Why does everyone give the axis a hard time?

Having owned a Savage Edge (predecessor to the Axis) I can say, from experience, that that rifle in particular was indescribably poor in quality. It even had a spring loaded 'self-opening' bolt. If you didn't hold the handle down it would actually pop up on its own. Even just sitting in the rest. The stock was flexible malleable junk and the trigger was marginally useful at best. I felt at risk even firing the thing. Ergo, IMO, the Savage entry level rifles are a very poor choice, even the new ones I have seen/handled. There are low end rifles and then, below that (well below that), there's the Savage Edge/Axis.

While I find this rifle to be particularly irksome its own right, what genuinely irks is when I see people encourage others to buy an Axis when there are so many new/used rifles available for the same price that are vastly superior to be had on the EE and other places. Different people have asked me about buying an Axis over the years and I immediately steer them to something like a Vanguard S1 or S2, a Marlin XS7/XL7, or even a Howa. Even better I tell them would be to buy a good used Husqvarna, Parker Hale or BSA for the same or less money.

Why anyone would choose to support Savage Arms Co. by promoting their low end junk line of entry rifles is beyond me with so many superior options available for first/entry level gun buyers.

Am I a snob? Methinks not. I have self esteem and an appreciation for well made rifles of value.

The End.
 
woodlotowner said:
Having owned a Savage Edge (predecessor to the Axis) I can say, from experience, that that rifle in particular was indescribably poor in quality. It even had a spring loaded 'self-opening' bolt. If you didn't hold the handle down it would actually pop up on its own. Even just sitting in the rest. The stock was flexible malleable junk and the trigger was marginally useful at best. I felt at risk even firing the thing. Ergo, IMO, the Savage entry level rifles are a very poor choice, even the new ones I have seen/handled. There are low end rifles and then, below that (well below that), there's the Savage Edge/Axis.

While I find this rifle to be particularly irksome its own right, what genuinely irks is when I see people encourage others to buy an Axis when there are so many new/used rifles available for the same price that are vastly superior to be had on the EE and other places. Different people have asked me about buying an Axis over the years and I immediately steer them to something like a Vanguard S1 or S2, a Marlin XS7/XL7, or even a Howa. Even better I tell them would be to buy a good used Husqvarna, Parker Hale or BSA for the same or less money.

Why anyone would choose to support Savage Arms Co. by promoting their low end junk line of entry rifles is beyond me with so many superior options available for first/entry level gun buyers.

Am I a snob? Methinks not. I have self esteem and an appreciation for well made rifles of value.

The End.
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Most of us are on the same page as you. Good point about EE, just like Trade-ex, there are so many excellent rifles for about the same price or a few bucks more (M98, M96, Parker Hale, BSA, new Zastava, etc.), I cannot understand why anybody would want to put money down on a modern entry-level rifle. Your "mileage may vary", so I don't want to judge or be viewed upon as a snob.
 
Isn't dressing up an Axis somewhat akin to putting lipstick on a Pig?

I guess they fill a niche. Just not my idea of a rifle to own.

I handled and shot a couple that acquaintances had....made me scurry back to my own rifles quickly.

What ever people are willing to buy to get into shooting. There are so many better options, though.

Regards, Dave.
 
If you don't praise the Axis, you're a snob. It's been a common theme on here for quite a while now. a Parker Hale or BSA can be had in excellent condition for less than the cost of a new Axis, and they are incredibly superior in every aspect, but it's taboo to point that out.

Looking for something to tinker with? Get a used 700 and enjoy the overwhelming aftermarket supply. And, have a better rifle from beginning to end.

I wonder if these fellas could petition salvage to pay them for all the advertising lol.
 
TrevorMack said:
Question, is it just the axis or is it all savage models that get a bad Rep?
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Just to be fair, I LOVE the 99's, and don't have much to complain about the 11's or 110's, the step up in quality to the "higher end" savages is worth the investment. I have owned quite a few Savages over the years from rimfire, to levers, to bolts. The newer models show how companies are cutting corners to increase profits. It's all about making money for most of them, not rifles.

