Axis .223 to 300Blk Conversion...

Who makes a 300Blk barrel for it?

Nice stock and scope.

I'd shorten the barrel to 16"

You gain very little, if anything, from the extra inches.

I've considered a similar project myself. However, my starting point would have been a short Stevens or Savage action. One issue that concerned me was the reports of ejection problems in Savage actions with short cases like the 221 Fireball or the 30-221 family. Some people had reportedly been able to get the ejection to work fairly well and others still had problems.

I'm not sure how that would relate to the Axis action. While the Axis is similar to the Savage, I don't know how similar or different it actually is not having closely examined one. If I was going to start with an Axis action for a short case, I would check into the possibility of ejection problems and possible fixes.

My choice of barrel twist for a 300 BLK would have been different than most people. I envisioned using the rifle for 50 to 100 yard plinking using 110 to 130 grain cast bullets at 1400 to 1700 fps. For my use I probably would have gone with a 1 in 16 twist, which is totally different than most people go with.

My understanding of the Savage Axis action is that there is only one length and that Savage uses spacers to allow for different length cartridges. Is that true?

Since Savage has discontinued the Stevens 200 rifles, my next project would probably start with an Axis.

I am currently waiting for the gunsmith to finish threading and chambering the barrel for the 30 Remington I’m putting together. For this project I started with a Stevens 200 in 308 Win. The Savage type bolt was attractive for the project since 6.8 SPC bolt heads were available. Since the 30 Remington was the parent cartridge for the 6.8 SPC, the bolt head became no problem for this project. The rifle will be used primarily for cast bullets in the range of 150 to 170 grains. I am using a 1 in 12 twist barrel for the 30 Remington.

If I built a 300 BLK, as stated, I would go with a 1 in 16 or maybe a 1 in 14 twist. That is because I would use the rifle differently than most people use the 300 BLK. Most people are using 180 or heavier bullets. In that weight range the 1 in 10 makes sense. However, I would be using cast bullets in the range of 110 to 130 grains. I don’t plan on long range shooting, just inexpensive 50 to 100 yard plinking. I would be using the rifle basically as a bolt action super 32-20.

I'm not sure why you'd choose a 20" barrel, but that's just me. I'm also not an ER Shaw fan and I live in PA where the Shaw is located.

I went with a McGowen 16.5" barrel for my 300BO Axis.

Axis factory stock is by far the worst Savage stock I've ever had the displeasure of owing. I spent quite a bit of time to reinforce the forend with steel rods and epoxy. I also cut the stock to give me a shorter LOP.

Even with my suppressor attached, my Axis is still shorter then my Sako TRG 42.

I refinished the action with KG Gunkote Titanium and had a new bolt knob installed.

I don't know what you mean by "spacers" You can swap barrels/calibers on modern Savage rifles. The bolt face on 300BO is the same as on 223. The same bolt face for 308 will allow you to use 22-250, 243, 260 etc.

I know no one using a 1:14 or 1:16 twist in a 300BO...and plenty cast their own bullets. 1:8 is minimum and many are switching to 1:7 twist.

gpb said:

My understanding of the Savage Axis action is that there is only one length and that Savage uses spacers to allow for different length cartridges. Is that true?


If I built a 300 BLK, as stated, I would go with a 1 in 16 or maybe a 1 in 14 twist. That is because I would use the rifle differently than most people use the 300 BLK. Most people are using 180 or heavier bullets. In that weight range the 1 in 10 makes sense. However, I would be using cast bullets in the range of 110 to 130 grains. I don’t plan on long range shooting, just inexpensive 50 to 100 yard plinking. I would be using the rifle basically as a bolt action super 32-20.

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I don't know what you mean by "spacers" You can swap barrels/calibers on modern Savage rifles.

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He means they don't make the axis in long and short action. All are long action with a spacer in the magazine for whatever cartridge it's chambered for.

Very interested in this but I thought the blackout was having trouble in the savages or maybe that was just suppressed. I had also considered a 6.8 spcII conv. in a savage I think either would be great for the wife and kid.

If 300blk is too short to work you could always go to a 300/223 which should make it long enough to feed and eject properly.

i usually hate the laminated stock look but the color scheme of yours looks good

It's just a .223 case necked up to .30

cmparmory.com does the conversion IIRC and they also do it to 5.45....

GaSwamper said:

Very interested in this but I thought the blackout was having trouble in the savages or maybe that was just suppressed. I had also considered a 6.8 spcII conv. in a savage I think either would be great for the wife and kid.

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No, that was the lame excuse that Savage used to tell customers they weren't going to offer Savage rifles in 300BO.

There are plenty of guys that have 300BO using Savage action.

Yea I couldn't understand why they would have a problem I mean a bolt gun is fairly straight forward. You would think they would be all over the 6.8 .300bo market.