Getting into Hunting

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Mjacket

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Hey folks

Looking at getting into hunting and am looking for a decent .30-06 rifle. My price range is only about $600.00 CAD and I was considering a Savage® AXIS XP as I see they are on sale at Cabelas for $450.00 but wasn’t sure if this was a good option??

Any tips for rifles or advice is appreciated!! Thanks again!! Also the rifle wouldn’t have to be new if it works good.

Mjacket
 
Have you access to the EE ?
You might stretch your buying power there.
Rob


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Last edited by CGN Admin; 09-30-2023 at 05:14 AM.
 
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Not that the Axis won’t work but there used to be a couple other options that were in the Axis price range that I would consider if you can find them at the moment, Ruger American ranch, Rem 783 and one or two others I can’t remember at the moment. You might consider an older Husqvarna sporter or M98/96 from Intersurplus or up your budget and look at a Howa or Vanguard or a Savage 110 hunter in the long run you’ll get more value out of something above an Axis in price and quality.

I was just looking at an Axis ll and it’s better than the early models but it didn’t make me want to buy it let alone carry it around the bush.
 
I recently helped a novice hunter make a decision on buying his 30-06 hunting rifle. Like you he was budgeted at the lower end of the dollar value for a new rifle. We looked at several and one thing i noticed on all except a Browning model was the ejection/feed port on all of them was closed over the top of the action. The Browning was chosen for the fact that the top of the reciever was wide open and accessible in case of "cold fingers fumbling trying to load" or clearing a jam up, both important to a hunting rifle.
The Browning was a bit more expensive than a basement model of the Axsis ( around $700) and the gun has a perfect trigger pull and shoots cloverleaf groups so we are very happy with the decision....both he and his son put meat in the freezer this fall (3 animals) with it.
 
Look at the Elwood Epps website. Save up a few hundred more, jump on a nice used Remington or Winchester bolt. They frequently come up for under $750. You’ll only want to upgrade within a year or two if you buy a cheapy. For the most part, there is less than a month left in most provinces for a rifle hunt. Spend a bit more time saving and get yourself a solid start. Then work on saving money for a decent scope. You’ll be way further ahead than trying to rush in with short money right now. And you’ll be way ahead at the start of next season.
 
You probably won't get anything much better than a Savage Axis for 450 bucks , and it will serve you well as a first rifle . The real question would be caliber choice as a 30-06 has a bit of a kick for a first rifle .
 
Butcherbill said:
Not that the Axis won’t work but there used to be a couple other options that were in the Axis price range that I would consider if you can find them at the moment, Ruger American ranch, Rem 783 and one or two others I can’t remember at the moment. You might consider an older Husqvarna sporter or M98/96 from Intersurplus or up your budget and look at a Howa or Vanguard or a Savage 110 hunter in the long run you’ll get more value out of something above an Axis in price and quality.

I was just looking at an Axis ll and it’s better than the early models but it didn’t make me want to buy it let alone carry it around the bush.
Click to expand...

As far as I am aware the only thing the Axis 2 offers is a better trigger (accutrigger vs not). Its been a while, but last I looked into it you could drop in an aftermarket trigger into a regular Axis for barely more than the upcharge on the Axis 2. Or you could just get a new spring and screw for the Axis, cost me about $2.

I didn't like the Rem 783 I had, stock felt too chunky in the hands and mine had feeding issues if you only loaded 2 in the mag. 1 was fine, more than 2 was fine, but exactly 2 jammed every time. Was not confidence-inspiring. The Axis uses a center feed magazine and I've never had a feeding issue with it. Loading the magazine while its in the gun IS a pain though.


OP the Axis isn't bad, but its not great. Heavy trigger, even heavier bolt lift, kinda fugly... But they're accurate, and they're available in a scoped package within your budget. The scopes aren't great, but mine lasted just fine for a few years before I bought something better. I would second the recommendation that you look into used options, lots of 30-06 stuff at Intersurplus last I looked, but I understand being hesitant about buying a used gun and you probably won't find a scoped package on a new rifle cheaper than that Axis at Cabelas.
 
No deer, moose,elk or bear has complained they were killed by a Savage axis in 3006. Buy the gun, consider spending that much again on a decent scope(Bushnell perhaps) and go to the range, gravel pit, etc. The Axis is entry level, you are jaut starting, you will be just fine. Welcome to the hunting crowd.
 
Axis rifles are great as long as you don't expect them to be like a higher priced rifle. I have several but I also have higher priced rifles that the Axis and Mossbergs replace now.
 
For you $600 budget, there’s been a few recent Remington 740/742’s in 30-06 and .308 on the EE. Worth a look-see as an alternative.
 
Not a 30-06, but I bought a CVA Scout recently for $400, $150 for a scope and I have a cheap .243 rifle. Cabela's has 6.5 Creedmor in stock as well as 44mag and 45/70. It is a solid rifle with a amazing trigger.
 
mjacket. I would go to a gunshop and shoulder some nice used rifles to see what fits you. then decide what works for you.
 
Nothing wrong with the axis as a first rifle. Affordable and as accurate as any of the higher priced entry guns. The scopes are decent,until you can afford an upgrade. I used one in 25/06 for deer for years. I was so impressed with the accuracy, I never changed the scope. I sold it this year for twice what I paid for it. Shot a lot of deer with that rifle and it never lost zero or malfunctioned.
My browning xbolts and tikka t3x are fussier on ammo than the axis was.
 
30/06 is an excellent choice! I don’t own one but I often recommend them as a do it all cartridge! Get yourself a decent 4-12 power scope, maybe bushnell or vortex… If you enjoy hunting, invest in something like a tikka with better glass. Make sure you take your time mounting the scope, YouTube is your friend. A properly torqued scope can save you lots of ammunition over the years!
 
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