I am not a fan of any of the budget rifles, but after owning and actually using a few, I'd take the entry level Remington or Ruger any day of the week over the Axis.



A young fellow near me was looking to buy his first rifle, he was low on funds working for $10/hr part time, and was looking at an Axis. I sold him an excellent condition BSA with quality steel rings and a 70's era Bushnell for $350 with 3 boxes of 270 ammo. He loves the rifle and has taken a few deer with it. I would do the same for anyone and everyone if I could afford it.
 
Eagleye said:
Isn't dressing up an Axis somewhat akin to putting lipstick on a Pig? Dave.
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But it would be a good looking pig..:D

Seems to me the biggest complaint is the crappy stock on an axis,fine put a Boyds stock on it and problem solved.

Anyways my "go to" rifle is a Winchester 70 in .30-06 and it has served me well since 1976..It did cost me three weeks pay back then and that's a lot of money for a rifle for some folks.So if someone is happy with their axis then I say good for you..:)
 
If the solution to fixing the axis is a $200 stock and a $100 trigger, why not just buy something better in the first place?
 
To me the Axis is a entry level firearm. Yes there are other entry level opitions and I'm sure they all have there pros and cons. Having said that a few years back, after doing much research online I bought one for my then 13 year old son, he's 16 now he has learned how to shoot well with it, crappy stock and all, and I always get a huge kick when other shooters at our club snoop past and look at the used targets he has shot , almost all sub moa, and see in their facial expression, disbelief what this pice of cheep iron can do. From my perspective, this gun has been great, and I'm sure there are a few other guns I could have got instead that would have been equally good, and as I'm now looking for a larger caliber (moose) gun for him, and no I won't get into that debate, this Axis is staying, and when the Can$ improves it just might get a new Boyd's stock.
That's my 2 cents!
Thanks for reading RGH
 
I paid $235 for my Axis XP. One screw and a new spring fixed the trigger. Some sand paper fixed the foreend (still flexes but doesn't touch the barrel unless you grab the barrel in one hand and push hard).

Scope is decent. Im a noob so I've never been spoiled with $1000+ scopes. 200+ rounds through my 270 and 200+ rounds through my buddies 30-06 and both scopes are holding up fine.

Magazine is cheap, but the plastic tab seems sturdy enough. Not a big deal to me unless it breaks, its not like Im removing the mag 30 times a day while hunting...

All and all, it's a good rifle for what I have into it. Would I pay $400+ for one? Probably not. But can you get a scoped hunting rifle for under $250 any other way? Not really...a Enfield maybe. That's about it.
 
TrevorMack said:
Question, is it just the axis or is it all savage models that get a bad Rep?
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I have never had any savage shoot poorly... Owned 5... all in the last 5 years....

Was fit an finish bad on some ? No doubt ! Almost all of them ! I have never owned a savage axis... But model 12's, 11's, Mark II's... All good stuff...

My 223 model 11 shot sub moa with match ammo... I don't mind the savage trigger, I like the vanguards 2 stage match a little better.

My buddy has an AXIS 2 in 308 with a heavy barrel... Dropped it in a good stock, bedded it and hand loads... under .5 groupings... Ive seen it, and im jelly...

Mind you I also have a friend who got an axis in 223... The trigger is like trying to pull a brick... has to be 12 lbs.... Im not kidding... The fit and finish is meh, some mags fit some don't... End of the day, shoots 1 inch groups easily. Great $600 (including scope) for coyotes that he doesn't have to worry about... hasn't failed us yet..

Savage used to be and is definitely now known again for it... They are accurate rifles !

Pay for what you get for ! My model 12 runs $1500 in stores new... Was a great rifle... My Model 11 Trophy XP international hunter (800 bucks with a scope)... AMAZING. Built it up into a precision rig....
 
