Is the 45-70 particularly hard on scopes? Recommend a cheap/tough one

[bigoledude]

My friend had two scopes fail horribly on his 45-70 Buffalo Classic.  Because I am having a ton of trouble with the peep-sights on my BC, I would now, like to have a scope mounted on it.  Because I am also on a very fixed income I would like to find one that is around $100.00 dollars.

Is there an inexpensive scope that can take-a-lickin'?

[bighoof]

I personally have Nikon pro staffs on my 45-70, 35W, and my new 444 marlin. I got a Nikon 2-7x32 coming for my 44 mag handi I bought this week. You can pick up one for under 150 on E-bay. Cabelas has them on sale too.  I also use Warne Maxima rings too.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Nikon-Pro-Staff-Riflescope/729045.uts?destination=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D104752080%22

[Andy_P]

Under $100?  You might want to look at a fixed-power shotgun scope, or a Red Dot.  My NEF in 500 S&W busted a scope, but the Red Dot I replaced it with is holding up fine.

[Darreld Walton]

I've had really good performance on hard kickers from the old steel tubed Weaver scopes.  Keep your eye out for a good used one, sometimes on rifles in the used racks.  Should be able to pick one up for around $50, sometimes even with rings on it.  If it ain't what you want, wait a spell, something that suits your needs WILL show up. 
With all the new whiz-bang stuff out there, sometimes shop keepers would rather sell a rifle without one of those "old" scopes on it so they can make a sale on a new one.  Just a thought.  I've got an old K2.5 on my 45-70 BC at the moment, and like it a LOT.

[thejanitor]

On both of our 45-70 Handis we have Bushnell trophy 3-9 scopes. They can be found used, but do go on sale for around your price. Some kick about the name and quality, I believe these are every bit as clear as my Vari-x III, but the varix-III is a 50mm and does gather more light.
Your classic should even have better scope life being a longer barrel with more weight to the gun.
I have had no problem with any of mine but someone told my buddy to be real careful with his simmons 44 mag scope as they can be ruined easily.... I have a simmons 44 mag I bought used and it has performed very well also. But this is on a different caliber gun.
Good luck,  thejanitor

[cwlongshot]

In a word, NO. At least no mores than other centerfire hunting caliber.  Especailly when you take into consideration the added weight of the BC, as someone prev mentioned.

IMHO scopes are not a place to skimp. I understand costs and good glass can be costly. But also as mentioned good used glass can be found for just above your budget. Personally I pretty much just buy Leupold VXII and the older Vari XII scopes. My favorite in the 2x7. I have bought many for just over a hundred. They carry a lifetime warrenty. Just send them back if your worried about the inner workings. You will never regret quality glass on your rifle

 Also get quality mounts. Leupold, Warne and Burris all make an excellent, handi friendly ring. That will hold zero and togather eliminate the question about your scope or it's mount.

CW

[Ranger J]

A lot depends on how heavy you load that puppy.  I have hve a Simmons scope on my Handi for years but I shoot only Trapdoor loads and my 06 and 308 kick more than my 45/70.

RJ

[Old Fart]

A while I posted a question about those Federal Intensity Scopes you see on Sportsmansguide dot com.
No one had much experience with them so I decided to pick one up and run it thru the paces.
It cost somewhere in the $60-$70 range. I put in on my 45-70 BC and took it to the range.
I ran about 45 of my homecast 405gr thru it.
It held up pretty good. No movement, stayed true.
I haven't got to take it out and try the 500gr yet.
I probably won't shoot 45 of those........

The one I got was the one made by Weaver for them.

[gendoc]

simmons makes a couple shotgun scopes that can hold up to the 45/70 with levergun loads

cdnnsports.com  had the 2.5x20 sg scope for less than $35 shipped, maybe it was cheaper !!!
i know tim talked about them awhile back.  i have 2 on muzzleloaders

also simmons has a 4x32 pro-diamond master series shotgun scope that performs excellent
with a quick focus eyepiece.and that is a plus !!!!!!
i believe they sell for around $50.... which is a very good, clear and holding scope.
i have 5 of these on various rimfires and large bore centerfires.
caught them on sale at wally's few years ago for $40 !!!!
and i bought one used from a member here recently.

i have my share of luepolds (9) and they are hard to beat.  but for the economy
minded hunter these days (like me) ......the simmons sg scopes steals tha show.

bushnell's, nikon and weavers are very nice too.

all are great for what there intended for  

[xit]

I am with CW.  Even with a short cash flow one is likely better off saving for quality optics.  The peace of mind is worth a lot.  I put this VXII 1-4 on my buffalo classic and have been using it this deer season.  It has given me much pleasure and I have noticed several times feeling that trust in my scope feeling with no doubt as to the zero.  Hopefully my faith in Leupold scopes won't change.  I mounted the scope with medium Leupold rings which are awesome strong. The compact scope design and long eye relief both work very well and it looks good too.  Resale value should be considered as well.  A cheap scope off a rifle has very little value.  A higher end scope is an investment. IMO

[manatee1947]

I have had good luck with the Simmons shotgun scopes also. I have a Simmons pro-diamond 4 power scope (fixed power) on my 500 . I use the weaver #82 mount which has the slots spaced just right that the rings are located right at the bells of the scope so they cant slip. The scope is clear and sharp, and is designed for turkey shotguns so it can take a pounding. They are about $65, and the weaver mount is less than $10.

