The 45-70 Government is a cartridge from 1873 that is still being used to take grizzly bears in Alaska in 2026, and the reason it has lasted 150 years is not nostalgia. It is physics.
A 405 grain bullet at 1,400 feet per second hits with 1,760 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. That is comparable to many 308 loads, but in a package that is wider, heavier, and far more effective at penetrating large, dense game at close range. The 45-70 is not a long distance cartridge. It drops fast, it shoots best under 200 yards, and in the lever action format it thrives in cover situations where most shots happen under 100 yards.
The Henry All Weather version adds a hard chrome receiver and a synthetic stock that shrugs off rain, mud, and humidity. This is a rifle that goes hunting in weather that other rifles sit out, which means the scope on it needs to keep up.
The most common scoping mistake on this platform is too much magnification. A 3-9x scope wastes all its upper range on a cartridge that loses practical accuracy past 150 yards in most field conditions. The Henry All Weather 45-70 deserves a 1-4x or a 2-7x, set most of the time at its lower power setting, ready to identify and shoot a target that appears at 50 yards in dense brush.
Here are the five scopes built for what this rifle does.
Best Henry All Weather 45-70 Scope Comparison
| # | Image | Name | Key Features | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 | 1.5-4x, compact, Leupold glass, lifetime warranty | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 | 1-4x, BDC reticle, VIP warranty, strong value | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
Burris Fullfield E1 2-7×35 | 2-7x, Ballistic Plex reticle, solid mid-range glass | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Nikon Prostaff P3 2-7×32 | 2-7x, BDC reticle, wide field of view at low power | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 | 2-7x, dead-hold reticle, better glass than Crossfire | Check Price |
In Depth Reviews
The Henry All Weather 45-70 deserves a scope that matches its no-nonsense character. These five options all do that in different ways and at different price points.
#1 Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 – Best Overall
If there is a perfect scope for the Henry All Weather 45-70, the Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 is close to it. The magnification range starts at 1.5x, which gives you a open sight view with a bright reticle for snap shots in brush or thick timber. At 4x the top end, you have all the magnification the 45-70 warrants at the distances it performs.
The 20mm objective is the smallest on this list, which means the scope is also the lightest and most compact. It sits low on the receiver, does not shift the rifle’s balance, and adds minimal visual bulk to a rifle that already has good proportions. For a hunter who carries this gun all day, that matters.
Leupold’s Twilight Max optical coatings deliver genuine low light performance. The 20mm objective is the limiting factor compared to a 40mm tube, but at low power settings the image brightness is competitive. Early morning bear country or dawn deer woods are where these coatings show their value.
The 1.5x bottom setting works as a close range tool. There is enough eye relief to get an immediate sight picture without the narrowing field of view that a 1x red dot gives you on a traditional scope. At 1.5x with a clean duplex reticle, you can find and shoot a moving target in brush faster than you might expect.
At around 7 ounces, this is one of the lightest scopes you will find with quality glass in this power range. The Henry All Weather 45-70 is not a heavy rifle, and keeping the scope light honors that design.
Covered by Leupold’s lifetime warranty, which is among the strongest in the industry.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 1.5-4x |
| Objective Lens | 20mm |
| Reticle | Duplex |
| Eye Relief | 4.1 inches |
| Weight | 7 oz |
| Warranty | Leupold Lifetime Warranty |
Pros
- 1.5x bottom end is useful for snap shots in tight cover
- Lightest scope on this list at 7 ounces
- Leupold’s Twilight Max coatings deliver excellent low light performance
- Compact proportions suit the Henry All Weather
Cons
- 20mm objective limits light transmission at higher power settings
- 4x top end will feel limiting if you ever push shots past 150 yards
- Higher price than the Vortex options
Our Take
The Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 is the scope that fits the Henry All Weather 45-70 the way the rifle was designed to be used. Compact, light, fast at low power, and protected by Leupold’s lifetime warranty. If this rifle is going somewhere serious, this is the scope to put on it.
#2 Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 – Best Budget Overall
The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 brings a genuine 1x bottom end to this list, which is something the Leupold cannot match. At true 1x, this scope functions like an open sight: both eyes open, full field of view, instant target acquisition. For a 45-70 in bear defense situations or close range dangerous game scenarios, that matters.
The 24mm objective is larger than the Leupold’s 20mm, which helps brightness at the top of the magnification range. At 4x with a 24mm objective you are not getting the same image as a 4×40, but the combination is appropriate for shots under 150 yards in moderate light conditions.
The dead-hold BDC reticle in the Crossfire II is calibrated for common hunting distances and accommodates holdover without dialing. For 45-70 loads, the subtension marks do not match the cartridge’s trajectory, but at the distances you are shooting this rifle, you are using the center cross regardless.
