1950's era scope?

[Gary O]

I have obtained a Winchester Model 70, 270 cal; 1950 era rifle and was wondering if it would be appropriate to scope it with a modern scope? If not, what scope should I look for? What say you? Thanks...

[dfletcher]

Steel bodied Weaver would be fine. Older Redfield also. Bushnell ScopeChief. If you check Gunbroker or Ebay you'll find alot. On EBay do "vintage rifle scope" and you'll get tons of hits. There are alot of off brands such as Herters that have very good glass, Japanese made is generally excellent quality glass. You may see Bushnell and others marked with "BL" and I'm quite certain that's Bausch & Lomb made.

A 2 to 8X Bushnell ScopeChief with "Command Post" option would be pretty neat. I have a few on Savage 99, Remington 721 and they're all around sturdy, clear.

Buying on line you need to be careful, it's sometimes hard to tell optics condition and your version of perfect may be different than the sellers. And adhesives in older scopes tend to dry and cause lenses to separate a bit. Gun shows are a pretty good source where the item can be inspected.

Especially on line, some folks want a ton of money for vintage scopes. I've found that an older Redfield in 2 to 7X or 3 to 9X that floats around $150.00 or so on line can be found at a gun shop for much less. I recently picked up two 2 to 7 and one 3 to 9 for about $75.00 each at a gun store that sells used scopes. Don't jump at the 1st one you see, there's always more.

[flyer898]

If you are putting together a rifle to hunt or compete with, get a modern scope. The advances in lens manufacturing and coating technology in just the past 10 years make bargain scope available today superior to the best of the 80s and before.

[TMB 1]

Leupold VX-2 would be a good modern scope for it. Maybe something like this http://www.amazon.com/Leupold-110796...ywords=leupold or do like dfletcher said and look on ebay, I have a couple of the old Weavers and Bushnell ScopeChiefs and they're good old scopes especially the ScopeChiefs.

[seasmoke]

I have a Weaver V9-1 on my Sears Model 53 and love it. These can still be found NIB for a good price. Well made with nice quality glass.

[Cowboy T]

I'd say Redfield Revolution or Leupold VX-1, in 3-9x40. Nothing wrong with putting modern glass on a vintage Model 70.

[LynnJr]

Unertl

[Calif Hunter]

If you want to hunt, get a modern scope. I have a Redfield "Golden 5 Star" 3-9X that still works great and is about 20 years old or more. There are lots of good scopes out there from Nikon, Leupold, Weaver, Burris, Bushnell, Zeiss, etc. Bushnell bought Bausch and Lomb and the Elite line is good.

[DZ357]

From the 1950's on Jack O Connor hunted almost exclusively with a model 70 in .270 Winchester. His rifle was equipped with a leupold 4X.

For 2015 Leupold reintroduced some of their vintage scopes.

[Bainter1212]

OP, what is your goal?

I virtually never hunt, most of my gun hobby is collecting.

My hunting rifle is a 50's era Winchester 88 in .308. I topped it with a period-correct Weaver K4 and Weaver tip-off mounts because I treasure authenticity, and besides my grandpa took plenty of deer with his 740 with a Weaver K4 (which I now own) so I have no excuse not to.

If I was a serious, active hunter I would go with a modern scope. Until then, I hunt extremely rarely so I will use what I have.