entry level bolt action opinions wanted

[ford8nr]

I was just asking the same question a few weeks ago. After gathering a lot of great info from folks on this and other blogs, I went with the Savage Axis XP in .308, last Friday. I paid $379 for mine at Dick's. I am new to hunting, so I wanted something reliable, that wouldn't break the bank, just in case I decided hunting wasn't for me. I went out and fired it yesterday and got it sighted in. I am heading to South Carolina tmw to go on a hog hunt, so I will get to see how it and I perform in a real-time situation. Mine doesn't have the Accutrigger

Same rifle that I grabbed just before Christmas but mines in .223
Did a thread on my "axis project" since then. I found with the cheap plastic stock where you support it will greatly change your POI. I stiffened the stock forend, weighted and foam injected the butt stock, skim bedded the action and bedded chamber area, did a quick stoning of the trigger group (REALLY HELPED), sold the Bushnell on eBay for $40 and put a 4x14x40 Redfield on it. Still working on load development but it likes heavier bullets. It has a long leade, seated at 2.40 they are just off the rifling for a 69g Hornady. At this point I'm getting 5 shot groups just over 1" at 100yds.

 

[Elkins45]

The Axis is more of a tinkerers kit than an actual gun IMO, and I say that as a Savage fan. If I were buying one of the low end rifles I would probably go Ruger or Marlin, in that order.

But before I did that I would take a tour of the local pawn shops and maybe visit a gun show if I could, because there are some truly great guns out there just waiting to be taken home. I walked out of a show a couple of years ago with a JC Higgins bolt gun for $250. For those of you unfamiliar with them (I can't remember if it's the model 50 or 52) these were commercial FN Mauser actions with chrome lined barrels made by High Standard and sold by Sears in the 50's. This rifle would cost close to $1000 new today but the guy who had it amongst all of his other name brand guns was practically begging to sell it.

 

[bluejeans]

Yes, a used, quality gun is better than a brand new piece of mediocrity. Mauser are good bang for buck and remember that upgradability is endless. Timney trigger for a$55 is the best place to start. 308 Mauser still go for $150 where I'm at. A remmy or winchester would be great too but harder to find cheap.

I too have a j.c. Higgins 30-06 I go for $200. With a timney trigger and a 3x9 scope it shoots .75 moa.