Build quality on the Crossfire II is solid for the price. The turrets have a positive feel, the magnification ring turns , and the optical quality is better than the price suggests. Vortex has made significant investments in manufacturing quality at this price point, and the Crossfire II is the result.
The biggest advantage over the Leupold: price. The Crossfire II costs less while delivering a useful optic that fits this platform. For many buyers that gap is the entire conversation.
Backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 1-4x |
| Objective Lens | 24mm |
| Reticle | Dead-Hold BDC |
| Eye Relief | 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 11.7 oz |
| Warranty | VIP Lifetime Unconditional |
Pros
- True 1x bottom setting functions like open sights for snap shots
- Outstanding warranty at this price point
- Solid glass quality for the cost
- 24mm objective improves on the Leupold’s 20mm at low power brightness
Cons
- Heavier than the Leupold at 11.7 ounces
- BDC subtensions are not calibrated for 45-70 drop
- 3.9 inch eye relief requires attention to mounting position
Our Take
The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 is the smart choice for buyers who want the best combination of price and performance for this rifle. The 1x bottom end adds real capability for close range situations, and the VIP warranty means this scope is covered no matter what happens in the field.
#3 Burris Fullfield E1 2-7×35 – Best Mid-Range Pick
The Burris Fullfield E1 occupies a well-earned middle position in the hunting scope market. Burris manufactures in the United States and offers a glass quality and build consistency that exceeds the budget category without requiring the premium investment of Leupold or Zeiss.
The 2-7×35 is a versatile configuration for the Henry All Weather 45-70. The 2x bottom end is wide and bright, well suited for moving shots in timber. The 35mm objective gathers enough light for serious dawn and dusk hunting. The 7x top end gives you more reach than the 4x Leupold, though the 45-70’s trajectory limits how far you can use it.
The Ballistic Plex reticle is a specific Burris development that provides holdover points for common hunting distances. For 45-70 loads, the subtensions do not correspond to the cartridge, but the reticle design is clean and uncluttered enough that the center crosshair is easy to pick up.
Burris’ Forever Warranty is competitive: no questions asked, covers any failure including accidental damage. It is not quite as broad as Vortex’s VIP coverage, but it is well above what most brands at this price tier offer.
At around 12 ounces, the Fullfield E1 adds more weight than the Leupold but comparable to the Crossfire II. The 35mm objective is the largest on this list, which pays dividends in available light at the bottom of the legal shooting window.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 2-7x |
| Objective Lens | 35mm |
| Reticle | Ballistic Plex |
| Eye Relief | 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 12 oz |
| Warranty | Burris Forever Warranty |
Pros
- 35mm objective provides excellent light gathering for dawn and dusk
- American manufactured with above average build quality for the price
- Ballistic Plex reticle adds holdover capability without cluttering the view
- Burris Forever Warranty provides strong no-fault coverage
Cons
- 2x minimum is higher than the 1x or 1.5x options; slower on very close shots
- Heavier than the top two options at 12 ounces
- Eye relief at 3.5 inches is the shortest on this list
Our Take
The Burris Fullfield E1 2-7×35 is the pick for Henry All Weather 45-70 owners who spend serious time hunting first and last light and want better glass than the Vortex can deliver without going to Leupold’s price tier. The 35mm objective is the advantage, and it shows in low light conditions.
#4 Nikon Prostaff P3 2-7×32 – Best for Dense Cover
Nikon’s Prostaff line has a long history in budget to mid-range hunting scopes, and the P3 2-7×32 represents its most refined iteration in this configuration. The 32mm objective is the same size as the Vortex Crossfire II but in a 2-7x format that some hunters find more intuitive than a 1-4x.
The field of view at 2x on the P3 is wide, which is Nikon’s design emphasis for the Prostaff line. Wide field of view at low power means faster target acquisition in brush, which is the scenario this rifle is built for. If your hunting involves moving through pine thickets or hardwood ridgelines where deer or hogs materialize at 40 yards, the P3’s low power field of view is a practical advantage.
The BDC reticle is designed around the 30-06 trajectory at common hunting loads but is usable for 45-70 with adjustment. At the distances a lever action 45-70 is deployed, the center crosshair is the primary aiming point anyway.
Nikon’s optical coatings are solid for the price category. The glass is clear and bright in daytime conditions, and performs at low light. It does not compete with Leupold’s Twilight Max system, but for a daylight hunting rifle it delivers honest performance.
