First Rifle, Savage Axis .308?

CUSTOM441

CUSTOM441

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Cornwall, ON
I'm looking for my first rifle and I've been doing some reading... I want something I can take to the range and reach out to 500 yards or more and have some fun with, and also have the stopping power to take down a deer should I decide to take it hunting. Basically, I don't want to break the bank on one rifle for each sport. I've decided on the .308 WIN, it seems to have the stopping power I'd want for hunting and they are relatively cheap and easy to come by. Now the fun part - the Rifle! I'll be in Edmonton this week shouldering some rifles to see what I like best, but I really like the deal on the Savage Axis. I've read the scope isn't anything spectacular so I'd pass on the XP model and get something aftermarket. My price range is ~$600 and this one is definitely way under budget with plenty of room for better optics. Thoughts?
 
Great rifle. Would recommend. If you can though. Drop some more and go for the precision carbine. The thread in this forum below has a whole write up for them. But the axis does the job for a budget rifle I'd say. JMTC
 
Axis is a solid, tough platform that gets the job done... I have .308, .223, and 25-06 Axis Xp's and love them... Good bang for the buck... Its not exactly a text book example of a long distance precision shooter, but for the money? I have loads of long distance target shooting fun...

Check out other info in this thread...
http://canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=762448&highlight=axis

EDIT: Correct about the optics... They are "Meh" at best but good enough for hunting, and plinking....
 
Tikka6xc said:
ya for a first rifle, great pick !
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True, but I've been collecting rifles for over 22 years, and just couldn't pass up these rifles... I shot my friends .223 while using 5.56 NATO ammo and immediately got on the phone and told the shop to put one on hold, and that i'm on my way to get it right now... I like the feel, the weight, the durability... The actions are a tad bit better than ok, but not excellent... The trigger will need a round or two to be take out of its spring... People have been crapping on the Axis every now and then, but the shortage of .223 and .308 calibers that i've seen arise every now and then tells me that there's some closet Axis shooters out there LoL..
 
Thanks for the input guys!

Matt_dal123 said:
Great rifle. Would recommend. If you can though. Drop some more and go for the precision carbine. The thread in this forum below has a whole write up for them. But the axis does the job for a budget rifle I'd say. JMTC
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Oddly enough the Precision Carbine is high on my list as well! I Like the results people are bringing back from the range with it. It's a little high on the price for me right now but If I can find one at the right price with optics I might bite on it. Plus, who can resist the digital camo :p? Does the Axis compare with this rifle at distance? Also what are your thoughts on Savages Accutrigger and stock systems? Is it really a better bang for your buck?.....;)
 
gmctech said:
True, but I've been collecting rifles for over 22 years, and just couldn't pass up these rifles... I shot my friends .223 while using 5.56 NATO ammo and immediately got on the phone and told the shop to put one on hold, and that i'm on my way to get it right now... I like the feel, the weight, the durability... The actions are a tad bit better than ok, but not excellent... The trigger will need a round or two to be take out of its spring... People have been crapping on the Axis every now and then, but the shortage of .223 and .308 calibers that i've seen arise every now and then tells me that there's some closet Axis shooters out there LoL..
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lol ya i know what you mean. Ive owned and shot a ton of rifles from my custom built 6xc built by rick mcphee to timberwolf .338's

Ya know what I use now for hunting after last year ? .308 axis.

light weight, rugged and accuracy that actually surprised me. Its no target rifle but for the price a pretty accurate hunting rifle.

What makes them cheep is actually the manufracturing method mostly eh. They can make em quicker and easer. for example there is no recoil lug. its more like a recoil key. works good enough as long your stock is tightend properly.
 
I got the detachable mag version from Wolverine myself. The FCXP3 and liked it right away. But I ended up slapping it into a Boyd's and converted it into top feed and like it even better.
 
CUSTOM441 said:
I'm looking for my first rifle and I've been doing some reading... I want something I can take to the range and reach out to 500 yards or more and have some fun with, and also have the stopping power to take down a deer should I decide to take it hunting.
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My advice? Do some more reading.

