XS Ghost Ring vs. 1-4X scope

[Sierra Sherpa]

I posted my first thread earlier regarding the "Best Iron Sights" for my .45-70 Handi.  It's a pack gun I'll be carrying in the High Sierras.  Got a lot of good comments and have checked the FAQs where even more info resided.  Thanks for all the help.

Now I'm wondering if anyone has first-hand opinions on the XS Ghost Ring vs. a straight tube 1-4X scope.  This gun will not be used primarily for hunting (though I just might like it enough for that) but more as a pack rifle in the backcountry.  As I mentioned earlier, my buddy has been bluff charged a few times by ornery black bears and we'd like a little insurance if it happens again.  I did a search on the words "XS Ghost ring" and read lots of interesting comments, but so many dated back to '04, '05, '06 and '07. 

Was also hoping to see some pics of the XS sights and straight tube scopes on Handis.  Any help is appreciated.  Love the little gun and can't wait for the passes to clear so I can get out there with it and a good pack.

[cwlongshot]

Welcome and good morning!

I have a old H&R 12Ga I use as a camp gun too. I like it because it is a take down model from the early 1900's. But I have to say, its more for the two legged varmints or the kind that harass the chickens or climb in the garbage cans. If I knew Bears where the issue, a beloved H&R SS would be about the last choice I would consciously make. I realise its far better than nothing, but it sounds to me like you would be entering into a situation expecting a confrontation. Personally, I would avoid this scenario. If it was mandatory, one of my Remington 870 would be a first choice.

OK its your choice, I offered my opinions... As for a site on such a firearm. Open sites definitely! If you will be staking life and limb on something, it better work every-time NO QUESTION. That 870 of mine wears a custom rear peep that is very sturdy, it adjusts with "meshing teeth" and held to the receiver with weld and the peep adjusts with two screws. You could beat it against a wall and it would not move. The front site is welded to the barrel. Making it almost as sturdy.

Small fixed scopes can be mounted and quite durable. Many African hunters use them on "stopping rifles" for BIG dangerous game. But if you really look, most all PH's will have open sites and a double rifle. Personally, when I look at the ranges associated, peep sites are all that's needed. Both eyes open, instant target and site acquisition is a must. A scope would be slower, maybe just a little, but a little may make all the difference.

I have a set of XS sites on a 375 Marlin and like it very much. The sites are well made and sturdy.

Good luck with your choices,
 CW

[Shu]

I got to go with CW on this one. The single shot is not really a stoping rifle. It can and will do the job, but my life is worth a bit more. A nice pump 12 guage or a big marlin lever 45-70 would be better choices. A ghost ring or a very low powered scope, well what is your preference. A good man with a pump 12 guage and a slick barrel is still good out to 60 yards.

In my opinion a guy needs to practice some snap shots, some fast reloads and experiment around a bit.
Knowing your gun and limitations is far more valuable than the latest gadget.

Good luck with your hunt!!!

[Rustyinfla]

  I had a friend ( now passed away) that booked a grizzly bear hunt with a guide out west about 20 years ago. He was using his Marlin .45-70 while the guide's back up stopper was an H&R 12 ga with the barrel cut back to 22". They had quite a discussion about the guide's choice of a back up gun but he was quite convinced that he had the best gun for the job. He said it never jammed and he could hit out to 50 yards with it. He had witnessed other guns malfunction but had never had a problem with his H&R. He said the single bead front sight was also the quickest thing for him to get on target. It's all about knowing your gun.
   If I were making the choice of a 1-4X vs a ghost ring I'd go with the scope due to the extra help you get with the scope in low light conditions. For me a low power scope used with both eyes open can be fast as well.

[Sierra Sherpa]

Thanks for the insight fellas.  Our hope is to NOT have to use the gun and avoid trouble IF we can.  I bought the little gun after reading the many posts here...and because it's price was so attractive.

I should have mentioned that my buddy will carry a .30-30 Win. 94 with 170-gr. Corelokts or Power Points.  Most of the time our trips our uneventful so maybe it's too much hardware to worry about. 

I asked about the scope because the gun is sooooo "handy" that I'm considering using it for deer season, though my goal is to tag a buck with my Abbott longbow.  The pack guns are for our scouting trips in the backcountry.  I remember seeing CW's and other's collection of H&R ultra slug guns and would have gone that way but for the fact that you can't put rifle barrels on shotgun stocks (except blackpowder?), but can put shotgun barrels on rifle frames. 

Plus, I like the old "Gubment" round.  A few deer seasons back we got stopped by two young Wardens who asked to see our guns.  I had the Uberti 1885 Highwall (28" octagon barrel, Marble tang sight and really nice wood) and they kept looking and holding the gun.  When I showed them the rounds--I deer hunt with 300-gr. bullets and a healthy dose of Varget--they kinda went bug-eyed.  Not exactly your run-of-the-mill .270 scoped bolt gun.

[Saloon slug]

When I go out hunting my back up is a Ruger Vaquero in 45colt. Revolvers are just much faster to get into action then a long gun plus it is right there on your hip.

As to a fixed scope or sights I would go with a scope. My .308 wears a 4X fixed power that is very compact. Much better in low light conditions.

Not a straight tube but it is what I have. A cheap NCStar think it cost me $20 bucks but it has held up keeps zero and the glass is decent.

 

[Sierra Sherpa]

Nice gun Saloon Slug.  I actually started out looking at the .308 Survivor rifle.  I hunt with an 18-1/2" barreled Remington 788 in .308.  I got the .45-70 Handi for $269.99 in town.  No one stocked the Survivor and it ran for $300+.  Someday, I hope to still get the Survivor.  Can a $20 scope really be depended on?  It just flies in the face of that old adage, you get what you pay for.  Not arguing.  I'm just saying.  I like what you've done with the war paint!

[gcrank1]

Considering your 'pack-gun' concept, I would have to recommend open sites, probably one of those 'Tru-Glow' type front with a rather large double dot rear with lots of light on both sides of the front when viewed (the 'modern' version of the dangerous game express sights). Even a small scope is going to add a lot of bulk and in tight quarters I wouldnt want to have it there.
+1 that on the plain shotgun bead; point & pull, all instinct will win. The above is similar, and if you practice some point & pull you will not even see the sights while you might be referencing off of them.
You might even try some hip shooting. If you are surprised in the bush you wont get it to your shoulder.
BTW, do a bunch of practice without ammo first to get the feel of it. First get good, then get fast, then load it.
Or, practice some with a BB gun; the military used to for jungle work.

[Saloon slug]

Sierra
I thought the same thing about this cheap scope. I got it for use on our 22's when I got my Survivor I slapped it on just to launch a couple of rounds threw it. The combo now has 60 rounds under its belt and has spent lots of time knocking around the trunk of my car and in the back of jeeps. It is still going strong but then again not as much to go wrong with a fixed power as with a variable.