In this article, Best Scopes for 45-70, we delve into the world of scopes and optics that pair well with the powerful .45-70 cartridge. This cartridge has been a favorite among hunters and shooters for decades due to its versatility and power, making it essential to choose a scope that can handle the recoil and provide clear, accurate aiming.
The .45-70 cartridge is a centerfire cartridge with a rimmed case and a bullet diameter of .458 inches. It is often used for hunting large game such as elk, moose, and bear, as well as for target shooting and cowboy action shooting.
The cartridge’s power and accuracy make it a popular choice for both short and long-range shooting. With this in mind, we aim to offer valuable insights and recommendations on the best scopes and optics that can bring out the best in a .45-70 Marlin firearm.
Why Scopes for 45-70 Marlin?
Scopes are an essential tool for accurate and precise shooting. When it comes to the Marlin 45-70, a good scope is necessary to take full advantage of the cartridge’s power and accuracy.
The power and recoil of this cartridge can make it difficult to aim and shoot accurately, especially at longer ranges. A good scope can help compensate for these challenges by providing clear, magnified images of the target, making it easier to aim and hit with precision.
A scope also makes shooting more comfortable and enjoyable. Scopes help reduce eye strain and fatigue, making it easier to shoot for extended periods.
They also provide a better sight picture, making it easier to see and aim at targets in low-light conditions.
Best Scopes for 45-70 Marlin Reviews
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Scope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Scope with UltimateSlam Reticle is a high-quality riflescope designed for hunters who demand precise, reliable, and durable optics. It has a magnification range of 3x to 9x, meaning it can zoom in on a target from 3 times closer to 9 times closer.
The VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm scope is built with Leupold’s renowned quality and durability. It is made of high-quality aluminum and features a scratch-resistant lens coating. The scope is also waterproof and fog proof, which makes it ideal for use in all weather conditions.
The objective lens diameter is 40mm, which determines the amount of light that enters the scope. The large objective lens allows more light, which can be beneficial in low-light conditions.
The UltimateSlam Reticle is designed specifically for muzzleloaders and shotguns. The reticle features a heavy outer post and a thin center crosshair, allowing for quick and easy target acquisition. The thick outer post provides fast sighting and improves accuracy, while the thin center crosshair helps with precise aiming.
The scope has a finger-adjustable windage and elevation turret, which makes it easy to make quick and precise adjustments to your aim. The turrets are also designed to be re-zeroed quickly and easily after sighting in the scope. Additionally, the scope has a fast-focus eyepiece that allows you to quickly adjust the focus to your eyesight.
The VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm scope is compatible with most rifles that have a Picatinny or Weaver-style base. It has a 1-inch main tube diameter, which is a common size for hunting scopes.
Pros
- The scope is built with high-quality materials
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Easy to adjust and focus
- It has a generous eye relief
Cons
- Higher price point compared to other similar scopes on the market
2) Vortex Optics Strike Eagle Riflescope
The Strike Eagle riflescope is available in several different magnification ranges, including 1-6x, 1-8x, and 5-25x. The objective lens diameter varies depending on the model, ranging from 24mm to 56mm. The larger objective lenses allow more light to enter the scope, providing better low-light performance.
The Strike Eagle riflescope is constructed with high-quality materials and features a shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof design, making it ideal for use in all weather conditions. The scope is made from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it lightweight and durable.
The lenses are coated with multiple layers of anti-reflective coatings, which provide clear and bright images.
The Strike Eagle riflescope features the Vortex AR-BDC3 reticle, which is designed for use with a variety of calibers and bullet weights. The reticle is illuminated and features holdover points for quick and easy aiming at different distances. The reticle is located on the second focal plane, meaning that its size remains constant as you change the magnification, for easier use.
The Strike Eagle riflescope features easy-to-use turrets for adjusting windage and elevation. The turrets are designed to be reset to zero after sighting in the scope, allowing you to make quick and easy adjustments in the field.
The scope also has a fast-focus eyepiece, which allows you to quickly and easily adjust the focus to your eyesight. It is compatible with Picatinny or Weaver-style base rifles.
Pros
- Constructed with high-quality materials
- Illuminated reticle
- Fog proof, and waterproof
- Easy to use
- Generous eye relief
Cons
- The larger objective lens diameters may result in a heavier and bulkier scope
3) Primary Arms Classic Series 6x32mm Rifle Scope
The Primary Arms Classic Series 6x32mm Rifle Scope features a fixed magnification of 6x, which provides a good balance between magnification and field of view for a variety of shooting distances. The 32mm objective lens diameter allows a good amount of light to enter the scope, providing clear and bright images.
The Primary Arms Scope features a simple and easy-to-use duplex reticle which is located on the second focal plane meaning that its size remains constant as you change the magnification. It is made with high-quality materials and features a shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof design.
The single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum construction makes it lightweight and strong, while the lenses are fully multi-coated to provide clear and bright images.
The Primary Arms Classic Series 6x32mm Rifle Scope features easy-to-use finger-adjustable turrets for adjusting windage and elevation. The turrets have tactile and audible clicks, which allows you to make precise and repeatable adjustments.
