- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Maybe you should learn what is needed from a hunting rifle before posting nonsense. First there is a difference between mechanical accuracy that can only be appreciated from a bench rest and field marksmanship, where the rifle is actually held by the hunter; there is nothing in the Axis design that benefits field marksmanship. The stock lacks stiffness, the comb barely takes the human form into consideration, and not only is the trigger poor, its non-adjustable. Game is not killed by shooting groups, and shooting groups is of no benefit when hunting. What is beneficial is the length of the shot string, that is the distance between the actual point of impact and the intended point of impact. If the two are in coincidence, life is indeed good. In this respect, thinking about realistic accuracy over normal hunting ranges, where the shot is as likely to be made off-hand as it is to be made from a low supported position, MOA is akin to measuring with a caliper and cutting with an axe.
The difference between shooting game and shooting paper is the open ended nature of the timing on a live target. The hunter cannot predict how long his target will remain motionless, so he shoots as quickly as his ability allows him to make a good shot. On a rifle range, a shooter is free to take his time, and break the shot when everything is just right. Even if he is shooting with an imposed time constraint, he knows how much time he has, and the paper target doesn't move, unless its really windy. If a game animal moves as the shot breaks, the hunter must rapidly reacquire his target before it makes cover, run the action as hard and fast as he can, while the rifle is at the shoulder, and break a follow-up shot, that hopefully accomplishes what is needed. That requires more from a rifle than the Axis can deliver. A stiff rifle action that causes the rifle to twist as the bolt handle is lifted, is not conducive to the fast follow up shots that can be required when hunting. A hunting rifle's sight should be in line with the hunter's eye, the moment his cheek hit the comb. The magazine catch should be secure and not prone to breakage even when subjected to the rough handling that might be inflicted upon a rifle in the field. The question is how far are you willing to stray from the ideal in order to obtain the deficient? Perfectly adequate and in some cases, an excellent hunting rifles can be acquired in the used market at attractive prices, one need only look at Tradex to get some idea.
There is a cost associated with hunting rifles, and while that cost can be minimized, it can only be minimized by giving up features and refinements. A rifle can be introduced to the market place at an attractive price, but if it lacks the features that define it as hunting rifle is, its not a hunting rifle, even though some may choose to hunt with it. It is possible to purchase an Axis, stabilize and reconfigure the stock or just replace it, replace the trigger with an adjustable one, polish the locking lugs, modify the magazine release, and install aftermarket iron sights. But instead of a budget priced rifle, the cost now is equal to that of a Ruger Scout, that can be unboxed, sighted in, and taken hunting, even without mounting a scope.
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