Budget rifles

[WTHunter]

Wife shoots an Axis in .270win. It was very accurate out of the box with the crap busnell scope it has. Cost her less than $300 with a sale at one point. She shot four deer last fall, all were one shot kills and three of the four never even ran after initial impact. None of the deer were over 200 yards. It is a cheap gun....but it seems to us that it does it's job just fine. She's taking it elk hunting this fall.

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by WTHunter

Wife shoots an Axis in .270win. It was very accurate out of the box with the crap busnell scope it has. Cost her less than $300 with a sale at one point. She shot four deer last fall, all were one shot kills and three of the four never even ran after initial impact. None of the deer were over 200 yards. It is a cheap gun....but it seems to us that it does it's job just fine. She's taking it elk hunting this fall.

Wait are you meaning to say that your cheap pos rifle that has a crap scope on it, that didnt cost you more then 300 as a package shoots good and can kill things?? weird, you must be some kind of weekend warrior walmart shopper

I figured youd need atleast a 1000 rifle with a scope to match the price range to shoot and kill deer or even elk (good luck to her btw)

[DCse7en]

If the axis or 770 don't work out for you, you can always post them on buy and sell for what you paid like most guys...:-P

[Burglecut83]

I did a trigger job on mine and changed the scope... Ill go shoot against whoever with it..... It works plain and simple.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by winger7mm

Wait are you meaning to say that your cheap pos rifle that has a crap scope on it, that didnt cost you more then 300 as a package shoots good and can kill things?? weird, you must be some kind of weekend warrior walmart shopper

I figured youd need atleast a 1000 rifle with a scope to match the price range to shoot and kill deer or even elk (good luck to her btw)

Ignorance is bliss.

[BobNewton]

Have an Axis in .308, works perfect for my needs.

But then again maybe I am a weekend warrior, and I'm OK with that. I've done many things in my life to be proud of, the quality of my firearms doesn't measure me as a man!

If you want a straight shooting reliable budget gun, the Axis is a solid choice.

Bob

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by chuck

Ignorance is bliss.

Should listen to your words sarcasm is a nice quality in life to be able to get and understand

[saskbooknut]

My advice to any who will listen -
Spend more, buy better, have something that will last to hand on to the next generation.
Disposable rifles/shotguns are not interesting to me.
I also don't plan to have any Chinese, Russian or Brazilian junk in my gun cabinet.
Sorry if I insulted your favourite cheap thrill but that's my take on it.

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by Burglecut83

I did a trigger job on mine and changed the scope... Ill go shoot against whoever with it..... It works plain and simple.

I put a good scope on mine too, havent done any trigger work as I dont really really have an issue with it. Its not light by any means but iv felt alot worse. You dont need a pricey rifle to shoot good for hunting situations.

If your into doing long range 1000yrd+ then I can see it. BUT for a hunting rifle, an axis is more then good enough. Anyone follow the thread about average shots made by while hunting??? Most were in the 100-150yrd range. My axis shoots about an inch give or take at 100, soooo that would make it more then good enough for the average shot range.

If anyone can give me a good reason why a guy would NEED to have an expensive rifle. If anything a guy should be spending money on optics not the rifle IMO.

It would be nice to have an expensive rifle for sure dont get me wrong, but a guy who is looking for a budget rifle cant go wrong with an axis I dont care what you say. Ill use myself as an example. I wanted a smaller caliber rifle for hunting these small bodied south AB deer. With the wife in school and not working and me as the soul provider in our house hold, aside from selling my body on the corner, spending more then 500 on a rifle package was outta the question. Ever hear the term money talks, well its true if you cant afford it you cant afford it lol

[mudbug]

I have an Axis in 223 and it works just fine and I haven't changed anything on it. Are there better rifles out there? You bet there are but not for the price of $299.99, that's what I paid for mine. Do I have nicer rifles? Yep but for what I paid for the Axis I'm happy with it

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by nc21

I have a S1 Vangaurd in .338 with a wood stock, The plastics are cheaper yet. I love it so far shoots great for the money I paid for it. But I am looking at a Axis in .223 or .243 just for the price point ? So I dunno

Have you looked at the Marlin X7 series of rifles?

Almost the same price as an Axis and about the same weight but a much better build I think.
My wife has one in 7mm-08 and its a solid entry level rifle....better than the Axis IMHO...smoother and a bit more sturdy and they have the Marlin equivalent to an accutrigger.

The only down side I can see is that it doesn't have a DBM if that matters to you.
Otherwise... side by side they are hard to tell appart.

In fact.. I just ordered a 223 heavy barrel for myself this morning.

Here are the links.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/
http://www.thegundealer.net/

[Burglecut83]

I gotta admit badger you ae usually righ

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by winger7mm

Should listen to your words sarcasm is a nice quality in life to be able to get and understand

I've dealt with these pieces of garbage to know that they are reverse economy. I'm not sure what qualifications you have to argue otherwise?

[ctd]

I have Remington 710 and it shoots under 1 inch groups at 100 yards. It fell out of my gun boot at 80km/hr and still works. Has a few scratches in it but all is good. It has a bushnell 3x9x40 firefly reticle which after suffering the same fate still works awesome.
Cost for initial purchase was $350. Came with a cheap but functional scope
Cost for buschnell scope was $320.

My other rifle I have is a Tikka t3. It also shoots under 1 inch groups at 100 yards. Using the package Burris scope. Has not been dropped yet and I think I would cry if I did drop it. Cost $750 on sale.
New scope i installed Vortex HSLR $1000

Both rifles shoot equally well. The t3 has a nicer finish and real smooth bolt. Smoother then many other higher priced rifles.
Buy what you can afford.

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by chuck

I've dealt with these pieces of garbage to know that they are reverse economy. I'm not sure what qualifications you have to argue otherwise?

Dont need qualifications, its called use. For a cheap rifle you cant go wrong with an axis is all im saying. Iv "dealt" with them too, may be cheap but far from garbage. Unless you are some kind of product review specialist hired on by companies to review there products, I'd say your "qualifications" match mine

[1899b]

I taught my girlfriend to hunt and shoot two seasons ago. I set her up with a Savage Axis in .30-06 4 shots in two years and 4 deer. Her first season season was on two does in a cutblock 200 yards away. Bang bang. This from a woman that never hunted a day in her life previous. The Axis is fine and it has made some amazing memories.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by Burglecut83

I gotta admit badger you ae usually righ

Nothing wrong with the Axis... but when I first tried out the wifes Marlin...I wished that I'd bought it...before my Edge/Axis in 22-250.

The Axis rifles are still good value and the number of guys loving theirs...is proof of that.

Mine was about minute of empty cigarette package at 400 meters...and thats better than a lot of rifles could do.

[bcpappy]

I don't want to know how much money I've spent trying to make the budget guns I have had better. Save your money and buy a better quality gun and better quality glass. After playing around with cheap guns I sold them all loosing $$$ to buy a decent factory rifle and then saved for a decent scope. Now I have bought reloading equipment with the money that I used to put in to my crappy guns. There are more expensive guns out there than what I have, but mine are about $1000 more than some of the bargain rifles. You don't need a $4000 gun but don't settle on a $400 gun. Have a little patience, in the long run its cheaper to buy quality.

[1000yards]

I went with the axis, it fit me and my budget, and til I get a full reloading set up, I wont bother upgrading my rifle.
The money I saved on the first rifle purchase, went to a range membership, and a case of ammo. Sure it isn't as pretty, but the price tag on the gun doesn't mean a damn thing if the shooter behind it does not know what they are doing.
Farther down the line, when money is a little more free flowing, and I have the skills that will ensure that its worth it, I probably will upgrade my main rifle, but for now, it still makes alot less errors than I do lol

[1899b]

[QUOTE=bcpappy;2063329]I don't want to know how much money I've spent trying to make the budget guns I have had better. Save your money and buy a better quality gun and better quality glass. After playing around with cheap guns I sold them all loosing $$$ to buy a decent factory rifle and then saved for a decent scope. Now I have bought reloading equipment with the money that I used to put in to my crappy guns. There are more expensive guns out there than what I have, but mine are about $1000 more than some of the bargain rifles. You don't need a $4000 gun but don't settle on a $400 gun. Have a little patience, in the long run its cheaper to buy quality.[/QUOTE

I have owned them all. At the end of the day if it puts the bullet where its supposed to go, that's the goal. I will never forget the fella at the Edson range a few years ago pulling his hair out with a Weatherby Accumark as it shot 4" strings and there was me with the same caliber in a cheapo Vanguard which back then was a 400.00 dollar gun topped with a used Nikon Monarch and my shots are touching every time. He even. went so far as to try my .257 Weatherby handloads (which didn't help him by the way) complaining his must have been inferior. His Accumark topped with a Leupold VX III was sure pretty though. I liken it to the fat ass out of shape folks that need flashy sports cars to compensate for their physical failures. Whatver gets u off I guess.....

