.223 Recommendations Update- Decision Made- Savage Axis II XP Review

[35 Whelen]

A couple of months ago I asked for recommendations for a rifle to replace my old Remington 788 in .223. The 788 is a fine rifle in and of itself, but I found things fell apart quickly with bullet weights over 60 grs., due to its 1/14" twist.

Initially I was open to most any bolt rifle but finally decided on something like a Savage Axis since the rifle would mostly sit in the laundry room gun rack. $300 worth of Club Points on my Cabela's card made the "where" decision easy, so I picked up a Savage Axis II XP Combo which came with a 3-9x40 Bushnell Banner with a Multi-X reticle.



I decided that I wanted to fire-lap the barrel before firing any of my loads in it, so I ordered a Tubb Final Finish Bore Lapping System. While waiting for it to arrive, I checked out the bore and found it pretty filthy (Forgive the crappy pictures. It's very difficult to photograph a barrel with a phone camera!)-



A thorough cleaning revealed some fairly significant tooling marks-



When the lapping kit arrived I found they used 77 gr. Sierra MatchKing bullets. I loaded them over a starting load of BL-C(2) and began shooting the five different lapping compounds in 10-shot groups. That's when I discovered the first pleasant surprise. A .223 with a 1/9" twist shouldn't stabilize bullets over about 75 grs., but not only did the barrel stabilize them, it shot them quite well-



Funny thing was there was always a single flyer that opened the group to an inch or a bit more. Still not bad!

During the lapping process I discovered two more pleasant surprises. The specifications state a magazine capacity of four when in fact it can easily be loaded with five. Not only that, but the length of the magazine allows for the seating out of longer bullets-



I finished the lapping process and tried to photo the improvement in the bore, but again, this is very difficult without specialized equipment. But suffice it to say it is noticeably smoother and the tooling marks are much lighter now-



I am also very pleased with the trigger pull which breaks crisply at just under 3.5 lbs. I doubt I'll mess with it.

I fired a group with one of my 69 gr. Match King handloads and it shot pretty decent. I forgot to take a photo and did it later. The paster had fallen off, so you'll have to use your imagination when looking at the group-



The only two knocks I have on the rifle is the scope sits a little higher than I like, but that is easily corrected with a new set of rings. The other is the stock, but I have my eye on a laminated Boyd's.

So, there you are!

35W

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Cool i like my .223 Axis a lot. Mine is the pre xp model. I put a Mcarbo trigger kit in it. It's perfect now. Mine came with a Boyd's stock on it. Just a walnut one. My Save A22 came with the Boyd's laminated thumb hole stock.

 

[12Bravo20]

I would say shoot some to foul the barrel with your normal loads and see if your lone flyer goes away.

It is hard for me to tell from your photo if you can really lower the scope much without the objective hitting the barrel. If you decide to go with a Boyds stock, I suggest getting the AT-ONE stock with adjustable cheek rest.

I prefer a good cheek weld when shooting high power scoped rifles. I find that most Savage factory stocks are too low for a good cheek weld.

And as far as the twist rate goes, We have seen 1-7 barrels that shoot the heavier bullets just fine. I also have a Windham Weaponry A2 barrel that actually shoot M855 ammo extremely well. As with any rifle, shoot several different types and weights of bullets to see what your rifle prefers.

 

[Barbaroja]

Good shooting!
I have 2 savage axis rifles both in 243 that I got when Walmart had the big closeout back in 2020. One being the original model with the more flimsy plastic stock and non adjustable trigger. The other being the next generation with the accutrigger and Boyd’s walnut stock. After rebate I paid -$1 for the synthetic stock version and $38 for the wood stocked one which is still in the box for now.
I put an Mcarbo trigger kit in it and it will shoot half inch groups at 100yds with nosler 95gn BT.
These rifles punch above their weight class as far as the accuracy of them for the cost.
Hell , the bushnell scopes that come on them are not half bad either. Although the scope mount leaves much to be desired.
For what I paid for mine, I have zero complaints. That said,I also am reluctant to spend money on a new stock or scope for them.

 

[LoonWulf]

I would say shoot some to foul the barrel with your normal loads and see if your lone flyer goes away.

It is hard for me to tell from your photo if you can really lower the scope much without the objective hitting the barrel. If you decide to go with a Boyds stock, I suggest getting the AT-ONE stock with adjustable cheek rest.

I prefer a good cheek weld when shooting high power scoped rifles. I find that most Savage factory stocks are too low for a good cheek weld.

And as far as the twist rate goes, We have seen 1-7 barrels that shoot the heavier bullets just fine. I also have a Windham Weaponry A2 barrel that actually shoot M855 ammo extremely well. As with any rifle, shoot several different types and weights of bullets to see what your rifle prefers.

