Savage axis?

[charlie b]

The only time the flex on the forearm 'bothered' me was with a sling. It 'pulled' the stock into contact with the barrel. I also found that using a bipod I had to be careful about 'pushing' into the legs.

[Sig556r]

I bought 2 “plain” axis as well, just because I got 22-250 brass & I already have an AR in 6.5CM.
Notwithstanding a little flex on the plastic stock, both were surprisingly decent shots for the price.

[FergusonTO35]

Gonna have to switch to different scope mounts, the scope is too far forward for my taste although of course I can shoot it fine. I just like having the same cheek weld on all my rifles as much as possible. Of course, Leupold doesn't make a reversible front base for Savage so I'll have to go with a rail type.

[FergusonTO35]

I found a set of Leupold offset rings in my little gun junkyard and installed those, problem solved. Still, I may have some extra holes drilled in the front on both rifles some day. Savage really should have drilled extra holes at the factory to give you more options. Both my rifles are now ready to rock, one has a Redfield 2-7x33 and the other a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40. Hopefully can get 'em sighted in this weekend.

[FergusonTO35]

Gave both .308's some exercise today. The camo stock rifle with regular trigger is a sweet shooter. The offset rings give the perfect eye relief, whereas I have to lean forward on the other rifle with standard rings. I honed the trigger parts on it and the pull is now quite smooth, about 5 pounds. I found that Burris makes a set of reversible bases for the Axis which will allow me to move the scope back on the wood stock rifle, so I ordered some. Both rifles are way more accurate than I can hold.

[FergusonTO35]

Tried out the non-Accutrigger Axis some today. This trigger is pretty terrible even after polishing and installing the spring kit. I went ahead and ordered a Rifle Basix trigger, hopefully that will be a major improvement

[koger]

I have a Savage Axis truck gun, 223 compact. I cut 2 coils of the trigger spring, stretched it back to original length, and added some non sieze sparkplug grease to contact points on the trigger. It breaks clean at 1 3/4#, and shoots half inch with factory hunting ammo.

[FergusonTO35]

Sounds great, hopefully my Rifle Basix trigger will be here soon.

[FergusonTO35]

Installed the Rifle Basix trigger in the Axis. Got the pull down to 3 pounds or so. There is some creep, but I don't feel comfortable reducing the sear engagement anymore to get rid of it. Took it for a test drive today and wow, big difference! Scored a few cloverleaf's at 100 yards, look forward to hunting with it next week

[FergusonTO35]

After spending more time with both Axis rifles yesterday, one Rifle Basix trigger and the other Accutrigger, I can honestly say I like the Rifle Basix better so far. Don't get me wrong, the Accutrigger has a really nice pull and I've never adjusted it. Thing is, the width and shape of the trigger doesn't work for me. Coiling my finger around it the way I do on all rifles, the sharp edges of the trigger and the safety blade don't feel good. I've read that with the Accutrigger it is best to keep your finger straight and gently press backwards. That's all good on the range, but when hunting my muscle memory is going to kick in and I'll pull the trigger the usual way. Anyhoo, I'm using the Rifle Basix rfle for hunting this year, will do more experimentation with the Accutrigger rifle later.

[FergusonTO35]

I'm getting my newer wood stocked Axis .308 ready for deer season. One thing I noticed is that the factory finish on the stock is so thin that it could have been done with a Sharpie. I would guess its just an aerosol combination stain and sealer like used on cheap furniture. I gave it five coats of Tru-Oil, buffing between coats. Also, the barrel channel is not exactly free floated on the left hand side, which seems to be a trend with Savage. So, I'm going to open that up and then reseal it before final sight in. I don't have the funds to do a replacement trigger right now. This sounds crazy, but the Accutrigger is too light for my taste so I'm going to turn the screw in and hopefully add a couple of pounds to it. Otherwise, both of my Axis rifles are sweet shooters and I hope to take a deer with one this year.

[charlie b]

You are on the right track. The Accutrigger takes some getting used to. And it has a few quirks if set light. I think the Basix will do well for you.

I'm about to dress mine up a bit more with a longer bolt handle and a new barrel.

[FergusonTO35]

Awesome. Are you going to a new caliber? I'm thinking about getting a .300 Savage barrel from E.R. Shaw for mine. You know, so that handful of once fired cases I have won't go to waste!

[FergusonTO35]

Quick question: I relieved the left side of the barrel channel so it free floats now. I notice there is a fairly significant amount of forend tip contact under the barrel. Would you say that is by design? Should I leave it be? This rifle has a wood stock and I'm wondering if temperature/moisture changes are going to affect point of impact. Or am I just over thinking it as usual?

[ulav8r]

Many guns use upward pressure at the tip with good results but on others they do better after removing the pressure. Wood stocks are often susceptible to environmental conditions causing variations. Free floating the barrel may worsen or improve accuracy but it is apt to be more consistent when free floated. If after free floating the accuracy is horrible it is possible add pressure back.

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks! I relieved the forend tip a bit but did not remove all the pressure. Hopefully can test fire this week.

[poppy42]

Don’t know if anybody’s interested or not, but I got my axis in 30-06 back in 2015. Yeah it was certainly capable of doing what I initially bought it for as a deer rifle I mean 100 yards inch and a half, 2 inch groups all day long no problem without even trying, but I knew the rifle was capable of much more than that. My biggest complaint was the factory trigger Now I know they’ve since put the Accu trigger in later models but this one didn’t have that trigger well if anybody’s interested, there’s a company out of Florida veteran owned by the name of M–CARBO. They make trigger/spring kits for several different firearms, including Caltex, AR’s, and it just so happens the savage axis.. for I believe about 25 bucks in about 15 minutes worth of my time I turned that factory trigger with side to side swap roughly 6+ pound pole and all it’s grittiness into a pretty darn nice crisp trigger with a 4 pound trigger pull. Let’s just say I could take a quarter out at 200 yards without even thinking about it now! Of course, some of that’s got to deal with working up the right load, but an awful lot got to do with that trigger. Just figured I’d throw it out there for anybody that’s interested.