Newbie Question on New Axis II

Hi everyone, first post. Just bought a new Axis II .30-'06 for a January off-range Oryx hunt here in NM. Really like the rifle, the Kaspa scope is so-so. Accuracy as is is just OK, yesterday I shot slightly under 3" at 200 yards. This will be a very occasional use/backup gun, my all-around hunting rifle is a Sako 85 Finnlight in 6.5x55 (not enough gun for Oryx) with a Zeiss Conquest scope. My question for the experts is given my purposes for it should I just leave the optics as they are or should I change them out? I'm one who believes if you can shoot 2" at 100 yards you aren't going to miss a game animal, especially one the size of an Oryx. I won't be taking any 500 yard shots.

I don't claim to be an expert but I have looked thru the Kaspa on my nephews Axis and am not impressed . Usually the package deal scopes are low end optics . I have 2 Axis rifles that I hunt with , a .223 and a 30-06 . I used a scope rail with good rings and mounted the original Bushnell Legends on both that were good scopes in their day with Japanese glass. I want to know I have something dependable when hunting . My .223 came with a Bushnell Sharp Shooter that was a total piece of junk that I gave away . The 30-06 came bare and got them both on sale . Both have taken lots of game and are very dependable for low budget rifles . I like them because of their light weight and I don't worry about beating them up in thick cover or weather . For what it costs to go hunting I want decent equipment that I can depend on .

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Originally Posted by Reeseman

I don't claim to be an expert but I have looked thru the Kaspa on my nephews Axis and am not impressed . Usually the package deal scopes are low end optics . I have 2 Axis rifles that I hunt with , a .223 and a 30-06 . I used a scope rail with good rings and mounted the original Bushnell Legends on both that were good scopes in their day with Japanese glass. I want to know I have something dependable when hunting . My .223 came with a Bushnell Sharp Shooter that was a total piece of junk that I gave away . The 30-06 came bare and got them both on sale . Both have taken lots of game and are very dependable for low budget rifles . I like them because of their light weight and I don't worry about beating them up in thick cover or weather . For what it costs to go hunting I want decent equipment that I can depend on .

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OK, that makes sense. Any suggestions on a decent scope for a fair price? I hear the Redfield Revolution/Revenge are OK.

Sightron, Check out bigsupplyshop they have very good prices!:rolleyes:

6.5x55 isn't enough gun for an Oryx ?

Not sure what your budget is but the Primary Arms 4-14 FFP at $229.99 is a great value.

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Originally Posted by FW Conch

6.5x55 isn't enough gun for an Oryx ?

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Not according to my guide, he won't go out with less than a minimum caliber. They're supposed to be really tough, unlike the cow elk I shoot with my 6.5x55.

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Originally Posted by Rosco

Not sure what your budget is but the Primary Arms 4-14 FFP at $229.99 is a great value.

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+1 for a great scope value that's got side focus and it's first focal plane to boot. have one on my axis hb .308 win.

for a fixed power scope, at $300 it's impossible to beat the uber rugged swfa s/s military scope, available from 6x to 20x, and 10x was the navy seal sniper standard.

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6.5x55 isn't enough gun for an Oryx ?

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LOL. Whatever! If the Creedmoor can do it I'm pretty sure the Swede can. Just sayin, http://gunsmagazine.com/a-rookie-goes-to-africa/

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My question for the experts is given my purposes for it should I just leave the optics as they are or should I change them out?

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Since the Sako 6.5x55 "isn't enough gun for an Oryx" why not just put the Zeiss on the Axis and the Kaspa on the Sako?

I do understand your problem though. If the guide won't go out with "less than minimum" you don't have a choice...so guess your Axis is going Oryx hunting. But if it was my Axis, it would wear the Zeiss.

Paul, both of my brothers have Redfield Revolutions mounted on deer rifles . They say they are clear and good in low light . They have generous eye relief also and offer a lifetime warranty .

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Originally Posted by wbm

LOL. Whatever! If the Creedmoor can do it I'm pretty sure the Swede can. Just sayin, http://gunsmagazine.com/a-rookie-goes-to-africa/


Since the Sako 6.5x55 "isn't enough gun for an Oryx" why not just put the Zeiss on the Axis and the Kaspa on the Sako?

I do understand your problem though. If the guide won't go out with "less than minimum" you don't have a choice...so guess your Axis is going Oryx hunting. But if it was my Axis, it would wear the Zeiss.

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I kind of agree with you wbm, but my guide doesn't. I did find this from someone who has hunted them, which backs up my guide's thinking:

"I killed my 38" bull At White Sands NM in 1995. I shot him at about 150 yards with .30-06 using 180 TBBC bullets. The first round broke his on shoulder and double lunged him. he went down at the shot then got up and tri-podded for about 200 yards before going down again . I had to shoot him twice more to kill him. They are TOUGH."

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Originally Posted by Reeseman

Paul, both of my brothers have Redfield Revolutions mounted on deer rifles . They say they are clear and good in low light . They have generous eye relief also and offer a lifetime warranty .

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Reeseman, I'm thinking that's the way to go, I've heard a lot of good things about that scope also.

Just ordered a Redfield Revolution for $159 online.