Blasphemous 45-70

[SJB358]

Well, I am kinda short on the scope department BUT I have a couple of Aimpoint M3's hanging around, so both my buddy and I mounted them up on our rifles. He actually has Charlie's old 1895, and I mounted mine on my Guide Rifle. While not exactly traditional, it is very functional. Wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but it is FAST and comes to the eye really nicely.

Again, I know there are lever purists cringing at the sights, but it does shoot really well like that. It is a 2MOA dot, so it can be dialed fine enough for most hunting the 45-70 will do and should be excellent at close range deer hunting. Which, is really what it gets carried for.

I have a great load using Dave's (Onesonek) 405 grain cast, 40 grains RL7, CCIBR2, and Starline cases. It shoots well in this rifle.

I zeroed it at 25 yards and came up with this group.

Then I pushed it back to 100 yards. I was pretty impressed with the group and decided it would be just fine for most any hunting I would be doing with this rifle.

Easily minute of deer or black bear!

My buddy was using the same set up on his rifle and the exact same load. Turned in some impressive groups for his first time shooting a 45-70.

So again, I apologize to the purists, but I didn't have a scope or money to get the one I wanted, so I took a chance with the red dot. I like red dots alot, since I have been shooting them since around 2003. They are fast and make it pretty easy to put bullets on target out to at least 300 with an M4 platform. Thinking I might have fun with this one. It does make it nice, so you can carry the rifle right around the receiver..

 

[onesonek]

Good shootin Scotty,,,and to Sawn as well!!

 

[SJB358]

Good shootin Scotty,,,and to Sawn as well!!

Thank you Dave! Those are some awesome bullets.

 

[BK]

No big deal, Scotty, it's just a Marlin. It's not like you are putting a 30mm Euroglass on a Model 94 Winchester... (ducking and running with an evil smirk on my face...)


That should be a right-handy rig. I could see it working really well in some of the areas I have hunted elk. Particularly with those huge slugs you are slinging.

 

[DrMike]

Both you and Shaun are dialed in quite nicely.

Kurt, Surely you don't imagine there is a problem with 30mm Euroglass on a Model 94, do you? The alternative is hunting by Braille, and I'm pretty close to that now. :mrgreen:

 

[JD338]

Scotty

Looks to be a great set up from here.
Nice shooting!

JD338

 

[BK]

Both you and Shaun are dialed in quite nicely.

Kurt, Surely you don't imagine there is a problem with 30mm Euroglass on a Model 94, do you? The alternative is hunting by Braille, and I'm pretty close to that now. :mrgreen:

Just poking a little fun at you, Doc.

 

[SJB358]

Scotty

Looks to be a great set up from here.
Nice shooting!

JD338

Seems fine for right now. I wanna get a Leupold Scout scope for it in the future, but I am tapped out right now. It will shoot plenty fine for our deer hunts this fall though. It'll be the first year using cast. If I get the 444 Marlin in time, I may try the same combo, since I have another Aimpoint taking up space and not earning it's keep.

 

[Elkman]

This is an extreme example of old and new, a 150 year old cartridge, with a rifle style 120 years old, and new technology sights. I wonder what Bill Cody would have thought? However it really seems to work well and thats what counts. Great pictures and right up. ! Maybe a trend setter?

 

[Woodycreek]

Neat idea buddy! Surpisingly accurate for a red dot sight. You got me wanting to try that.

 

[SJB358]

This is an extreme example of old and new, a 150 year old cartridge, with a rifle style 120 years old, and new technology sights. I wonder what Bill Cody would have thought? However it really seems to work well and thats what counts. Great pictures and right up. ! Maybe a trend setter?

It does work well Bill. It is a 2 MOA dot, so it isn't a big dog that blurs out the entire target. Really, it just covers 2" at 100 and that is plenty accurate enough for deer/bear, whatever out to 200. I will try it out the next time I get to shoot it out a little further.

Pretty good load though. Very happy with the RL7 and 405 Hardcast's. They run about 1550/1600 out of my rifle. Plenty of steam I think.

 

[onesonek]

Good shootin Scotty,,,and to Sawn as well!!

Thank you Dave! Those are some awesome bullets.

Glad to hear that! Sure looks like they shoot decent for you.
Also looks like you have that sight set just about on, for a 6" PBR at 140-150 yds.That 405, is a darn good all around weight. Have you tried the 350's, or didn't I send those,,,,my memory fails me at the moment.......Unfortunately,, there is getting too many of those moment's :lol:

 

[SJB358]

I haven't tried the 350's or the 470's you sent. As you sent me alot of the 405's, I decided to try and work with those since I will hunt with what I have left this Fall. I think I have enough to get them loaded up and have enough for my hunting partner to use. I don't imagine it'll take too many of them. Should be fun to see them lay down some deer though.

Yeah, I put it dead on at 25 yards which works out to about 2" high at 100. Should be plenty to get to 150 without worry and that is a long shot around here. It is a nice set up though. I actually can't wait to start hunting with it. Should be a fun Fall with the 45-70 in the deer woods..

 

[AzDak42]

That's an excellent idea! Don't let the traditionalists get in the way of coming up with something that works for you. At the ranges you'd shoot a guide gun, an aimpoint is a great idea.

In the spirit of keeping it light and handy though, I'd love to see how the H1 performs in this role.

 

[SJB358]

In the spirit of keeping it light and handy though, I'd love to see how the H1 performs in this role.

Whats an H1?

 

[FOTIS]

How could you?


Nice shooting!

 

[SJB358]

How could you?

I know Fotis. I feel a little guilty for doing it to the rifle. I will say this though, you can carry the rifle around the receiver nicely and the red dots are unbeatable for fast shooting up close and I have ALOT of faith in the Aimpoints as I have used them for a long time now. I have never seen an optic take a beating ours have and never move POI.. Makes being on a 45-70 childs play in comparison.

Might be good for your close cover elk hunting you talked about.. You do have a 444 coming, right?

 

[AzDak42]

Aimpoint's micro-dot. It's a smaller, trimmer version of the standard. Still very robust and well made, but with a much smaller body.

http://swfa.com/Aimpoint-Micro-Red-Dot-Sights-C4217.aspx

I've played with one on an AR SBR as well as having run one on a .22 pistol. Both excellent applications.

 

[Mortis]

Scotty.....let me toss something at ya....

My Marlin 336 in 35 Remington has a Williams Firesight up front with a Williams Ghost Ring on the rear.

My Bud in Texas is shooting a Marlin 1985 with Ballard Rifling and is also using a Williams Ghost Ring.

Mine is set for 75 years point of aim due to the thick brush around this area. His is set at 150 yards using 405 hard cast and a bit faster then yours.

He's retired SF and I retired before all thoe battery operated gizmos were available. So it makes sense for our purposes. Plus battereis not required.

But question is......... do you really need a scope at the ranges of a 45-70??? Inquiring mind just asking a question.

 

[AzDak42]

For those of us with geezer eyes, ruined by a few decades in front of a CRT... anything that keeps me from having to focus my eyes on a rear site, front site and target simultaneous is a godsend.

My only complaint about most red dots is that with an astigmatism, you get more blob than dot.