Getting into Hunting
- Thread starter Mjacket
- Start date
I picked up a Savage Axis with open sights on it this fall. It is fugly, and it was cheap. the kind of gun I don't worry about in bad weather or storing in the tent. Once I dialed the sites in, I was putting four shots in a row into an aluminium pie plate at 110 yards from a standing position, no bench rest stuff. It is a hell of a lot more accurate than any of my other rifles.
Lots of people up here kill moose with a Savage Axis, lots of people like to diss the gun, but most have never shot one either.
Lots of people up here kill moose with a Savage Axis, lots of people like to diss the gun, but most have never shot one either.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
This is the truth that I came here to share. The Axis or 783 will work, but they're not something that you will fall in love with.
There is nothing wrong with going the budget route to start. Savage Axis, works and has a good trigger. While being budget savage generally makes accurate rifles. Their finish sucks though. You ALSO got the Ruger American, shoots good, is generally reliable, but has a lousy clam shell stock. There is the Mossberg patriot, from what I know of it they are decent for their price, only really held one though. Those three can all be found for around $600. Sometimes less sometimes more, just got to shop around.
If I'm personally going budget priced firearms I'm probably going for slightly above the $600 range. So a Browning AB3, or a Mauser m18. Both the Miroku factory that makes Browning firearms, and Mauser put out top notch stuff. GoTenda a site sponsor has every single firearm I have mentioned with various models and combo's listed on their website for sale. Go check them out if you want an idea of pricing, and what's available. But it wouldn't hurt to sign up to the EE and looking for a slightly higher quality rifle, deals on there pop up often, but you often have to check the sight often to find them, they sell fast when it's a decent priced item.
Your choice of caliber is perfect for hunting medium and large game in Canada. Bare in mind though, the lighter the rifle and stock the more recoil you will experience. I personally use a 30/06 but am also using a much heavier rifle then most of these budget guns so it doesn't kick that much.
If I'm personally going budget priced firearms I'm probably going for slightly above the $600 range. So a Browning AB3, or a Mauser m18. Both the Miroku factory that makes Browning firearms, and Mauser put out top notch stuff. GoTenda a site sponsor has every single firearm I have mentioned with various models and combo's listed on their website for sale. Go check them out if you want an idea of pricing, and what's available. But it wouldn't hurt to sign up to the EE and looking for a slightly higher quality rifle, deals on there pop up often, but you often have to check the sight often to find them, they sell fast when it's a decent priced item.
Your choice of caliber is perfect for hunting medium and large game in Canada. Bare in mind though, the lighter the rifle and stock the more recoil you will experience. I personally use a 30/06 but am also using a much heavier rifle then most of these budget guns so it doesn't kick that much.
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I've handled a few of the Savage offerings, including the axis. I'm just not a fan. Sure the axis might be more accurate, but the deer won't know the difference between a 3/4" group with an axis and a 1" group with a Husqvarna 1600. Some nice looking ones in 30-06 available on intersurplus for <$500 right now, a few even come with a scope.
Even adding 200 bucks before taxes gives you a lot more options. Especially used. Not a lot of 600 dollar ee guns these days but 800 can still get you something good
Mauser m18 are on sale at tenda.
Ruger Americans and Franchi Momentum are around 200 bucks more than an axis.
I've never owned a franchi but in that price range they seem to be much nicer than the ruger, which is in turn much nicer than the axis. Throw in the price of an entry level Bushnell or vortex and you are far ahead of an axis combo.
I'd agree that used is a better option, and intersurplus has lots of guns (FN mauser 98 sporter based husqys) that can be upgraded as you go but will function fine.
Axis might be cheap, but if you get into hunting rifles you will want a new one soon enough. They don't seem to have a good resale market, I've gotten a few at ~300 dollar value as partial trades on the e.e and resorted to selling them locally for basically the same.
If you must buy new, a lot of these budget guns may go on boxing day sale. Axis are on at cabelas right now for 500 bucks with the scope.
Ultimately you will spend a lot more on ammo for practice, your eventual replacement gun and scope and gas etc for hunting than on a rifle. Hunting is, unfortunately, an expensive hobby for most non rural and even rural people. The extra 200 bucks will be inconsequential in terms of money spent
Mauser m18 are on sale at tenda.
Ruger Americans and Franchi Momentum are around 200 bucks more than an axis.
I've never owned a franchi but in that price range they seem to be much nicer than the ruger, which is in turn much nicer than the axis. Throw in the price of an entry level Bushnell or vortex and you are far ahead of an axis combo.
I'd agree that used is a better option, and intersurplus has lots of guns (FN mauser 98 sporter based husqys) that can be upgraded as you go but will function fine.
