Are you a proud owner of a .45-70 lever-action rifle, looking to enhance your shooting experience? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll explore the world of red dot scopes tailored for the powerful .45-70 cartridge.
These versatile optics can transform your .45-70-chambered rifle, offering improved accuracy, quicker target acquisition, and a more enjoyable shooting experience. Join us as we uncover some of the best red dots for .45-70 rifle to new heights of precision and performance.
What is the .45-70 Cartridge?
The .45-70 cartridge, often referred to as the “.45-70 Government,” is a classic and powerful ammunition with a rich history dating back to its introduction in the late 19th century. It’s named for its caliber, .45 inches, and the year it was officially adopted by the U.S. military, 1873.
This cartridge is renowned for its robust performance, making it a favorite among big game hunters and lever-action rifle enthusiasts.
The .45-70 cartridge is known for its versatility and ability to take down large games due to its considerable bullet size and impressive stopping power.
What you need to look for in .45-70 Red Dot Scope
Recoil Resistance and Durability
The .45-70 cartridge is known for its powerful impact, and when selecting a red dot optic for this ammunition, it’s crucial to ensure that it can handle its significant recoil.
You should opt for a scope that prioritizes durability, is constructed with tough materials, and is designed to absorb the shock without losing accuracy.
It’s essential to choose a scope that maintains precision and stays on target consistently, even when firing shot after shot.
Battery Life
It’s wise to pick a scope with either extended battery life or energy-efficient characteristics to guarantee that your scope doesn’t fail during prolonged shooting sessions.
While selecting a red dot sight with impressive battery performance is essential, it’s also a good practice to carry a spare battery as a backup for added peace of mind.
Brightness
Always opt for a scope that provides flexibility in adjusting brightness to suit different lighting situations.
A red dot sight equipped with a range of brightness levels and compatibility with night vision will provide you with a competitive edge, whether you’re in the field or at the shooting range.
5 Best Red Dots for .45-70
Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex Sight (Best Red Dot for .45-70)
At the forefront of red dot optics, the Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO) stands in terms of durability, boasting a rugged exterior designed to endure the most challenging conditions.
It has a hard-anodized aluminum alloy tube that makes it shockproof and waterproof.
The PRO is equipped with a precise and vivid 2 MOA red dot reticle, enabling rapid target acquisition and accurate aiming. With parallax-free optics, it eradicates any potential aiming errors related to eye position.
Its user-friendly controls are straightforward and intuitive, facilitating quick adjustments to brightness settings. It incorporates a simple on/off knob, featuring 10 levels of brightness, including compatibility with night vision devices.
The glass is crystal clear and has a slight blue tint and the lenses are multi-coated and anti-reflex, which cuts down on glare and lets in more light for a crisp sight picture.
Its eye relief is unlimited meaning you’ll be able to quickly get on target, without worrying about the perfect head position. The magnification is fixed at 1x and this is common for all red dot scopes.
The Aimpoint PRO uses a high-efficiency circuit, you can leave it running for about 3 years, without the battery dying.
Pros
- 30,000 hours of battery life
- Durable
- Clear glass
- Unlimited eye relief
- Fast target acquisition
Cons
- Slightly heavier compared to other red dots in the same class
Sig Sauer Romeo5 Red Dot Sight
The ROMEO5 1X20mm Red Dot Sight is a versatile and robust optic designed to excel in a variety of shooting scenarios.
Built to last, it features a solid yet lightweight aluminum construction that ensures peak performance and years of service. Whether you’re heading out for a hunt or engaging in shooting competitions, this red dot sight is a reliable choice.
One of the standout features of the ROMEO5 is its 2 MOA Red-Dot reticle. For shooters who appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of classic red dot sights, the 2-MOA dot offers precise aiming.
What sets this optic apart is its adaptability, featuring 10 illumination settings, including 8 daylight settings and 2 night vision options. This ensures excellent visibility in all lighting conditions, allowing you to stay on target with ease.
The ROMEO5 incorporates innovative MOTAC technology (Motion Activated Illumination), a valuable addition that helps extend battery life.
MOTAC works by intelligently shutting down the system during periods of inactivity and instantly reactivating it when it detects even the slightest movement or vibration. This feature not only saves power but also ensures that your sight is always ready for action.
The ROMEO5 has dependable IPX-7 waterproof and fog-proof construction that delivers non-stop hunting whatever the weather.
Its unlimited eye relief allows you to acquire the aiming point and the target regardless of the position of your eye.
Pros
- Motion-Activated Illumination
- Unlimited eye relief
- Very affordable
- Compact and Lightweight
Cons
- Users with less-than-ideal eyesight may struggle with the small red dot.
Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable Red Dot Sight
This is a remarkable optical innovation tailored for the most demanding environments.
One of its standout features is the automatic brightness mode coupled with user-friendly push buttons, offering 8 distinct brightness settings that include 2 for night vision and 1 super bright setting. This level of adaptability ensures that the sight can perform optimally in various lighting conditions.
In terms of construction, the Trijicon RMR Type 2 is engineered for resilience. The ruggedized battery contacts and electronics are designed to withstand harsh environments, making this sight a reliable companion for military, law enforcement, and hunting applications.
Its military-grade aluminum alloy forged housing shape plays a vital role in protecting the lens, deflecting the force of impacts away from it, which significantly enhances the sight’s overall durability.
Furthermore, the RMR Type 2 boasts an intelligent battery conservation mode that automatically adjusts the aiming dot to ambient lighting conditions after 16.5 hours of use, extending its battery life to over four years of continuous operation when set to the 4 of 8 brightness level under standard temperature conditions.
The button lockout feature sets the RMR into automatic mode, preventing accidental adjustments.
Pros
- Intelligent battery conservation mode
- Rugged construction
- Compact and lightweight
- 3.25 MOA reticle is clear and easy to spot
Cons
- A bit more costly than its competitors
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 scope boasts exceptional light transmission and the ability to reduce glare effectively.
Its adjustment knobs are built tough, featuring sturdy water gaskets to keep them protected. Even after extended periods of heavy shooting, these knobs remain securely in place.
With a 3 MOA red dot reticle, this scope offers rapid target acquisition. The TRS-25 has adjustable brightness settings from 1 to 11, illuminating the 3 MOA dot reticle inside to better help you with target acquisition. And by choosing lower brightness settings, you can prolong the red dot’s battery life.
Its robust construction is engineered to withstand everyday wear and tear as well as challenging environmental conditions, making it a reliable choice for your shooting needs. It won’t get easily damaged if it’s bumped or dropped due to its precision-engineered housing.
Pros
- Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Tough adjustment knobs
Cons
- Poor battery life
HOLOSUN 403B MICRO RED DOT SIGHT 2 MOA – HS403B
Holosun employs a clever feature called Shake Awake technology in its optics. This innovation automatically switches off the LED function during periods of inactivity.
What’s particularly handy is that the time it takes for the LED to power down is fully customizable by the user. This means you can tailor it to your preferences, offering a convenient and energy-efficient solution for your shooting needs.
It is a 20mm sight specifically designed for shooting equipment and carbine applications. What sets it apart is its exceptional battery life, boasting an impressive 50,000 hours of operation.
The optic also features 12 brightness settings, including two-night vision compatible options, allowing for easy reticle visibility adjustment in various lighting conditions.
Pros
- Affordable
- 50,000 hours of battery life
- Compact and lightweight
- Comes with a Shake Awake feature
Cons
- A red glare can be observed under specific lighting conditions.
EOTECH XPS2 Holographic Weapon Sight
The XPS2 stands as the most compact and lightweight EOTECH holographic weapon sight on the market, providing a handy option for both shooters and law enforcement professionals.
Its operation relies on a single CR123 battery, and this streamlined design ensures that there’s extra rail space available for rear iron sights or magnifiers.
The XPS2 has 20 brightness settings for use in any lighting scenario.
One of the standout features of the EXPS2 is its exceptional reticle visibility. The holographic display provides a clear and crisp reticle, allowing for quick target acquisition and improved accuracy.
With its exceptional speed in acquiring targets and unwavering durability, the XPS2 is purpose-built to satisfy the robust requirements of dedicated precision users. It’s engineered and constructed to meet the rugged demands of the serious precision shooter.
Pros
- Compact and Lightweight
- Rugged Construction
- Crisp reticle
Cons
- Shorter battery life
Conclusion
In conclusion, for .45-70 lever-action rifle owners seeking to enhance their shooting experience, the world of red dot scopes offers a wide array of options to elevate precision and performance.
The .45-70 cartridge, steeped in rich history, is celebrated for its formidable stopping power, making it a top choice among enthusiasts of lever-action rifles and big game hunters.
When selecting a red dot scope for the .45-70, durability and recoil resistance are paramount, ensuring your scope can withstand the powerful impact.
Long-lasting battery life and adaptable brightness settings further enhance your shooting experience, making these red dot scopes indispensable companions in the field and at the range.
The above-reviewed red dot optics, meticulously tailored for .45-70 enthusiasts, promise to elevate your shooting experience, offering improved accuracy, quick target acquisition, and enjoyable precision for both hunters and competitive shooters.