[Burglecut83]

Originally Posted by chuck

I've dealt with these pieces of garbage to know that they are reverse economy. I'm not sure what qualifications you have to argue otherwise?

What are you doing playing around with cheap junk fool>i thought you were better than that.
what do you shoot these days?

[sns2]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy Badger

Have you looked at the Marlin X7 series of rifles?

Almost the same price as an Axis and about the same weight but a much better build I think.
My wife has one in 7mm-08 and its a solid entry level rifle....better than the Axis IMHO...smoother and a bit more sturdy and they have the Marlin equivalent to an accutrigger.

The only down side I can see is that it doesn't have a DBM if that matters to you.
Otherwise... side by side they are hard to tell appart.

In fact.. I just ordered a 223 heavy barrel for myself this morning.

Here are the links.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/
http://www.thegundealer.net/

I bought two Marlin X7s last year. One for me and one for the kids. I think it offers fabulous value for the price. Two of my buddies bought them for their kids as soon as they saw how the one I bought shot. I sold the 270 I bought for myself, but there was zero wrong with that gun.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by sns2

I bought two Marlin X7s last year. One for me and one for the kids. I think it offers fabulous value for the price. Two of my buddies bought them for their kids as soon as they saw how the one I bought shot. I sold the 270 I bought for myself, but there was zero wrong with that gun.

Great gun for a kid... light and the grip is smallish so they can get a firm grasp of it.... much the same as the Axis but with a less floppy stock.

[Metalmike123]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If you are looking for a garden stake for your tomatos, the 770 is a good choice, but if you are looking for a rifle to shoot, the axis is the better choice. Personally, I would look for an original Vanguard, as they are far superior to either, and they have been on closeout for just over $400. Dante currently has the Vanguard with detachable magazine on for $417.77.

I agree completely, the Remington is garbage in my view. The axis isn't bad for a cheapo, but I have two original Vanguards and they are easily twice the rifle. Picked one up new on sale a while back for 350 bucks.

[fatboyz]

Well again on the axis thread. I currently own several high quality rifles and a couple customs. But it wasn't always that way. I started with an old 303 30+ years ago and was thrilled to be able to hunt moose and deer and enjoy the woods. I didn't have a lot of money or an uncle or grandpa to hand me down their no longer needed Win model 70 in .270. Over the years my rifle collection grew as I did. On boxing day 2012 WSS had the Savage Axis package rifle on sale for $266 and change out the door! I thought I'd grab one in .270 just because it was such a good price. Well there was 2 lines at the gun counter of about 12 folks each all waiting their turn. Lots of 223's and 22-250's were heading out, but also I talked to 2 dads with their 11 or 12 yr. old sons patiently waiting in line to get a .243 or 7-08. The smiles were huge, they were getting their first rifle! There was also 2 20ish yr. old fellas with smiling girl friends that were getting a rifle so they could join their fella in the field! "If she doesn't like it, it didn't cost me much, but I'm happy she wants to come with me" they said.
Well out the door I went with my .270. I did a paint job on the stock and tweaked the trigger a bit, and the dang thing shoots pretty decent. I changed out the scope with something a little better that was gathering dust on the shelf.
I took a friend out hunting last fall for his first time (and he's 40) and he had only shot a big rifle once or twice. I let him use that savage and the first shot out of that rifle, on the first deer he ever hunted killed deader than a stone. He said wow this is a nice rifle how much would it cost $1000.00. I laughed and told him the price. In his mind it was a magnificent rifle, as he had nothing to compare it too. Another hunter was born that day.

When I was 12 if I had received a brand new Savage axis I would have been running up and down the block bragging to my friends. I guess what I'm saying is even though this is Alberta and money is flowing like water, not everybody will or can shell out the cash for a Tikka and Leupold, bit if the Savage Axis spawns the hunting bug for a few young lads, or gets a few more young ladies afield they've done their job.
If you can afford it well then look at the higher end stuff, but if you can't, or you want a bang around rifle to have on hand for when the young lad next door who's dad isn't around anymore would like to head out to the range, or come hunting with you then take the Axis out. If he drops it out of the truck in his eagerness to get outside it won't hurt so bad.

