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I recently found a new Savage Axis, 223, 1-9 twist with new mounted 3-9 Bushnell scope for sale on Gun Broker for $259. Free shipping, no credit card fee. The dealer, Reed's Sporting Goods in Walker, Mn got it to my FFL in Fresno in four business days.

I've never owned a Savage bolt action before and got to say my initial impression was what did you expect for $259. I rattle can camo painted the stock and floated the barrel with a dowel and sandpaper. I lightened the trigger to what feels like around 4lbs by cutting a couple of coils off the trigger spring. Easy job.

Loaded up some old 55 gr Hornady SPs I bought on sale about ten years ago with Tac powder and some 5 times used FL sized Win brass. Went to the range, got it on paper at 25 yards and the first two 5 shot groups at a hundred yards were better than MOA. As it was over 100 degrees I called it good and quit for the day.

The scope (Chinese) clarity is IMO less than the quality of Bushnell's Banner line but the adjustments work and the rifle itself seems plenty accurate and functions as it should. I might upgrade the scope if I can find a better one cheap but at this point I believe I overall more than got my money's worth.

If you like it, that's all that matters, right?

I bought an Axis in 6.5CM from the free classified ads back in 2018 for $215. It shoots fine, but the stock ergs don't work well for me. I also have sub-$400 rifles from Marlin, Mossberg, and Ruger that are as accurate as the Axis and the stocks all fit me better than the Axis.

Different people, different perceptions of the same product.

I have purchased an axis, 2 tc ventures, a ruger american, and a TV compass. They all shoot great, but looking back I should have just bought a much more expensive, whatever I wanted type of rifle. Been more satisfying to me I think

I like savage rifles for their excellent accuracy. However, ive been reducing the herd because of less than perfect extraction from all of them. Ive been slowly replacing them with like cartridge Tikka's. The next one on the chopping block is going to be my original predator. I dont like the flimsy stock or the accutrigger. Not because theres anything wrong with the design, but because it feels different when im shooting a string of rifles. Id rather they were all the same, or very similar. The oldstyle predator has a following and will easily sell for more than twice what i paid for it. You wont get that with an axis..