Hey guys, I’m looking at throwing a optic on my 1895 45/70 I’m going on a bear hunt soon and they said shots will be from 10-70 yards. Unfortunately my eyes kind of get me at low light with iron sights and it’s a very heavy wooded area. I don’t really care to do a scout mounted optic. I was wondering if a 2-7 vortex or a 3-9 Burris would be to much magnification for that close. I would hate for my optic to ruin my shot. I also was wondering if the 45/70 would be to much recoil for these optics.

I believe the 3-9 would be too much magnification on the low end. The 2x7 would be a better choice, but still give you a reasonable upper end at 100 yards. I've had good luck with the Leupold 1.5x4 with the Pig Plex reticle on several different rifles.

Leupold

3-9 is definitely too much for 10 yard moving targets. I would be looking for 1-1.5 on the low end. 70 yards max I might even consider a red dot.

Bad as I hate to mess up the look of an 1895, the perfect optic is an AR optic. And it will handle the recoil.

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-1-4x24-tactical-30mm-riflescope-109309.html

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-hd-1-6x24-tactical-30mm-riflescope.html

Thank you, is the Leopoldo have a good eye relief?

I would look for a 2X fixed like to one in the link below and mount it with the lowest mounts that will fit. Eye relief is 4.9".

https://www.leupold.com/fx-ii-ultralight-25x20-wide-duplex-riflescope

You may want to consider a peep or ghost ring sight. The peep sight is fast and easy and doesn't detract from the 1895 looks but you'll need reasonably good vision.

I put the one below on my 1895 thinking I would try a Scout setup (very long eye relief scope). I never could get use to it so went to a fixed 4X.

https://www.xssights.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=993387&CAT=8290

I have tried the 1- 4 and 1-6x scopes and prefer the 2-7 power range for a couple reasons, No 1-4 or 1-6x scopes that I have tried let in as much light in dim lighting conditions as th 2-7s I have used including ones from the same manufactures and same product line.

Thank you everyone for the help with this. I am thinking about the pig plex, im going to run up to cabelas and take a peek at them this week.

I would shy away from a vortex on that much recoil. What loads will you be shooting? I have an 1895, and I can tell you that with what I would consider bear loads, that rifle will have PLENTY of recoil.

If black bear hunting consider two things: you don’t need nuclear level loads for a black bear - especially at ranges you mentioned. Black bear in low lighting conditions are hell to be precise with open sights or standard black scope reticles - consider an illuminated reticle. Leupold’s fire dot reticle is what I prefer on my hunting scopes.

I was looking at shooting the hornady lever lution rounds, what would you reccomend?

I guess I just never had luck w the LR rounds by Hornady

Tried a 35 Remington and 30/30 and they could never beat the ole sorry Core Lokts