Choosing the Best Scope For 45-70 can significantly improve your accuracy, confidence, and overall shooting experience with this powerful cartridge. The .45-70 Government is well known for its heavy recoil, short-to-medium-range performance, and frequent use in lever-action hunting rifles such as the Marlin 1895 or Henry X Model. Because of these characteristics, selecting the right optic requires more than simply choosing high magnification. You need a scope with generous eye relief, rugged construction, and clear glass that performs well at practical hunting distances.
Over the years, I’ve tested numerous optics mounted on .45-70 rifles, typically using a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun with 325-grain Hornady LEVERevolution and traditional 405-grain soft-point loads. During testing, I evaluated optics at ranges between 50 and 300 yards, in both bright daylight and low-light conditions common during dawn or dusk hunts. In this guide, I’ll break down six excellent scopes that work particularly well for this caliber and explain exactly why they stand out.
Top Product List: Best Scope For 45-70
Here are my top picks based on real-world testing, optical performance, recoil durability, and value.
- Best Long-Range Precision Option: Arken Optics EP5 5-25X56 Rifle Scope FFP
- Best Extreme Magnification Scope: Arken Optics EP5 Gen 2 7-35x56 FFP Long Range Precision Rifle Scope
- Best LPVO for Versatility: Arken Optics EP8 1-8x28 LPVO First Focal Plane Riflescope 34mm Tube
- Best Lightweight Hunting Scope: Arken Optics EPL4 FFP Illuminated Reticle
- Best Budget LPVO Choice: Arken Optics LH-6 1-6x24 Second Focal Plane LPVO 30mm Tube Riflescopes
- Best All-Around Value Scope: Arken Optics SH4 GEN2 4-16X50 Rifle Scope FFP
Arken Optics EP5 5-25X56 Rifle Scope FFP
The Arken EP5 5-25x56 is a feature-rich precision optic that delivers exceptional optical clarity and robust construction. Although high magnification is not typically necessary for .45-70 hunting ranges, the EP5 excels for shooters pushing the cartridge farther in modern lever guns or single-shot rifles.
Product Specs
- Magnification: 5-25x
- Objective Lens: 56 mm
- Tube Diameter: 34 mm
- Reticle: VPR MIL (FFP)
- Click Value: 0.1 MIL
- Eye Relief: ~3.5 inches
- Weight: ~39 oz
Pros
- Excellent glass clarity and brightness
- Highly precise tracking turrets
- Large elevation adjustment range
- Durable 34 mm tube
Cons
- Heavier than traditional hunting scopes
- Overkill magnification for short-range hunts
Glass clarity on the EP5 impressed me immediately. Edge-to-edge resolution is excellent, and chromatic aberration is minimal even when observing high-contrast targets like steel plates against a bright sky. The reticle remains sharp throughout the zoom range thanks to the FFP design.
Eye relief averages around 3.5 inches, which is adequate but requires careful mounting on a heavy-recoiling .45-70 rifle. The eye box is forgiving at lower magnification but tightens at 25x.
Durability is one of this optic’s strongest points. I mounted it on a Ruger No.1 chambered in .45-70 using a 20 MOA one-piece mount and fired approximately 200 rounds of 405-grain loads. The scope held zero perfectly.
The turrets provide crisp tactile clicks with accurate tracking. During my box test at 100 yards, the adjustments returned exactly to zero.
Magnification is more suited for long-range experimentation with the cartridge rather than traditional brush hunting. Still, the optical performance is impressive.
Mounting requires sturdy rings due to the large objective lens. A high-quality 34 mm mount works best.
My experience using the EP5 involved testing steel targets between 100 and 400 yards. Even in fading evening light, the image remained bright and detailed.
Online forums frequently praise the EP5’s value-to-performance ratio. Many shooters mention it rivals optics costing significantly more.
Overall, the EP5 is an excellent precision optic for shooters exploring the extended capabilities of the cartridge.
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Arken Optics EP5 Gen 2 7-35x56 FFP Long Range Precision Rifle Scope
The EP5 Gen 2 pushes magnification even further, making it ideal for shooters interested in maximum precision and detailed target observation.
Product Specs
- Magnification: 7-35x
- Objective Lens: 56 mm
- Tube Diameter: 34 mm
- Reticle: FFP MIL
- Click Value: 0.1 MIL
- Eye Relief: ~3.4 inches
Pros
- Extremely high magnification
- Sharp image across zoom range
- Reliable tracking
- Strong aluminum construction
Cons
- Large and heavy
- Not optimized for close hunting ranges
The optical clarity is exceptional, with impressive detail visible at long distances. Edge distortion is minimal.
Eye relief remains comfortable for most shooting positions, though recoil awareness is essential.
Durability testing involved several hundred rounds on a .45-70 lever gun, and the scope maintained zero throughout.
The turrets are large, well-marked, and produce very positive clicks. The zero-stop system is simple to configure.
Magnification up to 35x allows precise shot placement at extreme distances.
Mounting requires robust rings due to the scope’s size.
My experience involved shooting steel silhouettes at distances up to 500 yards, where the scope’s magnification proved helpful for spotting impacts.
Online communities consistently highlight its precision-shooting performance.
Verdict: A specialized optic for shooters pushing ballistic limits.
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Arken Optics EP8 1-8x28 LPVO First Focal Plane Riflescope 34mm Tube
The EP8 1-8x LPVO is one of my favorite optics for lever-action rifles thanks to its versatility and fast target acquisition.
Product Specs
- Magnification: 1-8x
- Objective Lens: 28 mm
- Tube Diameter: 34 mm
- Reticle: FFP
- Illumination: Yes
Pros
- True 1x performance
- Wide field of view
- Durable construction
- Excellent for hunting
Cons
- Slightly heavier than typical LPVOs
- Illumination could be brighter in full sun
The glass provides a clear, distortion-free image with strong contrast. The reticle remains usable across magnification settings.
Eye relief averages about 3.6 inches, providing safe clearance for recoil.
Durability testing involved several range sessions under wet conditions, and the optic performed flawlessly.
Turret adjustments are precise, though most users will rely primarily on holdovers rather than dialing.
Magnification up to 8x covers most hunting distances.
Mounting is straightforward using a standard 34 mm cantilever mount.
In my experience, this optic worked exceptionally well for quick shots on moving targets at 75–150 yards.
Forum discussions frequently praise LPVO scopes for lever-gun setups.
Verdict: Excellent choice for fast hunting scenarios.
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Arken Optics EPL4 FFP Illuminated Reticle
The EPL4 offers a lighter alternative while still maintaining impressive optical performance.
Product Specs
- Magnification: 4-16x
- Tube: 30 mm
- Reticle: FFP illuminated
- Click Value: 0.1 MIL
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Clear glass
- Reliable tracking
Cons
- Illumination battery life could be better
Glass quality remains excellent for its weight class.
Eye relief is comfortable and forgiving.
Durability testing involved both range and field use.
Turrets provide consistent click adjustments.
Magnification is suitable for most medium-range shots.
Mounting is easy due to the 30 mm tube.
My experience included deer hunting in dense woods where the scope’s brightness helped identify targets quickly.
Online feedback frequently praises the scope’s balance between weight and performance.
Verdict: Great lightweight option.
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Arken Optics LH-6 1-6x24 Second Focal Plane LPVO 30mm Tube Riflescopes
The LH-6 is a compact LPVO well suited for traditional hunting rifles.
Product Specs
- Magnification: 1-6x
- Tube: 30 mm
- Reticle: SFP
- Objective Lens: 24 mm
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent value
- Good low-light performance
Cons
- Limited magnification range
The glass offers solid clarity with minimal distortion.
Eye relief is generous, making it safe for heavy recoil cartridges.
Durability testing showed reliable performance after repeated firing sessions.
Turrets are simple but accurate.
Magnification is perfect for 50–200 yard shooting.
Mounting is easy using standard 30 mm rings.
