Savage Axis .223?

[Jimmy Driscoll]

Hi guys, after posting here earlier and getting my questions answered, I think I might wanna buy the Savage Axis .223 rifle. It's right in my budget and fits all my needs.... I don't plan on doing any trigger mods as I will only use it when I go hunting or out to the range (plus I'm on a tight budget) has anyone owned this gun before? What are some pros and cons, would this be a good gun to buy ?

 

[Kingcreek]

If value is important, I don't think you could do any better on a budget. There are a lot of them out there with far more positives than negatives.

 

[Mn Fats]

Pros: cheap, accurate. Cons: flimsy stock, sub par trigger. Trigger and stock can be replaced later down the road when your budget allows so no big deal there.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I bought one for a specialty coyote gun because of the left-hand availability. Mine is the non-accutrigger model, but after a little trigger mod (which was very easy) it's a really nice, accurate and light bolt gun. Not much for looks, but I sure like the shooting.

 

[Sunray]

The Axis is an entry level hunting rifle. This time of year you might find a higher end used varmint rifle for about the same money in your local gun shop. Mind you, Cabela's has Package M111's with a Nikon scope at $519.99. Vs the Axis II package with a Weaver scope and the AccuTrigger at $449.99. $50 mail in rebate on either of 'em too.

 

[someguy2800]

They are good accurate guns for the money when they go on sale. I've seen them for less than $200. Try to get an Axis II if you can, they come with a much better trigger.

 

[Axis II]

I have a heavy barrel with accu trigger 223 and a reg barrel 223 non accu trigger. Search around for an axis 2 with accu trigger. I got mine for like $300 after a rebate from fin feather fur in ohio. The non accu trigger is okay and they will shoot with the best of rifles.

 

[hdwhit]

Savage Axis .223 rifle. ... has anyone owned this gun before?

Yes. I own one now.

PRO:

• Model with non-adjustable trigger is good, not great.
  
• Surprisingly accurate out of the box for what you pay for it.
• Very Affordable.

CON:

• Model with non-adjustable trigger is good, not great.
  
• Front end of the polymer stock is kind of flimsy.
• Extra magazines are expensive.

If I had to do it all over again, would I still buy the gun? Yes.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes.

Would I still expect them to be my friend if they followed my recommendation? Yes.

 

[entropy]

My recommendation is 100% spot on with hdwhit's. The target in my avatar pic is my sight-in of my Axis.

 

[montanaoffroader]

Mine is quite accurate as well. I did do the trigger spring mod as the trigger was quite heavy out of the box.

It has proven to be quite reliable with no malfunctions of any kind. My younger daughter even shot her first deer with it, so I will have to pass it along to her one of these days.

If I recall correctly, I paid $267 out the door at Walmart for the bare rifle. Not a bad price for what you get, IMO.

 

[someguy2800]

I was at the gun shop tonight and paroozed through all the entry level bolt guns just to refamiliarize myself with some of the newer offerings. They are not really pretty or refined but for the $250-$300 that they commonly go for its hard to see anything better. They are good shooting solid guns. I played with a regular axis and an axis II. The trigger on the axis II is a lot lot nicer but both are serviceable and I'm sure the non accutrigger can be lightened a good bit with a spring change. Honestly of all the entry level and mid range guns I looked at tonight, even up in the 600-700 dollar range, I would rather have a used Remington 700 over all of them (and I don't like 700's!) The fit and finish of new rifles are on a steady decline. They are all looking more and more like an axis, which begs the question why they cost 3 times more.

 

[entropy]

I'm sure the non accutrigger can be lightened a good bit with a spring change.

Very easy to do, there are You Tube vids. Compared to most of my Mosins, the Axis trigger is not bad at all; I didn't bother working on mine.

 

[someguy2800]

Very easy to do, there are You Tube vids. Compared to most of my Mosins, the Axis trigger is not bad at all; I didn't bother working on mine.

Thats not a high standard for comparison!

 

[DoubleMag]

Basic budget bolt guns, go bang, not going on african safari. Did you consider the Thompson Contender Compass. Right now there's a rebate and the gun can be had w/ free shipping for under $200 at kygunco. Spare mags are more reasonable. Yes budget gun but nicer stock (IMHO) better grip area/wrist. Rifle is slightly heavy not much. Adj trigger. Threaded barrel end for potential upgrades later. Good luck finding those qualities at that price with an entry rifle.

Anyways just something to ponder, good luck!

 

[entropy]

Thats not a high standard for comparison!

True! But there is something to be said for learning to shoot even a bad trigger well- and it certainly helps one to appreciate a really good trigger more.

 

[243winxb]

 

[someguy2800]

True! But there is something to be said for learning to shoot even a bad trigger well- and it certainly helps one to appreciate a really good trigger more.

Yep i actually like the trigger on my mosin. Takes some getting used to finding the break when shooting offhand but I like it for shooting off the bench.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Had one, it was very accurate, with a very good factory trigger.
But....the flimsy, outrageously $$ magazine looks like a disaster waiting to happen, and the ejection port is too small to easily load through as a single shot. On the upside, it actually held 5 rounds rather than the advertised 4.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I "HAD"one. .243Win.
I despised the stock. Specifically in the grip/wrist area.
Accuracy wise, the gun was awesome. With the Hornady 65gr V-max over 42.5gr of IMR4064 at 2.650"oal, it shot several .4-.5" 5-shot groups. It had the standard (not accu-style) trigger which was easy to tweak to ~2.5lbs crisp.

With a Boyd's stock, it might be tolerable.
I much prefer the Marlin X7 series of rifles.

 

[JackSprat]

I've got 3 Axis rifles now,and they are a good value,and all mine function fine..All mine are short action calibers,but all the Axis are built on a long action,and I don't know why..You will probably need to buy a one piece base because the spacing between the two piece that comes on the guns are spaced out too far for a lot of common scopes.Like others have the stocks are flimsy,and the clips have a plastic bottom,and a plastic clip.The trigger is easily dealt with for practicaly free..I have a 223,and it is a nail driver..I have learned that when shooting them from a shooting rest not to pull or twist the stock to get on target..I don't think the flimsy stock will be much trouble hunting unless you plan on using a bipod.

 

[ford8nr]

Kinda late on a reply but heres what you need to know. Did a complete Axis project 223 a while back.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?posts/9842044/

 

[flip888]

I have an Axis in 30-06. It shoots about an inch with factory ammo. It could do even better with hand loads. I had trouble getting accuracy out of at first because of the stock and trigger but that was mostly my fault. I got mine for $200 at Walmart. It outshoots some of my brothers $1000 rifles.

I recommend it if your on a budget or just don't care about nice aesthetics and features.