First rifle? Like EVER? Why not a decent quality rimfire with ammo that is accurate for the rifle?

Why start with a hunting rifle if you don't intend to use it for what it was designed for?

Why choose a cartridge that is more expensive to shoot than others when you're on a budget to begin with? If you're that cash strapped, can you actually afford to shoot it? A .223 Rem will do everything a .308 Win. can do for general target shooting and will do so for a fraction of the cost.

500 yards or more, huh? I think you're asking way too much from this rifle. Oh, you'll no doubt hit the target but I don't think you could start with a more poorly suited rifle for the task.
 
2bad4u2 said:
My advice? Do some more reading.

First rifle? Like EVER? Why not a decent quality rimfire with ammo that is accurate for the rifle?

Why start with a hunting rifle if you don't intend to use it for what it was designed for?

Why choose a cartridge that is more expensive to shoot than others when you're on a budget to begin with? If you're that cash strapped, can you actually afford to shoot it? A .223 Rem will do everything a .308 Win. can do for general target shooting and will do so for a fraction of the cost.

500 yards or more, huh? I think you're asking way too much from this rifle. Oh, you'll no doubt hit the target but I don't think you could start with a more poorly suited rifle for the task.
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Good sound advice... I bought my .223 Axis XP because it shoots 5.56 NATO FMJ without ahitch, and i have a shi-t pile of 5.56 ammo here now that i acquired for a wicked price... If you're just getting into shooting and are looking for a plinker, .308 ammunition is a tad bit pricey, unless you're doing your own hand loads.


It was mentioned before about the remote recoil lug, that's something to be very aware of, as upgrading the stock later on may be a bit of a PITA, but it can be done by yourself... Just make sure everything is tight and it'll shoot just dandy...

EDIT: as for the 500 yard thingy? It's a $350 rifle... like it was said, you'll hit the target, but not expect stellar, consistent performance... The Axis is a hunting rifle in it's purest, most economical form.
 
The only Axis that I have shot, owned by a hunting partner, had just about the crappiest trigger I have ever seen on a rifle. Don't know if that is typical, but it sure did turn me off the Axis
 
tjsudbury said:
The only Axis that I have shot, owned by a hunting partner, had just about the crappiest trigger I have ever seen on a rifle. Don't know if that is typical, but it sure did turn me off the Axis
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It's par for the course.. The trigger is not very nice, especially to shooters who have shot a lot of nicely triggered firearms... But in all honesty it took me a maximum of an hour to cut 3 lbs of pull off it, and get the grit feeling out of the trigger... It's so simple to do, that it shouldn't be a deal breaker for anyone looking for an AXIS... I will say this though, don't waste your money on a Timney trigger... a fifth of the price you could bribe someone like myself with some booze to make the trigger sweet...
 
2bad4u2 said:
My advice? Do some more reading.

First rifle? Like EVER? Why not a decent quality rimfire with ammo that is accurate for the rifle?

Why start with a hunting rifle if you don't intend to use it for what it was designed for?

Why choose a cartridge that is more expensive to shoot than others when you're on a budget to begin with? If you're that cash strapped, can you actually afford to shoot it? A .223 Rem will do everything a .308 Win. can do for general target shooting and will do so for a fraction of the cost.

500 yards or more, huh? I think you're asking way too much from this rifle. Oh, you'll no doubt hit the target but I don't think you could start with a more poorly suited rifle for the task.
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This isn't my first rifle ever, I'm taking possession of 2 rimfires that have been in my family and that I've been shooting for a very long time.

As for the .308 vs .223, I've had this conversation with a lot of people and when it came to hunting almost everyone I talked to suggested the .308. If I want cheap plinking fun I can always bring out one of my .22's. I do have a friend who has offered to help me with hand loads so this is something that I'll be doing. Is the .223 an effective round for deer? I'm certainly open to suggestions on this...

As for asking for 500+ yards out of the rifle, I'm not asking the rifle for anything. I'm merely asking CGN about the rifle. It does sound like the Precision Carbine may be a better choice for what I'm looking for. I certainly don't want to settle, and at the end of the day I want to be happy and have fun with it.
 
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