To Scope Or Not To Scope?

Scoutmaster · Post by **Scoutmaster** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:40 pm

I have a new 1895G that should be here in a day or so. Well I'm prepared for it's arrival, but have to decide whether to mount a Leupold M8-3X scope that I have or use a XS ghost ring sight set that I have. I want to use this rifle for hunting black bear and deer in an area where most shots will be at 50 yards or less with the exception being out to 100 yards. I'm over 50 and I'm diabetic so my eyes seem even older. I do favor scopes for most longer range rifles, but a ghost ring does work pretty well for older eyes. The scope would be on any other rifle in a heart beat, but I hate to scope a lever gun.
Don

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:45 pm

Why not try the ghost ring first and if it's not satisfactory, then scope it.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:46 pm

Okay, I've got the diabetic eye thing going on too. Try holographic sights. Works wonders for me.

bj94 · Post by **bj94** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:05 pm

and they are very beneficial for hunting in bad light conditions.

Make no mistake, there are lots of other leverguns that I don't think look right with scopes on them.

Jeeps · Post by **Jeeps** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:55 pm

Put that peep on and chuck some lead at a paper plate.

If it feels good, it was meant to be.

If not, your scope is there for ya.

runnin lead · Post by **runnin lead** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:27 am

For load development I like to scope anything that I can
I don't keep a scope on my levers after but thinking about rescoping for postal match scope , have the mount already anyway + another game to play

HORACE · Post by **HORACE** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:46 am

I don't think there's any shame in scoping your lever, especially if you're over 50 like I am.

I tried the Williams peep sights on both my levers (Marlin 95 45/70 and W94 30/30) and although these sights worked well in my younger years- they just don't cut it now.

I've now scoped both rifles (Burris 3-7 and Leopold 1-4 respectively) and I now shoot much smaller groups and with no frustration. I've just sold a 44 Magum Puma because I couldn't put a scope on it (even after I put a Williams FP on it at considerable expense)

I've just ordered a Marlin 94 Stainless in 44 Magnum to replace the Puma (mind you, we have gun laws in OZ that must have been drafted before the Chinese invented gunpowder) I already have a the scope (3-9 Leupold compact via R&D -a great resource from the US) ready to fit.

At the end of the day, isn't that what technology's for; to keep old fanny burbs like us still shooting? Shooting sure beats lawn bowls.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:40 am

I think if you're going to hunt with it then a scope is in order. You'll have varying light conditions to deal with.

Swampman · Post by **Swampman** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:00 am

If you are only shooting targets then iron sights are fine. If you are going to hunt with it a scope is the way to go.

jengel · Post by **jengel** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:04 pm

Just do this:

Leverscout Mount, Leupold QRW rings, Leupold 2.5x Scout Scope and XS Ghost Ring sights. This setup would be excellent for you because the forward mounted scope is extremely fast, especially when you keep both eyes open. The scope comes off very fast if you need to use the Ghost Ring sights and it returns to zero every time. With this gun, I have shot a 3.8" group at 100yds with the Rem 405 JSP. I love it.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:30 pm

Scope it and see the target better.

Dirty Dan · Post by **Dirty Dan** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:06 pm

I dropped a 150 lb sow last night right at dark. Could not have done that without a scope(Leupold fixed 6x). Although, it was not with a lever (NEF Handi) it is chambered for the absolete 30-30. Kneeling, 100 yds, head shot- got lucky. Scope it for hunting!

Scoutmaster · Post by **Scoutmaster** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:14 pm

claybob86 wrote:Why not try the ghost ring first and if it's not satisfactory, then scope it.

Well I took your suggestion and will see how it works out for me. I have plenty of other rifles with scopes if I feel the need. The rifle looks and feels so much better without the scope and the XS ghost ring set up is very fast to acquire. I also mounted a Pachmayr recoil pad on the rifle. I'll get a photo of it up as soon as I can. Thanks for the suggestions guys. I appreciate the help.
Don

To Scope Or Not To Scope?

To Scope Or Not To Scope?

Scopes are OK on that model