rebarreling a savage axis-what cal?

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I have an old savage axis 223 regular barrel I'm playing with the idea of putting a 243 barrel on it. has anyone done this? how did it work out? I would like something I could possibly deer hunt with but also use for cheaper target practice and varmint shooting with lighter bullets.

what other calibers would you guys recommend?
 
You would need to replace the bolt face,and clip,along with the barrel,and maybe the trigger gaurd..I would say sell your 223,and buy one in somethng different, even if you get a 308,for example,and later want a 243,260,7mm-08,or about anything else that will fit in your clip all you need is a barrel..I would say that even if you got one that takes long shells like the 30-06 you could still feed the short stuff properly from the long clip, but I'm not sure..
 
The .243 is a nice flat shooter and a great medium size game cartridge IMO. A down side for it, if you like to shoot a lot, is it's hard on barrels.
A 1:12 .308 would be a good all around choice that would handle the lighter .30 bullets well. You could stretch the range some with Palma bullets.
The 6.5 (,264) is the current f̶a̶d̶ trend, with a plethora of cartridges available, old and new. :confused:
 
JackSprat said:
You would need to replace the bolt face,and clip,along with the barrel,and maybe the trigger gaurd..I would say sell your 223,and buy one in somethng different, even if you get a 308,for example,and later want a 243,260,7mm-08,or about anything else that will fit in your clip all you need is a barrel..I would say that even if you got one that takes long shells like the 30-06 you could still feed the short stuff properly from the long clip, but I'm not sure..
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I forgot the 243 was a larger case. any idea what calibers I can switch to and not have to change anything but the barrel?
 
You've already got a spare .223, so I'd go with either (as mentioned) a .243 cuz they're fun, fun to load for, and versatile as you require, selling off this .223 or go with a screaming lil .221 or .204 barrel. The .243 offers loads from 55-100 gr with standard twist barrels all of them 2900 or better out of a 20" bbl loaded right. (I'm pushing 100 gr pro hunters with a hefty load of h1000). I have both a .223 and .243. next on my list are 7-08 and .260 (see a pattern here?). If the wind is blowing or I'm planning on shots much past 300, I take the .243, it has much more potential to: A) hit a target at 400+ and B) knock said target over on the spot when the bullet gets there. Having said all that, after my .308 spawn needs have been fixed, a fast .20 class is on the agenda for fun, however by the time we get there, the .243 will need a couple twins due to the amount of use she gets. Splatter a couple prairie dogs or woodchucks with a 55-70 gr pill moving that fast and your .223 will be the great back up when you're cooling the barrel down. Then push the 85-100 for deer and distance shots that your .223 suffers in the wind for.
 
Same bolt head for 223 would include 221, 222, 223, 6x45, 277wolverine, 300blk, 300 whisper, 30-223 etc... There are lots of cartridge availability for that bolt head. But without changing the bolt head or making other mods, I would go 6x45 if I changed anything. Some heavy 223 might get you there without mods...
 
Nother vote for the he 6x45 if your dead set on keeping the gun and bolt head/mag. Personally id most likely sell or trade the rifle for one in a larger dia bolt face. I can also give you some of the brass and dies ive got.
 
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LoonWulf said:
Nother vote for the he 6x45 if your dead set on keeping the gun and bolt head/mag. Personally id most likely sell or trade the rifle for one in a larger dia bolt face.
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I figured keep the same bolt and mag incase I want to change it back to 223. I have been pricing things and looks like the barrel is about $200 with the tools and bolt head is about $25. if I remember right the heavy barrel guns are about $350. I was thinking 308 but that's a little large to shoot woodchucks and coyotes.
 
Used savage barrels are on ebay, and most likely what id use for a project like this. Also you can KEEP your old parts, i actually still have my magnum bolt head from a conversion i did years ago. Youll have to resight after a barrel swap so changing out from from .223 to what ever you chose and back again wont be much extra effort.

Also there are alot of options for .308 ammo, it would make a good almost anything roumd with the right bullet choices. Given the option (specially if you DO decide to go with a custom barrel) id chose a .260 or 7mm-08
 
ohihunter2014 said:
I figured keep the same bolt and mag incase I want to change it back to 223. I have been pricing things and looks like the barrel is about $200 with the tools and bolt head is about $25. if I remember right the heavy barrel guns are about $350. I was thinking 308 but that's a little large to shoot woodchucks and coyotes.
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I beg to differ, my .300 wm with a 180 powershok kills coyotes just fine and leaves a hole small enough to stitch if needed, but a .308 can be quite the powerful varmint killer again offering better long distance performance and a variety of weights for handloading: https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/2110/308-dia-110-gr-HP-30-cal
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/2124/308-dia-135-gr-HP
And cuz I remembered your love of hornady:
http://m.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-110-gr-V-MAX/
http://m.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-125-gr.-HP/
 
Like stated by LoonWolf Ebay has a good bit of used barrels some new take offs..I never even heard of the 6 ×45,but I looked at some reloading data and was impressed..You aint likely to find a used barrel for it,but If you do go with new I would get one in a heartbeat,they look to be capable of about 80,or90 percent of what a 243 is..I assume brass is just resized 223,and you just shoot common bullets like a 243..I honestly don't know why they are not very common..
 
