Hi Steve, I have owned an 1895 since the early 1970's when the new ones first came out.
The 400/405 gr bullets at 1800 to 2000 FPS are serious BIG BORE medicine out of a deer carbine type rifle and must be treated as such.
The recoil is impressive to say the least. Proper form from the bench is to raise the rifle on sand bags until you can sit up straight while aiming. Your back should form a T with the bench, no leaning into the rifle. The best scope I have found with this beast is the Leupold 1.5 x 5 VIII. Large amount of eye relief. When you fire the recoil will pivot you back and keep the scope out of your head. Lean into the rifle and it will pound your shoulder and the scope will have a chance of getting to you.
In the field you must always squarely face your target. if you shoot to the side the power of the recoil will cause the scope to rake the side of your head raw
I highly recomend peep sights or scout type scopes if you load this rifle to it's full potential with 400/405 gr bullets.
As previously posted, you can get the same speeds (1800 to 2000 FPS) with 300gr bullets with out the serious recoil. The animals will not be able to tell the difference but you certainly will. The chances of the scope getting to you are greatly reduced.
This web site shows a fantastic mount sighting concept.
http://www.xssights.com/
As the picture shows, you can have peeps sights and your scope mounted. If you use Leupold quick disconect rings you can take your scope on and off as needed.
Any way enjoy that rifle and remember
![Twisted Evil :twisted:](./images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif)
BIG BORES ROAR!
![Twisted Evil :twisted:](./images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif)