Ive been researching rifles for a month now and everytime I think I have it figured out something new comes along. I went from thinking I wanted a Ruger american preditor in 308 but after more research was turned onto the Savage 11/111. I found that the savage has been in the lead so far, but when I ask or look around some more people present more options. Ive been told to get a tikka, Howa, Ruger M77, ect, ect. Ive bounced around in calibers and still a bit on the fence but have narrowed it down to the 270 and 308.
I have a savage axis and have owned a few of them but I know there budget guns and they work but not the best rifles out there. I dont like the feel of my bolt on my axis but I know its tight and needs to be broken in.
I know its a hared slog, but you have to sort through what people are saying and bounce it off how you feel. Very hard when you have not done a lot. Throwing in a Winchester 70 suggestion is not a help.
I find the Savage as smooth as anything I have worked with that modern.
I don't know about the Axis. I will handle one next time I am Cabella's and see how I think it compares to the Savage.
So it helps if you say: I really want a wooden stock. I hate composites. Or I don't care. Takes a lot off the table.
I want an all weather stock. Ok, that puts it into Synthetic or a Laminate. Helps as well.
Tight Brush hunting of wide open, are of country you are shooting in helps as it tells you wide open or more closed.
Prairie dogs? shooting or you can't see 10 feet? . How far you pack, do you hunt from a spot or move around a lot. Then the barrel contours (heavy or light) comes in.
Cabella, Dicks , Bass Pro etc will let you handle their guns, cycle the bolts, try em out.
Good places to do research and they will almost for sure have lower costs so a good place to buy as well.
If you order on line then you have to find an FFL and pay a fee (not sure on shipping these days as to who pays for it)
Give yourself time to sort through it. At some point it will come together and you will figure out what works for you.
None of us is you, the best recommendations are backed up by it works for that person, you can use that to compare to yourself and see if it fits.
Unless I see something off you seem to be missing, I try to respond to your questions, not what I think you should have or do.