Savage Axis?

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Deanimator

Deanimator

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I'm considering an elk hunting trip to Oregon next year.

I've got a couple of 1,000 yard target/sniper rifles, a Savage 10FP in .308 and a Savage 112-BVSS in .30-06. They're excellent rifles and amazingly accurate, but they've got long, heavy barrels and are quite heavy for carrying around. These are the only Savage rifles with which I have any familiarity.

I'm thinking about buying another rifle in general hunting configuration, and would like to stick with Savage.

I've seen some excellent deals on the Savage Axis, but so far I haven't seen any reviews from anybody I trust (Hickock45, etc.).

Does anyone have any firsthand experience with the Axis? I'm specifically interested in the .30-06, since I've already got one and have the loads nailed down tight.

Is the package with scope a good deal, or should I buy the scope separately? I've go 6-24 Bausch and Lombs on my two rifles and they're excellent at 600 yards.

Any information would be helpful.
 
It depends on which scope package you get, but the lowest end ones you'll probably want to replace the scope right away. If you get into the combos with the Bushnell or Weaver scopes instead of the unbranded scopes I'd consider using them as a plug and play option.

From what I've gathered, the Axis rifles tend to be rough and not the greatest looking but quite accurate. I've seen others state they get the same barrels as the 10/110 and 11/111 lines.

Me personally, I'd take a hard look at the T/C Compass. Really a killer deal right now, you could get one and buy a decent mid priced scope that will be superior to the better savage combos.

https://gun.deals/product/thompson-center-compass-30-06-spr-22-barrel-5rd-23998
 
Last edited:
BigBL87 said:
It depends on which scope package you get, but the lowest end ones you'll probably want to replace the scope right away. If you get into the combos with the Bushnell or Weaver scopes instead of the unbranded scopes I'd consider using them as a plug and play option.

From what I've gathered, the Axis rifles tend to be rough and not the greatest looking but quite accurate. I've seen others state they get the same barrels as the 10/110 and 11/111 lines.

Me personally, I'd take a hard look at the T/C Compass. Really a killer deal right now, you could get one and buy a decent mid priced scope that will be superior to the better savage combos.

https://gun.deals/product/thompson-center-compass-30-06-spr-22-barrel-5rd-23998
Click to expand...
I was wanting to stick with Savage since (brandwise) it's a known quantity with a good selection of aftermarket accessories, especially triggers. I have a Sharp Shooter and a Canjar single set in the 10FP and 112BVSS respectively.
 
I had an axis 2 xp package in 223. It had a weaver kappa 3 - 9 x 40 on it I was able to shoot and hit my target at 550 with it, but I did a trigger job, stoned sear and trigger interface, changed trigger spring and address overtravel screw. I've done the same to 2 other axis 1 rifles a 243 and a 3006.

The optic is not too bad as a hunting optic not optimal for target shooting because the crosshair covered the bull at Max magnification. Remember that these are budget optics and are quite functional, but you may want a better optic for an elk hunt or a back up optic just in case. Your 6 - 24 may be too much magnification for your hunt depending on the terrain.

I never fired the 06 myself, but Iirc it is a 6.5 pound rifle so you might feel a little more recoil. The weight would be fine for hiking in elk country.

Psa far as accuracy goes 223 would shoot bugholes with Max charges of I 4895 and 50 to 55 gr bullets.

You might even look into a savage 111 in 06 they are a little more expensive than the axis, but come with a Nikon postaff 3 - 9 x40 optic which to me is a better scope.
 
Deanimator said:
I was wanting to stick with Savage since (brandwise) it's a known quantity with a good selection of aftermarket accessories, especially triggers. I have a Sharp Shooter and a Canjar single set in the 10FP and 112BVSS respectively.
Click to expand...

That's fair, I own a 10 FCP myself in .308 and it is a darn good rifle.

If you're wanting to stick with Savage, by the time you are getting into Axis combos with scopes worth keeping (around $350 or so) I'd foot the extra few bucks for an 10 or 11 combo to get a better rifle AND scope.

https://lockedloaded.com/product/sa...ld-22-41-synthetic-black-stk-black-with-scope

https://lockedloaded.com/product/sa...6-springfield-22-41-synthetic-black-stk-black
 
While the Axis is an accurate rifle, IMO that's really the only thing it has going for it.

