Currently on sale at cabelas in multiple calibers, with a scope for $499. Reviews I have read say its got a heavy trigger, flimsy stock, and the scope leaves some to be desored. Should I pass on it at that price? Or is it a good rifle to get started with? Was thinking either .308 or 6.5creed, and because im a new shooter, hopefully the shortcomings wont be as noticeable to me. Seems everywhere else has it priced around 650 give or take...
Savage Axis XP for first hunting rifle
- Thread starter Wis3guy
- Start date
The scopes are borderline useless.
I’ve gotten them as trading chips on the e.e but never shot one. They’re a little rough for sure.
Check out intersurplus and see what’s available. A bushnell banner or good deal on a vortex crossfire from the e.e will serve you better
If you do go for it properly torque your rings and bases
I’ve gotten them as trading chips on the e.e but never shot one. They’re a little rough for sure.
Check out intersurplus and see what’s available. A bushnell banner or good deal on a vortex crossfire from the e.e will serve you better
If you do go for it properly torque your rings and bases
Last edited:
Your money, but if it was me I'd spring for a few more $ or save up a bit more and get a better rifle.. also don't reject the idea of a quality used rifle for the EE on this forum. Savage does have some decent rifles, but honestly you will very quickly outgrow the Axis and be is a situation where you will have to try to sell it in order to get into something better..
It'll put meat in the freezer. People won't accept that a 500$ gun with good ammo can shoot 1MOA easily. I personally would rather wait for a 700$ gun to be sold used for the same price but whatever you wanna do! I'm very happy with my Ruger American predator
If you just need a hunting rifle for a week or 2 a year or you just want to plink they are fine rifles. It is a very basic entry level rifle. While most shoot very well they are made to a price point. The stocks are flimsy. The finish isnt great. The scope is serviceable but almost below any scope sold on the market. Id still take one over a new vortex though.
Bottomline is its your money and only you can decide if its enough gun for you or if it will leave you wanting. There is aftermarket support for the axis so it can be imporoved over time as budget expands
Bottomline is its your money and only you can decide if its enough gun for you or if it will leave you wanting. There is aftermarket support for the axis so it can be imporoved over time as budget expands
My first rifle was an Axis XP in 270win. Still have it, but I shoot lefty now. It worked just fine to put a few bears in the freezer. But mine was only $235 after rebate (like 8 years ago now).
The trigger sucks. But it's cheap to make them usable - not good by any means but usable. The stock also sucks, it's your typical cheap Tupperware stock, but it's extra flexible in the wrist area because of the trigger guard section that's removable. If you JB weld that sucker in place it makes a big difference. Finally, the bolt lift is atrocious. It's hard to open the bolt while keeping the rifle in your shoulder. IMO this is the biggest issue with the Axis, you can buy an aftermarket trigger and stock but there isn't much you can do about the bolt lift.
The scope isn't good by any measure, but it's functional. I upgraded mine when I could afford to but it'll do the trick to get you started.
For the right price I would totally buy another Axis. The problem is that price is like $250-300 and only if it's a lefty.
I agree with conor_90, check out intersurplus. They have a bunch of used stuff. Or even check out your local Gun Store and ask what they've got for used hunting rifles.
I don't know anything about Sabatti rifles but this one is $500 with a scope:
https://intersurplus.com/collections/308-winchester/products/sabatti-bolt-action-in-308-win-scope
If you're open to buying a 30-06 you will have even more options. Lots of used 30-06 out there.
The trigger sucks. But it's cheap to make them usable - not good by any means but usable. The stock also sucks, it's your typical cheap Tupperware stock, but it's extra flexible in the wrist area because of the trigger guard section that's removable. If you JB weld that sucker in place it makes a big difference. Finally, the bolt lift is atrocious. It's hard to open the bolt while keeping the rifle in your shoulder. IMO this is the biggest issue with the Axis, you can buy an aftermarket trigger and stock but there isn't much you can do about the bolt lift.
The scope isn't good by any measure, but it's functional. I upgraded mine when I could afford to but it'll do the trick to get you started.
For the right price I would totally buy another Axis. The problem is that price is like $250-300 and only if it's a lefty.
I agree with conor_90, check out intersurplus. They have a bunch of used stuff. Or even check out your local Gun Store and ask what they've got for used hunting rifles.
I don't know anything about Sabatti rifles but this one is $500 with a scope:
https://intersurplus.com/collections/308-winchester/products/sabatti-bolt-action-in-308-win-scope
If you're open to buying a 30-06 you will have even more options. Lots of used 30-06 out there.
Last edited:
a friend bought a package for his daughter against advice to buy . after a few range sessions he replaced the scope and rings. then he wondered why she was a poor shot maybe the 7lb trigger so he replaced the trigger with an aftermarket one. still poor bolt function and crappy stock but at least useable but at what cost. better to wait or buy used than a crap package.
I bought one over a year ago it's my go to rifle very nice relatively light and easy to point - the one I got did not have the fancy trigger a spring from McCarbo fixed it now between 2.5-3.0 lbs which is perfect for hunting - other than that it is all original - it cycles well. I have over 1600 rounds (223) through it. I would say buy one - for the price it is good value.
My bolt is pretty smooth after 1600 rounds the stock is adequate for what it is - I do not use a bi-pod and lean into it each shot
cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
The savage is a fine for and entry level rifle. Are there better nicer rifles. Yes but you will pay for them and you won’t fine anything that shoots much better. the scope will suck the new stock is better than the old ones and yes the triggers suck. If you want a step up try a savage 110, rugger American, Weatherby vanguard II, the next level up would be the tika T3X or browning AB3.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg5thbdWgd4
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg5thbdWgd4
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
they are great little rifles and a great way to dip your tow into hunting.
Wow, dream big. There’s a whole world beyond what is sold at Canadian Tire. A lot of it is less expensive and better made than the current crop of push feed budget guns too.
For example; a tikka t3 new is going for approximately the same price or considerably more than most vintage SAKO rifles on the e.e. “Rugger” Americans are selling for more than I have bought a few m77 mkII rifles for.
OP join the e.e, read up on stuff and shoulder what you can. Fit is one of if not the most important factor in accuracy from field positions, not small differences in mechanical accuracy. Generally speaking all modern guns shoot well from the bench.
Another place to check out for deals is frontier firearms used rifle section. Swede import guns like intersurplus but they seem to put new weaver scopes on a lot of them. Same cheap scope as an axis combo if I remember right. I would be a little apprehensive about combos with “vintage” scopes on them, optics technology has improved so much in recent memory that you might be better off with the unbranded scopes with lenses taken from recycled beer bottles they slap on the axis.
Last edited:
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
As has been said more than a few times, wait and find something better. By your own admission regarding naivete about shooting, a crappy rifle/scope combination doesn't make a person a better shot.
How far out do you plan to shoot with it? I have used a regular axis in 7mm08 and it would group great at 100yrds i didnt need it to shoot further than that so i stopped sighting it in. I fire a shot each year for my dad to make sure it is still shooting where it should, and it always does. He only uses his shotgun anyways, ive taken it to the stand a few times but never had anything come by.
Savage Axis are good rifles especially for beginners who are better off spending time practicing and shooting
I always assume the Savage haters are the same people who think water that comes out of a $5 bottle tastes 5x's better then water out of a $1 bottle
I always assume the Savage haters are the same people who think water that comes out of a $5 bottle tastes 5x's better then water out of a $1 bottle
To the OP,
I would not buy any used rifle online. No matter how nice it looks or how 'little' it was shot. If the barrel is burnt your are in for $500. If I were you, I would save a couple hundred bucks and buy a Howa, a Weatherby Vanguard or a Tikka T3x.
I would not buy any used rifle online. No matter how nice it looks or how 'little' it was shot. If the barrel is burnt your are in for $500. If I were you, I would save a couple hundred bucks and buy a Howa, a Weatherby Vanguard or a Tikka T3x.
I drink water from a hose. Lol. Dont know what that says about me but ive seen savage rifles shoot with high end rifles. Sure they're not as nice but id never down a guy for owning one.
Here is a true story - I bought two Tikka's a 223 that went custom and a 204 - they shot very well - I bought a Savage Axis XP to do my part helping out a site sponsor didn't really need it. Took it too the range (broke in the barrel) and it shoots better than the tikka - ended up selling both Tikkas and kept the Axis.
^^true story^^
^^true story^^
