Posted: 9/28/2009 9:49:01 PM EDT
|
Hey all,
I have a Marlin 1895SS in 45/70 that I am planning on using as a hog gun. What do you all recommend as far as an optic? I'm not really sure what power scope I'm going to want. Maybe 3-9? Thanks, and any help is greatly appreciated! |
|
There is no doubt that 45-70 will do the job.
A hog gun needs to be able to aquire the target daylight and dark. I use a accupoint 1.25x4x24 on one rifle and wish on the other two. (trijicon) I can't say enough about it but it is fool proof, meaning no battery's, switches......you can aquirer a target anytime, you will never say "sight was too bright or dim" And yes I invented it, LOL not really ! |
|
I would say on that gun. Open Iron Sights. That is what I do with mine. Have been using iron sights since I got it about 10-11 years ago. Not sure what your intent is, but I am sure you have figured out it is not a long distance gun. I call mine my DRT (Dead Right There) gun. I have never had to chase anything I shot with it. |
| Thanks for the replies. Not planning on making super long shots, but I've have decent luck with accuracy out to 100 yds. I just wanted something that would allow me to make clean kills from about that range if necessary. Never gone hog hunting before, so I'm not too sure about the dynamics of it and why type of optic would be best. |
|
Quoted: First time I hunted with it, I shot a Doe in Missouri at about 80-90 yards. It flipped her off her feet sideways. I mean it rolled her.Thanks for the replies. Not planning on making super long shots, but I've have decent luck with accuracy out to 100 yds. I just wanted something that would allow me to make clean kills from about that range if necessary. Never gone hog hunting before, so I'm not too sure about the dynamics of it and why type of optic would be best. Next experience was with a Hog in Florida. 405 gr. and it dropped him like he had been struck by the Hammer of Thor at 75 yards. Both times with iron sights. Just saw no reason to throw a scope on it for distances less than 150 yards. |
|
Leupold scope or Burris scope 3-9x40.
Stay away from cheap scope will leave you disappointed due to fogging, lenses falling loose inside and poor light transmission through lenses in evening or at night. Cheap Tasco, BSR and such are shit and should be avoided like a $5.00 hooker. |
| That is an amazing weapon sir and hunting hogs with a lever action sounds like a shitload of fun whether its in glass, red light or irons it's gonna be fun . I wonder if that is legal to own (after paperwork) in NYC? If so brother count my ass in. Yee mF haw!!@ |
| My first hog hunt I had a .223 Remington 700 SPS with a Nikon Monarch 5-20x44 on top. On 5x at 150 yds I was able to take out one of around 20 because I couldn't get another round chambered and get on target quick enough with that much magnification. From then on it was my AR and a 1x red dot sight. I personally don't like magnification with hogs because they run in large groups and you can take several at a time if you're quick on target which is harder to do with magnification. |
| If you are hunting at night, you will be very thankful you have a scope on it. I use a 50mm Leupy, its light gathering ability is awesome. In my neck of the woods all hunting is done and night. Open sights would be terrible for me, a scope is a must for me. Hell I shot a coon the other night and could barely see it with my naked eye. My plain jane Leupy could see it and its shadow in the moonlight. During the day open sights are fine, but scopes rule the night (3X9 etc.). All the night time predator hunters I know use a variable at night as well. A nice light gathering scope with a big objective will allow you to see across a whole pasture if the moon is out. In addition we have alot of deer around here so knowing the target is another plus for the scope. |
|
Like others have said, it all depends on what you're planning on doing with it. I just use the iron sights on my lever action, but I mostly only carry it during the day when we're out stalking through the trees and brush. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a 100yd shot but much beyond that the front sight is just too big. On my bolt action that I take on most of our night hunts I've got a 3-9x40 Leup. VXII that has been used to kill a LOT of hogs. Occasionally I will also take a standard AR15A2 using no optics and I can see the sights just fine when aiming at something in the spotlight.
If I were to put some type of sight on the lever action it would most likely be one of the red dots. One of the main advantages to me of the lever action is that it's light, handy and quick and good for close up work in the brush. Putting a scope on it would ruin the whole purpose that it serves for me. |