I am also a huge Weatherby Vanguard fan, so that or a Howa (their mini-action is very cool) would be a great 223 slinger. Gobles usually has a good selection.
BUT....My first Axis was (and still is) one of the plain jane, new stock designs without the Accutrigger in 223. As IvoB says, an MCarbo kit is easy to install to lower the trigger pull weight. You can also hunt down replacement trigger springs and hardware from Home Depot or an auto shop DIY, it's not too difficult, but maybe a bit less safe. I believe the 223 Axis rifles have a 1:9 twist, so no problem at least to 69 grain bullets.
I was very prepared to hate the little Axis, I'm a wood and steel kind of guy, and the Axis reviews can be brutal sometimes. But this thing is incredible. My handloads will almost all group under 0.75" at 100 yards (3 shot groups with 55 gr VMax on IMR4064 powder), with the odd hero group of 3/16". Three weeks ago I printed a 0.5" group at 200 yards, probably the best I've ever gotten out of any rifle. Sounds like BS, but absolutely true.
The only issue I've had with the Axis was the odd misfeed with the 2nd last round. That is annoying, and if you read any Axis reviews problems with the magazines come up often. But not a big deal, at least for a range toy. Best of all I had bought it used from a LGS for peanuts. Easily the most satisfying firearms purchase I've ever made. No, you won't impress any gun snobs with an Axis. I wouldn't suggest it as the 'Best out of the box 223'....but if you want to impress yourself with some great accuracy from an inexpensive platform and have some fun showing those groups off, it's not a bad choice. Now about those MDT chassis.....
