Savage Axis 2 scope ?

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Leavenworth

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My BIL just bought a Savage Axis 2 Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor .
Now he will be looking to scope it . He’s not a hunter and will be using the rifle for target shooting .
Any of you fellas that have this rifle what scope did you end up putting on it ? How do you like the choice you made ?He won’t be putting a real high end top of the line on it . Is this the best place to put this thread ?
Thanks
Leavenworth
 
A quick look on Internet shows those rifles, in heavy barrel, for sale on-line in Canada under $500. How much is he thinking to spend on a scope? On the rings to mount that scope? On the bases that those rings likely need on that rifle? I suspect could get "something" for $125 or all the way to $5000 for scope, rings plus bases... Then, he likely needs ammo - sort of never ending spiral of $$$... The rifle was just the start - assuming it is his first one?
 
Good place to have this thread. If it was me, I’d talk to him about optics quality. You can make a rifle more accurate through a host of tricks and parts…. Optics are only as good as the day they roll out of the factory.

That being said, I would look to the Vortex strike eagles. Great mag range, good reticles, decent glass and it fits the build budget/intent.

There are good deals on used 750-1100.00 optics, a Leupold VX3 in a few different configurations could be had for these dollars. I’d wait for one of these deals personally.

Might wanna check out the US- optics TS 12 it’s a3-12 with a few good reticle choices. These might be best bang for the buck out there. I have the TS-20 now after switching from NightForce and I have been very happy so far. IMO
 
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Yep - might also want to hold out for an SWFA - they appear occasionally on the EE - in the $500 plus or minus range - need 30mm rings though... I have various Leupold on many of my hunting rifles - many are older M8 series - no complaints at all. Currently am in the process of installing a Leupold fixed 12x AO on a CG63, at the moment - serial number ends in a "C", so made in 1995 - bought from EE in Aug 2020. I have one SWFA 10x42 - with Mil-quad reticle - pretty much the cat's meow, I think - an acquaintance disagrees - says his SWFA 20x42 is so much better...
 
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Potashminer said:
A quick look on Internet shows those rifles, in heavy barrel, for sale on-line in Canada under $500. How much is he thinking to spend on a scope? On the rings to mount that scope? On the bases that those rings likely need on that rifle? I suspect could get "something" for $125 or all the way to $5000 for scope, rings plus bases... Then, he likely needs ammo - sort of never ending spiral of $$$... The rifle was just the start - assuming it is his first one?
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Are we talking about the same rifle here? This is not the Savage Axis 2, but the Savage Axis 2 Precision Rifle. I recently paid $1000 + tax for mine and that was after a $350 sale.

In Canada:

Tenda has these for $1100.00 CDN + tax: https://www.gotenda.com/product/sav...2-heavy-barrel-101-black-and-olive-drabgreen/

Al Flaherty's has them about the same price + tax: https://alflahertys.com/savage-arms-axis-ii-precsion-bolt-action-rifle-575/

Cabela's US has these listed for $900.00 USD: https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-axis-ii-precision-centerfire-rifle


I ended up putting a Leupold VX Freedom 4-12x40 Creedmoor on mine using NC Star 1" high rings. I originally tried medium rings but could not comfortably get proper eye relief and it was frustrating. Once I switched to high rings it was much easier setting the eye relief. At least this is my experience anyways.
 
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Okay - I did not pick up the "precision" part of the rifle name - I wonder what the difference is over the heavy barrel version, that makes it is over double the price?
 
Potashminer said:
Okay - I did not pick up the "precision" part of the rifle name - I wonder what the difference is over the heavy barrel version, that makes it is over double the price?
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I just got mine, so I am hardly an expert, but I think it's the MDT chassis with adjustable cheek piece, threaded barrel, heavier barrel, different trigger, thicker barrel, precision configuration (varmint). I would say most of the difference in cost is the MDT chassis, but those more knowledgeable can chime in if there are other features.

I put a Harris swivel bipod on mine.
 
I have a similar rifle, for a budget but decent scope I picked up this used: Bushnell Elite 4-16x50mm. Bushnell Canada has a lifetime warranty to whoever owns it. So do many others, so buying used isn't so bad. I see other similar Bushnell's in EE around same power range, from $300 to $500. I would want at least a 4x16x44mm power, x50 or even x56 for that rifle. It will get him started & overall a decent scope at those price ranges.
 
Johnyy said:
I have a similar rifle, for a budget but decent scope I picked up this used: Bushnell Elite 4-16x50mm. Bushnell Canada has a lifetime warranty to whoever owns it. So do many others, so buying used isn't so bad. I see other similar Bushnell's in EE around same power range, from $300 to $500. I would want at least a 4x16x44mm power, x50 or even x56 for that rifle. It will get him started & overall a decent scope at those price ranges.
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Definitely agree with this for sure - I got what I could afford, but the next step up to 16x44 or 50 wasn't exorbitantly high, but I decided with my budget, I can only afford to shoot certain distances, so made the tradeoff. My scope definitely looks smaller in contrast to the enormity of this rifle.
 
Not real certain that I follow the idea of big front lenses - I thought was for night hunting work - like in some parts of Europe - more light - how does that help on target work?? Or is it a thing for "looks"??
 
Potashminer said:
Not real certain that I follow the idea of big front lenses - I thought was for night hunting work - like in some parts of Europe - more light - how does that help on target work?? Or is it a thing for "looks"??
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I can't speak for everyone else, but I would have wanted a bigger objective lens because my range allows for shooting up to dusk and I plan to shoot at the longer ranges exactly at that time since that is about when I can get there from work on a weekday. Any light advantage I can use would help these tired, old eyes. But ultimately the wallet spoke and I bought the 40mm.
 
Might be different than the hunting that I do / did - was always the 30 minutes after sunset thing. Of the scopes that I still have, that have all been used to take game, I have M8-3x (so 20 mm front), several M8 - 4x33 mm, at least two M8 - 6x36 and now several 40mm and 42mm front lenses in various magnifications. I was always thinking that the larger front end required higher rings, which leads to comb height issues, at least for a rifle that might get shot from offhand to prone - so maybe not the same thing on a dedicated target rifle. There are a number of "target" rifles here - mostly meant to be shot from prone in their competitions, but all except one are aperture sights. The exception is a CG63 that is getting a Leupold 12x40 AO - does not say "M8" or anything else that I can find.
 
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