If your dead set on getting a combo, than what @BigBL87 is suggesting is probably the way I'd go.

For myself I'd most likely opt to purchase a scope separately. As for the rifle I think any of the sporter 10/110s will be about as good as another.
 
I had 2 a early edge before they changed the name and a newer one. They shoot just fine, but to may things fail on them for me to use for hunting. Spend a few more bucks for a rifle that won't break every time you shoot it.
 
troy fairweather said:
I had 2 a early edge before they changed the name and a newer one. They shoot just fine, but to may things fail on them for me to use for hunting. Spend a few more bucks for a rifle that won't break very time you shoot it.
Click to expand...
that's funny, the axis I've been working with literally fell apart on my buddy while he was hunting with another friend of ours.. Totally his fault for not checking his screws, but it ruined the gun for both of them.
 
LoonWulf said:
that's funny, the axis I've been working with literally fell apart on my buddy while he was hunting with another friend of ours.. Totally his fault for not checking his screws, but it ruined the gun for both of them.
Click to expand...
Ya I had a few things break, both the mags broke then again after the next weakest point broke after the fix. One the little tab that holds the butt pad on broke. The trigger guard cracked on the early one. The base holes were not true.
 
I’ve got an Axis heavy barrel .223. It’s accurate and I picked it up for $215 after tax and $50 rebate a couple years back. The stock is flimsy. I had an issue in which it wasn’t feeding from the mag. I emailed Savage and the sent a new mag free of charge and since then the rifle has worked good. That said, I’ve got two of the comparably priced Thompson Center Compass (.243 and 7-08) and I think the Thompson Center Compass rifles are a better buy. You can find them for under $250. The stocks are similar, but the Thompson Center rifles have 5R rifling, better magazines, and threaded barrels.
 
I've had a 270, 308 and 22-250 Axis. All 3 needed trigger work and the stock stiffened to get consistent sub moa accuracy. While the package scope works temporarily, it will fail so I don't recommend it.
Overall it's a gun for someone who needs one and is on a tight budget.
About 2 hours of work and it will shoot out of its class.
 
I have an Axis, but it's the old one without the Accutrigger. My wife got it for me a 6 years ago for my 50th birthday. Mine is in .308 with the lightweight barrel. My observations are as follows.

1. The plastic stock is a flimsy piece of crap.
2. The action, and barrel that came in it is very accurate.

I didn't know anything about the Axis at the time so I started looking online, got on a Savage forum, you tube videos... everything I could think of. First thing I found out is it's real easy to do a trigger job on them. You can clip off one coil of the spring, or replace it with a different spring... Mine had no creep, but was a bit heavy. Now, with one coil gone, it's real nice. You shouldn't have to deal with that with the newer guns. I found some guy making custom bolt handles, so I had him do me up one just for fun. I like it a lot better that the stock one. Not needed, but it was a cool little touch. I sent him mine, he did the new knob on it. The stock, I just could not live with, so I ordered one from Boyds. This completely transformed the gun. Now it looked like the guns in the catalogs that I lusted after as a teenage boy... The added weight helped a bit with recoil too. Having the lightweight barrel does mean, it will start to string if I do a long range session, but it was built as a hunting gun anyway. It will do under .75" with Fed GMM, and 1.25" with Core-lokt. (from the bench)

RkumvQA.jpg
 
I have two; a 223 Axis without the accutrigger and a new 6.5 Creedmore Axis II with the accutrigger. Both are accurate; I modified the trigger on the 223 as suggested above and it's adequate as a coyote gun. The Accutrigger on the Creed is maybe the best trigger on any rifle I have except the aftermarket Timney I put into a Rem 700. I shot it for the first time yesterday and it was MOA with factory ammo. The scope package is usually a low-end Bushnell, so I'd suggest your own scope. Best part is, that Axis II, if a 6.5 will suffice for your hunt, is $296 without a scope right now at Walmart. Yes, the stock is crap and I'll probably replace it if I use this rifle for any target, but it makes an adequate hunting stock, particularly if you sand out the tip so it doesn't contact the barrel.
 
