Savage Axis XP for first hunting rifle

I would skip the axis and go used as has been suggested.

If you're not going to reload, and plan on hunting deer inside 150yd you may want to consider a 7.62x39 such as the cz527 or other similarly priced alternatives. You'll pay a little bit more up front but the target ammo is about half the price (less if you don't mind cleaning your rifle after shooting corrosive). There's decent affordable hunting ammo out there as well. Regular target practice is an important but often overlooked part of hunting.

If you need/want 308, the cz557 is still amazing bang for the buck with some sub-models still under 700$ new with free shipping. There are some amazing used deals if you keep an eye on the EE or other classifieds. I picked up a cz557 eclipse in 3006 with a Bushnell elite scope for my hunting partner for 700 all in.
 
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prairie lover said:
I can't make myself like the axis. But I dont have alot of complaints about the 783. I even own one. Its nice.
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The 783 isn’t bad but if you get the chance to check out a Howa or Weatherby you’ll see that they’re a much nicer built rifle for not much more money than an axis, Ruger ranch, 783 price catagory of rifles. Smooth action and a pretty damn nice factory trigger, hammer forged barrel. Like I said I’d choose one of those over any of the other cheaper priced options, my only gripe with my Howa is it doesn’t come in a left hand action. People complain that the legacy mag kit is cheap but in my experience it works just fine and the blind mag it comes with is good as well.
 
Suther said:
As far as I am aware there is no easy mod for the bolt lift being so heavy. I have read about people messing with the firing pin springs but some of those same people had issues with bad primer strikes after.

If there IS a cheap fix I'd love to hear about it though!
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you clip the spring on the trigger not the bolt
 
mimile said:
To the OP,
I would not buy any used rifle online. No matter how nice it looks or how 'little' it was shot. If the barrel is burnt your are in for $500. If I were you, I would save a couple hundred bucks and buy a Howa, a Weatherby Vanguard or a Tikka T3x.
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There are lots of good deals and good people selling them on the EE.
I don't think you realize just what it takes to " burn out" a barrel!
I have been buying and selling used guns on the internet for many, many years, the people sellig them are not just trying to screw someone over.
There is a video out there that shows 1,000 rounds in one hour put through a 6.5 Creedmoor with an IBI barrell on it.
The rifle still handles about 1MOA after a goood cleaning.
I have and have seen barrels that with the borescope looked like a dried up river bed that still handle 1MOA or less.
You do not need a 1/2MOA or even a 1MOA rifle to kill an aniimall at 250 yards.

As far as the Axis goes, I have seen a few at the range, some faactory, some have been modified.
Everyone that is shooting them like them for what they are, either a rifle they can afford and enjoy, or a cheap rifle they picked up to tinker with and modify to for the unniquness of it.
Cat
 
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Jahnj0584 said:
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=450082
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Is that an Axis bolt? I don't think it is but I haven't had mine apart in a while?

And clipping the spring can cause issues. I've seen two Axis that had issues setting off reloads, mine wouldn't set off CCI primers reliably and my friend also had issues, iirc with Remington primers. I switched to Federal primers and haven't had any issues since (nor did either of those rifles ever have issues with factory ammo) but I am hesitant to touch the firing pin spring due to that experience.
 
Suther said:
Is that an Axis bolt? I don't think it is but I haven't had mine apart in a while?

And clipping the spring can cause issues. I've seen two Axis that had issues setting off reloads, mine wouldn't set off CCI primers reliably and my friend also had issues, iirc with Remington primers. I switched to Federal primers and haven't had any issues since (nor did either of those rifles ever have issues with factory ammo) but I am hesitant to touch the firing pin spring due to that experience.
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You don't want to clip or streatch firing pin springs at all.
CCI primer cups are a lot tougher than Federals...... .
Cat
 
iroc22 said:
I have an Axis. Don't shoot it too often, but it's very accurate. Magazine and stock feel cheap - it also just looks kinda cheap.

