Bought a Savage Axis as a project

[HOWARD J]

I picked one up in 243---very accurate with the 3-9 scope
After 3 or 4 shots I noticed you could light a cigarette on the barrel.
Would make a great deer rifle

 

[ford8nr]

Trying to decide to keep or move along this project and haven't worked on it in a while. So I loaded up some 68 and 75 gr loads and headed to the range before the storm blew through. Light wind and cloudy. Best 5 shot 100 yd 75gr group was .89, best 68 was 1.01
Guess I'll keep it for a while.
Last 5 75gr shots were at a 12" square plate at 200. Went 3/5 offhand.

 

[AKElroy]

Those rings and bases are useless. I have one with the accutrigger, and I immediately ordered a weaver 1-piece rail. The cheap OEM base screws rounded off with very little torque and had to be drilled out. The new base is strong, and the excellent but inexpensive weaver top-mount rings are tough and solid. Maybe $50 total for that upgrade. Added a Boyd's stock, and for around $400 total I have a rugged, accurate, good looking rifle.

 

[ford8nr]

The bases and rings were junk. My biggest problem was the spacing wouldn't allow proper eye relief. Ended up with a one piece base and an extended set of rings.
It's a great rifle in concept, just lacks in the details.

 

[358Hoosier]

First group was std 2.26 OAL and was 1.4", second was seated near the lands at 2.40 OAL and was 1.3" with three shots touching.

In the example above, if it were a 3-shot group (the three touching shots), someone may claim their gun is a <0.5MOA rifle...based on a lucky group. When the 5-shot group really opens it up to more like 1.4MOA.

This statement here demonstrates exactly why 3-shot groups, and especially posting a single example of them, are not a valid demonstration of precision. If it was several back-to-back 3-shot groups shown on the sheet of paper would be one thing, but just a single group posted doesn't mean much.

I wish everyone would shoot 5-10 shot groups to demonstrate how precise their rifles really are. Not trying to derail at all, just giving an opinion that I don't put much stock in the evidence presented. Some people will shoot 10 3-shot groups and post pictures of the best one (that is a lot better than the average group size) claiming that their rifle is so swell, when 3-shots really allows for a lot of luck to be involved. Note, I'm not saying that you did that...I just know some people do. 5-10 shots helps eliminate statistical anamolies.

 

[ford8nr]

In the case cited those WERE consecutive 5 shot groups. Most of my rifle accuracy testing is done with 5 shot groups. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry with a known gun I'll shoot 3 shot groups for LOAD testing.
Last time out loads were 5 shot groups between .8 and 1.3 and yes I measured the two best at .8 and 1.1 as an example of accuracy potential.
I worry more about distance then pictures and measurements in internet groups. There are many posts / pics / claims of fantastic groups at distance that I really question. Being a Certified Rifle Instructor and Range Safety Officer I just know what the average shooter is capable of.

 

[Elkins45]

A nearby shop has a used lefty 30-06 for $229. I don't need it (I already have a LH Remington 700) but it's such a bargain...

 

[ford8nr]

Depending if it's a Axis without accu trigger or Axis II with accu trigger may or may not be a deal. Mine cost $229 new (after rebate) with a crap scope which I sold the scope and replaced with a higher quality one.

 

[nhcruffler]

I picked up an Axis 11 xp in 30-06. It came with the accutrigger and Weaver Kaspa scope. I really like the scope and the rifle is a tack driver. The scope was way off when I first took it out. I bore signed it and had my PBR set in less than a box of ammo. I have $259 into this rifle. Yeh, the stock is cheap but this rifle is so light I can carry it all over. ANd if / when I take a tumble in the woods or rocks and it gets scratched I really won't care.