Buy a Savage Axis II in .280AI or sell a Ruger Hawkeye to pay for a Kimber Hunter in .280AI?

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wombat13

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I've been itching to get a .280AI for a few years now. I have brass, bullets, and dies, but not the rifle. I've narrowed my choices to either the Savage Axis II (with Accutrigger) or the Kimber Hunter. It appears the price difference is about $450. Whichever rifle I buy I would likely top with a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x.

Now, I know a lot of people really dislike the Savage Axis II, but I have one in .25-06 and I like it. It is very, very accurate. So keeping in mind that I like the Savage Axis II, which of the following should I do?

1. Buy the Savage Axis II.
2. Sell a Ruger Hawkeye Stainless in .25-06 to generate the funds to step up to a Kimber Hunter.

The Hawkeye has been sitting in a box for 5 years. I originally bought it for my daughter but it was too big and heavy so I bought the Axis. It will most likely continue to sit in the box for at least several more years if I don't sell it.

I realize that the Kimber is a "nicer" rifle, but how much nicer and in what specific ways? Are those improvements over the Axis II worth giving up the Hawkeye?
 
By the way, I am aware of the differences on paper: Kimber is 24" barrel vs 22" for Savage; Kimber is 5.75 lbs vs 6.3 for the Savage. I'm not really sure if the lighter weight of the Kimber is a benefit. The Leupold scope will weigh about 20 oz., so the Kimber would be about 7 lbs empty while the Savage would be about 7.5 lbs. Full house 140 gr loads in the 7 lb rifle will be approaching the recoil of my 10 lb .300WM. I've also read that light rifles are harder to shoot accurately, so maybe the extra 0.5 lbs of the Savage is okay.
 
Just wanted to provide another option...not that you need one. But I was browsing Ruger's site a couple of days and as a 280ai fan it caught my attention.
https://www.ruger.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/models.html

Another option to think about is rebarreling your Hawkeye to 280ai.

Between the two options you mentioned I would go for the Kimber Hunter but it's personal bias and features that would lead me to suggest that (and the aformentioned option of rebarreling the Hawkeye).

One thing to consider is I would try and stick with a 1:8" or 1:8.5" twist if possible. This will allow for heavy for caliber bullets 160-175gr when tackling larger game like elk and moose, but still shoot light lasers in the 140-150gr weights as well.
 
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I like the Axis II also and have one in 6.5CM but it is not on par with the Kimber 84M. First thing the Axis did after about 20 rounds was to spit the ejector out. I got aftermarket improved parts for it and it has been good since. But the Kimber has a proper wing safety and is controlled feed and an all around better rifle except for one thing, it is no more accurate than the Axis but it is lighter. And that can be expected of a hunting sporter profile barrel, good for three to five shots and then it needs to cool off. The slightly heavier Axis barrel seems good for a few more before it walks. Both are 6.5CM.
 
I don't have experience with that particular Kimber (shot an axis on several occasions, good gun).

I have the same rule on buying guns that I do with tools. If I use it once a year I buy the cheapest I can find. If I use it often, I spend the money on quality.
 
Booger66 said:
I don't have experience with that particular Kimber (shot an axis on several occasions, good gun).

I have the same rule on buying guns that I do with tools. If I use it once a year I buy the cheapest I can find. If I use it often, I spend the money on quality.
Click to expand...

How about a tool that gets used once a year but on a job that cost you $500-1000 in travel expenses, and 1-2 weeks worth of vacation to get to?

Don't get me wrong, I hear what your saying but when one has a lot tied up in a hunt, its nice to pay a bit more for quality.
 
BreechFace said:
Just wanted to provide another option...not that you need one. But I was browsing Ruger's site a couple of days and as a 280ai fan it caught my attention.
https://www.ruger.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/models.html

Another option to think about is rebarreling your Hawkeye to 280ai.

Between the two options you mentioned I would go for the Kimber Hunter but it's personal bias and features that would lead me to suggest that (and the aformentioned option of rebarreling the Hawkeye).

One thing to consider is I would try and stick with a 1:8" or 1:8.5" twist if possible. This will allow for heavy for caliber bullets 160-175gr when tackling larger game like elk and moose, but still shoot light lasers in the 140-150gr weights as well.
Click to expand...
From what I can tell, rebarreling the Hawkeye will cost almost as much as the Kimber and it will be much heavier.

Both the Axis and the Kimber are 1:9 twist.
 
wombat13 said:
From what I can tell, rebarreling the Hawkeye will cost almost as much as the Kimber and it will be much heavier.

Both the Axis and the Kimber are 1:9 twist.
Click to expand...

You are right, rebarreling will cost more in the long run, when you discount the amount you get out of the Hawkeye. It was just an option that you may have not been considering.
 
A 1:9" will be fine you will just be limited to any very long bullets, but there are good heavy for caliber bullets that are short enough for a 1:9" as well.
 
BreechFace said:
How about a tool that gets used once a year but on a job that cost you $500-1000 in travel expenses, and 1-2 weeks worth of vacation to get to?

Don't get me wrong, I hear what your saying but when one has a lot tied up in a hunt, its nice to pay a bit more for quality.
Click to expand...

Then you want the Kimber. It is just as accurate, lighter, has a wing safety CR feed and a decent plastic stock (Hunter). If you want it to be lighter yet and no detachable magazine, you gotta go for the Montana or Mountain.
 
