First hunting rifle advice-3 choices

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Halkon

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I'm in a bit of a dilemma, I'm looking for my first hunting rifle and In torn between 3 choices.

1.- Axis 1 XP in stainless for $685
2.- Axis 2 XP in carbon steel for $620
3.- Ruger American standard no scope for $660

All of them in .308, I want to use them for a bit of target shooting and hunting my first deer. I know there are better options for a bit more money, but I'm pretty much set on these as they fit my budget and I just want to dip feet in to rifle shooting. I chose the cartridge for its versatility and availability, also maybe a bit cheaper. If I don't like distance shooting after all I can always keep it solely as a cheap freezer filler gun or get rid of it altogether, without making a huge initial investment. Yes I know the Tikas are 1200-1300 but rather get another plinking gun for that money.

For the research I've done, I know the Axis 2 has significantly better trigger than the one, and the Ruger is a better rifle overall but I would have to invest in the scope and rings.

I ask for your advice as I'm a newbie and I pretend to drink for the wealth of knowledge of this forum lol. I appreciate anyone taking the time yo help me.
 
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the axis 2 is a good feeling rifle, the ruger is good to, the axis 1, well cheap, dont fit the best, but go bang when you need them to, if you can , hold them all, sometimes a rifle just speaks to you when you shoulder it
 
I bought the axis when I got back into hunting . I Currently hunt with a Ruger american predator 6.5 cm I got off EE for $500 4 years back . It's not on your list but i would consider stevens 334 . My friend got a wood stock one on sale at cabela , smoother action than axis and better looking in my opinion.
 
Use to be a savage guy, not anymore. I'd go with the Ruger. Either way the scope and rings will need to be upgraded on the axis.
 
I agree with phin11 - go with a 'better Quality rifle' off EE. I got a 1960 Rem 722 in 308, that had been re-barrelled, AICS mag upgrade, and stock re-finished. All for the price of a 'new' rifle when tax is considered -v ca another $100 or so. Also beautiful 'plain' 60+ year old Wood Stock - 722s were the 'entry grade' back then.
 
I'd keep my eye on E.E. for an older(pre '64), but in excellent shape, Win. 70, Rem. 700, Ruger 77, or same type model in Savage.
 
Myself, today, I’d rather jump on a Weatherby Vanguard S2 which is currently on sale for $699.50.
Or a Howa 1500 Hogue for $699.00
Talley light weights run $70.
A Leupold VX3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL runs $670 (you’re buying a scope eventually on any of the 3 rifles you named).
Nothing budget about that setup, will never need an upgrade and is just a solid dependable accurate rifle.

However if you’re locked in to the 3 stated i found different price points and options.
In a simple search the Rugers came up at $799 but of the three would be my selection, assuming the Vanguard/Howa didn’t exist.
Just watch which one you get, some of the magazine styles don’t feed well on originals.
The scope offered on the Savages will likely require upgrading so look past any value you think they bring.
Also, there are more affordable choices, I found an Axis for $539 if initial budget is the only qualifier.
I couldn’t find a Axis II for your price either, they seemed to be around $750.
 
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As ugly as the axis2 is I'd take it over the Ruger.
Right now a rem 783 heavy barrel 308 with a 24" barrel is on sale at a sight spinster for under 600$. The Stevens 334 is also another good budget friendly choice
 
Its seems that Ruger has knocked off the Savage Accu Trigger. One would have to ask, why buy a knockoff when one can have the real thing?

The Savage barrel nut system allows a barrel upgrade much more easily than a conventional screwed on barrel.

For a basic hunting rifle for a first timer, there is nothing wrong with the Savage package that comes with a scope. Keep in mind, this forum is full of experienced enthusiasts, who would never choose such a rifle package, but that doesn't mean there is anything inherently wrong with such a package for a newbie.

Choose whichever one you like and that fits your budget. There isn't really a wrong answer here.
 
DBeato said:
Use to be a savage guy, not anymore. I'd go with the Ruger. Either way the scope and rings will need to be upgraded on the axis.
Click to expand...

They don't NEED to be upgraded. They work. Nothing fancy, but they work. I was killing big game with mine long before I changed the scope.

OP I'd drop the Axis 1 from your list, accutrigger on the Axis 2 is better than stainless on the Axis 1 IMO.
 
Any of those will work fine. I prefer the Ruger American but you may just as easily prefer the Savage.
 
Thanks to everyone for the responses, they have been very useful to help me choose from the options I narrowed down to. One of the things I take with me its to just go in person and feel the rifle fist, I have shoulder the Ruger American Predator and both the Axis but to be honest I was kind of overwhelmed when I did it. Just yesterday I went to Cabelas and tried the Axis one in stainless and it feel good, just the scope felt a bit far, maybe its just that I don't know how a scope should feel, it didn't feel bad tho.


wasrupzuk said:
Myself, today, I’d rather jump on a Weatherby Vanguard S2 which is currently on sale for $699.50.
Or a Howa 1500 Hogue for $699.00
Talley light weights run $70.
A Leupold VX3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL runs $670 (you’re buying a scope eventually on any of the 3 rifles you named).
Nothing budget about that setup, will never need an upgrade and is just a solid dependable accurate rifle.

