It's a silly comparison, but having owned both, the Axis is completely superior except if you want to fire the cheapest ammo, bayonette someone, just want iron sights, or as a SHTF, arm half a dozen guys kinda rifle. If you want to punch holes in paper and get a half decent group, or you want to hunt, the Axis is the better rifle.
As a plinker, you might also want to check out the SVT40. They're practically the same price as a Mosin right now and you still get to shoot cheap, full power ammo. That said, nothing wrong with the Mosin as a fun plinker.