Bought a Savage Axis as a project

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ford8nr

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So the local FleetFarm store had an Axis package for $239 with a cheap scope. At that price it was too cheap NOT to buy. I've always wanted a .223 bolt for a range toy. I knew this DIDN'T have the accu-trigger so I ordered a spring kit that was suppose to be 3.5-4#, factory trigger breaks with a GRITTY consistent 6#'s. Decided to do an initial cleaning and pull the action to see what the basic trigger group looked like. Interesting...looked like a cast (?) trigger with a stamped sheet metal sear / bolt release, all containing VISIBLE burrs and roughness. Pulled the pins and cleaned the burrs off and polished with stone and 1000 grit emery. Reassembled, threw a snap cap in, cocked and attached the trigger scale, 2.2#, :what: ?? that can't be right. Tried several times and it repeats right at 2.2#. Held it up to my shoulder and I believe it is 2.2# with a little pre travel (that I'm OK with). Cocked and bounced butt on floor, no NDC. Opened a slammed bolt closed repeatably, no NDC. :)
 
Another intersting find in the trigger group was sear, sear notch and pivot points were covered in NEVER SEEZE...what the, never saw that before.
 
Yeah, I thought the same thing the first time I pulled a Savage M110 from the stock.
Indeed, anti-sieze on the sears. First time I saw that was with a Glock I was issued in '96.
Instructors bloviated about "melanite" finish and "special lubricant" on slide and trigger parts. Being an aircraft owner and pilot, I said.... anti-sieze.... one of the instructors "winked" at me ! I just smiled....

I likewise don't invest in over-priced "special springs and sears".
I just disassembled the trigger and polished and reassembled.

My Axis was little different. It too has a ~2.5lb "crisp" trigger after a little "cleaning" up with stone.. Mines a .243; as I had dies/components but nothing to shoot them in.
Turns out the rifle is a real "shooter".
The stock I don't like. To long and thin through the grip area. Rifle isn't worth "fixing" however. I'll pass it along to some "needy" hunter some day.
 
Savage has rebates on some Axis models, so take a look to see if your rifle qualifies.

I have an Axis in 223 that I converted to 300BO.

That Axis stock is by far the worst factory Savage stock. I spent a lot of time reinforcing the forearm to prevent it from flexing. This was prior to Boyd's offering aftermarket stocks for Axis.

I did the spring replacement on my trigger. At some point, I'll just replace the entire trigger assembly.

Great price on your Axis.
 
I did send in for the rebate, I believe it was $50. The $239 price I quoted included the rebate. Might get out for an initial break in and range test Saturday.
 
I have two. Both will shoot 50 grain Federal ballistic tips in a quarter and that bullet won't exit a coyote normally.
 
Love my AXIS. Put a Timney trigger in, shrunk my groups as expected. It loves Hornady 80255 bulk ammo. (I've managed .75" groups before). Plan on putting it in a Boyd's thumbhole stock, and eventually rebarreling to a heavier barrel)
 
Savage Axis 223 Remington

My 223 Axis gave poor accuracy from loose scope base screws that i had to tighten after test firing. Shoots well for a stock factory rifle with there 3x9 $50 Bushnell scope that came as a package.
th_SavageAxis223R.jpg
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th_BearingSurface.jpg
[/URL][/IMG] I can live with the heavy trigger pull. But wonder about the safety of the Savage action. If there is a case head separation or primer blow out, the Rem bolt gives more protection. The Savage extractor may be blow out of the bolt from high pressure.
th_3RingsOfSteel.jpg
[/URL][/IMG] click for larger photo.
 
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As the Axis comes out of the box I wouldn't have one. That said it's very accurate and with some dollars and work it can be turned into a nice rifle. It's easier now that Boyds has brought out a stock to replace that pathetic piece of plastic and it comes with the accutrigger.

I did my Axis build before either option was available and I am happy with the result.
 
I have an Axis in .243 and .308. Thinking about getting a Boyd's for the .308 or both. Also thinking about converting or trading the .308 for a 7mm08. he scope screws and mounting screws got loose on the .308 and caused accuracy problems until I figured out what was wrong. The .243 is my wife's gun and it's probably more accurate than I am with my handloads.

Sounds like a good project. The trigger is a little heavy on both of mine.
 
Range time

Got to the range today for barrel break in and load testing and at 100 yards couldn't hit a 24"W x 36"H target backer (?) with the factory sight in. Shot at the berm and found gun was shooting 24" right and 4" low. Removed the scope caps and found the R/L was almost max'd out left. Dialed aprox 40 clicks left and bottomed out the adjustment. The U/D turret had only 10 clicks up before maxing out the up adjustment. These adjustments left my Point Of Impact appox 12" right and 2" low. Gun shot OK with hold off / hold over, 10 shot groups with 2 different loads were 5" wide x 2" high. I believe the width was due to hold off aim with no good reference using the cheap factory 'no model' Bushnell scope. Sent Savage a email, we'll see what they say. I knew the mounts and scope would get replaced, just didn't think this soon. When I bought it I knew it was a $239 'project gun'.
 