But if you don't have a ton of disposable income and want to join your buddies in hunt camp or at the range....it's a great option for this.

As mentioned earlier, intersurplus and Trade Ex have some great used rifles that would also serve you well.
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Intersurplus has some cool looking stuff! Problem is, most of the guns they have on there I have never heard of the manufacturers in my life and thus have no clue if they are any good
 
Wis3guy said:
Intersurplus has some cool looking stuff! Problem is, most of the guns they have on there I have never heard of the manufacturers in my life and thus have no clue if they are any good
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Well, you clearly know how to post a thread on CGN. That puts you like 50% of the way. lol

Search threads here. Search google too. Heres an example:

https://intersurplus.com/collections/308-winchester/products/parker-hale-commercial-m98-in-308-win-2

The rifle is made by Parker Hale, and its a model 98 mauser pattern rifle. (m98 means mauser 98 pattern of rifle). If you try researching Parker Hale, and then try researching Mauser 98, then both together, you should get a lot of answers to the questions you have. If you still have questions after doing a bit of googling, post a thread on here with specific questions and I can pretty much guarantee you someone will have an answer for you.

Good luck!
 
Most are model 96 or 98 Mausers sporterized by husqvarna, some of the husqvarnas are FN commercial actions, very well regarded guns. I would venture most any rifle on there is better than an axis. Most of the sporters are well done professional jobs.

The husqvarna 1600s are also a safe bet. Lots of 30-06 and 8x57, 6.5x55 would be a good round for Ontario hunting too. I would just go for an 06 for simplicities sake. I would say if you get a Mauser spend the extra 50 bucks on one in really good shape. Torque the action screws to spec when you get it. A lot come with weaver bases, grab some rings and a scope off the e.e and you are set.

You could also buy one with a cracked stock and grab one of the cheap synthetics they have. The sky is the limit if you want to upgrade later

Lots of good threads on these guns. I don’t think the talking heads on the board would mind answering any questions you have about specific guns.

If you are new to shooting I would not suggest buying a gun with a metal or thin plastic buttplate like that Parker hale. Try to find one with a good recoil pad and adjustable trigger if possible. I have bought a few of these from tradex for less than 450 bucks

Just one man’s opinion, worth what you paid for it.
 
Suther said:
Well, you clearly know how to post a thread on CGN. That puts you like 50% of the way. lol

Search threads here. Search google too. Heres an example:

https://intersurplus.com/collections/308-winchester/products/parker-hale-commercial-m98-in-308-win-2

The rifle is made by Parker Hale, and its a model 98 mauser pattern rifle. (m98 means mauser 98 pattern of rifle). If you try researching Parker Hale, and then try researching Mauser 98, then both together, you should get a lot of answers to the questions you have. If you still have questions after doing a bit of googling, post a thread on here with specific questions and I can pretty much guarantee you someone will have an answer for you.

Good luck!
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Good point! lol...thank you!

conor_90 said:
Most are model 96 or 98 Mausers sporterized by husqvarna, some of the husqvarnas are FN commercial actions, very well regarded guns. I would venture most any rifle on there is better than an axis. Most of the sporters are well done professional jobs.

The husqvarna 1600s are also a safe bet. Lots of 30-06 and 8x57, 6.5x55 would be a good round for Ontario hunting too. I would just go for an 06 for simplicities sake. I would say if you get a Mauser spend the extra 50 bucks on one in really good shape. Torque the action screws to spec when you get it. A lot come with weaver bases, grab some rings and a scope off the e.e and you are set.

You could also buy one with a cracked stock and grab one of the cheap synthetics they have. The sky is the limit if you want to upgrade later

Lots of good threads on these guns. I don’t think the talking heads on the board would mind answering any questions you have about specific guns.

If you are new to shooting I would not suggest buying a gun with a metal or thin plastic buttplate like that Parker hale. Try to find one with a good recoil pad and adjustable trigger if possible. I have bought a few of these from tradex for less than 450 bucks

Just one man’s opinion, worth what you paid for it.
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Thank you, got your pm as well. I will check them out
 
My Savage Axis 223 can shoot 0.6moa 5 shots group out to 300 yards with my reloads consistently, nothing compare to my customs, but the customs are 10 times the price...
 
