Just got a new 24 inch MGM 45 70 barrel for my Encore Pro Hunter and am looking for some advice on a scope. I will be using this for deer hunting and bear hunting in NW Ontario. Also looking for any favorite reloading receipes that anyone may be willing to share.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

Since the 45-70 is not a long range cartridge (without studying trajectories a LOT) I'd think a quality low to medium power scope would work well. I own two 45-70s at this time; a Marlin 1895 and a Ruger #1. The Marlin has a 22" barrel and wears a Leupold 1-4x20 scope on top. It's a good match IMO. My Ruger #1 also has a 22" barrel and I ended up with a Leupold 2-7x33 Vari-XII with a custom HD reticle. This scope seems to fit this rifle well and also has a good amout of eye relief, something you'll want to consider with a light rifle chambered in 45-70.

A good friend of mine has a Nikon Monarch African 1" 1-4 on his Marlin 1895 and it's a nice scope as well. I also own a couple of .450s (similar ballistics & trajectories) and both mine wear 1-4 Leupolds, with one being a 30mm on my BLR. That's a really nice scope, though no longer produced. The new VX-R seems to be a very similar replacement, but with a fire dot reticle. The VX-R is also made in 2-7x33 and If I was to buy a new scope for one of my 45-70s or .450s, I'd look at the Leupold VX-R series very hard. They would make a fine choice for a 45-70 in either 1.25-4x20 or 2-7x33 size.

Good Luck with your new rifle! I'm very happy with my Encore and have considered adding a .444 barrel for it.

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if you can try the 325gr. hornady flex tip bullet, they shoot really good in my t/c.