Sorry for the long post guys, but I remember being thrilled to get a rusted old cooey that would puke all the rounds out of the tube magazine if you opened the bolt too fast, but it was mine.
Enjoy the day.

[1899b]

Great post. All sports and hobbies have their share of elitest snobs. The shooting and hunting sports are no different. Takes all kinds to make this world go round.... I have seen 1200.00 rifles produce the same group size at 200 yards as a 300.00 rifle. To each their own. Some people need to realize, these budget rifles get others involved in the sport. The elitest snobs on this board can pound sand......

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by fatboyz

Well again on the axis thread. I currently own several high quality rifles and a couple customs. But it wasn't always that way. I started with an old 303 30+ years ago and was thrilled to be able to hunt moose and deer and enjoy the woods. I didn't have a lot of money or an uncle or grandpa to hand me down their no longer needed Win model 70 in .270. Over the years my rifle collection grew as I did. On boxing day 2012 WSS had the Savage Axis package rifle on sale for $266 and change out the door! I thought I'd grab one in .270 just because it was such a good price. Well there was 2 lines at the gun counter of about 12 folks each all waiting their turn. Lots of 223's and 22-250's were heading out, but also I talked to 2 dads with their 11 or 12 yr. old sons patiently waiting in line to get a .243 or 7-08. The smiles were huge, they were getting their first rifle! There was also 2 20ish yr. old fellas with smiling girl friends that were getting a rifle so they could join their fella in the field! "If she doesn't like it, it didn't cost me much, but I'm happy she wants to come with me" they said.
Well out the door I went with my .270. I did a paint job on the stock and tweaked the trigger a bit, and the dang thing shoots pretty decent. I changed out the scope with something a little better that was gathering dust on the shelf.
I took a friend out hunting last fall for his first time (and he's 40) and he had only shot a big rifle once or twice. I let him use that savage and the first shot out of that rifle, on the first deer he ever hunted killed deader than a stone. He said wow this is a nice rifle how much would it cost $1000.00. I laughed and told him the price. In his mind it was a magnificent rifle, as he had nothing to compare it too. Another hunter was born that day.

When I was 12 if I had received a brand new Savage axis I would have been running up and down the block bragging to my friends. I guess what I'm saying is even though this is Alberta and money is flowing like water, not everybody will or can shell out the cash for a Tikka and Leupold, bit if the Savage Axis spawns the hunting bug for a few young lads, or gets a few more young ladies afield they've done their job.
If you can afford it well then look at the higher end stuff, but if you can't, or you want a bang around rifle to have on hand for when the young lad next door who's dad isn't around anymore would like to head out to the range, or come hunting with you then take the Axis out. If he drops it out of the truck in his eagerness to get outside it won't hurt so bad.

Sorry for the long post guys, but I remember being thrilled to get a rusted old cooey that would puke all the rounds out of the tube magazine if you opened the bolt too fast, but it was mine.
Enjoy the day.

Good post fatboyz

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by 1899b

Great post. All sports and hobbies have their share of elitest snobs. The shooting and hunting sports are no different. Takes all kinds to make this world go round.... I have seen 1200.00 rifles produce the same group size at 200 yards as a 300.00 rifle. To each their own. Some people need to realize, these budget rifles get others involved in the sport. The elitest snobs on this board can pound sand......

Another post where a "like" button would fit nicely

[Big Daddy Badger]

If anyone is interested... here are two articles with further links.
Just click on the firearm or the review link to read the individual reviews.

One...is a comparison of entry level rifles...the other is a comparison of the best bolt action rifles.
Some might be interested to see how those T3's that everyone is so excited about do.

Having handled quite a few but not all of the rifles reviewed... I suspect the comparisons are even and fair.


http://www.topgunreview.com/best/rif...-bolt-actions/

http://www.topgunreview.com/best/rifle/bolt-action/

[Dick284]

I bought the Pit Boss a youth model Savage Axis in 7-08, 2 seasons back.
Re scoped it with a Redfield, and we are now loaning the rifle out to a nice young lady who is starting hunting this year( the Pit Boss has out grown it)
For an entry level rifle it will shock many folks to see how it will shoot.
The only take away is the 20" barrel, even the Pit Boss said the report from the muzzle was pretty fierce, while hunting.