Axis might be cheap, but if you get into hunting rifles you will want a new one soon enough. They don't seem to have a good resale market, I've gotten a few at ~300 dollar value as partial trades on the e.e and resorted to selling them locally for basically the same.
If you must buy new, a lot of these budget guns may go on boxing day sale. Axis are on at cabelas right now for 500 bucks with the scope.
Ultimately you will spend a lot more on ammo for practice, your eventual replacement gun and scope and gas etc for hunting than on a rifle. Hunting is, unfortunately, an expensive hobby for most non rural and even rural people. The extra 200 bucks will be inconsequential in terms of money spent
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I have a 1640 in 6.5 swede. Awesome rifle , someone did some nice woodwork to the rear end and added a Monte-Carlo style cheek riser too.
I have an axis 2 xp in a boyds stock in 223...its alright. Heavy bolt lift. Don't love the magazine. Good coyote banger. But I also have a custom 6.5 swede rifle for that too. So the axis doesn't come out a ton.
I have an axis 2 xp in a boyds stock in 223...its alright. Heavy bolt lift. Don't love the magazine. Good coyote banger. But I also have a custom 6.5 swede rifle for that too. So the axis doesn't come out a ton.
I decided I want to get into hunting as well. I decided to go with .308’s. I bout a Mauser M18 and just bought a Remington 700 5R. Been trying to find one for a few month and finally did. I’m in Saskatchewan and am taking the huntersafety course online right now too. Liking the start of this new hobby so far. Good luck with your first purchase and first hunt!
So I just perused Intersurplus's page, and I have to admit that I would purchase something from there before a Savage axis.... Not that the axis wouldn't work, because it definitely will, but because you would get better value for your dollar.
More accurate? Maybe, maybe not, probably not, but you will get a solid rifle.
There are those that can't buy used, has to be new type, for them the axis is likely the better option.
More accurate? Maybe, maybe not, probably not, but you will get a solid rifle.
There are those that can't buy used, has to be new type, for them the axis is likely the better option.
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I've bought several from Intersurplus and haven't been disappointed.
The Axis probably won't let you down but for me, life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun. I'd rather have something with a little character.
Also, if you really want to make the right move, find something to sell, do a couple odd jobs, or whatever it takes to afford a Tikka.
As for scopes, I've had a couple of the Athlon Neos 3-9x40s and they are genuinely good, not just for the price. They're actually a good scope in low light. Used to think it had to be German and cost a couple grand for it to be good glass but my mind has been changed.
The Axis probably won't let you down but for me, life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun. I'd rather have something with a little character.
Also, if you really want to make the right move, find something to sell, do a couple odd jobs, or whatever it takes to afford a Tikka.
As for scopes, I've had a couple of the Athlon Neos 3-9x40s and they are genuinely good, not just for the price. They're actually a good scope in low light. Used to think it had to be German and cost a couple grand for it to be good glass but my mind has been changed.
I had too many issues with Savage rifles to ever recommend one to anyone, I have not owned a Mossberg rifle in many years but I worked for a wholesaler where I boxed up many for warranty returns. For $600 I would be looking for a used Husky, BSA, etc. If you found yourself in the $800 range a used Tikka or Vanguard is doable as well as a few other choices. There are also good things being said about the Turkish built Savage 334 [not really a Savage] for about $550. Good luck in your shopping.
I agree with the many posters here who have recommended going with a used Husqvarna or Carl Gustaf (same thing) rifle from Intersurplus. Great North Guns also has a wide selection of these rifles and in my experience, have been good to deal with. The quality of these Swedish rifles is light years ahead of the bottom-shelf entry-level rifles from Savage or Remington.
You can find a Husqvarna 1600-series rifle--labelled Husqvarna or Carl Gustaf 1600 or 1640--in 30-06 in the $400-$500 range. However, if it were me, I'd go an extra $100 to $600 and pick out a Husqvarna or Carl Gustaf 1900 rifle. In my opinion the 1900 action is the very best that Husqvarna produced, and, unless I were to insist on a controlled-round action, I'd take it over the 1600 series--for a variety of reasons. There are lots of 1600- and 1900-series Husqvarnas and Carl Gustafs available from both Intersurplus and Great North Guns.
You can find a Husqvarna 1600-series rifle--labelled Husqvarna or Carl Gustaf 1600 or 1640--in 30-06 in the $400-$500 range. However, if it were me, I'd go an extra $100 to $600 and pick out a Husqvarna or Carl Gustaf 1900 rifle. In my opinion the 1900 action is the very best that Husqvarna produced, and, unless I were to insist on a controlled-round action, I'd take it over the 1600 series--for a variety of reasons. There are lots of 1600- and 1900-series Husqvarnas and Carl Gustafs available from both Intersurplus and Great North Guns.
