Savage Axis Precision Rifle

[richhodg66]

Noticed Savage is making a Precision rifle on its Axis action and one of the chamberings is .30-06.

This is making me wonder how one f these might be as a cast bullet target rifle. Seems most of my shooting the past few years is .30 caliber cast at paper at 100 yards. Ugly as a bowling shoe, but might be a fun shooter.

Thoughts?

[sigep1764]

I have an Axis in 223 without the fancy trigger. Its a shooter at 2000fps with a 70gr boolit. Its doing 1-1.5 inches at 100 yards. Friends kid is using it for his first deer hunt here in a month. This is the basement model with the factory stock, scope, trigger. Im sure it would be even better floated, better scope, trigger kit. I have been impressed with this little budget gun.

[poppy42]

I have an axis in 30-06, plane Jane factory scope & trigger as sigep1764 stated, 1” to 1 1/2” at 100 yards. All day long. I’m happy with it especially for the money!

[farmerjim]

I have one in 308 that keeps it close to 1 in at 100 yds.

[richhodg66]

I have one in 308 that keeps it close to 1 in at 100 yds.

Is it one of these in that precision configuration?

[farmerjim]

Is it one of these in that precision configuration?

No. Just off the shelf at Walmart. Sometimes you get a better than average by the luck of the draw. I believe that all guns, even the cheep ones are better than they use to be because of the advancements in the quality of machining.

15 years ago, I bought a Ruger 10-22 to shoot around the Farm. It would shoot a 12 in group at 25 feet. (sometimes you get the worst possible when your luck runs out. I put the 10-22 in the back of the closet for 10 years. Then 5 years ago I bought a bull barrel for it. It shoots dime size groups at 50 yds. I won $30 in a 6 shot timed competition a couple of years ago.

[Jack Stanley]

If the stock is solid I think it'd be fine . Only problem I've seen with the Axis is a wobbly stock .

Jack

[Adam20]

i bought a savage axis in 308 and a MDT LSS chassie two years ago, Both black friday deals, $500 total. It shoots about 1" with cast have not shot it alot. But is fun to shoot

[charlie b]

My Walmart Axis is a .223 with heavy barrel. I replaced the stock with a Boyd's cause I don't like plastic. It shoots 1/2" groups consistently using Sierra 69 and 77gn Matchkings. So far I have almost 4000 rounds through the barrel and it is still holding nicely. My other Savage is a 12BVSS in .308 and it does well with jacketed and cast bullets. It has well over 3000 rounds through it, about 2000 cast.

There is a lot of difference in feel and smoothness between the 10/12 series and the Axis. And, the Axis Precision, for some unknown reason, is fitted with the same 2lb trigger as my cheaper Axis. Not the 1lb trigger on varmint series rifles and certainly not the 1/2lb trigger on the 12 target series rifles. So, it is a $400 rifle with a chassis selling for $800.

I'd not waste the money on the Axis Precision. Yes, it will probably shoot accurately, but, not any more accurate than the cheaper Axis models. I'd look for the 110 Varmint rifle if you want to stick with a Savage in the same price range just to get the varmint trigger and a heavier barrel on the 110 action. Or look at Howa, Tikka, etc.

[Tokarev]

If Axis is the resurrection of Stevens 200 deal that I remember buying for about $250, scoped, more than 10 years ago, then it should be a great rifle.
Mine was 308 and it shot 1.5" groups with FMJ, scoped with a cheap scope that I got on sale for $60 (the original scope went on my rimfire). When I randomly put 35 grains of 4064 behind Lee 200gr gas-checked bullet, the group grew to 2". I did not bother about load development because it was just a proof of concept.

[MUSTANG]

Most have commented on their Savage Axis Rifles - NOT the Savage Axis Precision Rifle which is a different beast all around and share little with what has been discussed other than the Savage Name. Back to richhodg66 specific questions on that rifle.

I Do not have one nor have I shot one. But'

Things I like reading about it.

1. It's almost 10 lbs, should aide in shooting longer distances, and dampen felt recoil from the 30-06 (particularly with heavy bullets). Might be interesting to try some 230 Grain Cast Boollits in the 30-06 specimen of this rifle at distance; such as the Lee TL309-230-5R Boolit with W760, or even W860/870/872 surplus powered.
2. The Chasis system appears to be sturdy. The MDT chasis systems put out and used by Savage seem to have a good reputation for improving accuracy.
3. I like the external Magazine for this rifle system. Probably a legacy of military experience; but also the flaw I have had in my traditional savage Axis rifles is feed problems from the flush mount magazines.

4. Stock material is listed as "Aluminum". Would like to shoot a Savage Axis Long Range to validate; but I like the Aluminum stock on the AR-50 BMG rifle. It lends a feeling of stability in the prone position on those Long Range shots.

Things I do not like:

1. Threaded barrel. I see these as a potential problem. Putting on and taking off a muzzle break often just does not seem RIGHT to me; and concerns of damaged threads run rampant through my brain housing group. It would be beneficial if one wants to go to a Suppresor on the rifle though.

2. Barrel is 22". For "Long Range" work I prefer a 26" barrel. (Such as on my Cabella's specials Savage 12FV's in .223 and .308); or on my Remington 700 Varmint in .308 - Trigger was terrible but upgraded it - and my Remington 700 Long Range). I believe that additional 4 inches pays off; particularly if one tends towards slower powders and heavier bullets.


Not looking for a new rifle at this time; but it would be interesting to try out the Savage Axis Long Range - I think it might be a better choice than many realize.

[starnbar]

The ones I have shot keep really decent groups one of my sons got a 308 would not shoot rem ammo worth a darn switched to fed 165 2 shots in the same hole at 100yds.