Need advice on optics for my deer rifle
 

Im gearing up for the fast approaching deer season, but need some advice on what kind of sights/optics to put on my rifle.

My knock-around rifle is a Marlin 1895 Guide in .45-70 Govt. I installed a XS picatinny rail system so I've got lots of options as to what I can mount on there.

I don't anticipate any shots longer than 125 yards. What do you guys think? Should I go with a holographic sight like the EOTech 553, or M68? Can those even withstand the recoil a .45-70 generates?

Maybe a 1-3x Leupold? Plain jane iron sights?

All suggestions and thoughts are greatly appreciated.

I wouldn't bother with an expensive red dot. A fixed 4x standard or scout scope (long eye relief, duh) would be your best bet for a cheap, okay-to-abuse scope.

Lemme go dig up some products.

I agree with crompsin, but would go with a straight 6x though. It'll give you a little more versatility than a 4x if you need to reach out to 150. As for brands I'd go with either a luepold or nikon.

Dude, swing by the shop. We'll set you up with a 6x Konus (Nikon glass and better customer service and features than Leupold). You will be a happy man. If you want a scout scope, we can get you into a Bushnell Elite that'll take good care of you.

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Okay, yeah... XS rails are way groovy. I wanted to do a short-short Winchester 94 deer gun setup all decked out with XS products.

I'd go with XS ghost rings and then mount something like this in the scout scope position. Both eyes open shooting has advantages. You don't need super awesome magnification... your delicious victim will be only like 350 feet away, right? You just need the advantage of a single focal plane and a closer look.

Although rarely used, I like the scout rifle concept because it makes the rifle really handy IMO. I've run a Savage Scout (10FCM, .308) and it's a short (18" bbl), light (~6 pounds), balanced little bolt gun. I could pack that thing around all day without issue and it offers all the utility of a bigger gun.

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North Cackalacky deer? You using a lighter JSP round for this?

Thanks everyone, for the advice. I have ghost ring BUIS on the rail. At the moment, Im leaning towards throwing on a 3x(ish) scout scope on some sort of ARMS mount for versatility.

325 grain Hornady Leverlution ammo. The stuff is flat out phenomenal.

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Thats a nice rifle. I'm a big fan of the stainless/grey laminate combo - the bluing on my Guide is definitely high maintenance.

Below is the rings/mount combo that I'm leaning towards. It should provide a stable platform that I can pop on and off fairly easily, should I need to use the BUIS.
A.R.M.S., Inc.[hsh]21
A.R.M.S., Inc.[hsh]17

Tweaking rifles is half the fun of owning them. I'm in the process of totally tricking out my Marlin (I'm a full blown gear queer). I just ordered a traditional pistol grip stock to replace the straight one. Also, a new mainspring, oversized lever and drop in trigger system from Wild West Guns.

Being overly ambitious, I'm trying my hand at my first REAL gunsmithing project - I got my hands on a 9 round magazine tube for the cowboy model. I'm trying to cut it down so it fits flush with the barrel. Should this work out *fingers crossed* I will have 2 extra rounds in the magazine.

wow i dont mean to steal your thinder but i have the exact same gun and been having the exact same problem with deciding a scope/site for it.
Although i plan on going for black bear with mine and probably use reloaded ammunition (still with Hornady tips but much more powder :thumbsup: )

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How's it working out for you? Anything you'd do differently?

I decided to keep the straight comb stock, as it is apparently a bitch to find and install the necessary new trigger plate to convert it to a traditional 'pistol grip' style stock.

Dunedan, i just ordered a Konus 7259 6-24x44 mildot scope to go on a varmint AR, partially on your recommendation, I hope I like it.

only thing id do is put a 5lb weight on the front end of the damn thing to keep it down.
In all seriousness though, i havent had a chance to take it out or use anything ive reloaded for it yet.
the thing is just such a tank its hard to ever get used to even the weaker loads.

The rifle is finally put together and I am ready for deer season.

For optics, I went with the Leupold 2.5x28 Scout on quick detach mounts with ghost ring BUIS.

Adding an extended magazine tube turned out to be a bit more involved than I anticipated. A new dovetail had to be cut into the underside of the barrel properly mount the new tube. Needless to say, I needed a professional gunsmith. I talked with the guys at Clark Bro's and they recommended a local shop (Baity's Custom Guns). They did all of the aforementioned work, tweaked the extractor and installed a Wild West trigger and mainspring....all for $65.

The custom smithing looks phenomenal. The WWG trigger is rock solid and breaks at a very clean 3.5lbs, and I've now got 6+1 rounds of .45-70 in a handy little package.

Absolutely badass, sir.

Now all you have to do is actually find a deer.

Let us know when it happens. The clock starts today, October 23, 2009.

We'll also accept mother-in-laws and people wearing Halloween costumes that look vaguely like woodland creatures.

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Hell, I'm just glad I'm not the only person here that puts 550 cord on things to make them comfy.

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My Marlin 1894CS (.357) looks very similar to Walt's masterpiece. It's not a howitzer, though.

Thanks!

Deer season doesn't start here until November 23. It is bear season, though.


UPDATE: took the rifle to the range to sight it in. The range provides foam-rubber coated 4x4 wood blocks to use as rests. I was using one, with my sling studs/Uncle Mikes steel quick detach sling swivel resting just forward of the rest. 4 shots in to sighting in my rifle, the recoil broke the steel sling swivel and slightly bent the stud. Good times.

Oh, and after adjusting my scope 25 MOA up and right, I realized that I fucked up and installed the XS rail slightly off center. FWIW, I did get 4 shots into ragged one hole group @ 50 yards. So I've got that going for me...