The scope has a 1-inch main tube diameter and generous eye relief, which makes it comfortable to use for extended periods of time.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof
- Easy to adjust
- Fast-focus eyepiece allows for quick and easy adjustments to the focus
- Generous eye relief
Cons
- The duplex reticle is not illuminated
4) UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope
The UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope is a versatile and affordable optic designed for a variety of shooting applications. It comes with a variable magnification of 3-9x, allowing you to zoom in on your target for more precise shots.
The scope’s 32mm objective lens diameter provides a good balance between light transmission and weight, making it suitable for a variety of shooting conditions.
The UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope features a Mil-Dot reticle, located on the second focal plane. The reticle is illuminated in both red and green and is adjustable for brightness, allowing you to use it in a variety of lighting conditions.
The UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope is constructed with high-quality materials and features a shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof design. The scope is durable and lightweight, and the lenses are fully multi-coated for clear and bright images.
The UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope features easy-to-use finger-adjustable turrets which have tactile and audible clicks, allowing you to make precise and repeatable adjustments. It also has a fast-focus eyepiece for quick and easy adjustments.
The scope features an adjustable objective (AO) lens, which allows you to adjust for parallax error. This is especially useful for long-range shooting, where parallax can cause the reticle to appear to move in relation to the target.
The UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope boasts a typical 1-inch main tube diameter that is widely used in riflescopes, and it offers ample eye relief for comfortable extended use. In addition, this scope is equipped with a built-in sunshade that minimizes glare and enhances image clarity in sunny conditions, and it also comes with flip-up lens caps that safeguard the lenses against potential harm and debris.
Pros
- Dual illuminated Mil-Dot reticle is suitable for a variety of lighting conditions
- Durable construction
- Shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof
- Easy to adjust
Cons
- Smaller magnification range
5) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Riflescope
Designed specifically for use with rimfire rifles, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Riflescope is a versatile optic that offers a variable magnification range of 2-7x.
This makes it ideal for close-range as well as medium-range shooting, with the low end of the magnification range facilitating quick target acquisition and the higher end allowing for more precise shots at greater distances.
The scope’s objective lens measures 32mm in diameter, providing a wide field of view that makes it easier to track moving targets or scan the surrounding area for the game.
The Crossfire II features a Second Focal Plane reticle that maintains the same size regardless of the magnification setting, making it ideal for shooting at varying distances. This type of reticle ensures that the shooter’s view of the target remains unobscured as they adjust the magnification.
Additionally, the scope’s turrets are finger-adjustable, allowing for quick and precise adjustments to the windage and elevation, with audible clicks providing feedback to the shooter.
Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, the Crossfire II is both lightweight and durable. It is also shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof, making it suitable for use in a variety of weather conditions.
Pros
- Durable construction with aircraft-grade aluminum
- It allows precise and quick windage and elevation adjustments
- Waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof
Cons
- Limited magnification range
Choosing the Best Scopes for 45-70 Marlin
Magnification
Depending on the intended use of your 45-70 rifle, you may want a scope with a higher or lower magnification. A scope with a lower magnification, such as a 1-4x or 2-7x, is great for close-range shooting or hunting in thick cover.
A scope with a higher magnification, such as a 4-16x or 6-24x, is better suited for long-range shooting or hunting in open areas.
Objective lens size
The objective lens size is the diameter of the front lens of the scope. A larger objective lens allows for more light to enter the scope, resulting in a brighter image. However, a larger objective lens also makes the scope heavier and more cumbersome to use. A 40mm or 50mm objective lens is usually sufficient for most 45-70 rifles.
Reticle
The reticle, or crosshairs, of the scope, should be easy to see and use in different lighting conditions. Some popular reticles for 45-70 rifles include duplex, crosshair, and BDC (bullet drop compensation) reticles.
Durability
The scope should be able to withstand the recoil of the 45-70 rifle without losing zero. Look for scopes made from durable materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and features such as shockproofing and waterproofing.
Price
The price of the scope is also an important consideration. While there are some high-end scopes available that cost thousands of dollars, there are also many affordable scopes that provide good value for the money.
Best Scopes for 45-70 Marlin FAQs
- What is the difference between a Marlin and Henry rifle?
The Marlin rifle has a shorter overall length of 34.5 inches compared to the Henry, which ranges from 36.3 to 38.6 inches. Both companies should be praised for their American manufacturing. The Henry rifle weighs between 7.3 to 7.4 pounds, while the Marlin, with its wooden stocks, is slightly heavier at 7.65 pounds.
- What is the effective range of a 45-70 Marlin rifle?
The effective range of a 45-70 Marlin rifle depends on various factors, including the shooter’s skill level, the type of ammunition used, and the rifle’s configuration. Generally, the 45-70 cartridge is effective for hunting and shooting at ranges of up to 200 yards.
- What magnification range is suitable for a 45-70 Marlin scope?
The magnification range suitable for a 45-70 Marlin scope depends on the intended use of the rifle. For short-range shooting, a low magnification scope between 1-4x or 2-7x may be sufficient. For medium-range shooting, a scope with a magnification range of 3-9x or 4-12x may be more suitable.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, selecting the best scope for a 45-70 Marlin rifle depends on individual needs and preferences. Factors to consider include the intended use of the rifle, budget, and personal shooting style.
Some important features to look for in any scope include durable construction, clear optics, and reliable performance. Overall, the best scope for a 45-70 Marlin rifle is one that provides accurate and consistent aiming and meets the specific needs of the shooter.
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