Many of the Axis models come with scopes. Pay attention to which one is on there. I have seen Nikons, Bushnell, and Redfield Revolution scopes on Axis rifles. If you get a good scope for a good price, it is hard to beat. As long as you can avoid paying more for a lower quality scope.
 
Space Ghost said:
I have an Axis, but it's the old one without the Accutrigger. My wife got it for me a 6 years ago for my 50th birthday. Mine is in .308 with the lightweight barrel. My observations are as follows.

1. The plastic stock is a flimsy piece of crap.
2. The action, and barrel that came in it is very accurate.

I didn't know anything about the Axis at the time so I started looking online, got on a Savage forum, you tube videos... everything I could think of. First thing I found out is it's real easy to do a trigger job on them. You can clip off one coil of the spring, or replace it with a different spring... Mine had no creep, but was a bit heavy. Now, with one coil gone, it's real nice. You shouldn't have to deal with that with the newer guns. I found some guy making custom bolt handles, so I had him do me up one just for fun. I like it a lot better that the stock one. Not needed, but it was a cool little touch. I sent him mine, he did the new knob on it. The stock, I just could not live with, so I ordered one from Boyds. This completely transformed the gun. Now it looked like the guns in the catalogs that I lusted after as a teenage boy... The added weight helped a bit with recoil too. Having the lightweight barrel does mean, it will start to string if I do a long range session, but it was built as a hunting gun anyway. It will do under .75" with Fed GMM, and 1.25" with Core-lokt. (from the bench)

View attachment 859133
Click to expand...
Thats a very nice stock, got all the options besides an adjustable comb and fancy pad on it! If i do end up keeping this axis i worked on for my buddy its getting something like that....in for a penny, in for about 300 pounds i say!
 
Get one with an accu trigger and put a better scope on it and your good to go. Both mine touch holes every time they go bang.
 
There are better rifles "out of the box" as has been said, but the Axis is still a good rifle. It's best suited for the person who just wants to shoot it as is. Then you really get a bargain, because it will still shoot well, even if you do have to put up with a crappy stock. I didn't have a choice. My wife bought mine for me. First firearm she ever bought, so I decided to sink the money into it. Can't say I'm not happy with it though...
 
Even with a known brand of scope I will not purchase a rifle/scope package. I like a better scope. I certainly wouldn’t trust a package scope for hunting elk. The one exception I’d make would be the Weatherby Vanguard/Leupold VX-2 3-9x 40 package.
 
A Savage 110 in 30-06 would be a shooter. They're heavy to pack around at about 8lbs unscoped, but they've got no questions as far as accuracy, especially if you'll be handloading.

But package scopes.... ehhhh. If they won't tell you what the scope is, don't buy it. Looking up 30-06 110s on Bud's, most of them come packages with a "Nikon" scope. Which Nikon scope? If it was a good Nikon scope, don't you think they would advertise that? I've seen some rifle packages advertised with Redfield Revolutions or Nikon Buckmasters, and those would be all right for hunting, but don't go for the "mystery meat" scopes.

If you can't find a good name-brand package scope, I'd just buy the bare rifle and get the scope and rings separately.
 
Mosin Bubba said:
A Savage 110 in 30-06 would be a shooter. They're heavy to pack around at about 8lbs unscoped, but they've got no questions as far as accuracy, especially if you'll be handloading.
Click to expand...
I've got a 112BVSS in .30-06. It's an excellent long range target rifle. On the other hand, it's quite heavy, and not necessarily something I want to hump up and down rugged terrain. I'm looking for something somewhat lighter, and that's probably going to be a 110 with a sporter weight barrel.
 
Deanimator said:
I've got a 112BVSS in .30-06. It's an excellent long range target rifle. On the other hand, it's quite heavy, and not necessarily something I want to hump up and down rugged terrain. I'm looking for something somewhat lighter, and that's probably going to be a 110 with a sporter weight barrel.
Click to expand...
Don't overlook the Stevens 200 if you see a nice used one. I really liked them.
 
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