Ill also add that unless they changed the bolt handle geometry recently you are likely to run into issues with it hitting the ocular bell. It might be fine, but it is something to watch out for on the Axis series.

looks like its gonna be a good shooter!

 

[illinoisburt]

Borescopes are one of those things best left to others. Just about every hammer forged button rifle barrel I've peered into has chatter and Savage amongst the worse, yet most all of them seem to shoot quite consistently.

Glad you like the rifle. I too bought a few Axis rifles during the great Wal-Mart closeout of 2020. The feel is a bit cheap and not the prettiest but darned good shooters. Definitely get yourself the mCarbo or similar spring and shim kit (very reasonable $).

 

[BigBL87]

Ill also add that unless they changed the bolt handle geometry recently you are likely to run into issues with it hitting the ocular bell. It might be fine, but it is something to watch out for on the Axis series.

looks like its gonna be a good shooter!

Beat me to it. I ran into the issue, alot depends on the size of the ocular bell, but the 90 degree bolt throw of the Axis is probably my biggest complaint for that reason.

 

[borrowedtime69]

I LOVE my savage axis .223 and use it for coyote. I adjusted the trigger by slowly clipping the spring. I also upgraded the scope to a Nikon. I shoot Federal blue box 55gn jsp to great accuracy.. I highly recommend the Axis to anyone that wants the best value on a budget.

 

[WisBorn]

@35 Whelen thank you for sharing your experience.
I also picked up a few Axis XP models at Walmart clearance prices.
I just added a M*Carbo spring kit to my 243 and hope to shoot it tomorrow.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for the update and range report. I always appreciate posters who ask questions and then report back on what they did.

And nice shooting!

 

[35 Whelen]

I would say shoot some to foul the barrel with your normal loads and see if your lone flyer goes away.

It is hard for me to tell from your photo if you can really lower the scope much without the objective hitting the barrel. If you decide to go with a Boyds stock, I suggest getting the AT-ONE stock with adjustable cheek rest.

I prefer a good cheek weld when shooting high power scoped rifles. I find that most Savage factory stocks are too low for a good cheek weld.

And as far as the twist rate goes, We have seen 1-7 barrels that shoot the heavier bullets just fine. I also have a Windham Weaponry A2 barrel that actually shoot M855 ammo extremely well. As with any rifle, shoot several different types and weights of bullets to see what your rifle prefers.

The fliers really only happened with the 77 gr. bullets. I've since fired 60's, 65's and 69 gr. bullets and groups are pretty normal.

You're correct that that stock is a bit too low/scope too high, but I'm not sure I want an adjustable cheek rest on a hunting rifle. I really like their Classic stock.

This rifle has a 1-9 twist, not a 1-7, that's why it was a surprise that the 77 gr. bullets shot as well as they did.

Ill also add that unless they changed the bolt handle geometry recently you are likely to run into issues with it hitting the ocular bell. It might be fine, but it is something to watch out for on the Axis series.

looks like its gonna be a good shooter!

I appreciate you pointing this out, and I believe you are absolutely correct. I was at my Dad's this afternoon and mentioned the rifle/scope issue. He just happened to have a Leupold 2-7x33 with a matte finish that he gave to me, and I have a Burris 3-9x40 with a gloss finish. One of these should work.

Thanks for the update and range report. I always appreciate posters who ask questions and then report back on what they did.

And nice shooting!

You're welcome and thank you!

35W

 

[Axis II]

Ill also add that unless they changed the bolt handle geometry recently you are likely to run into issues with it hitting the ocular bell. It might be fine, but it is something to watch out for on the Axis series.

looks like its gonna be a good shooter!

I run Medium Burris Z rings on all my stuff and took a fine file to the bolt. I think 4 passes brought it down just enough and a dab of cold blue fixed it right up.

 

[35 Whelen]

I run Medium Burris Z rings on all my stuff and took a fine file to the bolt. I think 4 passes brought it down just enough and a dab of cold blue fixed it right up.

I'm going to check into Burris rings. Thanks!

35W

 

[Axis II]

I'm going to check into Burris rings. Thanks!

35W

Amazon is usually the cheapest for them. I like them a lot for a good budget ring.

