Axis vs American

Beats me, I thought you were talking about WWII weapons.

Jim Watson

Me too! Figured the OP wanted to compare and contrast German/Italian/Japanese weapons with those of the U.S. during WWII.

Sorry but can't really help with the Savage Axis versus the Ruger American as I don't own either of them.

The Axis is ok, but it's an entry level hunting rifle. Although there is a new model with a wood stock(bit over $500) if you want it. No adjustable trigger either. The Ruger is less so and has an adjustable trigger.
Don't think you can get an American with a scope(Weavers from Savage now) included though.

The Axis is a long action (one size fits all).
The stock is the same for long or short action cartridges, but the mags are different (as is the trigger guard- which is like a module and not merely a guard). The stock isn't the most rigid at the wrist, and if you free float it the forend will need stiffened w epoxy.
Evidently many say to heck with it and get a Boyds laminate. But then, that's more money into a budget rifle.

Not sure about the Ruger American rifle. I think it too to be lacking in the looks department.

Proly buy one of the .22 mag rimfire versions though (and doing a stock change).

Hate to say it, but the old Rem 600 and 788 stuff feels and looks way better to me, than the new budget rifles.

Had an Axis, modified the stock, scalloped bolt handle, made cheekpiece. It shot VERY well, but felt crappy to me. Sold it and went back to 700 ADL. Am happy.

The Ruger was well worth the extra money for me. I have 2, a 223 Compact and a 308 Predator. The Predators are proving to be extremely accurate. My brother has one in 6.5 Creedmoor and that may well be my next purchase. The Predator is the basis for Rugers American Precision rifle. It is the same barreled action in a different stock with the safety relocated.

http://ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html

The magazines can be problematic. Most of the time they work fine. But some have been known to give feeding issues. Either you get a good one or a bad one. I have good ones that have functioned perfectly for several years now. The bad ones were returned to Ruger and replaced with good ones.

I'm kinda bias,I have 6 Axis and 2 older Edges(Axis replace Edge)and a couple other Savages,wouldn't buy anything else as far as entry priced weapons go.

The Savage Axis II XP rifle comes with the AccuTrigger an can be had with either synthetic or wood stock.

I prefer the look of the and feel of the rugers action, but honestly, if you dont care about the adjustable trigger or the long action (as stated the Axis II XP has the accutrigger which is imo better than the rugers) i think the axis is the better value.

I do care enough about both to have bought an American, but dont own an axis. Im unfamiliar with the axis trigger but even "unadjustable" triggers can usually be adjusted (my minis wonderful now but alot of careful work), if your willing to put the time and effort in.

I've been a Ruger fan for years and had never owned a Savage. When I went to buy a turnbolt rifle, the store had both Savage Axis and Ruger American rifles. After looking them over and noticing the $100+ (including sales tax) price difference, I bought the Savage. And I haven't regretted it.

I have not owned an Axis but have checked a few out that I ordered for customers. I wasn't impressed with the trigger and the stock forearms are pretty flimsy.

I do own a American Predator in 6.5 CM. The trigger has a hint of creep, not bad, but it is there. The stock is more rigid. I have 3 loads that will shoot 1/2 MOA.

The triggers on the Americans are not great. All three that I have owned had some creep, but not as bad as the Axis.

I own 2-axis rifles and you CAN get them with the accu trigger its called the axis II. I picked up a ruger American 2 night ago at a store and it felt junk compared to the axis. the bolt, action and receiver all felt cheesy to me. my axis rifles shoot very, very well. the axis has a lot more aftermarket stuff too and you can change barrels for cheap.

It comes down to the barrels. New rifles in this category and new companies are still working in figuring out how to make low budget rifles with accuracy like Savage consistently.
In fact, all rifles in this category are now copying Savage design directives but Savage is decades ahead in this type of manufacturing. Their barrels are so good for the money,
they are used in other brands and rifles. A $700 savage uses the same bores and barrels as the axis. A huge plus. I think bolt heads are the same so you can swap calibers easily
too. A huge plus too imo.

The basic Axis is a good shooter out of the box. Trigger is awful but can be remedied by trimming the spring. Boyds makes a great looking stock for them. They were a real bargain when there was a 50 dollar rebate available.

I would also consider the Mossberg Patriot. Great adjustable trigger and it's right in that price range, available in walnut, syn, or laminate stocks.

I got an Axis when they first changed the name, indeed the trigger was horrible (probably over 8#). Trim of factory spring did not help much.

The trigger spring fits into the lower trigger piece by virtue of the coils matching the hole's threads. Factory epoxy was pretty good, so during removal (simple pry from above) I messed up the factory spring a bit. Big whoop. I ran a 10-24 set screw up through the hole, keeping the bottom pretty flush and took a new same coil D spring and threaded it to the exposed bit of set screw. This made for a nice trap and the trigger was better after some spring trim- still was safe with major impact testing.

Overtravel was huge.

Checked the web and some dork said "don't make the spring post as tall as your inward post".

I looked at my trigger and went WTH????

The safety slides back and forth, and when back and on "safe" the lower plastic part is over the factory safety screw. Where properly set, it comes to bear immediately against the plastic making for no trigger movement. Pushed forward to 'fire" the portion of the safety where the safety screw bears is out of the way and the screw can travel up a ways during trigger pulling. There is NOTHING over the safety screw.

Maybe Savage changed the trigger design, I dunno. But from what a guy posted on another forum.......it makes no sense. Not with the trigger mine has.

Anyway, I yanked my setscrew, put in a reg cap screw of substantial length and took it to where all overtravel was gone.

To remove the bolt one has to press the cocking indicator and trigger after firing.

