Savage Axis II Scout 7.62x39 - Any owners?

Lever30

Lever30

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Hello CGNers:

I just bought this rifle used, I think they were imported into Canada in 2017 or so. There are only a few reviews kicking around on them, most mention similar issues.

It's pretty tough to find a 7.62x39 bolty these days. The CZ527s were very nice, but they started at $1000 new about 7 years ago. CZ stopped making them, and used ones are just going up. Probably with good reason, they are well made like most CZ products. The Ruger American Ranch is also a decent piece, but the new retail price these days seems to be $850 and up....IF you can find them. I'm also a big Howa fan, but again, the mini actions have really rocketed up there.

In spite of the mediocre reviews, I decided to go ahead and pick this guy up. I'm not sold on the 'scout' concept. I prefer a scope mounted in the traditional location. These Axis rifles also come with a Williams receiver peep sight and kind of strange front sight blade with two protective side prongs, sort of M14ish. I like shooting peep sights, but haven't tried these out yet. They also have a totally unnecessary muzzle brake.

I have had other Axis rifles, so I know a bit about the good and bad points. The bad - usually the magazines are mediocre at best for feeding; sometimes they have the 'Savage' ejection issue (easy to fix); and they have a pretty cheap and flimsy feel to them. The trade off is that they tend to shoot very very well.

I took off the scout mount and receiver sight, put on a one piece pic rail and the ol' trusty Nikon optic, and to the range we go.

I was pleasantly surprised with the results. I currently have my loading gear stashed away, so was only able to shoot some factory stuff. I tried Norinco Red Box, Barnaul FMJ, and PPU RNSP hunting rounds. The best were two groups (100 yds, 3shots) with Barnaul at 1.25" and 1.375". The PPU shot a 2" group. No point in mentioning now the Norinco shot. I've had good luck in the past with the Chinese milsurp corrosive stuff, but this newer stuff (2020) is wild, at least in this rifle.

I'm looking forward to being able to do some handloading for this guy, I think it will have some pretty decent accuracy with good ammo. I like the trigger and the 20" barrel. I found with some short barreled rifles I've owned (ie 16.5" ones) the muzzle flash is distracting.

I did run into one hitch that several reviewers have mentioned. The 3d round in the mag seems to nose-dive sometimes when you feed the 2nd round in to the chamber. It's not that hard to re-orient the round, and I usually take my time shooting, so it is annoying but not horrible. No light primer strikes, no extraction or ejection problems.

Anyone out there hang on to this rifle and do some load development? What kind of groups you getting?
 
I got a used one over this past winter - have not yet fired it. There had been a Burris IER scope here for a number of years - I wanted to try out that "Scout scoped" idea to see how it worked. That rifle seemed appropriate for that purpose.

I did not really like that muzzle brake - removing it took some effort - propane torch heat to melt the "glue" that was on the threads - I do not know if that was factory stuff or a previous owner. Then I made an insert set for my barrel vise and was able to unscrew that muzzle brake thing - the muzzle on the barrel was a flat recessed type - the area from the muzzle to the first baffle in the brake was packed full of very hard carbon - it was mostly "picked off" in chunks, from the muzzle with a steel dental pick, then I used carb cleaner to wipe out the rest of it. I put that muzzle brake into my lathe and turned it to look like a thread protector "cap" for those barrel threads.

If you go through much writing about "Scout rifle" - this Savage Axis pretty much missed most of it. Yes, it does accept a scope mounted forward of the receiver, but the top of that receiver is solid - so not going to be using stripper clips to re-load. The detachable magazine was three shot - flush with bottom line of the stock - and the "latch" on the magazine seems to be a piece of bent over plastic - looks like it would snap easy enough in the cold - I have not been able to find any to buy to have a spare or two on hand. That magazine has to be removed to be re-loaded, so a second reason why stripper clip (charger) not going to work out.

So, about all that I get from that is the "Scout scope" view for aiming - not totally convinced that is any "improvement" over decent conventional scopes that I am more used to - not real convinced it is any faster to acquire a target than post front and aperture rear sight - if you have a set-up that fits you.

If it was my only centre-fire rifle, I think I would be very disappointed in it - but then, if it was my only rifle, I probably would not be as conscious of the various deficiencies with it.

I have owned Savage brand rifles previously - a single shot 112V in 22-250 and various .22 Long Rifle, 17 HMR and 22 Magnum - they seemed to shoot as accurately as I can - in the case of that 112V, MUCH better than I can. I have hunted with guys with 30-06 Savage 110 and 243 Win Savage 99 - at least at one time, Savage knew how to make guns that worked - to be determined about this Savage Axis II Scout, though.
 
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I probably confused myself looking at various magazines for this Scout rifle - below is two pictures of the factory one, with three 7.62x39 rounds in it. Note the bent over release on the front of that magazine - I think it is unique among Savage magazines - the release latch is on the magazine, not part of the rifle.

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JD22-250 said:
Does it use the standard crappy axis mag?? Mine has held up many years but just seems so poorly designed
Click to expand...

Same for my 223. Its still going after quite a bit of use but...yeah.

Having a 3 round mag that doesn't function anyway is a miss for me tho. At least the 223 mag works.
 
Potashminer said:
I got a used one over this past winter - have not yet fired it. There had been a Burris IER scope here for a number of years - I wanted to try out that "Scout scoped" idea to see how it worked. That rifle seemed appropriate for that purpose.

I did not really like that muzzle brake - removing it took some effort - propane torch heat to melt the "glue" that was on the threads - I do not know if that was factory stuff or a previous owner. Then I made an insert set for my barrel vise and was able to unscrew that muzzle brake thing - the muzzle on the barrel was a flat recessed type - the area from the muzzle to the first baffle in the brake was packed full of very hard carbon - it was mostly "picked off" in chunks, from the muzzle with a steel dental pick, then I used carb cleaner to wipe out the rest of it. I put that muzzle brake into my lathe and turned it to look like a thread protector "cap" for those barrel threads.

If you go through much writing about "Scout rifle" - this Savage Axis pretty much missed most of it. Yes, it does accept a scope mounted forward of the receiver, but the top of that receiver is solid - so not going to be using stripper clips to re-load. The detachable magazine was three shot - flush with bottom line of the stock - and the "latch" on the magazine seems to be a piece of bent over plastic - looks like it would snap easy enough in the cold - I have not been able to find any to buy to have a spare or two on hand. That magazine has to be removed to be re-loaded, so a second reason why stripper clip (charger) not going to work out.

So, about all that I get from that is the "Scout scope" view for aiming - not totally convinced that is any "improvement" over decent conventional scopes that I am more used to - not real convinced it is any faster to acquire a target than post front and aperture rear sight - if you have a set-up that fits you.

If it was my only centre-fire rifle, I think I would be very disappointed in it - but then, if it was my only rifle, I probably would not be as conscious of the various deficiencies with it.

I have owned Savage brand rifles previously - a single shot 112V in 22-250 and various .22 Long Rifle, 17 HMR and 22 Magnum - they seemed to shoot as accurately as I can - in the case of that 112V, MUCH better than I can. I have hunted with guys with 30-06 Savage 110 and 243 Win Savage 99 - at least at one time, Savage knew how to make guns that worked - to be determined about this Savage Axis II Scout, though.
Click to expand...

I agree i hate the muzzle break and front sight. I mounted a pic rail as well for standard scope mounts. Do you like the muzzle off? I may try that myself. Any chance you can post A pic of it? you can send to email as well if you can. thanks
 
One thing I can't get my head around...why on earth would Savage design and chamber an Axis rifle for 7.62x39 (or any of their other newer 'specials') and return to the old Axis stock design? At least the newer Axis stock feels much better and is more resistant to flexing.

Along with the old stock style is the old mag design, which as noted above is notoriously bad.

Overall I do like the rifle even with it's deficiencies.

Again, any owners have good handloading results with this guy?
 
Mine shoots well with hand loads. I’ve tried to get the muzzle brake off but it won’t budge. I’m using a vortex scout scope and it’s my deer rifle for the right woods I live in. The stock is hot garbage but it’s light. Over all it’s my go to for hanging out in the bush. I’m not scared to break it lol. I use the Mag3d 22-250 6 round mags and they feed great. Just a little fragile
 
Hey, that's good news. I will have to try one of the Mag3D magazines. While I do like a flush fit mag, if there's something that feeds better that's a win. So even with the smaller case head diameter of the x39, the 22-250 mags work?

Thanks for the response!
 
Lever30 said:
Hey, that's good news. I will have to try one of the Mag3D magazines. While I do like a flush fit mag, if there's something that feeds better that's a win. So even with the smaller case head diameter of the x39, the 22-250 mags work?

Thanks for the response!
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Should be three pictures below - that used Savage Axis that I received had a MAG3D.CA 22-250x6 round magazine included. Is no loaded rounds handy - can see there is six previously fired S&B 17 cases (7.62x39) in that magazine - seems to fit and feed just fine, but defeats the point of "one-hand carry" with the distance it protrudes below the stock - may be more or less important to various people.

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As per my personal opinion and review of it, I can say that is a mixed one but mainly positive.

I bought this over a Ruger Ranch, CZ or Howa because of the all stainless setup so I could shoot cheap corrosive garbage and not have to fret about rust. I do strip the bolt everyone I use it and spray the bore with Windex to neutralize any adverse effect from said primers.

The stock is what it is and if wanted, there are a tonne of different chassis out there. I would have preferred wood or a more modern and adjustable stock from factory... but it is after all, the Axis budget series.

The barrel length is fine for myself. I am 6'6" tall so the rifle shoulder very well.

The peep/ghost ring style rear sight and the tri-blade front sight is... an interesting set up. Interesting as in... not that easy to use for longer distance target past 50 yards. However, the concept for the rifle is to be a ranch/truck gun and to take care of varmints at closer range with the ability to quickly get it in your sight range. It makes sense but and acquired taste.


I don't really understand why everyone is complaining about the muzzlebreak? I personally like the overall look of it on the rifle but cannot attest to it actually reducing any recoil or kick. My SKS with a rubber shoulder pad and this Scout have about the same kick/feel.

The worst feature that we ALL can agree on is the magazine situation. I will be ordering some spares from 3DMags soon enough. This concept unfortunately was a little bit before the idea from Mossberg/Ruger on using AR mags.

Overall, I challenge anyone to try and find a new production rifle, with the same or similar features for less than $1000 new. It's quite a unique and rare rifle and for the feature it boasts, if you can find one, buy it and shoot the crap out of it and it'll only continue to become more desirable.

Only suggestion is to strip and clean the bolt throughly. I had a few light primer strikes during its first outing.


It just so happens that The Horse Barn in Kamloops in B.C (where I bought mine) has 1 left in stock... someone please buy it, before I buy another! Great people there.

https://www.horsebarncanada.com/savage-7-62x39-axis-ii-stainless-scout-rifle/rifle-7-62x39-22522-savage
 
Hi IB:

That's pretty much my take on it too. When some cartridges become popular like the 7.62x39, the rifles tend to command a premium. We're all just fashion followers in this industry really.

My initial test with it was pretty decent for shooting pretty average factory loads, so I'm OK with some of the design's warts. Like I said, I have owned a couple of Axis rifles and have been perfectly happy with them for the price of entry.

It is really nice to shoot a 30 cal that you could plug away all day with, no significant recoil and the factory ammo is basically the cost of high end rimfire ammo.

Cheers!
 
Lever30, you can't have everything, sadly haha. I have heard of people slightly modifying a LAR style of magazine that can legally hold 10 rounds. I forget the brand but I believe if you use the search here you can find the thread and obtain the brand.

As you said, this design is like a pretty girl with a mole on her face. If you can overlook a flaw or two, it's a rifle that is definitely useful, unique and very capable. Glad to know there are a few other owners out there. Have an excellent Easter weekend!
 
I've been eyeballing these but not sold on it yet. If it came 223 I'd be in.
I would mount a red dot if any optic at all. And, as far as stock goes I see Magpul is coming out with a Hunter Lite for the Axis series so that could be interesting.
 
GimpyGolden said:
I've been eyeballing these but not sold on it yet. If it came 223 I'd be in.
I would mount a red dot if any optic at all. And, as far as stock goes I see Magpul is coming out with a Hunter Lite for the Axis series so that could be interesting.
Click to expand...

Quite a few on Doctor Deals in stainless and in .223 with a passable Weaver Scope. $689. Don't hesitate to buy from the Doctor lol it's legit. I have myself.



https://doctordeals.ca/product/savage-axis-xp-stainless-bolt-action-rifle-223-rem-57286/
 
I put my rifle into a MDT LSS stock and 3D printed an adapter for MDT 6mm BR magazines so they will hold and feed 10 rounds of 7.62x39mm. Love being able to use AICS magazines.
 
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