Who bought an Axis?

What Axis did you buy?

  • .223

    Votes: 81 45.0%

  • 22-250

    Votes: 23 12.8%

  • .243

    Votes: 23 12.8%

  • 25-06

    Votes: 5 2.8%

  • .270

    Votes: 7 3.9%

  • 7mm-08

    Votes: 11 6.1%

  • 30-06

    Votes: 16 8.9%

  • .308

    Votes: 14 7.8%
  • Total voters
    180
Major Commander said:
Pardon my ignorance on this subject; could you explain further? Is it the quality of materials used in the action and stock, or a slightly different action design, or what?
I'm interested in one in .308. Thanks.
Click to expand...

The 111 has an integral recoil lug. The axis has the recoil lug in the stock which is a cost saving measure making it very difficult to get an aftermarket stock.

The magazine release on the Axis is plastic and there have been many reports of them breaking on the savageshooters forum, particularly in the cold. The 111 has a metal magazine and release.

The axis has a one-size fits all action. So if you're after a short action cartridge like a 308 (as you are) then you get a giant long action and giant long action magazine with a plastic spacer in the magazine to make the shorter rounds fit. The 111, on the other hand, has long and short actions. If you're looking for a 308, you want the Savage 11. (11 short action, 111 long action).

The 111 has the great savage PAD which is one of Savage's best features on any of their rifles. (accu-stock, accu-trigger, PAD) It's very soft and on most of their rifles including their most expensive ones. The cheapy Axis doesn't get it, however.

It's easy to install a limbsaver recoil pad on a 111 if you wanted to. They make a factory fit. The Axis, on the other hand has its recoil pad held in place with funny tabs on the bottom of the stock and is basically non-upgradeable.

The axis trigger is....well its weakest point. The 111 has a decent trigger. It's fully adjustable. A simply screw will adjust the pull weight and it can be adjusted pretty darn well down to 3.5lbs. No need to cut springs or anything like that which is required by the Axis. Some models of the 111 even come with an Accu-trigger.

The 111 has a nice fairly firm stock which will not flex with a bi-pod (different from Stevens 200 stock) while the axis has a stock which is known to flex and to break at the wrist when dropped. (see savageshooters forum).

Finally, the 111 has a nice blued finish. It's not perfect but it's a step up from the bead blasted (cost savings measure) finish on the axis which is cheap and kind of porous making it prone to rust if not cared for meticulously.

The 111 platform has been savage's main rifle line for decades and it has TONS of aftermarket accessories including stocks, rails, etc. The Axis has basically nothing.

The 111 has a steel trigger guard and metal surrounding the magazine well and a spring loaded retainer. The Axis uses plastic for all these parts.

The 111 is available in calibers larger than 30'06, the Axis is not.

The 111 has an open top receiver which allows easy feeding directly into the chamber. This is nearly impossible on the Axis.

The 111 has a three position safety while the Axis only has a two position safety.

Clearly, the 111 is a step up from the axis. It only costs something like $50-90 more...

The only thing the Axis has on the 111/11 is that it's lighter....because of all the plastic.
 
Idcurrie said:
The 111 has an integral recoil lug. The axis has the recoil lug in the stock which is a cost saving measure making it very difficult to get an aftermarket stock.

The magazine release on the Axis is plastic and there have been many reports of them breaking on the savageshooters forum, particularly in the cold. The 111 has a metal magazine and release.

The axis has a one-size fits all action. So if you're after a short action cartridge like a 308 (as you are) then you get a giant long action and giant long action magazine with a plastic spacer in the magazine to make the shorter rounds fit. The 111, on the other hand, has long and short actions. If you're looking for a 308, you want the Savage 11. (11 short action, 111 long action).

The 111 has the great savage PAD which is one of Savage's best features on any of their rifles. (accu-stock, accu-trigger, PAD) It's very soft and on most of their rifles including their most expensive ones. The cheapy Axis doesn't get it, however.

It's easy to install a limbsaver recoil pad on a 111 if you wanted to. They make a factory fit. The Axis, on the other hand has its recoil pad held in place with funny tabs on the bottom of the stock and is basically non-upgradeable.

