Owner's Opinions on Savage Axis XP in .308?

Flying Beaver

Flying Beaver

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I've seen the new (?) Savage Axis XP in .308 advertized new, with a scope, for $350 or thereabouts. I've read several comments in different threads about how terrible these must be, seeing as they're inexpensive. :rolleyes:

However, I am curious to hear the opinions of anyone who actually owns one. Clearly they're a lower-end rifle, but how well do they actually perform?

Any owners out there with something to say about them?
 
I own 3 but in 223, 243 and 270. They are xcelent guns user freindly and accurate.

They are work horses and knock around guns, buy cheap ammo and shoot them lots

And if you ever drop it 20 feet onto rocks you won't be tempted to sit down and have a cry. LOL
 
i just bought one a week or two ago. its my first rifle so i really have nothing to compare it to. i bought the rifle alone and bought a separate scope/rings/mounts instead of going with the package though. im going to the range this saturday to see how it shoots.
 
I bought 2 of them one in .223rem and one in .30-06(stainless). They both shoot great, handle great. Couldnt ask for more in a rifle. I did however pick up a new scope for the .30-06 but the ones that come on the axis xp are pretty decent
 
My buddy has a 30-06, it shoots a reasonable hunting group with factory ammo and as long as you have a strong finger your good to go. For the price i would say it is a good buy. Also the cheap Savages are much nicer looking than the other lower end guns out there.
 
Own a .308.

1) Cheap gun no doubt but....
2) Loading and ejecting not a problem
3) The gun fits me well and is a nice light carry
4) Accuracy is acceptable but I have not really tested it with many loads and ...
5) Trigger. Well thats another story. Mine has a very, very hard pull and getting good accuracy is tough with this trigger.

Solution. I have a Rifle Basix trigger on the way and hope this will take care of things.

It isn't as nice a shooter as the Stevens 200 but it has the advantage of a detachable mag so I rate it one step up from a 200 as a hunting gun. If I was looking for a gun to hunt with that only fires a couple of boxes of ammo a year then buy it. If you want a range gun that will be used a lot to knock down the rams and pigs this is not recommended.

Considering the price you can't really go wrong. I bought mine without a scope
and put a 3X9 3200 on it. I really like this set up. As said above the package scope is very low end and IMHO glass is just as important as the rifle itself.
 
I'm looking at getting one in .223, but some folks are saying they have awful triggers. I don't expect it to be quite as nice as my xbolt, but maybe they'll let me put snap caps through it at the shop, and I can see if I feel like it's acceptable.
 
I would not say awful at all. - its a firm 6 lbs - with quite a good break with a touch of pre-travel creep

Reading on-line it appears they can be lightened up with a little effort (both a lighter spring and/or polishing)
 
IAMAWILDPARTY said:
I'm looking at getting one in .223, but some folks are saying they have awful triggers. I don't expect it to be quite as nice as my xbolt, but maybe they'll let me put snap caps through it at the shop, and I can see if I feel like it's acceptable.
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I have the Axis in 223. Best groups are under .5" at 100. Typical is about .75" at 100. Trigger is heavy but predictable. I did run a snap cap through the paces for a few hundered pulls. Added an extra strap stud closer to the barrel nut to allow for a bipod since the fore end of the stock is flimsy. Changed the scope to my Hawke 30 sidewinder and sold the old one to a buddy. This is the best $389.00 I have ever spent.

Please note that with the cheap American Eagle ammo I was getting anywhere from 1.5" to 2.5" groups. I am now reloading 70gr Berger Match bullets.
 
I hate to say it but I held one and for the money I'd spend a little more and buy a Savage 11/111 package gun.

This is strictly opinion as all the ones I've seen shoot very accurately.
 
OldSavage said:
I hate to say it but I held one and for the money I'd spend a little more and buy a Savage 11/111 package gun.

This is strictly opinion as all the ones I've seen shoot very accurately.
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I didnt like the savage 111 because of the open action on top. The 2 I used (.270win and 7mm rem mag.) both of those the cartridge fell out of the bolt when sliding the bolt forward slowly so for me that made up my mind. Not sure why lots think the trigger is heavy. feels fine to me but then again I'm used to shooting older guns with similar pulls
 
I have had excellent experiences with my Savage 111. My Savage edge XP on the other hand has had issues.

I really like the camo pattern on it. There is a barrel/receiver alignment issue on mine, however, which required the use of a shim under the rear base and then the lapping of the rings (installed Z-rings) so as not to damage the scope from the rings of different elevations. Another solution would have been use use Signature Zee rings with offset inserts. Unfortunately, the screw in the unbelievably cheap bases stripped while doing the shim so now I'm stuck with that solution forever.

They really do misrepresent the weight of this rifle. They say it's 6.5lbs....for all models, including the XP with a scope installed. Does this make any sense? I weighted the rifle with no scope or rings and it actually weighs 5.5lbs roughly.

The trigger pull is not really that bad if you know how to squeeze a trigger correctly. It also lightens with use, I find.

All in all, based on my experiences, I would say to get the 111.
 
Travel240z said:
I have the Axis in 223. Best groups are under .5" at 100. Typical is about .75" at 100. Trigger is heavy but predictable. I did run a snap cap through the paces for a few hundered pulls. Added an extra strap stud closer to the barrel nut to allow for a bipod since the fore end of the stock is flimsy. Changed the scope to my Hawke 30 sidewinder and sold the old one to a buddy. This is the best $389.00 I have ever spent.

Please note that with the cheap American Eagle ammo I was getting anywhere from 1.5" to 2.5" groups. I am now reloading 70gr Berger Match bullets.
Click to expand...

I just picked up the camo package with that (probaby cheap) scope in .223 for about $370, taxes included. The trigger isn't nearly as nice as the one on my X-bolt, but those guns aren't really in the same class. I'll take it to the range on sunday, hopefully she shoots.

-mine has a bit of trouble with ejecting snap caps which it didn't have at the store. I imagine that spent cases will eject fine, I'll find out on sunday(another of my guns has trouble with snap caps but flings spent cases with authority).
 
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