Savage Axis XP reviews/advice?

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bhhacker

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I am looking for a hunting rifle and came across this model in the 30-06 variant with a scope for about 350$.

It looks like the perfect budget gun for me but i am having trouble finding reviews online.

Does anyone here own it? What do you think of it? Is it worth my time?


Thank you for your input :)
 
Not 30-06 but...

I have an Axis in 223 and it is a very accurate rifle. I'm sure the 30-06 will be the same. Only thing it somes with a heavy trigger, but it can be very easily lightened. The accuracy of this rifle will surprise you to say the least.
 
I have the Edge (what they were called before it was changed to Axis) XP in .308 and it is an excellent rifle for the price!

For an entry-level hunting rifle, I don't think you can beat it!

Cheers! M2
 
If $350 is your budget I think you'd really like it. If you can swing another hundred bucks or so though I highly recommed getting a Tikka T3 instead.
 
I have been using an Edge in .270 for two deer seasons now, and it functions perfectly. Its dropped everything I have shot at - 3 bucks and one hog. Its suprisingly accurate for a $300 rifle. I did a spring swap on the trigger, which lightend it up nicely.
 
Cheap flexi stock, rough finnish, and heavy trigger, yet like all Savages it is fully capable superb accuracy, and expect top notch reliability as well. A perfect utility gun or rifle for someone without much money to spend. You could make a case for spending a few extra bucks for a full fledged 110/111 Weatherby Vanguard, Tikka T3, or TC Venture, I recently bought a NIB Savage 111 combo for $386 and that includes the Accutrigger and nicer finnish, well worth the extra $36 IMHO
Half a dozen Savages and not one regret, yeah I am a fan.
 
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Axis does feel cheap...Savage has outdone themselves with the Axis stock...it's even crappier than other Savage factory stocks.

I just bought my 223 Axis last week and I'm adding some metal rods to stiffen the Axis stock. There are not any aftermarket replacement stock for the Axis rifle. It's been a fun project thus far, but the sock is pure crap.

The trigger is easy to lighten...takes a G2 pen spring and a 10-24 screw.
 
I had an Axis in .223 for a short time. It was a youth stocked version that I bought to train my nephews on.
The trigger is not the best but for a hunting rifle it is fine. Very lite triggers are great for bench work but I dont like them in the woods especially with a novice at the helm.
I gave that rifle to a gal who has started hog hunting with us recently. I havent gotten around to ordering another yet but it will definately be another AXIS when I do.
 
AR - he's not looking to spend more than 450 or so.. I dont think the rifle AND the trigger fits the budget. You can tune the trigger pretty nicely though. I just picked up a used 110 with the 3 screw trigger.. its plenty light for a hunting rifle (about 3-4lbs), crisp as all hell, with no pre or over travel once I adjusted it all out. Those triggers get crapped on alot, but realisically they aren't that bad. I dont think the timney is enough of an improvment over the rifle basix sav-1 which is only 80 bucks to be worth spending the money on it. I grew up using a 2 oz trigger on benchrest 22lr rifles... I 've yet to find a factory trigger, or an inexpensive replacement trigger that is truely exceptional, but several are acceptable. I actually like the 3 screw that I've got now, and will be looking for more rifles with it vs. the accutrigger.
 
The stock is an easy fix w/ some epoxy and metal rods. It will make it feel 100% better.

A Google will turn up many threads on this topic.
 
I picked up a Savage Edge this year because I didn't have a 243.
Scope that came on gun is not perfect but as a 3-9 it works great for hunting.
Gun is very accurate up to 3-4 shots & as barrel heats up your shots will wander an inch or better.
People say the mag falls out of gun---I never had that problem
For the price it is a great little weapon
 
I have the Axis XP .308 in camo that I picked up from Cabela' early this year for $329 on sale and I love it! Especially for the price I couldn't be happier. Shot 1" at 100yards right out of the box, scope is clear with decent adjustments, bolt is smooth and secure not nearly as loose feeling as the rem 770's, magazine seems well constructed but the plastic retention clip does worry me a little bit, it seats solid (make sure the back end is pushed in first) the stock is on the flimsy side, I would recomend storing the rifle NOT in a case that puts pressure on it as this caused me point of aim problems for a while, and the trigger is pretty rough / heavy but is very easily improved. Just do a google search for "Savage Axis (or edge) trigger fix / job" and you'll find many pages and videos on it. I highly recomend replacing the spring with something from a hardware store and trimming that if needed that way if you screw up its a $1.00 fix to get a new spring. Savage does NOT list / sell replacement springs so I chose not to mess with that one and kept it just in case. Trimming "a little at a time" got me to 2.5 lbs really quick, I was trying for 3 but I'm happy with where its at.

As for ammo mine has loved the Federal Power Shok (blue box) 150 gr soft point, did well with Winchester Super X 150gr and did its best with Federal Premium Gold medal match 168 sierra hollow point boat tail (only for paper not hunting). It did NOT like Win Super X 180gr, wouldn't even stay on a piece of paper at 100 yards and almost wouldn't even stay on at 50 yards.

Just saw that you posted this in may so did you get it? If so hope you're enjoying it.
 
I have had two..

...and of those I still have one; a .223. It isn't a bad rifle at all and still sports the Bushnell scope it came with. The .270 went to my son-in-law when I got a Weatherby-Howa in that caliber.
Recently I bought a Ruger American in .308 and believe Ruger has out-Axised the Axis. The stock is better, the bolt is smoother, it has a tunable trigger (it has an Acutrigger clone) and better bedding than the Axis. Also, the scope mount is much more universal than the Axis, which requires a long body scope or special mount if you want a different scope than the one it came with.If you have a scope lying around, you may find the American a better rifle
 
I have a Savage 110 accu-trigger 30-06 the action is nice and slick but the accuracey is not what the internet led me to believe it would be. In real life my gun shoots about 2" at 100 yards off a rest - I am just starting to handload to try and get a little more out of it. I really like the top tang safety but the stock was just uncomfortable and was swapped out. My package scope lasted 1 box of ammo. For $350 look at the Ruger All American.
Nothing wrong with my Savage but the internet seems to hold them in Higher regard then I do both of mine so keep an open mind.
 
sayak said:
Recently I bought a Ruger American in .308 and believe Ruger has out-Axised the Axis. The stock is better, the bolt is smoother, it has a tunable trigger (it has an Acutrigger clone) and better bedding than the Axis. Also, the scope mount is much more universal than the Axis, which requires a long body scope or special mount if you want a different scope than the one it came with.If you have a scope lying around, you may find the American a better rifle
Click to expand...
That's because Ruger likes to copy other firearms. This has been the trend with Ruger in recent years.

The Axis scope base is cheap...replace it with an EGW and you will be GTG.
 
Aubie515: pardon the lack of knowledge but what is an EGW base? I am planning on replacing the scope and rings on my axis after this years hunting season and if an improvement can be made to the bases as well I would love to know about it.

Thanks.
 
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