Problem with my Savage Axis II .308 solved in 24 hours. Thanks to the members. I love rifle target shooting even though it is under appreciated in California. Haven't checked yet but I'm hoping for distant target shooting discussion, especially scope info for the .308 Axis II.
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- Thread starter bulldawg
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- Jan 12, 2026
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- 353
Interesting, I've never worried about tuning a scope to a particular rifle model, only to its projected use.
For target shooting, I choose scopes that help me get the best accuracy.
I am a great believer in high power scopes to get the most accuracy in target shooting, perhaps because my eyes are so bad.
But only if you are shooting from a bench with good rests or prone and can get your position stable enough to eliminate movement.
But I also tend to prefer optics that are bright, high contrast, and clear because I generally shoot in the morning before the wind gets too strong. At our range, the morning sun doesn't get to the targets at 100 yards until after about 9:30 AM.
For target shooting, I also prefer reticles are clean and uncluttered that cover no more than 1/10 of an inch at 100 yards. I am a proponent of the 'Aim Small, Hit Small' philosophy.
Big, wide reticles are great for hunting but tend to force me to use aim points that are bigger than my groups. Also, lower powers are better for hunting because you have to find the game and high powers tend to limit the view so much that you would likely never see enough viewing area to find what you are hunting.
I have 5 Night Force benchrest scopes in 32 and 42 power with NP2DD reticles - all no longer in production - and a 45X Leupold Competition with a target reticle - also no longer in production. They are all mounted on Savage 110s in three different calibers and with 5 different types of stocks or chassis.
For target shooting, I choose scopes that help me get the best accuracy.
I am a great believer in high power scopes to get the most accuracy in target shooting, perhaps because my eyes are so bad.
But only if you are shooting from a bench with good rests or prone and can get your position stable enough to eliminate movement.
But I also tend to prefer optics that are bright, high contrast, and clear because I generally shoot in the morning before the wind gets too strong. At our range, the morning sun doesn't get to the targets at 100 yards until after about 9:30 AM.
For target shooting, I also prefer reticles are clean and uncluttered that cover no more than 1/10 of an inch at 100 yards. I am a proponent of the 'Aim Small, Hit Small' philosophy.
Big, wide reticles are great for hunting but tend to force me to use aim points that are bigger than my groups. Also, lower powers are better for hunting because you have to find the game and high powers tend to limit the view so much that you would likely never see enough viewing area to find what you are hunting.
I have 5 Night Force benchrest scopes in 32 and 42 power with NP2DD reticles - all no longer in production - and a 45X Leupold Competition with a target reticle - also no longer in production. They are all mounted on Savage 110s in three different calibers and with 5 different types of stocks or chassis.
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ONE-TEN
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2026
- Messages
- 1,055
I agree with this. Unfortunately, my scope has only a 20X magnification, max. It’s alright, though and uses one of my favorite reticles. The GENXII Reticle. Still, I would like a bit more magnification. To me, around 30x is just about perfect. Now, I’ve talked about scopes & with my eye(I only have one, right side.), I really can’t distinguish much difference between good Glass & Top Shelf Glass. So, I decided years ago, around $1,000 price range is my limit on a scope. That said, I’m no different than anyone else. Of course, I’m attracted to top shelf parts. LOL! If I could have any scope, barring cost, I’d get the IOR Valdada 4-28x50 above all others. I just think it’s the perfect scope. And it uses my favorite Reticle, the Xtreme X1 Reticle. However, at $2800, I’d really have a hard time spending that much. Another scope I like and is only slightly out of price range, is the Athlon Cronus 4.5-29x56. I prefer just a x50 Objective. However, it’s a great scope for the money. Punches waaaay above its price range. (Being a made Japanese scope.) And it has another reticle I really like, the APRS6 Reticle. Below are my top reticles.
1st: IOR Valdada Xtreme-X1 reticle
2nd: US Optics GENIIXR reticle
3rd: Athlon APRS6 reticle
Frontiersman
Well-known member
I’m glad you received a quick solution. I think you will enjoy it here.
