Savage AXIS(Edge)

[MikePaiN]

I don't shoot rifles all that much accept for my 10/22 at the indoor club I belong too. I only make it out to a rifle range once or twice a year and at the moment I don't even own any centerfire rifles, just a PPC and the 10/22
Anyway, I discovered the "entry level" rifle class and decided I could justify and afford one of these setups for the amount and type of rifle shooting I do. It'll also be great to have a true rifle caliber on hand. After looking at and reading up on the offerings in this class I've decided a Savage AXIS w/Bushnell 3x9 scope in .308win would be the way to go. I can pick these up for somewhere around $330 out the door + ammo.

Any opinions?

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I dont own one, but I have been looking for a while. Interested to see answers.


From what I have read, googled, and you-tubed....they seem to be good out of the box basic 1" +/- rifles. Light, so they will kick in .308......

 

[bullockcm]

I have a friend that has one in 7mm-08. Ohio Gun Guy summed it up well, it is light so it does have a bit of recoil but nothing that is going to hurt you, just not the gun you would want to put 100 rounds through off a bench in a day but that isn't it's purpose. It is accurate, his does 1.25" - 1.5" groups. Trigger pull is quite heavy. Scope is obviously inexpensive but the adjustments are repeatable and accurate. You say you are set on .308 which is fine but if you are primarily target shooting you might consider .223 unless there is another purpose you did not state that would require the larger caliber.

 

[MikePaiN]

No, the rifle wouldn't be strictly for target shooting....I've only been hunting once but I have friends that have been asking me to go with them to hunt in NY and VT, it would also serve as a general purpose survival rifle. I picked .308 because it is a capable, readily available round from cheap plinking to hi-performance ammo.
As for the trigger, most of what I read says AXIS has a 5lbs. very crisp break. A few other reports state it is "heavy" more like 7-9lbs. .....Anyway, lightening the AXIS's trigger pull, if you so desire, is rediculously easy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jytBGdJSjWA

 

[nra-for-life]

i won a the same savage axis with the scope already mounted at a nra dinner banquet. i was pleasently surprised to find it shooting sub moa 5 shot groups on the first (and only) outing with it. i was shooting hornady varmint ammunition, mine is chambered in 22-250.

the stock is cheap and the trigger is what you'd expect on an entry level rifle. there are lots of posts on other forums on ways to lighten the trigger with aftermarket springs available your local ace hardware and some posts with guys foam filling their stocks. i lightened up the trigger pull on mine. im yet to find some time to do some load developement for the rifle and get back out and shoot some more.

overall, considering the price i would say purchase with confidence. savage has a great reputation and typically makes a very accurate factory rifle. mine is probably the cheapest moa to sub moa grouper that i have ever owned. bang for the buck on this rifle is top notch. good luck and happy shooting

 

[arizona98tj]

I always find it hard to construct a single sentence with ".308 Win" and "cheap plinking ammo" in it....unless it goes something like....."There is no more cheap plinking ammo left for the .308 Win."

Depending on what you shoot in your hand loads, they can run from not overly expensive @ $.40 apiece to upwards of $1.00 a round (or more). (depends on component brand and pricing).

 

[MikePaiN]

Like I said arizona98tj, it won't get shot much so I can swing .308. Around here I can get Silver Bear 145g for ~$10/20 this would be "plinking" ammo.

Anyway, I want out yesterday and did some shopping around. I do like the feel of the AXIS but Cabela's sale was over and they were back up to $399 +tax(from $329 for the scoped combo). Bud's still has the setup for $290 shipped
I found some other interesting prospects also My LGS had two Savage Model 10 FCM Scouts one in .308win and the other 7.62x39. Of course, there is a huge price difference, these were $699 +tax and I'd still have to ring and scope it....
This shop also had a nice used Remington VTR 20" in .308 they were asking $499 with mounted bases and Leupold rings...I'd need to add a scope.
I've always liked the VTRs and Model 10s but my financial sense kicked in, I just can't figure spending $800 to $1000 for the amount and type of shooting I'll do with the rifle, when I can get all I need for $300...

 

[DIM]

For the same price get yourself Stevens, which is basically Savage model 111. This way you'll have Savage action with plenty after-market parts for you to modify in the future. For target shooting at least you'll need varmint barrel contour....

 

[slowr1der]

Actually, that Stevens is the same as the model 110. The 111 has a detachable magazine, or drop plate.

My opinion is you'd be better off spending a little bit extra than both of them and going to Walmart and spending $400 for the Savage Model 10's in short action calibers, or 110's in long actions. They come with a cheap scope either a Bushnell or Simmons, depending on what I see on that particular model. I've seen both, and they also have the accu trigger. To me, the accu trigger is worth the few bucks extra, and you also get a better rifle that the Axis. Another advantage is you can change barrels very easily on them even at home, which you can't do so easily on the Axis. It really just is a great rifle, and everyone I've seen has shot sub moa right out of the box. I think this is really one of the best deals going for a budget rifle.