The axis trigger is....well its weakest point. The 111 has a decent trigger. It's fully adjustable. A simply screw will adjust the pull weight and it can be adjusted pretty darn well down to 3.5lbs. No need to cut springs or anything like that which is required by the Axis. Some models of the 111 even come with an Accu-trigger.

The 111 has a nice fairly firm stock which will not flex with a bi-pod (different from Stevens 200 stock) while the axis has a stock which is known to flex and to break at the wrist when dropped. (see savageshooters forum).

Finally, the 111 has a nice blued finish. It's not perfect but it's a step up from the bead blasted (cost savings measure) finish on the axis which is cheap and kind of porous making it prone to rust if not cared for meticulously.

The 111 platform has been savage's main rifle line for decades and it has TONS of aftermarket accessories including stocks, rails, etc. The Axis has basically nothing.

The 111 has a steel trigger guard and metal surrounding the magazine well and a spring loaded retainer. The Axis uses plastic for all these parts.

The 111 is available in calibers larger than 30'06, the Axis is not.

The 111 has an open top receiver which allows easy feeding directly into the chamber. This is nearly impossible on the Axis.

The 111 has a three position safety while the Axis only has a two position safety.

Clearly, the 111 is a step up from the axis. It only costs something like $50-90 more...

The only thing the Axis has on the 111/11 is that it's lighter....because of all the plastic.
Click to expand...

What are you trying to say? ovrec
For a $250 rifle, don't expect much.
 
Idcurrie said:
The 111 has an integral recoil lug. The axis has the recoil lug in the stock which is a cost saving measure making it very difficult to get an aftermarket stock.

The magazine release on the Axis is plastic and there have been many reports of them breaking on the savageshooters forum, particularly in the cold. The 111 has a metal magazine and release.

The axis has a one-size fits all action. So if you're after a short action cartridge like a 308 (as you are) then you get a giant long action and giant long action magazine with a plastic spacer in the magazine to make the shorter rounds fit. The 111, on the other hand, has long and short actions. If you're looking for a 308, you want the Savage 11. (11 short action, 111 long action).

The 111 has the great savage PAD which is one of Savage's best features on any of their rifles. (accu-stock, accu-trigger, PAD) It's very soft and on most of their rifles including their most expensive ones. The cheapy Axis doesn't get it, however.

It's easy to install a limbsaver recoil pad on a 111 if you wanted to. They make a factory fit. The Axis, on the other hand has its recoil pad held in place with funny tabs on the bottom of the stock and is basically non-upgradeable.

The axis trigger is....well its weakest point. The 111 has a decent trigger. It's fully adjustable. A simply screw will adjust the pull weight and it can be adjusted pretty darn well down to 3.5lbs. No need to cut springs or anything like that which is required by the Axis. Some models of the 111 even come with an Accu-trigger.

The 111 has a nice fairly firm stock which will not flex with a bi-pod (different from Stevens 200 stock) while the axis has a stock which is known to flex and to break at the wrist when dropped. (see savageshooters forum).

Finally, the 111 has a nice blued finish. It's not perfect but it's a step up from the bead blasted (cost savings measure) finish on the axis which is cheap and kind of porous making it prone to rust if not cared for meticulously.

The 111 platform has been savage's main rifle line for decades and it has TONS of aftermarket accessories including stocks, rails, etc. The Axis has basically nothing.

The 111 has a steel trigger guard and metal surrounding the magazine well and a spring loaded retainer. The Axis uses plastic for all these parts.

The 111 is available in calibers larger than 30'06, the Axis is not.

The 111 has an open top receiver which allows easy feeding directly into the chamber. This is nearly impossible on the Axis.

The 111 has a three position safety while the Axis only has a two position safety.

Clearly, the 111 is a step up from the axis. It only costs something like $50-90 more...

The only thing the Axis has on the 111/11 is that it's lighter....because of all the plastic.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for your very informative post. You have helped me a lot! :dancingbanana:
 
As far as beefing up the stock goes, I'm toying with the idea of filling all the voids with fiberglass resin or something similar. Will add a bit of weight, but should stiffen thing's up nicely. Any thoughts guys?
 