LoonWulf said:
Used savage barrels are on ebay, and most likely what id use for a project like this. Also you can KEEP your old parts, i actually still have my magnum bolt head from a conversion i did years ago. Youll have to resight after a barrel swap so changing out from from .223 to what ever you chose and back again wont be much extra effort.

Also there are alot of options for .308 ammo, it would make a good almost anything roumd with the right bullet choices. Given the option (specially if you DO decide to go with a custom barrel) id chose a .260 or 7mm-08
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not sure my thinking is correct but I wouldn't want to throw a heavy fast 308 bullet at a coyote around here for fear it would blow through it and keep on trucking and possibly hit a house 2 miles away. I figured the 243 I could load some light v max bullets for chucks and yotes and if I ever go back to WV to deer hunt I could load up some heavier bullets for that.

I liked the 308 idea because its a nato round I can find cheap brass for. im just looking to get into a winter time project so still got some thinking to do.

Hows recoil on a 308 vs 223-243, 22-250? for some reason I have a hard time hitting a little target at far range when getting the snot kicked out of me.
 
"...it's hard on barrels..." The .243 being a barrel burner is an internet myth. Mine, a Cooey M71, was bought used over 40 years ago and still shoots minute of deer, all day, with no fuss.
I'd just buy a higher grade rifle vs rebarreling an entry level Axis. First thing you'd have to do is find an Axis barrel, a bolt head and mag. Supposedly not a really big deal to change a barrel though.
Mind you, your Axis has a 1 in 9 rifling twist. If it's legal were you are, loading heavy 'deer' bullets will let you hunt deer the was it is now.
On the other hand, "I want a new rifle." is a different thing. "I want one." is a reason.
 
With the .308 a 125gr or lighter Varmint bullet, think Speer tnt (NOT a nosler ballistic tip the 125s are surprisingly tough bullets) at 3000+ will operate like most other varmint rounds on a critter the size of a yote, with very little ricochet.
I shoot goats with them from my larger rifles but keep velocity to around 3 much over that and the animals kinda pop.

That said part of the reason id chose the smaller rounds is lighter bullets ARE better for that task. The 308 tho isnt a bad choice....i also forgot to add the .243 to my earlier post.
 
Sunray said:
"...it's hard on barrels..." The .243 being a barrel burner is an internet myth. Mine, a Cooey M71, was bought used over 40 years ago and still shoots minute of deer, all day, with no fuss.
I'd just buy a higher grade rifle vs rebarreling an entry level Axis. First thing you'd have to do is find an Axis barrel, a bolt head and mag. Supposedly not a really big deal to change a barrel though.
Mind you, your Axis has a 1 in 9 rifling twist. If it's legal were you are, loading heavy 'deer' bullets will let you hunt deer the was it is now.
On the other hand, "I want a new rifle." is a different thing. "I want one." is a reason.
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I figured it would be something fun to do and play with another caliber for different game animals. I watched a few videos of swapping the barrels and they are done in about 15min start to finish. I found a couple heavy barrels online on ebay like the guys said for decent prices. I figure if I'm going to spend $350-450 on another rifle without a scope I could spend $150-200 on the barrels and just swap them out when the need arises kind of like the H&R Handi rifles.

I paid 350 for my axis 223 heavy barrel that came with a $20 scope. I paid $250 for the regular barrel with no scope. if I got a barrel for $200 I figured swap it out and use the same scope that's on the 223 and when I want to go back to 223 its a 15min job and a little sight in and done. I wouldn't have to spend money on another scope and rings and bases just a $200 barrel.
 
If swapping the bolt head is something you want to undertake, by all means go for your desired 243. They shoot amazingly well, and are a big enough step up in power from 223 to be worth it. They are very soft on the shoulder compared to a 308, but still enough that you know you shot something. My buddies savage 10 in 243 is really pleasant to shoot if you have hearing protection. It has a rather sharp crack without, enough so that i used to carry muffs when hunting with him in close proximity. A lot sharper than the 44 or your 45-70.
 
Actually, now that ive thought about it....if you wanna get the tools and loan me your barrel wrench (never got mine back from my father inlaw) ill take the barrel off my .243 for you. Youll need to find your own bolt head tho.

Oh i can give you a set of dies, some brass, and maybe some bullets (gotta see how my 6x47 shoots them), as well.



Errr this is assuming the Axis has the same barrel threads as a savage 11. My understanding is that they do, but youll need to check to be sure.
 
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adcoch1 said:
If swapping the bolt head is something you want to undertake, by all means go for your desired 243. They shoot amazingly well, and are a big enough step up in power from 223 to be worth it. They are very soft on the shoulder compared to a 308, but still enough that you know you shot something. My buddies savage 10 in 243 is really pleasant to shoot if you have hearing protection. It has a rather sharp crack without, enough so that i used to carry muffs when hunting with him in close proximity. A lot sharper than the 44 or your 45-70.
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how hard could it be to swap the bolt head?
 
RPRNY said:
Not economical. You can have a brand new Axis in 243 Win for $280.
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brand new axis 243 heavy barrel for that price? that's what I paid for the reg barrel 223 without a scope and mounts and stuff.
 
I haven't converted an Axis but I have converted a Stevens Model 200 (Savage Mod. 10) short action from .223 Remington to .243 Winchester and then to .308 Winchester. It wasn't that difficult. The parts I had to change were barrel, bolt head, forward baffle and magazine. BTW, I have a sporter weight .243 barrel and an E.R.Shaw heavy barrel in .243 to sell.....
 
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