Savage Axis XP .223

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Osuvet85

New member
Came as a package with a 3x9 Bushnell scope mounted for $379 at the local farm store, what the heck. First shot kneeling, 60 yards, on paper 4" left of the bull, second shot biting the left of the bull, elevation perfect. Put it on a bipod, hit everything I aimed at. Kudos to Savage and whoever bore sighted this thing. Not an Accu-trigger but a nice crisp break at around five lbs. Fun rifle.
 
They are great rifles for the money, I have an Axis stainless in .223 that consistently shoots 100 yard groups around 3/10ths of an inch with my handloads. I've got the factory trigger down to just under 3 pounds by clipping the trigger spring and doing a little polishing where the sear engages the trigger.

The scope that comes on the XP package rifles is usually another story. A lot of them won't hold zero for very many shots. YMMV
 
I gave my axis 223 to a friend of mine... it was a great shooter I just like my Rem 700's better. He put a boyds laminate stock on it ($109) and the groups tightened up even more. Feels like a totally different gun with the boyds stock.
 
I got my daughter an Axis Youth "Muddy Girl" (pink and purple camo) and it has really impressed me.

A lot of rifle purists decry many things about the Axis, but they are good guns and I see no reason why she can't keep and shoot this gun forever. I already bought a standard size black stock for when she grows or if she has boys to hand it down to.

I lightened the trigger just a bit and she loves to shoot it. She's already killed a deer with it (dropped in its tracks at 85 yards).
 
I bought an Axis in stainless .30-06 Sprg and liked it so much I bought another in stainless .223 Rem. Search google for "Savage Axis trigger job" videos. There are a couple of good ones on youtube for certain.
 
I like the trigger on the .223 as is, nice crisp break. Dry firing the .308 also feels ok to me. I'm not a trigger purist, may change if I start shooting longer ranges, which the .223 makes me want to try.
 
I have 2 of them. One 223 and a 243 camo. Both are shooters for sure. The trigger job is a cake walk to do. I had ( in past ) remmy's winchesters, and a ruger. In the last 4 years I have traded them all off for Savages. I am up to 9 Savages now. Most recent is the F Class 6MMBR I use for matches. All shoot sub MOA with the exception of my 22-250.Not sure what it is with that one ,but MOA is about the best I can get with it.
 
After my initial experience with an Axis in 223, as soon as I saw them on sale I picked up a 308.

They are GREAT value. And with Boyds' and others now offering stocks for them, I hope it is a sign of things to come and we may hopefully see more aftermarket support. With Savage discontinuing the Stevens line of rifles, there may be a push for people using the Axis rifles as a building platform like they did with the Stevens.
 
RE factory improvements and aftermarket support: Maybe we'll finally get some GOOD Axis magazines that don't break.:)
 
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