With all overtravel adjusted out the sear would come back and drag/catch on the trigger piece farther back. I could have ground the offending bit away, but instead backed off my overtravel screw a smidge. The bolt comes out OK now. No biggie.

It just so happens that a button head 10-24 of standard length works fine. I grabbed one from the archery bench, stock screw, maybe .50" long, dunno, never measured it. It stuck up same as my longer one at new setting so i just cranked it in. The head being more shallow than a cap screw works good at never contacting anything on the bottom side, although a cap screw might clear, the trigger guard does sit away a bit.

75 cent spring from hardware store fit over the screw fine. It's not attached to anything, is just trapped when assembled. I should count coils and write that down, in case I monkey with it more and lose it.

Anyway, the spring I got (I should get part # from hardware store, was in a vendor vidmar type of deal) is of more coarse pitch, even when compressed, so it doesn't match the pitch of the 10-24 screw, so there's no added drag - sometimes I overthink stuff.

So yeah, a little stoning and $2 worth of stuff and the trigger is much better. Creep gone, weight lighter, and almost all overtravel removed. It now is usable.

brianinca said:

Not in left handed, even now - check the Savage website. I've got Savage 10's, the Axis ain't a 10 - so to speak.

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That's easily cureable. An Axis, which can be had left-handed, plus a Rifle Basix trigger essentially gives you a left-handed Axis II.

I've never fired a Ruger American but I do own a Savage Edge (same as an Axis) with a Rifle Basix trigger. Judging by feel I wouldn't trade my Edge for an American. And knowing that there's little chance Ruger can beat the accuracy of my Edge without the Ruger being $600+, it makes it an easy decision for me. Both have a fairly flimsy stock, but they're budget rifles. And my only complaint about the Edge/Axis is that they don't make a short or mini action. My rifle is a .223rem, it'd sure be nice if the action matched the cartridge. But it's not that big of a deal to me.

I can find an Axis II with a factory mounted scope for the same price as the Ruger without a scope. If I were in the market for a budget hunting rifle, I'd go with an Axis II without a doubt. This is assuming that USED rifles aren't being considered.

I prefer the American. Axis looks awkward to me, I prefer the Ruger bolt throw and feel, and I like the Ruger stock better. Not a huge fan of the Ruger mag though. WAY too expensive to buy a spare if yours gets lost or damaged. Triggers on both need work.

I'm a big Savage fan, but imo the Axis is not a great choice. Honestly, you can purchase a Savage Model 10/110 with the accu trigger from Walmart for $389 with a cheap scope and it's significantly better than either of these two rifles in my opinion. I don't really see why anyone would go with the Axis when you can get the model 10 this cheap.

brianinca said:

Not in left handed, even now - check the Savage website. I've got Savage 10's, the Axis ain't a 10 - so to speak.

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I wasn't aware they didn't make them in left handed. not being a SA the OP didn't mention what hand. LOL. I see a lot of axis 2 running around in stores.

i got my heavy barrel 223rem savage axis with a cheapo bushnell scope for about $350 with the $50 rebate. according to a lot of rumors its a 111-110 barrel. yeah the long action sucks but the action and bolt feel like real steel to me. the stocks are also the same on both rifles. put a axis and American together and both have that goofy fore end with the pressed in checkering type deal. the Americans stock is a little shorter if i remember right.

I gave my brother a Ruger American in .243 a few years ago for Christmas. 2nd and 3rd shot out of the box were touching at 100. 1st wasn't 1/2" away. Sub MOA literally out of the box, with factory ammo. If a person expects more than that from a $400 rifle, they are a lunatic.

Having said that, I am a die-hard Savage rifle fan and have owned a Model 11 and still have a model 10. Both were tack drivers and gave me no trouble whatsoever. I haven't shot an Axis, but I agree that for the money, I'd wait for a deal on a model 10/110 with the accutrigger.

But the Ruger American is the real deal as well. Great shooting rifle.

I own a ruger American and good friend owns an axis. To be honest I would pay the extra money for the ruger but only for the looks. Both have proven to be very accurate for entry level rifles.
*Downside for the ruger
1)the magazines can be problematic. Sticking, not feeding properly, or like mine does occasionally... double feeding. It's a common problem with the American but not all experience the problem.
2)Also hard chambering, you can't be gentle when chambering a round

*Downside to the Axis is
1) the crappy trigger. Not near as nice as the ruger but it can still be shot accurately. You could upgrade to the Axis II and get the accutrigger
2) (In my opinion) The looks. Can be dressed up for around$100 with a boyds stock
My opinion

When I bought my 12 LRP it was a big difference then my Axis and expecily the Edge,I got so used to those two triggers when I went and shot my 1st round of 6.5 Creedmoor out of the 12 I just about ]{}#£€¥ed my pants,the trigger was set down around 8 oz,I did dry fire it at home a few times but at the range it just felt lighter,I swear if a fly landed on the trigger it would go off..........Guess that's why they call it a precision rifle...my 116 trophy hunter is around 2 pounds,my Axis about double that and the old edges well put it this way,you could drink a cup of coffee before you get that one to fire,feels like 8 pound but more like 6........anyway you get what ya pay for I guess,someday I would like to shoot a Ruger American just to see how they are then I could give a honest opinion on both.

I recently bought a standard Ruger American in .243 and went through a similar journey looking at all the rifles in the same class. My American is topped with a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 scope. Never had a feed problem with it. Perhaps they are a later generation of magazine? Trigger is fantastic! I couldn't be happier. I picked mine up used with less than a box of shells through it for what a new Savage Axis runs. The scope was additional. Great gun for the money.

I'm not a fan of the Axis. I've fired several of them. I'm a huge fan of Savage but you won't find the Axis is my safe. Prefer the 11 with the accutrigger, not much more expensive and for sure the better rifle.