That said, if you don't want or can't get that one, I think the Stevens 200 is a better buy over the Edge. It's basically just the older Model 110 without the accu trigger. Academy has done sales in the past for the .270 and 7mm-08 for $179 on these, and if you can get one new for under $250 I'd definitely go with this. The only reason I don't normally recommend it more is around here they are $300-320 with no scope and at that price, I just think the one from Walmart with the accu trigger and a cheap scope is worth the extra.

 

[DIM]

Probably you right slowrlder, few years back I bought 111 FCXP3 model in 270 WIN with scope, but no accutriger or accustock and yes it had detachable magazine. Now I replaced its barrel to 260 Rem in varmint contour changed its trigger to Riflebasix Sav-1 adjustable to 12 OZ and it literally shoots bugholes.
in this thread I posted picture of grasshopper head shot http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7686304#post7686304 .

The original 270 WIN was great for hunting! It was light durable and accurate, not bughole accurate, but it held 0.5"@100 yards 3 shots with its pencil-thin barrel. Either way 110 or 111 or Stevens 200 Long! Why long you might ask, well with long action you'll have more choices in case you decide switch to a different caliber , so you can chamber it for 308 or 6.5x284.

 

[HOWARD J]

I have an edge in 243 winchester caliber.
It has a very light recoil---came with a 3-9 scope boresited
Using 90-100 gr bullets it would be good for deer.
Lighter bullets good for smaler animals
Very accurate. 50 yard target--19 bullet group

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[red-demon652]

I picked up my savage axis at walmat for $267.00. In .223, but i noticed they also have it in .308 then i added a redfield 4-12 power scope the $210 dollar one at cabelas shoots great. Moa

 

[Hunterdad]

Also, give the Marlin XS7 a look. I have one in .308 and it is a great shooter.

 

[Cluster Bomb]

now days Stevens, Savage and marlins are virtualy identical except for some minor minor diffrences. They are owned by same company. virutally same parts. Some models of one another dont have acutrigger while others do but they are identical....go figure. You can pick one up for under $400 and on the low $250 end aswell.

they are a good out of box hunting/shooting gun. they arnt as accurate as an 800+ gun but will still keep up. I would get one in .270 or 7mm mag as they shoot straighter than a 308 or 30-06.

Many people are surprised with accuracy of the gun, as the stock feels really really cheap.

I would get a Stevens, Marlin or Savage over a Remington.

 

[clang]

+1 for a Savage bolt action guns. I've been lucky enough to find a couple of very early 110Ls (the Left Hand version) at bargain prices. One is .243, has a Weatherby style french walnut stock and came with a steel Weaver 6x scope, and the other is .30-06 with a nice hand checkered American Walnut stock and a 2.75x Redfield Steel scope. Both were purchased in like new condition and have less than $500 into the pair.

Both are very accurate and have nice triggers - must have been made before the lawyers got involved.

 

[slowr1der]

now days Stevens, Savage and marlins are virtualy identical except for some minor minor diffrences. They are owned by same company. virutally same parts. Some models of one another dont have acutrigger while others do but they are identical....go figure. You can pick one up for under $400 and on the low $250 end aswell.

they are a good out of box hunting/shooting gun. they arnt as accurate as an 800+ gun but will still keep up. I would get one in .270 or 7mm mag as they shoot straighter than a 308 or 30-06.

Many people are surprised with accuracy of the gun, as the stock feels really really cheap.

I would get a Stevens, Marlin or Savage over a Remington.

Let me start off by saying that Marlin, Stevens, and Savage aren't all owned by the same company. Stevens and Savage are, but Marlin is owned by Remington who is owned by the Cerberus Capital Management group.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Group


As for not being as accurate as a $800 gun, I disagree. I've seen many Savage Model 10's that would out shoot many $800+ guns. I think what should be said here is they often won't out shoot a custom rifle. I've yet to see a factory rifle that shoots any better than many Savages.

 

[DIM]

the more money I spend on Savages the less accurate they turned out, after 111 model I bought 11 BTH, then 12 LRP and 12 LRPV, so from my experience don't try to get all bells and whistles, just get base model and customize it along the way.

 

[T.huynh]

Also, give the Marlin XS7 a look. I have one in .308 and it is a great shooter.

I second this. I was also pretty sure of getting an axis till I ran across the marlin XS7's. Seems like a whole lot more gun for the money.

 

[MikePaiN]

I also planned to add a shotgun to my collection. As it turns out a good I came across a good shotie deal I didn't want to pass up, so this purchase is on hold for awhile.

 

[Zombiphobia]

yeah, I have one in .308. They're Savage accurate, alright. I can get 1moa out of mine when I'm really trying. Don't expect quick follow-up shots to remain in tight groups though, they spread quick once the barrel's warm.

I second that the stock feels really cheap, but it also shoulders very nicely and is lite enough to carry all day. Check it out in the store. For the money, it's not a bad choice but yeah, for a little more dough, you can do much better.