where are all the Axis II rifles?

yeah, there's more to the story than what I shared, but he's been accompanying a friend on hunts for the last three years, which is where he's had experience with the recoil of the 30-30 and .243. he knows the recoil of the 7mm-08 is just a little bit more than half that of the actual .308 and has done a lot of reading on it's capability, so has settled on that. he knows it's not a cheap cartridge, but that's more of a non issue as he will be reloading. I could suggest to him a .308 that is loaded lightly so it has the performance of a lesser cartridge.

he was actually thinking about the SKS because of how cheap they are, but since he wants to take larger game like moose at some point, understands that it's less than desirable. yes, capable, but shoots a bullet that is pretty light and at a lower velocity. I guess we could revisit that idea, though.

I told him it's all about comfort and most any gun can be fitted to you. but, being a bit one dimensional, if he tried a gun and it didn't fit, he doesn't quite wrap around his head that things can be changed to make it fit.

I saw that 840 in .30-30, but don't know anything about the gun to know if it's worth buying or suggesting.
 
yeah, there's more to the story than what I shared, but he's been accompanying a friend on hunts for the last three years, which is where he's had experience with the recoil of the 30-30 and .243. he knows the recoil of the 7mm-08 is just a little bit more than half that of the actual .308 and has done a lot of reading on it's capability, so has settled on that. he knows it's not a cheap cartridge, but that's more of a non issue as he will be reloading. I could suggest to him a .308 that is loaded lightly so it has the performance of a lesser cartridge.

he was actually thinking about the SKS because of how cheap they are, but since he wants to take larger game like moose at some point, understands that it's less than desirable. yes, capable, but shoots a bullet that is pretty light and at a lower velocity. I guess we could revisit that idea, though.

I told him it's all about comfort and most any gun can be fitted to you. but, being a bit one dimensional, if he tried a gun and it didn't fit, he doesn't quite wrap around his head that things can be changed to make it fit.

I saw that 840 in .30-30, but don't know anything about the gun to know if it's worth buying or suggesting.

hunting moose is new info in the thread, so forget the SKS and .30-30 caliber, considering all the provided info I highly recommend a .308
 
Marlin made the X7 in 7mm08 and I bought one in 30.06 for one of my sons and it shoots and isn't garbage. It might fit the bill. They even made one in a youth (short LOP) that might be good if you could find one. They even have pretty fair butt pads. You would have to buy it used as they are no longer being made.
 
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My deer rifle is a Santa Barbara M1000 chambered in 7x57. It's accurate, soft shooting and capable. Expensive to buy factory ammunition, but you said he would be reloading.

I'm with Nomad on this one. You can get a fine firearm for not a lot of money on TradeEx. A gun which fits the owner and is equipped with a modern recoil pad can really reduce the felt recoil as well.

I know a guy considering selling a Parker Hale in 308 come to think of it.
 
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I have both a 7mm-08 and a .308. The recoil between the two is very similar. The 7mm-08, when using about the same weight bullets with similar fitting and weighted rifles, will recoil about the same, as it is the same cartridge as the .308, just necked down 0.024". If the .308 was too much for him the 7mm-08 won't be any better.

If recoil is a big issue then I'd look into a heavy rifle to absorb some of that push. An extra couple pounds of rifle will turn any .308 based caliber into a pussycat.
 
I am under the poverty line; I graduated uni right as the economy hit the ####ter. Lay offs, blah blah blah I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I got into reloading last year and have been acquiring stuff slowly. The start up is expensive! It adds to the cost of a new rifle if you are a penny pincher when you need to pick up new shellholders, primers, powder, dies etc!

A few shots a year hunter might be better off with just buying a box of .243 and calling it a day.
 
There is so much truth in this sentence, it should be stickied for every weekly post about budget rifle with a nice wood stock ...
I agree with you Hunter, which is why they are open to the idea if the gun isn't beat up etc.

I already have a decent offer for a rifle in 7mm-08. :)

I'll talk to him about the 6.5x55 though.
 
