Scope Recommendations (for new 1885)

VikingsGuy

VikingsGuy

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I stumbled across a Winchester 1885 Hunter in .270Win, so couldn't resist - been on my wish list for a while now. But now I need a scope that looks decent. I have old eyes so iron/peep sites are out. Want for 'lope, deer & elk out west so I assume most shots between 150-350 yards. Needs to be GLOSS, not matte. I am thinking something like a 2-7x33 would be sufficient but less out of place than the typical 3-15x42 or so that I would buy. I could go more "vintage" but not sure my eyesight is up to the task, but have never really looked at one of those. Seems like gloss is really hard to find new. I could check out gun shows for used, but I am skeptical buying a used scope from a stranger.

So, what answers does HT have for me?
 
So, a winding road to the finish-line. Turned out the 1885 I tracked down in April had big gash in stock, so cancelled that order. Was happy to track down one in perfect condition last week. Was lucky to find new in box gloss Leupold VX 3i 3.5 - 10 x 40mm at good price.

Going to work up a load for this fall's trip to WY for 'lopes. Hopefully this baby likes 110 grain or 130 grain TTSX.

1885.jpg
 
Beautiful underlever....gloss looks right. Go with the 130's. Barnes trips have been good for me but lately I've switched to Hammers.
 
LCH said:
Fine looking rifle there..
Click to expand...

For whatever reason I have always had a soft spot for lever actions. As a MN woods hunter my Marlin 336 30-30 was my only "big game" rifle for many years (have since added several bolt actions to the safe, but not the same allure for me). Had fun plinking with a Henry .22LR, have recently added a Marlin 1894C "tweener" in .357Mag. But for years had my eye on falling-block and never "pulled the trigger". My first western style hunt in WY this fall was the perfect excuse to finally get off the dime and buy.
 
I suppose I may be wasting my typing, but when I saw the title of this thread, I thought I had found a kindred spirit. The Winchester Singleshot is the pinnacle of rifles in my opinion. Nothing better, though it's been about 144 yrs now that we've been waiting for an improvement. So, when I put a scope on one, I like it to be somewhat in keeping with its character. For that reason, I look to Winchester scopes, of course. They are being made today, with much improved glass, but otherwise just as fine as they always were.

This one is shown on a Sharps where it looks a bit out of place, but I don't have any pictures of my own 1885 with a scope on it.
WinchesterBSeries2.jpg


You can find them here:
http://montanavintagearms.com/scopes/

Note they come with two different options for mounts. With the chambering you have, you may wish to go with the less expensive version, though either are fine.

Some of the other early and mid20th century scopes would also be pretty fine options as well. Feckers, Unertls, and Lyman Targetspots and SuperTargetSpots, are out there to be had for reasonable money. I use them as well. There is nothing like hunting with vintage rifles and vintage sights on those rifles.
 
BrentD said:
I suppose I may be wasting my typing, but when I saw the title of this thread, I thought I had found a kindred spirit. The Winchester Singleshot is the pinnacle of rifles in my opinion. Nothing better, though it's been about 144 yrs now that we've been waiting for an improvement. So, when I put a scope on one, I like it to be somewhat in keeping with its character. For that reason, I look to Winchester scopes, of course. They are being made today, with much improved glass, but otherwise just as fine as they always were.

This one is shown on a Sharps where it looks a bit out of place, but I don't have any pictures of my own 1885 with a scope on it.
WinchesterBSeries2.jpg


You can find them here:
http://montanavintagearms.com/scopes/

Note they come with two different options for mounts. With the chambering you have, you may wish to go with the less expensive version, though either are fine.

Some of the other early and mid20th century scopes would also be pretty fine options as well. Feckers, Unertls, and Lyman Targetspots and SuperTargetSpots, are out there to be had for reasonable money. I use them as well. There is nothing like hunting with vintage rifles and vintage sights on those rifles.
Click to expand...

I covet many of the great guns you post pictures of, especially the shotguns (I am a newby to western big game hunting, but a long time upland hunter).

I gave the montana vintage options serious consideration before buying the leupold, but my eye sight is starting to suck and I wanted more light collection than I thought I these more authentic scopes would provide. Since this is just a replica, I focused on functionality over gun-porn. But, on the very top of my wish list is an actual turn of the century 1885 -- and when i drop $5-8k on that gun it will definitely get an authentic scope, no questions asked!
 
While you can easily spend $5-8K on a fully tricked out custom gun, you can be an original for a small fraction of that. I know of several right now (not mine). Some might need a new barrel but that's relatively cheap. Some you might want to dolly up, but most can be shot as they come. Or you can buy a brand new action ($1300-1500) and start building it yourself or send it out for subcontract work. So many options.

There is nothing quite like hunting with an old gun, or at least old technology. I can't afford a Sharps original good enough to hunt with. But I took my Shiloh to Africa. I CAN afford a totally original Ballard Pacific though, and I have taken that to Wyoming several times and Alaska once. An old Marlin 1893 is getting some exercise lately. It's about whatever floats your boat.

I will say, I do not think I've ever failed to kill an animal because my technology was too antiquated. It has never cost me meat in the freezer or a trophy for the wall. Sometimes, we agonize over details that, in the end, won't change the end result. It's hard to avoid, I do it all the time, but I still get out there with the old vintage stuff and have a blast. I haven't hunted with a modern rifle/caliber in many years.

Enjoy the heck out of your Winchester. It won't let you down.
 
yes, they are. I have one. They are parts-interchangable with originals, available in every configuration (including take down, I believe), and they are pretty near flawless. That's the action I referred to above.
 
Great to hear there are modern options, but personally, my next step will be an actually 100 year old gun able to shoot without major component swap outs.
 
I've got a 3.5x10 VX3 & a reproduction William Malcolm 6 power scope.

You made the right choice for that rig.
 
BrentD said:
I'd be happy to find one for you, nothing better than spending someone else's money : )
Click to expand...

I have purchased 3 guns and 3 scopes in the last 3 weeks, I think I am in the timeout corner with the wife for a while :) But when I get to that point I will definitely PM you.
 
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