Savage Axis .223 load

[02bigdogs17]

Took my Savage Axis out this past weekend and did some shooting. I have been trying to find some accurate loads for it. Well I think I found one. I loaded some once fired Remington cases with 27gr of Hodgdon BLC-2 with a 55gr Sierra HPBT bullet and a CCI small rifle primer. Set the OAL @ 2.240". I shot three 5 shot groups all under one inch @ 100yds. The best group was .76" and the worst one was .89". I love this rifle. It is light weight and shoots better or just as good as any of the expensive rifles I have owned. Not as pretty as a wood stocked rifle though.

 

[Jay24bal]

Good to hear

I love my Axis. Best $350 I have ever spent on a rifle, shoots as well as my "higher end" rifles for half the price. I do agree though, not the prettiest rifle in the world, but the stainless barrel does look better IMO.

For mine (also in .223), I found that I tightened the groups up even more when I increased the OAL a bit. I'm shooting 52 grain Sierra HPBTs over 25.9 gr of Varget with an OAL of 2.265. I did my testing for a general load (trying different powders and bullet weights) at 2.250, and had results around .7 - .9 at that OAL. Once I pushed the OAL out to 2.265 (I found 2.269 to be in the lands), my groups shrunk down to .4 - .6 (all measurements done with 5 shot groups at 100 yards, on a bench with a bipod, no sled or vice).

I love being able to wring out every last bit of accuracy out of a gun, it is the reason I reload.

Good work!