Thoughts on savage axis

hunterfisher · #1 03-17-2013, 08:10 AM

Just picked up a savage axis in .243. Had it out to the range and got it fixed in to a pretty decent group at 200 yrds. Cant complain after all it was 300 for the rifle and a put 300 in it on for a bipod and cheap scope. Feels pretty good but im not to fond of the bolt action. Anyone else

257wbyhunter · #2 03-17-2013, 08:35 AM

bought one for my 14 year old nefew for his first rifle. like you said not the smoothest rifle out there but for the price can't complain. i figure he can learn to respect and take care of a cheap gun before he gets a more expensive one.

deanmc · #3 03-17-2013, 08:59 AM

A bi-pod can cause problems on an axis. Especially in the field or on uneven ground.
Any twist on the bi-pods will cause the stock to flex and put pressure on the barrel. this opened the groups on mine way up.
A member suggested using coarse sandpaper and increasing stock to barrel clearance. This helped a lot but it will still touch under extreme conditions.

I don't have any trouble with the bolt. I have been trying to find time to fit a wooden stock to mine.
The stock is definitely the week point of these guns in my mind.

TriggerHappyHippy · #4 03-17-2013, 09:13 AM

i bought one a couple weeks ago in 22-250
shoots very well
being a journeyman auto body tech, i am good with fiberglass
im going to take it in, and stiffen the stock up a bit

catnthehat · #5 03-17-2013, 09:15 AM

Not a big issue to install a small steel rod in the forend to stop the flexing.

Cat

TriggerHappyHippy · #6 03-17-2013, 09:19 AM

Cat, I find mine flex's the most around my magazine
How did you attach the steel rod??

catnthehat · #7 03-17-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriggerHappyHippy

Cat, I find mine flex's the most around my magazine
How did you attach the steel rod??

Bedded into the forend
Cat

TriggerHappyHippy · #8 03-17-2013, 09:28 AM

I could do that! LOL
I will try it this week and post pictures
I think I will remove some material, then glass bad 3 welding rods the entire length of the stock.

TriggerHappyHippy · #9 03-17-2013, 09:31 AM

Im just wondering at what point should a guy scrap that stock
and with all the time a labor, start with a higher quality aftermarket stock, and
tailor make it to the rifle?

Kevlak · #10 03-17-2013, 09:32 AM

Here's a website that's gives you wla walk through on how to so it, when I get some spare time I'd like to do this for my axis, until they start making aftermarket stocks for them.

http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...e-Easy-Take-II

Hotwheels81 · #11 03-17-2013, 09:37 AM

The axis can be a great little hunting rifle... But the stock is rather flexy as you know and the trigger is typically around 6lbs.

I reccomend a rifle basix trigger to every axis owner.

TriggerHappyHippy · #12 03-17-2013, 09:38 AM

Thanks Kevlak
That would be veryyy easy to do.
We have all sorts of crazy glues at work
Im also considering attaching another recoil lug

Cal · #13 03-17-2013, 09:46 AM

I have one in .223 and it is an acurate gun. For a big game rifle I would deffinatly upgrade to the Savage 111 or the Weatherby Vangaurd. IMO the Axis is just a little too cheap for the kind of use my big game rifles see.

acrtech · #14 03-17-2013, 09:51 AM

Thanks for the link Kevlack! going shopping for supplies on this windy/snowy day

Kevlak · #15 03-17-2013, 09:58 AM

Yeah it seems like it would be a pretty cheap and simple way to bed the rifle, trust I've read every review and read anything I could on this rifle before I bought mine, watched all the videos too. I like mine and I think that will be a great way to take the flex out of the stock

HunterDave · #16 03-17-2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotwheels81

The axis can be a great little hunting rifle... But the stock is rather flexy as you know and the trigger is typically around 6lbs.

I reccomend a rifle basix trigger to every axis owner.

The Axis trigger is easily lightened by simply cutting a couple of coils from the trigger spring.

It's on youtube and easy to do. I did it with one I owned and it worked great!

tchardy1972 · #17 03-17-2013, 02:38 PM

Check out mystic precision on gun nutz. He did a torture test on one of these. It's quite comical.

Hotwheels81 · #18 03-17-2013, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterDave

The Axis trigger is easily lightened by simply cutting a couple of coils from the trigger spring.

It's on youtube and easy to do. I did it with one I owned and it worked great!

Yup I have tweaked Stevens and Savage triggers as well and they improve a little... Sear engagement and over travel adjustment on the other hand require some precise adjustment and for that you really need set screws...

You can't compair a worked over trigger to the aftermarket ones... It's night and day... I'm not saying home trigger jobs aren't worth the effort because that would be a bit hipocritical BUT the aftermarket triggers are just really really nice and very simple to install, you can safely adjust your trigger to 1-2lbs, set it for zero over travel and adjust sear engagement for a perfect break... Try are a treat to shoot and only cost $100ish

elkamaholic · #19 03-17-2013, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriggerHappyHippy

I could do that! LOL
I will try it this week and post pictures
I think I will remove some material, then glass bad 3 welding rods the entire length of the stock.

Not sure how welding rods would work, I used some nice stiff key stock (x2) and lots of epoxy...stiffened her right up and made my bipod groups just as tight as my bench groups...cheap fix. A new trigger makes it my go-to "coyote-ugly-cannon"...