The P3 is one of the more affordable options on this list, sitting between the Crossfire II and the Fullfield E1 in price. Build quality is consistent and the scope holds zero well under field conditions.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 2-7x |
| Objective Lens | 32mm |
| Reticle | BDC 150 |
| Eye Relief | 3.6 inches |
| Weight | 11.3 oz |
| Warranty | Nikon Limited Lifetime |
Pros
- Wide field of view at low power for snap shots in cover
- Priced with consistent build quality
- BDC reticle adds holdover reference without complexity
- Reliable zero retention under field conditions
Cons
- 2x minimum is not as fast as 1x or 1.5x options for very close shots
- Optical quality behind Leupold and Burris in low light conditions
- BDC calibration is for 30-06, not 45-70
Our Take
The Nikon Prostaff P3 2-7×32 earns its spot as the best choice for hunters who prioritize close range target acquisition in dense cover. The wide low power field of view is a genuine advantage in tight brush, and the price makes it accessible to hunters who want a reliable optic without a large investment.
#5 Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 – Best Premium Budget
The Vortex Diamondback sits one step above the Crossfire II in Vortex’s hierarchy, and that step is visible in the glass. The Diamondback uses XR multi-coated lenses with ArmorTek exterior coating, and the difference in image quality compared to the Crossfire II is noticeable at low power settings.
The 2-7×35 configuration gives you a meaningful objective advantage over the 32mm Crossfire II at the same power settings. The extra 3mm translates to better light transmission at dusk, and on a rifle that might be coming out in the last legal minutes of light, that increment is earned.
The dead-hold BDC reticle in the Diamondback is calibrated to the Crossfire II. At 45-70 distances, most holdover work happens with the center aiming point, but the subtensions serve as reference marks for shooters who want that information.
Turret quality on the Diamondback is a step above the Crossfire II. The adjustments have a cleaner, more tactile feel that makes precise zero setting more satisfying. The magnification ring also turns with less resistance while still holding its position under field conditions.
At around 13.2 ounces, the Diamondback is the heaviest scope on this list. The 35mm objective accounts for some of that weight, and the upgraded build materials account for the rest. For a rifle that will spend serious time in the field, the additional durability is worth the weight.
Backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 2-7x |
| Objective Lens | 35mm |
| Reticle | Dead-Hold BDC |
| Eye Relief | 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 13.2 oz |
| Warranty | VIP Lifetime Unconditional |
Pros
- Better glass than the Crossfire II at similar price increase
- 35mm objective improves light gathering for hunting at dawn and dusk
- ArmorTek exterior coating protects lenses in field conditions
- VIP warranty provides the best coverage in the industry
Cons
- Heaviest scope on this list at 13.2 ounces
- 2x minimum is not as fast as the Leupold or the Crossfire II at low power
- Still not in the same glass tier as Leupold’s Twilight Max coatings
Our Take
The Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 is the choice for buyers who want to step up from the Crossfire II without going all the way to Leupold prices. The glass improvement is real, the warranty is the same, and the 35mm objective adds meaningful light gathering for serious hunting conditions. If you want the best VIP-warranted option at this price point, this is it.
Did You Know? The 45-70 Government was the standard US Army cartridge from 1873 until the 1890s. The designation means .45 caliber bullet, 70 grains of black powder. Modern lever action loads using smokeless powder in rifles like the Henry push performance far beyond original military specifications, with some loads doubling original muzzle energy. That is why modern leverevolution ammunition from Hornady changed the game for 45-70 in lever guns.
Conclusion
The Henry All Weather 45-70 is a rifle built to function in conditions where other rifles fail, shooting a cartridge that has proven itself on every large game animal in North America. The scope that goes on it needs to match that no-nonsense approach.
The Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 earns the top spot because it fits the 45-70’s real use case. Seven ounces, compact proportions, quality glass, 1.5x bottom end for brush work, and Leupold’s lifetime warranty. If you are taking this rifle into serious country, this is the scope that belongs on it.
The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 is the smart choice if budget matters and you want a true 1x bottom end for the fastest possible close range performance. The VIP warranty removes most of the risk from buying at this price point.
The Burris Fullfield E1 and the Vortex Diamondback both offer strong value in the 2-7x configuration with meaningful glass improvements over pure budget options. The Nikon Prostaff P3 is the right pick for hunters who prioritize close range field of view in dense cover above everything else.
Whatever you choose, mount the scope low, use rings rated for the recoil of the 45-70, and zero at 100 yards. The 45-70 will hit the aim point at 100 yards and drop 7 to 8 inches at 150 yards with standard leverevolution loads. Know where the bullet is going at those distances, and this combination becomes a effective tool for everything from whitetail in the East to black bear and hogs in the South.
Richard Brown is a long-range shooting enthusiast and competitive shooter with extensive experience in scopes across multiple disciplines. He hunts regularly across the Midwest and has built his expertise through years of hands-on testing in both competitive shooting and hunting. Richard also instructs youth rifle shooting, which has given him perspective on scopes at every price point and skill level. He combines technical knowledge with practical field experience to provide honest reviews – contact me