I live in Ohio and they changed the laws this year to allow some straight wall rifle cartridges. I have a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 Govt. and need some suggestions for optics. The farm I hunt has a lot of open fields with ranges up to 175 yards or so. The reason I want a scope is because the old eyes aint what they used to be, and open sights are tough to see at dusk and dawn. I have a budget of about $350.00 or so. Considering a Leupold Ultimate Slam 3-9x40. Just wanted to see what others are using. Thanks.

I have a Redfield Revolution 2-7 on my 1895 Marlin 45-70 Guide gun. I have taken 7 shots at game with it since I bought it, the scope came with the gun when I bought it used, five at wild hogs and 2 at whitetail deer, results, 5 dead hogs and 2 dead deer. A good scope at a reasonable price. I also just put a 3-9 Redfield Revenge on a Savage .243 I bought for my grandson. That would also be a good chioce without breaking the bank

I use a Nikon pro staff 2 x 7 x 32. very accurate and reliable scope, clear picture, use to use leopolds , but switched to Nikons for all my scope needs.

A leupold vx1 3-9x40 is $199 at most stores now. I have probably 20 of them excellent scopes for the money. Have them on 22lr to 300 wby and 20 ga and 12 ga shotguns.

I was thinking...

1-6x or 2-7x

I preferred a smaller, lighter scope on my 1895 but its a lil Guidegun instead of a SS or the bigger/longer Cowboy edt 1895s. The Redfield Revolution 2x7 is built in Oregon by Leupold, lifetime warrented & will only run you around $200! If you want to stretch the ol 45G to 200yds then look at Refields Accu-Range reticle.

I also have Leupolds on my other guns so I am very familiar with them. I will have to check out the Redfield and Nikon lines now if they are as reliable as all you say. Thanks.

I am quite happy with a fixed 4x Leupold. Works great.

I prefer a bit more magnification than most folks, and I stretch my 45-70 a bit farther. My wife has a 4.5-14x40mm Nikon on her 1895GS - even with the short barrel and lackluster velocities, it's a 300yrd deer killer. A guy doesn't NEED 14x to shoot 300yrds, but it's sure nice. The 4.5x bottom end has never been a problem, even for ~20yrd shooting.

That 3-9x should treat you just fine. The "Ultimate Slam" scopes aren't Leupold's high end lines, but they're serviceable. Considering $350, there are a lot of good quality scopes in that range, so you might look around a bit at other options and see if anything tickles your fancy, but I wouldn't say there's anything WRONG with the Leup Ultimate Slam.

You can get the 3-9 leupold vx1 for the same price as the redfield revolution 2-7, and it has a better glass in the vx1. The redfield is.in the same.class as the leupold rifleman scope. A good scope but to me is not as clear as the vx1. But the redfield would also be a good choice if you go that way. Sportsmen guide has the leupold vx1 3-9x40 with free shipping. Basspro and cabelas has it with free leupold rifleman rings.