Savage axis accuracy

I found my $29 Axis II to very accurate, even with the cheap Bushnell that came on it, and stock trigger:

That's with Silver Bear, a brand of ammo not known for it's accuracy. Here's one with my handloads, again at 25 yards:


And the gun:


I believe this one is a keeper.

Get the trigger kit from mCarbo. If makes a world of difference with the axis triggers. Very affordable worthwhile upgrade.

The mcarbo kit looks like a winner. Gets great reviews. I went with RifleBasix Sav I all my Axis rifles. They are great but a lot more expensive than the mcarbo.

I put the Mcarbo kit in mine too. Major improvement.

Good shooting!

While I admittedly dont care for the rifles, ive never seen one shoot or function poorly.
Ill also recommend the Mcarbo kit, and a bit of polishing. While it dosent work miracles, it goes a long way for little cost.

And good shooting guys!

LoonWulf said:

While I admittedly dont care for the rifles, ive never seen one shoot or function poorly.
Ill also recommend the Mcarbo kit, and a bit of polishing. While it dosent work miracles, it goes a long way for little cost.

And good shooting guys!

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I'll join the crowd and recommend the M*CARBO trigger kit as well. Huge improvement.

My old Axis has the heavy trigger. Accuracy has dropped off after 2200+ rounds fired. Took off the Bushnell 3x9 that came on it. The new Bushnell Trophy 6x18 extra powder didnt help groups any.

KsSkaEnthusiast said:

Those are all the groups i shot with the rifle, I then took it back to 350 yards and nailed an 8 inch steel plate 15 times out of 15 with the freedom munitions on a windy Kansas day. This really rubs me to get another axis in a caliber I don't already have like a 22-250.

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If really interested in a 22-250 there is a used Axis with camo stock for sale locally. I have actually seen it and it's nice. Asking $299.00.. If interested I can PM you details.

I almost bought it but purchased a used Model 10 223 instead.

My Axis II heavy barrel in .223 seems to be a good shooter. I have not tested it's limits yet but since the rifle only cost me about $50 I can live with sub MOA accuracy I guess.

I really miss my axis II, it would shoot bug holes with several types of factory ammunition as well as my handloads. Did a trigger mod and polish on sear. Trigger broke crisp at 2.25 lb, not quite as good as the Timney on my rem 700 but close enough.

The rifle is still in the family so I get to shoot it occasionally, it's new permanent home is my SIL's gun safe.

entropy said:

I found my $29 Axis II to very accurate, even with the cheap Bushnell that came on it, and stock trigger...

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Woah. I’ve been shopping, but no way I can beat 29 bucks!!

Ru4real said:

Woah. I’ve been shopping, but no way I can beat 29 bucks!!

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A bunch of us found them on closeout last summer at Walmart for $79 and then $49 with a $50 factory rebate. I bought 4 and still have two. Man August was a hell of a month lol.

I have a Savage Axis in .223. Took me forever to find a decent optic at a price I was willing to pay (those of you who know me from the Reloading section will understand that I am a "bottom-feeder" - just like the catfish I raise).

I find the rifle accurate, but I really don't care for the scope mounting as it seems to impede a "second-shot".

Barbaroja said:

A bunch of us found them on closeout last summer at Walmart for $79 and then $49 with a $50 factory rebate. I bought 4 and still have two. Man August was a hell of a month lol.

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Yeah, my heavy barrel Axis II was priced at a premium of $89 or $99, I loose track, plus rebate not to mention Walmarts $89 and $99 Remington 700 ADLs . It was a heck of a summer for Walmart deals, I got four and then not long ago, two closeout CVA inline rifles. Killer!

It surprises me that folks are surprised that the Axis is accurate. Is that not the one shot one kill company? There are rifles floating around that cost $3,000 that can barely if at all best a $29 Savage Axis.

Yep I got ahold of a 700 adl in .233 for $79. Sold it off to buy another revolver. Wish I had just kept it and forked over the extra cash to get the revolver.
I wish I could have found an black powder gun. I’m missing one from my lineup.

hdwhit said:

I find the rifle accurate, but I really don't care for the scope mounting as it seems to impede a "second-shot".

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I don't think it's the scope mount, I believe it is the bolt itself. When I bought mine used it came with an aftermarket bolt handle. It is larger in dia. and longer and makes a huge difference.

My daughters Axis in .243 is extremely accurate with Winchester 100 gr PowerPoint factory ammo used for deer hunting. I’m sure I can tighten it up even more with reloads but why mess with it when it’s knocking deer down at 100 yds with ease.

Are you guys grabbing the bolt with your fingers to work it or palming it?

Either works. Offhand I tend to palm it, from the bench, prone or kneeling, I'm more gentle. Comes from shooting Mosins offhand, they sometimes need a little encouragement to open.

The bolt does come close to the scope but if palmed it is a non issue. If worked by grabbing the handle then I can see how some might run into the scope. I dunno, seems like a non problem to me.

Barbaroja said:

A bunch of us found them on closeout last summer at Walmart for $79 and then $49 with a $50 factory rebate. I bought 4 and still have two. Man August was a hell of a month lol.

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Ya, my Axis cost me $4 post-rebate due to tax, not a bad haul, haha.

I've actually spent so many times more on things for that rifle than the rifle itself it's not even funny. When I get my settlement money from Facebook (being an Illinoisan came in handy for once!) I'm going to buy a Sightmark Wraith NV scope and an upgraded IR illuminator to turn it into my night time coyote hunting rig. Call me vain, but I'd rather bugger up the looks of an Axis with a night vision scope than my Weatherby Vanguard!

When you add up the new stock, trigger kit, mount, NV scope, and illuminator once I have all of them, I'll have put almost 185x what the rifle cost me into it, haha.

Now, if I could only find reasonably priced 243... I only have 40 rounds of 95gr that I bought before things went crazy. Heavy to be a coyote round but it'll do the job.

Regarding bolt throw, I have to run extra high rings to be completely clear of the scope bell when running the bolt. High were usable but rubbed against the scope which I wasn't a fan of, I've heard the Glades Armory aftermarket bolt solves the problem. Really, the 90 degree bolt throw is probably my least favorite aspect of the rifle, but I can live with it.