BreechFace said:
You are right, rebarreling will cost more in the long run, when you discount the amount you get out of the Hawkeye. It was just an option that you may have not been considering.
Click to expand...
I've looked into it and I think the only reason to re-barrel would be to get the faster twist.
 
wombat13 said:
I've looked into it and I think the only reason to re-barrel would be to get the faster twist.
Click to expand...

My suggestion comes from the fact that I like Hawkeye's, for the same reasons that I would lean more towards the Kimber. The 3 position safety, CRF, just make for a great hunting rifle. It's nice to know that my bolt is locked into the receiver by the safety in the odd chance that something bumps it and it releases from the rifle on the side of the mountain. It's happened to hunters before; albeit not often at all.

A 1:9" will be fine, if there was a choice I would go with a slightly faster twist.
 
@wombat13 What areas do you hunt? Mountains with elevation gain? That is where the Kimber shines with it's lightweight and features.

If we are talking about hunting out east from deer stands or the flatlands of the midwest, I don't think it's benefits are worth the squeeze.
 
I've only ever hunted in my home state, NY, and that's where this rifle would be used. My 8 yo son has big dreams of us hunting together out west someday, so I hope to make that happen.
 
I have a number of Savage rifles and several of the Axis II models. I like the action but not the stock in most instances, so that would be the determining factor for me - whether it was a decent Savage stock or one of their crapola ones. Most of my Axis IIs are in chassis stocks. The ones still in their original stocks are on their way to other, better stocks. I've only got one Savage rifle that I will keep in its original stock - a 110 Long Range Hunter I believe and even then the stock is not the greatest.
 
I'm looking at the savage axis II and while its about half the price of the Kimber, its not even in the same league imo. The Savage is a budget rifle, and it looks like a budget rifle, if that means anything to you. I'm not saying it should, but it might.

The Kimber is a upper-mid tier quality trigger and barreled receiver that uses a plastic stock to bring price down. The plastic stock is one of the better designed plastic stocks on the market, doesn't hinder the rifles functionality or accuracy, and is usable as is. It feels capable and it looks fairly traditional but still modern.
There are no machining marks present anywhere on the Kimber. The fit and finish of the Kimber is excellent. When you look at the action and barrel, it presents as a high quality semi custom rifle, from the roll marks to the profile of the barrel and size of the action. Everything is built to be as substantial as it needs to be and no more.

The Savage is an upper-low tier quality trigger and barreled receiver with a low tier plastic stock. The stock will be an achilles heel right out of the box as by all reports its flexible to the point of affecting accuracy. I don't care for the stock ergonomics. I haven't had the chance to examine the fit and finish of an Axis II but I will say from what I know of Savage, for the price the Kimber will be heads and shoulders above an Axis II that's half the price.

Again, it depends on your needs. If this were a rifle for myself, I know what i'd choose, and I did. If this were a rifle for a youth that perhaps will be temporary or a stepping stone, I might opt for the Savage.

However, consider that the Kimber Hunter is light. Very light. It is not really a beginners rifle in that it takes practice and discipline to shoot to its potential. It does not settle down onto target like a heavier rifle does, and it does not sit as stable on target like a heavier rifle does..... particularly offhanded, and particularly if you are winded in the least from hiking or excitement.
 
As far as Savage is concerned, you MIGHT consider looking into a 110. Little more expensive but better put together than the Axis ( although I`ve seen more Axis IIs at our range when it comes to hunting rifles than anything else ). My 110 in .223 is a great shooter. If I were looking for another rifle in a different caliber, in the 110s price range, would probably buy another. JMO.
 
AJC1 said:
Honest answer get the 110 vise the Axis. You get more twist for heavy bullets and a platform I've done tons of barrel swaps on. I was literally looking at this exact gun for a few months.
https://www.classicfirearms.com/savage-57144-110-engage-hntr-xp-280/

The storm is stainless and I like that
Click to expand...
My 110 is the Storm. I`m not an expert on comparatives when it comes to stocks on rifles but the one on my 110 seems fine. Of course, the gun is .223 so not much in the recoil category.
 
I can’t see bothering to chamber a 22” barrel in .280AI.
To my mind, that’s like buying a stud horse for $$$$$$, and then having a vet neuter it!

A 26”bbl I can see! 7mmRemMag performance with a ‘06 size case. I thought that was the point behind the .280AI?

I despise the Savage Axis, And care little for the M110 action.
I do have a Marlin X7S that I’m fond of. I passed on one in .25/06 (X7L). Because it had a 22” bbl. I already have a .257Roberts! (A .257WM, too...)
But that’s just me...
I gave consideration to having a Interarms MkX .270rebarreled to .280AI, but that’s little gain for the $$$.

I ended up buying a Remington M700 ADL 7mmRemMag on clearance for $299+tax. Tossed out the Chinese 3-9x and mounted a 4.5-14 Burris.
26”bbl gets 3,150fps with a 160gr bullet. I already had brass, dies, powder,and bullets.... I’ve got $450 in a New rifle and scope.... And I can get my money back if I ever sell it...
 
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My 280ai is a 24" barrel, makes it doable with a suppressor on the end of it. Wouldn't want any more hanging out there.

If one reloads and adjusts powders used for a 22" barrel, there is still A LOT of performance out of a 22" 280ai.
 
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