I bought a Marlin 1895 Stainless Big Loop .45-70 levergun a couple of years ago, and it's a hoot to shoot, but the sights (and my eyes) leave a bit to be desired.  It looks like this to the uninitiated:



You'll note that it has quite a long Picatinny rail on top for mounting optics.  I tried an old Tasco ProPoint red-dot scope and really liked its speed and sight picture, but less than 50 rounds of Hornady's LeverRevolution 325 grain load beat it to death.

So I'm looking into an inexpensive scope to put on top of this rifle, and I've found what I hope is a good candidate, the Millett Tactical Designated Marksman DMS-1 1-4x24mm Illuminated Donut Dot Reticle Riflescope.

Anybody had any experience with these?  Will it stand up to the pounding of a .45-70?  I really like the reticle and the ability to crank the power down to 1X (or very close to) as the 1895 isn't exactly a long-range rifle.  I'm thinking this combination would be a very good brush-country gun, especially with QD rings.

So, ARFCOM hive mind: help?

I wouldn't waste the money for " millet anything or a cheap red dot. They will fall apart and you will be out your sight in ammo and postage.  The best " cheap scope" out there is going to be a VX1 leupold 3x9 or a 2-7. They can be had for $179 range and should hold up to the recoil.  Besides, a tactical style POS scope would look silly on a hunting rig.  I'm not a leupold fan boy, but they are the best bang for the buck out there now.  Friends don't let friends buy junk optic's, ive seen them fall apart on the first outing on a heavy recoiling rifle.

Yeah, that's what I was concerned about. Thanks.

Hi, I have a 1895G in 45-70 and I just put a Leupold VX-2  2x7-33 on it. It looks good and it is not to big of a scope to over scope the gun. Excellant scope very clear and sharp. Great scopes.

The Leupold Ultimate Slam is what i use on my big thumper slug guns. I like it alot.

This Leupold FX-II 2.5x20 Ultralight is what's on my 45-70. It's a fixed ultralight 2.5x scope and it's great for 150 yds max shots with a big heavy boomer like my 1895.  HIGHLY recommend it if you are looking for a scope that isn't too high power or too heavy.

My brother had one of those a few years back and had a Tasco on it. 1.25x4.5 or something. Illuminated reticle with a dot inside of a diamond. I think it was for shotguns.

I was the only one that ever shot that rifle and killed a deer with it. Had probably 2 or 3 boxes of that same Hornady ammo shot through it with that scope on it. Held zero the entire time.

I wish he wouldn't have sold it. That thing was a laser gun. I think he payed like 75 for the scope.

Funny, I got in on the Walmart $250 .45-70 deal and am looking to scope it.  I also have a Millett 1-4 "dmr" scope I am not using.  The millet would be in appropriate for the Marlin, I think, due to weight and appearance.   The scope itself isn't bad for the price, but it is Heavy!    I have a spare old Leupold 2×7 I am going to put on the Marlin, but someone, cough, ordered the wrong ring base combo from midwayusa...

I put a Millet 1-4 DMS on my 50 Beowulf, and it tore the scopes guts out in 9 shots. The elevation adjustment locked up and the illumination module on the side of the scope broke off. I was a little disappointed.

ive found nikons extended eye relief 3-9 muzzle loader scope to be excellent for 45-70. compared it against leupold's equivalent firedot model and the glass was superior.

scope

Leupold VX3i 1.5-5x20 in Warne QD rings

Just got my 1895g last week and put a Bushnell 1.5 X 4.5 on a GameReaper base. Looks good, clear optics, 50yd bullseye in 2 shots, 100yd zero in two more.  The Bushnell gets a lot of love on the Marlin Owners forum for being the best budget optic on the big bores. SO far I agree.

My Leopold VX1 2x7 is great with warne qd rings. The rings are a bit heavy though, I may change over to the Leopold rifleman see through rings in the future.

I run a older Leupold M8 4x Scout Scope in Warne QD rings. It is a great setup and fun to shoot.

You get what you pay for.  I put an Ultradot on my 1895; these are made in Japan but have been widely copied by Chinese companies.  The real thing is actually a very good optic --- you see them all over the competitive shooting circuit.  It's held up just fine over the last few years.

Leupold made a 2-7 shotgun scope with more forgiving eye relief.
I had one on a 444.