Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Savage Axis

Asking those with actual experience with them...

Are they reliable and accurate. I need a cheap 308.

I have one in 6.5 Creed. In my experience, the answer to your questions is yes. With hand loads I'm getting groups 3/4" @ 100 yds.

Yup

I bought several during Walmart clearance a few years for like $79 each. I gave one to each of my boys for Christmas. My younger boy wanted to use it and was getting it ready to go hunting a few years ago and I think it took about 2 boxes of shells through it before it settled down and started shooting decent groups. It was hard to sight in before that because it was shooting to sporadically. Its a good shooter now, last I heard. I should add that he was shooting factory loads, cheaper cup and core like federal blue box or rem corelokt... I cant remember which

Got one in 30-06 for the son in law.

He is left handed so i feel i got lucky finding a left hand for 275.00 local.

It shoots darn good with bullets 150-180,does not seem to care what make.

Looked at getting one in 308 myself. Ended up getting a T/C Compass instead simply because I caught a sale where I got the T/C for $40 less than I could get an Axis here in Amarillo. I wanted a cheap truck gun for coyotes and deer and the Axis and Compass both fit the bill.

I've got a first generation SR model in .308. The SR has the threaded 20" barrel. Did some trigger lightening on it. Have taken two deer at 150 yds and one at 100 yds. All DRT. Those are the only ones I've shot at with it.

I got a youth in .243 that shot factory ammo sub moa straight out of the box and a 6.5 creed that shoots almost as good. I picked them up during a local sale, was skeptical to say the least however have been pleasantly surprised by them! Got them for spare rifles for when friends are over hunting and their rifles get damaged, cheap insurance.

As the above has been mentioned, they do just fine.

My son won one in 30-06/scope two years ago in a big buck contest.

He didn’t bother working up a load for it as he was going to give it to a friend.

Purchased a box of 180 gr Core-Lokt , took it to the range and was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy . It was an honest 1 inch rifle even with the POS scope that came with it and factory ammo.

I have a stainless Axis in .270. I put a new trigger in it, and it's been great. If you can, get one with the accutrigger.

Yup.
Good shooter with a crappy trigger.as said above the accutrigger is much better. Mine actually ejects the spent cases unlike most of the other savages. Edk

I don't know why any other affordable rifle exists when you can buy a Howa.

Howa 1500 rifles run about $450. I bought a T/C Compass in 308 Win for $241 including tax. Why would I spend $200 more than I have to for a truck gun? Especially when my T/C Compass shoots a group like this:

W E I G H T !!!

I've had several Howas, and they are excellent, but they're heavy, and we climb steep rugged mountains often several hour climbs to get where the deer are.

I've picked up a couple, and given the stellar accuracy ( small little groups), you are paying pennies on the dollar for what it gives you, compared to a lot of other rifles..

and yeah, I have some Howas, some Howa Minis, plenty of Rugers, Model 70s, and Model 700s.

The Axis holds its own and then some....

Some one shoots it if you want to get rid of it, you will easily recover every penny you spent on it..

exactly

Savage Axis- another job well done by organized labor

😃

Had one in 223 that came with a cheap Chinese Bushnell 3-9x40 scope that was as accurate out of the box as my CZ 527 with a Burris 3-9x40. I shot the Axis a lot for about a year before I sold it and never had a problem with it. I've still got the CZ but for accuracy and function the Axis was well worth the money.

I've been looking at the bargain rifles as well and was considering the Axis. After handling one I found I did not like the stock. They just don't feel good in my trigger hand. The stock is too small/narrow there for my taste. I held the Thompson Venture II and I really like it better, even though it is heavier. Both should shoot well. Handle and Axis, a Thompson and either a Howa and maybe the Vanguard and see which one you like then buy it. The Axis and Thompson Compass will be less expensive than the others but if it doesn't feel good in your hands...

Should you decide on the Axis, Cabella's has one with a Camo stock on sale and with the factory rebate they are running $259 plus tax right now.