 

[Frostbite]

I like how you shot your rifle. Good buy! I just shot my .223 yesterday (decided to go with a little more than the .22LR after I read a letter from the mother of my heir's lawyer yesterday ; I think 12 gauge slugs would have been in order, but thay are not allowed at the nearby range) after receiving ammunition from UPS. It had been a good 2 or 3 years since I last shot it, I think. I shot mostly .22LR (a whole lot) and some 30-06 during that time ; also experimented clay games like trap, skeet, five stand and sporting clay, which, even if tons of fun, surely enough reduced my rifle budget during that time (not to mention buying shotguns and, yes, more rifles). The .223 really is quite a pleasurable round to shoot! It think I have come to peace with my rifle. I will stop to expect from it what it was not meant to be. I shot 3 different flavors, including some cheap russian green lacquered ammo yesterday, 62 grain FMJ: they smell funny, but they printed one 7/8'' five shots group at 100 yards. The other groups with same ammunition were between 1.5'' and 2'', which is more normal for the said rifle. Back when it was the rifle expected to turn in .5'' groups most of the time, I didn't appreciate that. Now that I have other rifles to achieve that, I think a rifle that shoots some 1.5'' groups with the almost cheapest ammo available should move to a better spot in my safe. Enjoy your new rifle. For what it's worth, on the subject of the Boyd's At-One stock, I really like it for the shooting I do at the bench, It is a well made quality item, but I'd hate to carry it for a day in the woods, it is just too heavy for that to my taste, and it would snag everywhere the way it is adjusted.

 

[WisBorn]

@35 Whelen thank you for sharing your experience.
I also picked up a few Axis XP models at Walmart clearance prices.
I just added a M*Carbo spring kit to my 243 and hope to shoot it tomorrow.

I did get to shoot my Axis 243 on Saturday. After throwing 2 shots down range to knock the dust out of the barrel I started a group.
I didn't feel good about the first shot (I moved). The next three measured 3/4" using 100 grain CORE-LOKs. With the first shot I was at 1 1/4".
This little gun has a lot of potential. I didn't want to spend a lot of time with shooting groups on a breezy day.

 

[tallpaul]

Cool i like my .223 Axis a lot. Mine is the pre xp model. I put a Mcarbo trigger kit in it. It's perfect now. Mine came with a Boyd's stock on it. Just a walnut one. My Save A22 came with the Boyd's laminated thumb hole stock.

the xp only means it came with a scope... I dont believe the axis wood stocks are walnut... they are a beech unless it was aftermarket

 

[BOTTOMLANDS]

Good shooting!
I have 2 savage axis rifles both in 243 that I got when Walmart had the big closeout back in 2020. One being the original model with the more flimsy plastic stock and non adjustable trigger. The other being the next generation with the accutrigger and Boyd’s walnut stock. After rebate I paid -$1 for the synthetic stock version and $38 for the wood stocked one which is still in the box for now.
I put an Mcarbo trigger kit in it and it will shoot half inch groups at 100yds with nosler 95gn BT.
These rifles punch above their weight class as far as the accuracy of them for the cost.
Hell , the bushnell scopes that come on them are not half bad either. Although the scope mount leaves much to be desired.
For what I paid for mine, I have zero complaints. That said,I also am reluctant to spend money on a new stock or scope for them.

There is a spring kit for those cheap Axis without the adjustable triggers. It`s easy to change and it cut my pull probably by half on my .223....It may even be to light on my 3006 as it really surprises me every shot.

 

[Space Ghost]

The only two knocks I have on the rifle is the scope sits a little higher than I like, but that is easily corrected with a new set of rings. The other is the stock, but I have my eye on a laminated Boyd's.

So, there you are!

35W

A wood stock will completely transform a Savage Axis.
My former .308 Axis. My son has it now.

 

[Barbaroja]

There is a spring kit for those cheap Axis without the adjustable triggers. It`s easy to change and it cut my pull probably by half on my .223....It may even be to light on my 3006 as it really surprises me every shot.

If you read my post again you will find that I do have the mcarbo spring and shims in my rifle. Makes a huge difference!

 

[entropy]

Nice groups from that Axis! It's hard to 'overspin' a bullet, I still get good groups from my 1:7 10.5" AR. But I did have some personal experience with the other way around.
When I ordered ammo for the unit rifle team, I ordered both M193 and M855. I had taken some time setting up my unit's A1's, but I had also borrowed some A2's from a friend's Arms Room, and hit the range. We found (not surprisingly) that M193 was fairly accurate out of the A2's, but M855 would keyhole by 200 meters out of the A1's. (We had a whole bunch of each to shoot up, so we did a lot of testing.)

 

[WisBorn]

the xp only means it came with a scope... I dont believe the axis wood stocks are walnut... they are a beech unless it was aftermarket

I think they are beech. And the stocks are supplied by Boyd's

 

[35 Whelen]

I ordered a set of low Burris Z-Rings and used them to mount the Leupold 2-7x33. What a difference!

From this-



To this-



Sorry about the cheezy on-the-carpet picture. I got home from work yesterday and mounted the Leupold and had just enough time and daylight to get it sighted in. I'm extremely pleased with the way the lower powered scope sits on the rifle.

35W

 

[Larry in wyoming]

Yep! Scopes should be mounted as low as is comfortable.

 

[35 Whelen]

I decided to order a Boyd's stock, which arrived yesterday. Today after work I had just enough daylight to run to the bench and tweak the zero and take a pic. I feel the stock really made the rifle look better!



35W