Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles .223 Savage Axis

After having good luck with several Savage Trophy Hunter rifles in different calibers I brought home a preowned .223 Savage Axis from the pawn shop to put together for a varmint gun. The trigger had a heavier pull than I care for so I installed a trigger kit and put together some hand loads and headed to the back yard range. Knowing my lack of ability at the bench I am happy with the results.
I have taken a couple of coyotes with this combo so far.

Nice video and some good shooting. Thank you for sharing it.

I bought a Axis .223 on a lark, Academy Sports had them for just a little over $200 after a rebate. Trigger was not good, but an hour or so of careful stoning ans spring clipping got the pull weight down to a solid and safe 3#. Chamber has a very long throat, me-thinks Savage chambers these guns with 5.56 reamers, since they know folks are going to shoot 5.56 in them anyway. First 10 3-shot groups with all the different factory 5.56/.223 loads I had on hand averaged .75". Federal 50 grain VT shoot amazingly well, wish I had bought more when PSA had them for $6/box. Shoots H335 & Hornady 50 gr SP very well also. Carry it most days when the dogs and I walk around my lake in case something needs shooting.

I’ve been happy with how the Savages perform.

Each of my kids has one, and all three shoot better than my Ruger American. Half-inch groups for three shots are common.

Yup

I'm glad that it works for you.

The Savage Axis are capable of shooting good groups, but I heartily dislike the stock ergs so much that I've been happy to trade some accuracy potential for a better fit and feel.

Varmint2: That is great shooting with a 4 power scope.
Keep up the good work.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Good video, thanks for posting.

60 gr V-Max with a max book load of Tac is another good load in mine. Not crazy about the Axis stock and was considering a Boyd's Classic but I'll probably leave it as is, hate to mess with something that shoots this good. The only thing I've changed on it was installing an M Carbo trigger spring. I've had a lot of 223s and never had one that shoots any better.

you should probably go buy a lottery ticket...

Nice job on the video. I enjoyed watching it. Those Savage axis rifles my be the best bang for your buck, as far as accuracy goes. I have worked up loads for a few people that had them and they always amaze me how well the do for an inexpensive rifle.
Good shooting! QM

Great guns. I enjoy shooting mine. Just not a fan of the safety.