I have to put a piece of shim stock on the right side of the rear scope ring in order to not max out my adjustment. No big deal for me as its never affected anything. Personally I think the Axis is a great build platform.
 
My problem with the Axis is that after replacing the trigger, stock, etc, you now have as much invested as you would have in a higher quality rifle to begin with. Basically, now you have an expensive, cheap rifle. Most budget rifles suffer from this curse.

Say $250 for the rifle, $100 for a stock and $100 for a trigger and your now in the $450 range, smack dab with all the mid tier rifles.
 
Ok, you can buy a $450-$600 savage rifle for an action to build off of, OR you can buy a $250-$300 rifle for the exact same purpose. Especially when you are on a budget, you can build a superb rifle, for less initial investment.

If you really doubt the build capability of an AXIS then I suggest checking out some of the builds on the Savage forum.
 
Well, my point is that if you buy a $450 rifle, you dont have to build it.:) Not criticizing anyones firearms choices, its just easy to fall into the expensive-cheap gun trap. A good example is like taking a $100 Mosin and turning it into a $300 modern sporting rifle, you could have just purchased an Axis or other budget model.

I was very tempted to nab an Axis .223, but I knew I'd hate the stock/trigger. I ran the math and after upgrades I was at the same price point of a Savage Hog Hunter, so I just went with that.
 
I understand your point, if you don't want to do anything to the rifle, buy a more expensive model. But as a project gun (where basically you are buying an action) I see no point in paying more. There are competion rifles being built off of the AXIS platform, that perform just as well as one built off of a more expensive action. (Note: most of the rifles I've seen replace the barrel, stock, etc. regardless of what action its from) when your intentions are to build a custom rifle, where you are going to replace most components anyway, I don't see the point.

Is there something about the Savage AXIS action guys are wanting to pick on? Cause honestly I don't see it. I've heard complaints about the recoil lug, but with the stocks from Boyd's I see this as a moo point.
 
I have several Savage rifles in various calibers. 30-06, 25-06, 223, as well as a 22 mag and a 17HMR. The accu-trigger is a great trigger once you get used to using it but the guns without the accutrigger have terrible triggers. I guess I could drop some money on new triggers or I could just not buy another Savage without the accutrigger. I am not confident in my ability to do a trigger job without creating a dangerous weapon.
 
My 'project' was to come up with a fun .223 bolt action range gun. Good enough for informal siloutte competition. I did the trigger, almost 6lbs to just over 2lbs at $0 cost. Looks like short term I'll try a new set of scope rings I have to correct the L/R scope issue. For $100 maybe a new stock. So I'm looking at $329 + glass. Still cheap.
 
It seems to me that your gun probably had some monkey playing with it at the store. Each of my Axis rifle got a trigger job. Very easy to do yourself for less than $5 bucks and some tweaking. All are accurate. If you want fit and finish get a CZ.
 
When I was looking for my last rifle, The Weatherby Vanguard S2 caught my eye. At $500 out the door, it had a MOA accuracy guarantee, a decent stock, adjustable trigger AND a hinged floorplate. The hinged floor plate sold me. The last time I walked through the woods with a detachable mag rifle, the mag dropped out and I spent the day hunting with a single shot.

Additional bonus, if you are a caster or shoot cast bullets, the twist on the Vanguard .308 is 1:12, which is very friendly to cast bullets.

It is available in a rifle configuration with 24" barrel or a carbine with 20" barrel.

Savage and Ruger make some good entry level rifles, but both have flimsy stocks and detachable box mags. As someone observed, by the time you put a decent trigger and stock on an Axis you are getting into some money.
 
We'll see what (if) Savage responds to my email. Haven't even gotten an auto reply. Had a problem with a Ruger once, sent an email, got a reply AND phone call the next day.
 
Dinosaur1
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Join Date: July 7, 2013
Posts: 84
It seems to me that your gun probably had some monkey playing with it at the store
Click to expand...
No way, came out of box, not off a display. Scope has no adjustment left and NOT on target. I've read other forums that people have had problems with the scope rings that came with the gun. Really? How much would an adequate pair of rings cost for Savage to put on their guns?
 
Odd, but not impossible for sure. I've only had one Savage that was bad but I squawked so much the store traded it out and the next one was good. I've got a Tikka I can't make go and it's frustrating as all get out. I believe Dave Petzel had an article about guns he couldn't make shoot that was pretty good. As with anything mass produced, someone, somewhere has a first day on the job.
 
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