doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com What scope to use on a 1954 Winchester M 70?

I had Weaver K2.5 and K3 scopes on which the lenses separated in the 1970's. Weaver fixed them free, but now that would probably no longer be the case after the various changes in Weaver ownership.

Vintage scopes may be fun to play with, but I would not choose them for serious use.

Would you choose a vintage rifle with a vintage cartridge for "serious use"? (is there any other kind of use?)

If I ever gravitate to hunting with scopes, I would certainly choose vintage scopes over modern ones, just as I choose vintage rifles and vintage bullets over modern versions. I can't imagine doing it any other way.

For me, "vintage" scopes stop with the Unertls and Feckers with external adjustments. Weavers are definitely modern in my book.

It depends on what one means by serious.

As I move up through my seventies, I am still working full time, partially to be able to afford a few serious, i,e once in a lifetime, rather expensive hunts. Since I grew up in the 60's, I may well chose to use a 60's vintage sporter. If I do, it will not wear a 60's vintage scope, but something contemporary that still looks reasonably correct, a current fixed power Leupold perhaps.

In recent years I have sent Weaver K2.5's and K3's off to be refurbished, and the resulting product really surprised me with their quality. I think they re-coated the lenses with 'modern' coatings, but regardless they are scopes that now are better than new, and routinely see service on my rifles. That said, I'll still stick by my predilection for Lyman Alaskans.

Gentlemen--I am not new to the forum, but have just observed and not posted much. Anyway, can anyone recommend a good source for vintage scope repair? I have a Weaver K2.5 that is "as new" except the reticle is broken. I have only seen negatives about Parson's Scope Repair (they take way too long and have lost scopes) and TK Lee does not answer the phone. Any help would be appreciated! Mark

The outfit that did mine in years past aren't around anymore. How about Ironsight Inc. ? (Google 'Weaver scope repair')

Mark,
I got frustrated and learned to do my own reticle replacements. I don't know anything about the Weaver Ks but I would guess that they are very user-doable. I don't believe they are nitrogen sealed units either.

Anyway, on the external adjustment scopes like Unertls, Feckers etc, they are very easy to repair. So easy that I prefer to buy the scopes broken that way to save a few bucks and end up with what I want.



Just a suggestion.

Gentlemen--Thanks for your help. I just got off the phone with Ironsights, Inc. and will be sending the scope in shortly. The price seems fair with the only downside being the turnaround time--12-14 months. But, they are about the only game in town for vintage scope repairs so I just hope that good things really do come to those who wait! Thank you again--Mark

The advantage of using a Griffin and Howe side mount or a Redfield Junior mount on your vintage rifle is that you can carry a spare scope in rings, sighted in, in case the scope on the gun fogs or breaks. I will never go on a serious hunt without a vintage rifle, but it's nice to have a modern scope in reserve.

eightbore,

Great theory, but turning the front ring into the dovetail is tough on scopes. Additionally, those front dovetails (base and ring) wear out rather quickly when used in that manner.

Good shooting.