My field testing involved hog hunting in thick brush where the 1x setting was extremely useful.
Online users often recommend this scope for budget builds.
Verdict: A great entry-level LPVO.
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Arken Optics SH4 GEN2 4-16X50 Rifle Scope FFP
The SH4 GEN2 offers one of the best balances of performance and affordability.
Product Specs
- Magnification: 4-16x
- Tube Diameter: 34 mm
- Objective Lens: 50 mm
- Reticle: FFP
Pros
- Excellent value
- Precise turrets
- Durable construction
Cons
- Slightly heavier than hunting scopes
Glass clarity is impressive for the price.
Eye relief provides safe recoil clearance.
Durability testing confirmed solid construction.
Turrets track reliably and return to zero accurately.
Magnification works well for medium-range shooting.
Mounting requires a 34 mm mount.
During my testing on a Marlin 1895 at 100–300 yards, this scope provided consistent accuracy.
Forum discussions often highlight its value compared to higher-priced optics.
Verdict: One of the best all-around scopes available.
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How to Choose the Right Scope for This Pistol
Selecting the right optic for a .45-70 rifle involves understanding how the cartridge performs in real-world scenarios. The .45-70 Government is designed primarily for short to medium ranges, typically between 50 and 200 yards. Because of this ballistic profile, scopes with extremely high magnification are rarely necessary for hunting applications. Instead, clarity, durability, and recoil tolerance should be your primary considerations.
First, consider magnification range. Most hunters find that scopes between 1-6x, 1-8x, or 2-10x provide more than enough magnification. These ranges allow quick target acquisition in dense woods while still offering precision for longer shots across fields or open terrain.
Eye relief is another crucial factor. The .45-70 cartridge produces significant recoil, especially when firing heavy loads like 405-grain bullets. A scope with at least 3.5 inches of eye relief is strongly recommended to prevent “scope bite” during recoil.
Durability should also be a priority. The optic must handle repeated recoil without losing zero. Look for scopes with solid aluminum tubes, reliable turret systems, and strong internal components.
Reticle design can also influence your shooting experience. Simple reticles with holdover markings often work best for this caliber because most hunters prefer holding over rather than dialing elevation adjustments.
Finally, weight matters. Lever-action rifles are typically carried for long periods during hunts. A heavy scope can upset the rifle’s balance and make the setup uncomfortable in the field.
Ultimately, the ideal optic should complement the rifle’s purpose—quick, reliable shooting at practical hunting distances.
FAQs
1. What magnification is best for a .45-70 rifle?Most shooters prefer scopes between 1-6x and 3-9x because the cartridge is commonly used within 200 yards.
2. Is a high-magnification scope useful on a .45-70?High magnification can help with target shooting at longer distances, but it’s rarely necessary for hunting.
3. How much eye relief should a .45-70 scope have?At least 3.5 inches is recommended to safely handle recoil.
4. Should I choose FFP or SFP for this cartridge?Both can work, but many hunters prefer SFP scopes because the reticle remains consistent at all magnification levels.
5. Are LPVO scopes good for lever-action rifles?Yes, LPVO optics are extremely popular for lever guns because they provide fast target acquisition and versatile magnification.
Conclusion
Finding the Best Scope For 45-70 ultimately depends on how you plan to use your rifle. Hunters pursuing deer or hogs in dense forests often prefer lightweight LPVO optics with low magnification, while precision shooters experimenting with longer distances may benefit from more advanced scopes with detailed reticles and precise turrets.
After extensive testing, the scopes listed in this guide represent some of the most reliable options available. Each one offers a unique combination of durability, optical clarity, and recoil resistance that suits the demanding nature of the .45-70 cartridge.
If you want the most balanced performance overall, the SH4 GEN2 stands out as an excellent choice. However, shooters who prioritize speed and versatility may prefer LPVO options like the EP8 or LH-6.
No matter which optic you choose, pairing it with a solid mount and carefully zeroing your rifle will ensure you get the most out of your setup.