My brother bought a used Winchester Featherweight in 30-06 with Leupold bases and rings in excellent condition for $650 + HST. This happened to be the newer model with the MOA trigger and control feed action. Perfect shooter and pretty nice to carry. I'm not sure that I would recommend a Featherweight in 30-06 for a recoil sensitive shooter, but .243 or 7-08 would be pretty good. You could also fit it with a thicker pad I suppose.
 
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I can't seem to find anyone with them anywhere. the original Axis are everywhere, but no Axis II.

was there a recall I'm not aware of or something? :confused:

helping a friend look for an inexpensive rifle with wood stock in 7mm-08 or other light recoil cartridge that will take deer, maybe bear and possibly moose. he's slight of frame and is recoil sensitive as shooting my Winchester 88 in .308 hurt him. he's shot .243 and .30-30 and he's okay with those. doesn't like lever, so that removes .30-30 unless there is a bolt action in .30-30 that's newish as they don't like buying used. his wife is thrifty, him not so much, LOL.

they're a bit OCD as well, so picky. spent the weekend shouldering rifles and has come back with a dislike of composite stocks, but I'm working on them to get an Axis II in the cartridge they like and then swap out the plastic stock for a Boyd's wood or laminate.

he's also limited in funds, being on disability and want to hunt for sustenance, which curtails their options to most entry level rifles which are all plastic stocks.

I am checking the EE every day, but nothing has caught my eye for them to consider. doesn't like used, but is open to the right rifle.

Moose was in from the beginning
 
My brother bought a used Winchester Featherweight in 30-06 with Leupold bases and rings in excellent condition for $650 + HST. This happened to be the newer model with the MOA trigger and control feed action. Perfect shooter and pretty nice to carry. I'm not sure that I would recommend a Featherweight in 30-06 for a recoil sensitive shooter, but .243 or 7-08 would be pretty good. You could also fit it with a thicker pad I suppose.

My gf just bought a new production model 70fwt in 30-06 for 750 shipped with tally rings.
She had never fired a gun before meeting me (last fall) started her with a 22lr, then 17hmr, then 7mm-08, 30-06. I bought her a 243 to hunt with and she likes it but after shooting my 30-06 will full power loads she wanted one. She said it isn't bad at all and could shoot it a bunch. It is all about rifle fit more then what it is chambered for. She shot my 6x45 and said it was like her 22lr lol
 
yeah, there's more to the story than what I shared, but he's been accompanying a friend on hunts for the last three years, which is where he's had experience with the recoil of the 30-30 and .243. he knows the recoil of the 7mm-08 is just a little bit more than half that of the actual .308 and has done a lot of reading on it's capability, so has settled on that. he knows it's not a cheap cartridge, but that's more of a non issue as he will be reloading. I could suggest to him a .308 that is loaded lightly so it has the performance of a lesser cartridge.

he was actually thinking about the SKS because of how cheap they are, but since he wants to take larger game like moose at some point, understands that it's less than desirable. yes, capable, but shoots a bullet that is pretty light and at a lower velocity. I guess we could revisit that idea, though.

I told him it's all about comfort and most any gun can be fitted to you. but, being a bit one dimensional, if he tried a gun and it didn't fit, he doesn't quite wrap around his head that things can be changed to make it fit.

I saw that 840 in .30-30, but don't know anything about the gun to know if it's worth buying or suggesting.

Does he know the cost to get into reloading lol.
 
Ok.... Nobody else is saying it, but your friend needs to man up..... He may be "slight of frame", but the .308 does not recoil much and if he is experiencing to much recoil from it, he likely is suffering from bad technique and that would be the first thing I would look at..... My 12 year old boy is slight if frame and can shoot my 7-08 handily from a bench for 3 rounds.....

Secondly, and EVERYONE is saying it.... He wants a one rifle solution with wood stock, and wants it on a budget, and must be new.... Sorry, no go.....

I am a big proponent of reloading, it certainly upped my game..... But it isn't cheap..... If I was him, I would toss reloading for now, get a good rifle, shoot factory and build from there.....
 
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