Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles So, what caliber ?

I picked up 2 Savage Axis rifles while on clearance at Walmart. Both are in .308. I'm thinking I need to make one of them a 7-08 or a .260. Here is the company I was thinking about mostly because of price. I live in Iowa and it would be a stroke of luck to get to Texas to pig hunt or out west to muley deer hunt. So which one, the 7-08 or the .260. The second one I will keep in .308. kwg
https://www.eabco.net/Shaw-Barrel-fits-Savage-10110-and-Axis-7-08-Rem-195-Blue-FC_p_15559.html

The question begs to be asked?? Do you have a brain???

There is not a lot of difference (if any) between the 7-08 and the 308 in the game fields.

So if it were me, I'd go with a 260 or 6.5CM if you want something that is lighter in recoil and just fine as a deer gun. In fact, of you don't use the wrong bullets, the 6.5Cm and 260 make good elk killers too.



Or...... You can go the other way and think of a 338 Federal or a 358 Winchester.

Honesty I can't imagine putting much money into an Axis. I'd just look for one in a chambering you want and sell one of the ones you have.

What Szihn said. Stand a deer at 100 yds and shoot it with a .308 and a .284 caliber bullet - see if it (or you) can tel any difference....
Now shoot it with a 338 or ./.358 bullet.......

I am thinking 243 on the light end, 358 Win on the heavy.

I agree. I picked up a .243 Savage 11 FXP3 used at a gun show for $295 out the door. Synthetic stock/blue. After getting on paper at 100, the next three shots were touching. I use it to shoot clay pigeons and 4" steel at 600 yards. When I bought it I had a choice of it or a 7mm-08 at the same price.

Also have a Savage 111 that was 7mm RM but the barrel was rusty and pitted inside and out. Bought it for the action/stock and plan to add a match grade barrel. Will end up with a rifle I think is better than the Axis for less than the cost of a re-barreled Axis.

This

There's a 7mm-08 take off on eBay for $50 grab a barrel wrench and your good to go.
Like said above not worth throwing a lot of money into an axis

This is called making conversation. It is a discussion forum. There are 8 replies to my question and 7 of them were helpful. Yours was the only one that was not. It appears that spending $200 on an Axis is a dead end. I see their point. The hive has spoken and I will take their answers seriously as I consider what to do with the rifle. Thanks to everyone who gave me input. pymi your answer seems to be the best option. Thanks everyone who contributed.

kwg

I'd choose the 6br offering or the 6 creedmoor offering for the second gun.

Great deal on the Savages you got there. From someone who got an Axis II XP in 223 for 349 and then put a 200 dollar walnut Boyds stock on it..........just keep one of the .308's how it is and sell the other one. Take your money and put it into something else. Someone mentioned that there is a lot of crossover with all three of those calibers, 308, 7-08 and 260. They are all VERY close at ethical big game distances but if you want a 7-08 in the stable then get one, who cares what people think. My axis looks, feels and shoots great but there are times I wish I would have kept it bone stock even with the flimsy stock. Side note, when I re barrel my Stevens 200 in 22-250 that is the company I am probably going to use.

I agree...totally rude and uncalled for comment. Fortunately, that poster doesn't seem to post very often.

If you want to use the platform to experiment with various cartridges, it is great for that. You can snag a quality Shaw barrel, a barrel nut wrench, and a headspace gauge for not a lot of money, and experiment. I do agree though with the guys who pointed out that at typical ranges (and quite a ways beyond) it's next to impossible to realize differences in trajectory or on-game performance between the 260, 7mm-08, and 308. It's splitting some mighty skinny hairs, that's for sure.

Times 100

Love my .260, but factory ammo is sometimes hard to find.
7-08 is more readily available.

6.5Creedmore is readily available and MIGHT make the rifle easier to sell.

Having a .308, .243 would my choice.

I’ve been shooting a 260 a while now, ever tried a 6.8 SPC... but I don’t like how much meat gets damaged.

SO.. I’m going to try a 308.. if that doesn’t net what I’m looking for I’ll go back to my 358.

Yah. Or, do nothing. Or go Creedmoor. Or not. Or something else. It just doesn't matter. Savage barrels are easy and cheap.

Also, please consider what a caliber is, and what a caliber is not. This will prove to be more helpful than the original quandary.

Then you can progress to concerns such as bullet and scope choices that'll really matter.

I have found caliber discussions bring a wide range of opinions. All I can tell you is get what you want and in the rifle of your choosing. It doesn't matter if it's just what you like, just what you can afford. If you want to build on an Axis, don't let someone who has greater wealth tell you it's a waste. As said, all of those calibers are close in performance and ability. I really like the 7mm-08 and 308 for their general big game abilities and mild recoil. The 7mm-08 is a little milder, the 308 shoots slightly heavier bullets and a little more frontal area. Any purchase you make, like the second amendment, does not have to be based on a need. Get whatever you want, or think you would like to try and enjoy learning a new rifle and caliber.

Translation, better to be shooting a cheap rifle than sitting about not shooting at all.