TrevorMack said:
Question, is it just the axis or is it all savage models that get a bad Rep?
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The bolt action rimfires are decent, some made in Canada still.
The 25 is a pile of ####...
When I got into shooting late '90's the base model 10/12 were the price Axis are now, the laminate varmint models were $600 and the most $$ gun they made, while the Rem 700 and Win 70's started at $800. They were a budget gun since the 70's, its only a recent phenomena that they got so expensive.
My issue with the 10/12/110 etc is really the bolt design, it's a 9 piece bolted together affair, and the double bolt head makes for a ridiculously long action. Their short action is longer then some company's long actions.
At one time Sako made 4 different action lengths and really that's the way it should be. ...action for .223 ength, 308 length, 30'06 length, and big belted mag length. I don't want a huge long action receiver for .223 or .308 based cartridges, short compact and lightweight.
 
cdn1canhunt said:
My last sentence means if you can shoot and the rifle is accurate then the gun you use is of little consequence.

As I stated earlier the Axis is definitely not the be all and end all in rifles, but it is far from what many have remarked as a Boat anchor. I would not necessarily counsel someone heading off to the mountains for a once in a lifetime hunt to go out and grab themselves an Axis. but if you are off for your one week a year deer hunt or a few days of predator calling the axis should do you just as well as any other rifle.

I stand by my statement that a rifles purpose for being is to deliver a projectile as accurately as possible to target. Not something to snuggle up to at night.

Answer me this and if you owned rifles you've owned one...felt great to carry, nice to swing etc... But you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. Is that a better rifle than the axis with its plastic stock and stiff trigger that drops 3 or 5 rounds into and inch or less at 100yrds
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I recall a beautiful Tikka Continental in .308 that I owned for a time; it was a pretty rifle with a blond wood stock with dark grain, and deep blued steel that elicited a pride of ownership, but for one thing. The trigger, was adjustable for weight only, and I couldn't do anything to get rid of the creep, and in those days, there was no aftermarket replacement, so I sold the rifle, because I was unable to shoot it intuitively.

A rifle's balance and handling, it's trigger, and sights are the aspects of the rifle that matter to me. Chances are a rifle that's in good condition, and is correct in each of these characteristics, is also a shooter. Since I don't put fiberglass stocks in the same category as plastic, I can honestly say I've never purchased a plastic stocked rifle, but I do own one, a 7-08 Mauser in a Ramline stock that was gifted to me. At some point in time, I'll stabilize the stock and see how good I can get it to shoot. I've owned many wood stocked rifles, and some have indeed been horrible, the surplus rifles were often clunky, but one of the worst stocks I ever owned was the one on a brand spanking new 700 Remington, with the press checkered stock that was the style in the early '70s; that thing split right to the forward sling swivel to the front, and back through the pistol grip to the rear. Happily those days are behind me, and the major manufacturers now provide better stocks on their flagship rifles. Life is too short to put up with ugly rifles.

But the rifle I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with is an interesting story. A few years back I thought I'd take a shot a flinging cast bullets from my .308 target rifle. I had worked up loads that did pretty well in my .30/06s, so I thought that it might be interesting to try them in my target gun just to see how tight I could get them to shoot. I loaded up some ammo, and off I went to do some shooting. The rifle popped in a pleasant fashion, and after a few rounds I went down to the target expecting to see a pleasing tight cluster of holes. To my consternation, there was no group, and the one hole int he target was made by a bullet in yaw. What happened??!! It turns out that I was driving them too fast for the fast twist barrel (1:8), and they blew through the rifling, filling the grooves with lead. Turns out that to prevent stripping the hard cast slugs, I had to drop the velocity to about 1000 fps, which ended the experiment, and even then accuracy wasn't on par with my 1:12 and 1:10 .30/06s. So there you go, an $8000 rifle that wouldn't hit the side of a barn . . . but it does have a fiberglass stock.
 
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Funny thing shewt'in irons.
If'n ya don't like the kritter, ya ain't gonna group werd chit.

Kinda like hav'in jiggy jiggy with a perfect bawdy and a fangdangled face.
The giddee-up'n go jest got up and went.
No pleasure, no glory.

Spend the coin as it will only hert once.
 
^ sort of like buying a "better" savage when you could get a vanguard or tikka for your money. Plus many used rifles of higher quality if you look around.


Being impressed a gun has lasted 5 years is kind of ridiculous. Plenty of 100 year old guns get hunted with every year, there will never be a 100 year old Savage Axis.
 
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