However if you’re locked in to the 3 stated i found different price points and options.
In a simple search the Rugers came up at $799 but of the three would be my selection, assuming the Vanguard/Howa didn’t exist.
Just watch which one you get, some of the magazine styles don’t feed well on originals.
The scope offered on the Savages will likely require upgrading so look past any value you think they bring.
Also, there are more affordable choices, I found an Axis for $539 if initial budget is the only qualifier.
I couldn’t find a Axis II for your price either, they seemed to be around $750.
Click to expand...

I really appreciate the time you took to check on the options, the Axis stainless is in Cabelas, but wasn't sure about posting non sponsored sites here, there's free shiping this weekend so that's why felt it was a good time to get it.

This is the ruger I found:

Ruger American No scope

And these are the Savage Axis 2, i tough for 30 bucks I cant go wrong with that starter scope:

Axis II no Scope

Axis II XP


brybenn said:
As ugly as the axis2 is I'd take it over the Ruger.
Right now a rem 783 heavy barrel 308 with a 24" barrel is on sale at a sight spinster for under 600$. The Stevens 334 is also another good budget friendly choice
Click to expand...

I did considered the Stevens 334, specially last week that was at around 450, but for what I read the accuracy of the Axis at this price point is hard to beat.


I Dont Care About You said:
Its seems that Ruger has knocked off the Savage Accu Trigger. One would have to ask, why buy a knockoff when one can have the real thing?

The Savage barrel nut system allows a barrel upgrade much more easily than a conventional screwed on barrel.

For a basic hunting rifle for a first timer, there is nothing wrong with the Savage package that comes with a scope. Keep in mind, this forum is full of experienced enthusiasts, who would never choose such a rifle package, but that doesn't mean there is anything inherently wrong with such a package for a newbie.

Choose whichever one you like and that fits your budget. There isn't really a wrong answer here.
Click to expand...

Great advice, this is what I tried to convey in the opening post, I just want to get in to rifle shooting, there are way better options? sure, but I don't want a big initial investment, and I just wan to get in to the game. This kind of details help me to make up my mind, it looks like at least the Accutrigger is very well regarded by most.


AB3006 said:
As a newbie, far be it for me to make reccos. However, one of the site sponsors has a Savage 110 in 308 with a Vortex or Bushnell scope for 699.

It's not a huge difference in price, but the 110 is imho much better than the Axis (thicker, smoother bolt, better stock, etc.) and the scope should be better.

https://www.gotenda.com/product/savage-110-engage-hunter-xp-308-win-22-w-scope-combo/
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Man I don't know how I missed that one, it migth actually be the winner here, I sure can stretch the budget to 700, I haven't looked at the differences with the Axis, but it is an objective fact that the 110 is a better rifle than the Axis, correct?

Suther said:
They don't NEED to be upgraded. They work. Nothing fancy, but they work. I was killing big game with mine long before I changed the scope.

OP I'd drop the Axis 1 from your list, accutrigger on the Axis 2 is better than stainless on the Axis 1 IMO.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for the encouragement Suther, I find your opinions on the subject are very practical which is what I'm looking for. This specific opinion helps me quite a bit, this is what I suspected but I wasn't entirely sure if the Stainless was worth the tradeoff, this just made my mind, but now there's a new contender lol, I'm choosing between the Axis II, The Ruger and the 110 Hunter, with the last one having a lead as I write this.
 
Yes, the 110 is a step up from the Axis, actual short action rifle and not long, mags are better, stock is better.
Axis and Americans aren't "junk", but they are built to the lowest price point possible and lack some refinement.
I have a pair of Americans after swearing off them years ago due to how roughly finished they were, like a was shocked that this level of roughness being accepted by any company selling a rifle lol.
Anyway, saw a newer built compact in person and it was better, not great, but better. I like the compacts, short lop, easy handling, 18" barrel is plenty for 308/243, they were cheap thou, like $550 at Tenda not too long ago.
 
Suther said:
They don't NEED to be upgraded. They work. Nothing fancy, but they work. I was killing big game with mine long before I changed the scope.

OP I'd drop the Axis 1 from your list, accutrigger on the Axis 2 is better than stainless on the Axis 1 IMO.
Click to expand...

You did better than the one we had, once we replaced the rings we tighten the group up significantly. Most people cheap out in the rings, savage included, that is the one weakness in these package deals,
I buy the rifle and pick my base, rings and scope.
 
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