Wis3guy said:
Intersurplus has some cool looking stuff! Problem is, most of the guns they have on there I have never heard of the manufacturers in my life and thus have no clue if they are any good
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Full respect for your honesty. Keep things simple. That's why I would recommend you buy a new rifle from a good brand. For a few more bucks you can buy a new Howa, Weatherby Vanugard II, or a Tikka. You want to have a good first experience in hunting/shooting.
 
mimile said:
Full respect for your honesty. Keep things simple. That's why I would recommend you buy a new rifle from a good brand. For a few more bucks you can buy a new Howa, Weatherby Vanugard II, or a Tikka. You want to have a good first experience in hunting/shooting.
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A few bucks more? Have you looked at the prices on those rifles lately? Things have gotten expensive in the last year or so, depending on the exact model those are mostly going for $800-1000 for just the rifle, then the OP still needs mounts, rings, and a scope. You're looking at double the cost of an Axis to get one of those and the bits and pieces required to actually use it.
 
Suther said:
A few bucks more? Have you looked at the prices on those rifles lately? Things have gotten expensive in the last year or so, depending on the exact model those are mostly going for $800-1000 for just the rifle, then the OP still needs mounts, rings, and a scope. You're looking at double the cost of an Axis to get one of those and the bits and pieces required to actually use it.
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Exactly my Savage Axis XP was $564.00 taxes in all I had to do is add the ammo - would never spend 1k for a first rifle - with the Axis you do not care if it gets dropped or knocked around
 
Suther said:
A few bucks more? Have you looked at the prices on those rifles lately? Things have gotten expensive in the last year or so, depending on the exact model those are mostly going for $800-1000 for just the rifle, then the OP still needs mounts, rings, and a scope. You're looking at double the cost of an Axis to get one of those and the bits and pieces required to actually use it.
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The package optic components are pretty low level though, just because it comes with a $10 set of rings and bases, and a $50 scope doesn't really make it reliable in the field.
I've had Axis in a few chamberings, but got rid of them for better made stuff, they shot fine, economics were pretty bad. I don't know what a decent scope goes for today, but I picked up a bunch of new Bushnell Elites (japan made), US made Redfields, and Nikon Prostaffs over the years for $200 or less, they do the job and handle recoil and abuse pretty well.
 
These days a box of ammo costs $ 50 on average. 2 trips to the range, shooting 2 boxes each time, would be $ 200. Adding $200 for a good rifle is relatively little in this case.
 
mimile said:
These days a box of ammo costs $ 50 on average. 2 trips to the range, shooting 2 boxes each time, would be $ 200. Adding $200 for a good rifle is relatively little in this case.
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Must suck to be wherever you are. It's $28 for Winchester super X in 308 at crappy tire here.

And we're not talking $200. We're talking $300+, PLUS optics. By my calculation that's not 4 boxes of ammo, that's 11 or more. (Or more like 20 boxes for a Tikka at the current retail price of $930+)
 
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Suther said:
Must suck to be wherever you are. It's $28 for Winchester super X in 308 at crappy tire here.

And we're not talking $200. We're talking $300+, PLUS optics. By my calculation that's not 4 boxes of ammo, that's 11 or more. (Or more like 20 boxes for a Tikka at the current retail price of $930+)
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You can't stop pontificating from the height of your armchair, can you? when you get your first deer, I will start replying to you.
 
mimile said:
You can't stop pontificating from the height of your armchair, can you? when you get your first deer, I will start replying to you.
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Awww did I hurt your feelings by showing how incorrect your assumption was?

I didn't realize one needs to kill deer to know how to do simple math or Google retail prices of ammo or guns... While I haven't killed a deer, I've killed multiple big game animals with a Savage Axis. Have you?
 
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