[gendoc]

yeah manatee,   thats it....pro-diamond.  i knew it had anuther name  
ain't they jus fine thangs ?
50 bucks about 3-4 years ago....IIRC

that rear end focus is tha stuff, ain't it

[coues2506]

I have a Bushnell Legend 2x7 on my light 45-70 Handi - been on 5 years and no problems - very bright and sharp too. I shoot top end Trapdoor 405gr loads.

[petemi]

I bought my Handy .45-70 used about 5 years ago.  It came with a Simmons 3-9x50 Whitetail.  I left it on and it has done really well.  I'm currently shooting Remington 405s at 1950 fps.  It's right there at 300 yards.  I can't ask for more than that.

Pete

[spikehorn]

I have a Simmons pro diamond on one of my 45-70s and its sighted in with the Hornady LE rounds and have had no problews with it. I have 4 or 5 of these on various guns and really like them. I would suggest spending a little extra and getting the master series, I think the glass is a bit clearer. Also the Bushnell banner 1.5x4.5X32 or 3X9X40.

[gendoc]

roger that !!! on tha master series.... all of mine are
i had to go get one to see when manatee said pro-diamond.... to make sure its that, and there all master series too    if they can take a 3" buckhammer slug outtava 12ga... they gotta be tough.
way more than my shoulder can handle

[S.E.Ak]

Two Simmons Pro Diamond and no problems,find them under shotgun scopes

[spikehorn]

I should've bought them up when wally world had them on clearence for $40 as it is I've gotten most of my pro diamonds off the optics classifieds here on GBO for 40-50

[gendoc]

that was one athem blasts from tha past kinda deals... i always check out the
scope clearance after the season... hope'n to get more of'um. 

[spikehorn]

Haven't seen them at the walmarts around here since that one time they were there a few years ago.

[gatersb]

+1 for shotgun scopes

i dont want to be anywhere near the scope when it goes off ive seen what happens.  But if you dont crawl scopes like i do your fine. 

[LONGTOM]

On hard kickers like the 45-70, 444, 450, 445, 454, 460 I have had no problems with any of the following so far.
Simmons Aetec (old style) not the new master series, I won't use them!
Simmons Whitetail classic
Bushnell Dusk to Dawn
Old Weaver steel tube
Leos
Nikon Pro Staff
Traditions
Weatherby Supreme
Old Redfeild
Burris
About any brand shotgun scope

These range from a low of $89.00 to around $189.00 new for all but the Leo and the Weatherby which were bought used for $100.00 and $210.00.



LONGTOM

[bikerbeans]

Hi,

I have a New Redfield Revolution scope on a 32" BC rechambered to 45/120.  I shoot stout to very stout loads in this gun and have several hundred rounds downrange and no issues with this scope.  My scope is a 4x12x40 which is little over your budget but I think you could find a 2x7x33 Redfield for close to $100. 

Good luck with you BC.

BB

[upnorthbacon]

We've used bushnells for the last 10 years and never experienced a problem with any of them.  Although they may not collect light as well as the nikon's we use, they are fantastic scopes for the money.  If your on a budget they are first class!

[mechanic]

Another vote for the Pro Diamond.  I have one that looks like it's been run over by a truck from being used and dragged through brush and bounced around in the truck.  Works great.  No problems.

Any decent fixed power scope will probably work.  Most of the scope problems I have had were with multi power cheap glass.

Ben

[cwlongshot]

One thing for people to remember. Proper scope mounting is as lo as possible. This is tough on a handi as it's got a hammer. It's tougher still with obnoxiously large objectives and power controls.

I read allot of guys suggesting Bushnells. I agree they make a good, value priced, quality product, but lets face it, it is NOT handi friendly! The same goes for scopes with those huge objectives. Your kidding your selves if your thinking that a 100$ scope with a 50mm obj offered better light transmittion than a quality, Nikon, Leupold, hi end Bushnell ETC costing twice as much, with only a 32mm. It's just not so. Quality glass and coatings trump, big, lo quality glass, everytime.

Don't get me wrong, if you like the look of a hi mounted, large obj scope. Ergonomics be damed, as long as you don't mind craning your neck to see thru your scope. Then also never complain of erratic or poor groups. Go for it.
Me, I'll stick with a quality scope, mounted to the barrel in quality mounts.
That's just the way I roll .

CW

[Sourdough]

Over the years I have learned to stay away from cheap scopes.  They don't hold up.  Stay with name brands that have a warrenty.  Bushnell, Burris, Lupold, or something simuler.  I love my Night Force.

Now for my 45-70 Handi.  I have a Bushnell 3X9, holding up fine.  I have a Burris on my 30-06, that has taken a beating, still good for 500 yard shots.

[geezer56]

Another one to consider is the Swift.  I have 5 or 6 of them, the Premier 1.5X4.5X32 with the diamondX reticle is my favorite, it's on a 45LC I put together.  I gave $80 for that one, used,at a pawn shop. Have a 3X9X40 on another 45-70, and one on the 500 S&W.  It has taken a pounding and no issues, I paid $30 for it at a gun show, from the well used pile on a table.  Stay away from the low end Simmons and Tasco units, they can get their guts knocked out pretty easily.  The 500 knocked the crosshairs out of a cheap 3X9X32 Simmons in 3 shots.