Savage Axis Heavy Barrel .223 Scope Recommendation

[giggitygiggity]

I just bought a Savage Axis Heavy Barrel rifle in .223Rem. What scope, rings, and mount do you suggest? I'm mainly interested in scopes with elevation marking calibrated for .223, but I'm open to anything. I don't want to spend more than about $300 on a scope.

 

[deputy bruce]

scope

I have used a 4x12 bushnell on my savages for years with weaver rings and bases they have served me well

 

[Lr_athlete32]

I was in your position a few months ago, I wanted a scope for a .223 that had good turrets that were calibrated for drop, and a good reticle that could be used for ranging objects. I purchased the leupold mark ar mod 1 and couldn't be happier. Clear glass and turrets marked for 100 to 650 yards with 50 yard intervals for a 55 grain bullet at 3100 fps. So far I have tested it out to 500 yards and it's dead on with m193. Here's a link to their site https://www.leupold.com/tactical/scopes/mark-ar-riflescopes/

 

[Driftertank]

Leupold are good optics.

I'm personally stuck on Vortex stuff. If you check out their scopes on their home page, you'll find links to a supplier that will make custom elevation turrets based on your specified load.

Beyond relatively low-powered tactical scopes, you're not likely to find a specific .223 bullet-drop reticle. The reason is, your average BDC reticle is intended to allow center-mass hits on man-sized targets or silhouettes at various ranges quickly, when fired from carbines or semiauto rifles. They are generally not considered sufficiently accurate for precision shots from a bolt-action rifle at range, and whatever round they're calibrated for is generally a military issue round like M855/SS109. Shooting match rounds from a bolt rifle, the BDC generally wouldnt be accurate enough to be useful...

 

[godale]

thinking about the same project myself. i dont like bdc recicles as i prefer to do my own figuring. i am currently looking at a vortex diamond back or a like new bushnell 3200

 

[giggitygiggity]

Thanks for the replies. I checked out the Leupold Mark AR Mod 1 at Bass Pro the other day. Super clear glass. Are the mil dots on the Leupold calibrated specifically for .223 or are they only there for reference?

I am also interested in both the Nikon P223 and M223 series of scopes. I looked at the P223 and it seemed decent, but the glass did not seem as clear as the Leupold.

I also looked at Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback .223 BDC scopes, but their glass did not seem nearly as clear as Leupold. Additionally, the reticles were not dark and defined, but I think this may have been because the demo scopes had been touched a bunch or possibly the lighting in the store.

I also looked at the Bushnell AR/223 BDC scope. I've never owned Bushnell before. I liked the reticle and dots on the Bushnell, but I do not know whether this is a quality optic. I've heard that the dots are too large to make accurate long-range shots.

I definitely want a waterproof/shockproof/fogproof scope that has .223 BDC capabilities. What Vortex scopes do you recommend and how do they compare to the Leupold Mark AR Mod 1? Thanks.

 

[Driftertank]

I have 4 Vortex Vipers, 3 of them PSTs. They're not cheap, but as the old saying goes, buy once, cry once. Or in my case, cry every time i want to put a scope on a rifle, because I've spoiled myself. Lol.

The EBR-1 reticle offers rapid holdover adjustments, while the target turrets and simple but effective zero-stop makes dialling easy. And they're available in both MOA and Mil. But I'm a fanboy, so my opinions are colored.