There is a reason to go with the Axis rather than the 11/111. The reason is calibre. Unfortunately the cheap 11/111 which is the FCXP3 model doesn't come in the smaller calibres, notably a couple of popular ones like 22-250 and 223.

To get those calibres you have to go either up in price, to around the $500 mark, or drop some of the extra features and get the Axis.

If you're looking for those mid range hunting calibres 243, 30-06, etc , I'd say it's worth it to get the 111 FCXP3.

Otherwise you've got to make a decision to either spend more, or live with less.
 
...or you could buy a stevens 200. Other than a blind mag, it's superior to the Axis and comes in the calibers you're talking about. The stock is not awesome but then neither is the axis' stock. At least it's common and inexpensive to upgrade/replace the stevens stock ;)
 
Yeah the Stevens is certainly an option. For myself the internal box mag puts it out of the running, so I've never looked at one closely enough to go over the finer points. The few I've held felt closer to the Axis than the 111 but splitting the difference doesn't leave a lot of room really. And then there's the slight downside that the other savage rifles are coming packaged with a scope that the Steven's doesn't have. Some may look at that as a benefit if they were planning on getting a different scope regardless, but I've always just used what came with the packages so the Stevens just means an added bit of cost on top to pick up a scope as well.
 
sedgr said:
Yeah the Stevens is certainly an option. For myself the internal box mag puts it out of the running, so I've never looked at one closely enough to go over the finer points. The few I've held felt closer to the Axis than the 111 but splitting the difference doesn't leave a lot of room really. And then there's the slight downside that the other savage rifles are coming packaged with a scope that the Steven's doesn't have. Some may look at that as a benefit if they were planning on getting a different scope regardless, but I've always just used what came with the packages so the Stevens just means an added bit of cost on top to pick up a scope as well.
Click to expand...

What? Aside from the stock/magazine the stevens 200 IS a 111....how could it possibly feel closer to the axis? Same receiver, barrel, trigger, bolt, EVERYTHING but the stock and the magazine inside the stock....

There is a reason the stevens 200 is used as a basis for so many custom guns. You can get a great stock for it and use it as an excellent foundation...

All of my posts have disregarded the rings/scope in the package because that is all the attention they deserve.
 
When I held them in my hands the Stevens felt very much like the Axis I was comparing it to. Shape of the stock maybe? Either way, as I said before it was the lack of detachable magazine that was the decision maker for myself.

The scope on the Axis models isn't much that's for sure, but it is still something that's included in the Axis packages. Even cheap scopes and rings cost something and its missing from the Stevens.
 
Bought the .223 Axis at WSS for $250.

I have been a Mauser/Sako/Tikka/Ruger/ guy all these years and never thought I would buy a Savage.... :redface:

For the price of a "Truck Gun" in the caliber that I wanted (.223) with a detachable mag, and a cheap scope I can toss in the back without caring about scuffs and scratches. It is PERFECT!!!

Finally I can have a gun I don't mind laying in the snow, or getting muddy and bloody! :dancingbanana:

For once a coyote/gopher/skunk/pest gun that I can use that has inexpensive ammo (using FMJ), good ballistics, light recoil, and can be used without worrying about hurting the value! YAY!! :)

I understand the limitation of this package and it's "lesser" refined qualities...

Also, if the Savage 11 came in .223. I would have bought that instead, but alas... as I am not willing to spend $600 on a pest gun that I cannot hunt larger game with.. (too cheap I guess) ;)
 
I'm just wondering if anybody who bought a .223 has had a chance to develop a load for it yet?

I'm had a cold from hell for the past week and haven't even had a chance to shoot mine yet. :(
 
I called today and they told me even though it shows up online as "shipped", it is still in the process of being registered. She said it will be shipped out tomorrow.
I am also wondering if someone has worked up a load. I don't personally reload, but I have a friend that will be doing the reloading for me.
 
I snagged a 22-250 the day after boxing day to replace the Rem 700 I sold in the same caliber. I had the chance to take it out a couple times, and it is very accurate like any other Savage I've owned; in fact it is as accurate as the Rem 700 it replaced which cost almost 4 times the Axis.
 
just put in my order for a 223 - camo for 299... Well see how it goes, looks pretty positive so far... Thanks for helping with my decision all
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom