for 100 bux more, but in 223 or 308 (not x39) you could get the similarly compact & lightweight mossberg mvp patrol that takes AR mags, so 10 rd LAR/XCR-M, PMAG, etc...(the 308 also takes M1A mags)...has BUIS but no forward scout rail. they seem to get some hate "cuz mossy", but for $100 more you can also get the mossberg mvp scout in 308 that has a full rail w/ integrated ghost ring and fibre optic front sight, plus a bit of side rails on the forend. the bolt is a little loose ("sloppy") but once you get the feel for how it likes to be slapped around it runs finei'm liking mine more and more. i only have the mossberg scout in 308, can't comment on their 223 mvp offerings which may've had more reliability issues like mag fit and feed in early production. the savage scout in 308 (at least some if not all models?) takes AICS type short action 5 & 10 rd mags...
I had a Mossberg MVP.didn't keep it long,felt way to cheap with the stupidly loose bolt.and it's equally loose magazine fit,i'm a Savage guy,but for this caliber,the Ruger American Ranch is hard to beat.if the price of these Savage Axis was more in line with the Ruger,i would probably get one,
