4.5) and Leupold and I like them all. For the money, you can not beat the Burris 1 3/4-5 x 20 or Leupold's Vari X-II 1-4 x 20. Eye relief, clarity, field of view, all are designed for fast acqusition. The Leupold 2-7 x 33 is very good too. Right now on my .416 Rigby is the Vari X II 1-4 x 20 and the backup if I ever need it is the Vari X III 1 1/2-5 x 20 and so far I don't think recoil will be my probelm if I ever need to go to it. Their VX I 2-7 x 33 has stood up to full house loads on my #1 .375 H&H and that sold me on the 1-4 X 20. The Burris is a fine cross hair and dot reticle so it went onto the Ruger #3 .22 Hornet where it just looks right and that dot! Poor Mr. Bunny... Check EBay for the Leupold 1-4 x 20. They go for about $200 used, but bidding is fierce.

gentlemen, thanks for the input. Recently mounted my Scout Scope and TC Maxima QR low mount rings and XS base on my Marlin GG. Vast visual improvement! Very happy with sight aquistiion.

I mounted a Burris Speed Dot 135 3MOA on my 444SS w/Ashley Scout Mount. The Burris is made with enough quality that it is working quite well enough to work up hand loads at 50 yd. It is perfect for my eyes (both eyes open is a good thing) and hunting in the thick stuff for deer as well as at night for hogs.

I prefer it over the traditional scout scope, but that is just me as my shots are almost always under 100 yd. I figure this set up will shoot as far as I can.

Dave :cool: