Help me pick a cartridge I don't want, to go in a gun I don't like.

[Hookeye]

Personally I'd mod a 110 and not an Axis.
But I get what the OP is after..........having a non standard Axis.
Good enough reason IMHO.

Shooting deer, or yotes, or beating some fancy rifle at the range......with your funky creation...........how cool is that?

I think very.

 

[Hookeye]

I let a stainless 110 (116?) in .22-250 slide by at LGS.
They wanted too much for it IMHO.
I was gonna buy it and rebarrel to .300 Savage.
Have my eye out for another one.
Just because.

More expensive ammo. Less choice in factory fodder. And added cost for the making the rifle.
And less zip than a .308 Win which is readily available.

Yeah, so what?

I don't want a .308 win.

 

[Hookeye]

The learning experience, and fun ...........may be of more value than the rifle.
Just sayin'.
It's called "livin".
Sometimes that takes a few dollars.
Easy to find the info.......should be no hidden costs.

 

[horsey300]

So with the installation of a Timney trigger on my 6.5-284, and having just ordered the parts to complete the 6.5CM twins build I'm doing with a friend I'm out of rifle projects.

That just isn't right.

Anyway, I have another friend with a Savage Axis in .308 that he's been trying to get rid of. So I'm thinking I'll do him a favor, and buy it from him sometime this upcoming year.
As I've said before I have little love for both the savage Axis, AND the .308.....

So that brings me to a thought I've had a few times in the last year or so.

Can I build something I like from components I have little interest in?

I've got plenty of hunting guns, so I'm considering building this as a shortish, 20-22" barrel (my "long" range guns all wear 26" barrels) heavy rifle.

The two cartridges I'm considered are the .308, and .270. Im also considering doing a.fast twist .270, but that's a more expensive barrel than I was thinking to use.

I've loaded, and shot both the .308, and .270, I still have dies for both, but have no interest in either.
SO I.figgured id leave it to the Forum to help me decide what to chose.

My parts list is still up in the air also, and suggestions there are welcome as well.

Axis receiver (I'll need to replace the mag to go to the .270)

Aftermarket trigger, or I'll clean up the stock one if I can.

Aftermarket bolt handle, cause savages new handles are awful.

ErShaw, or other lower cost prefit. Tho if I go fast twist .270 I'll need to buy a more expensive barrel (just means longer wait to save up).

Boyd's @1 stock, or other of some sort.

Probably install a pic rail if my buddy dosent already have one. rings and scope tbd later.

I might try cutting down the stock .308 barrel for a while just to see what a 16.5" .308s like also.

Rifle basix trigger, (haven't tried but the price matches the axis, you didn't say axis 2 so just ditch the trigger)
Boyd's at-1 (shown below on the wife's in royal jacaranda) works nicely it does, with an unadvertised qd 3rd pt ambidextrous sling swivel. Ordered red trim to match but you could have fun with skulls or whatever. Also, I ALMOST need the longer adjustments for lop and cheek (if I were going to a 56mm objective scope I'd definitely need it) but is still QUITE functional.
You picked 2 chamberings i have no love for honestly, I have interacted with plenty of both, and if you won't be swayed to a .270wsm fast twist......then I suppose...... first I prefer a heavier contour BUT let's first just chop the current barrel, and run some lightweight screamers with tuff construction. Then play with heavies, maybe even subs........ then when you're burnt out, go .270. Your current armament handles all the needs and most of the wants, but I'm thinking the .270 180 berger will fit in well with what you like to play with, shaw barrels are my fall back, but sometimes the $300 prefits are a necessary pill to swallow.
P.S. per a post in a certain thread about goals in 2019, you're already throwing that out the window and I'm proud of you for having redeemed yourself so quickly!

 

[Hookeye]

If the project gun doesn't have the accutrigger........goody for you!
No need to drop 70 bucks for a Rifle Basix.
Can mod the old trigger to good for cheap (and safe).
Did mine (first version Axis).
The spring was of two coil diameters, the smaller threaded into trigger.
That hole ended up being 10-24 IIRC.
I ran a button head screw up from the bottom and slid a new spring over it.
The screw ended up being the right length to act as decent overtravel stop. I could have gone w a longer one and taken even more overtravel out, but it was close enough I deemed the effort not worth it.
Picked a couple of springs from a good shop and think I had it right on second one (right spring rate and cut to proper length).
Also minor sear work.
Nothing major.........2 bucks and my trigger was around 2#, and safe.
And it didn't have that funky tab out the front.
So it was not adjustable with an allen wrench.
Yeah, so what?
I set my triggers and leave em.

 

[Hookeye]

My LGS did have a 110 cheap, but it was .270.
Gonna hit the shower and run over, see if they got a used short action in

 

[Bfh_auto]

Thank you guys for the other cartridge suggestions (and nearly all of them are on the list of stuff I want to try).

Sorry, my orginal post was a little unclear. I'm picking between the .308 and .270
The reason being is that I've got this irrational dislike for both. I also feel that I should give them a fair shake, and I've never owned a rifle in either cartridge.

A 270 with 140 NBT was pretty good in the wind. If you did a fast twist one it would be even more impressive.
With it being a 308 already, I would start there.
I went to cast bullets designed for the 300 BO to keep it interesting. Looking for accurate jacketed 308 loads is boring.

 

[LoonWulf]

I agree but if you must do it:
Buy a .270 WSM barrel with a 1:9 twist and shoot the Berger 170 grain .277 caliber bullets. And since it’s a LA you should be able to seat the bullets out far enough where they don’t intrude on powder space. I’m serious though, I absolutely wouldn’t mess with an Axis if doing a project like that.

IDK which way to try and influence you but I will say I have been really thinking of a fast twist .277 just because. The 160gr-180gr pills with low BC and great SD would put meat on the table and then some and also brings the "old man" into this century with some long heavy target bullets. It just so happens I'm on the verge of taking this leap and considering not many have tried it makes it all the more interesting to me.

Good luck with your decision and if you do go with the fast twist .270 I'll look forward to hearing about your journey.

Rifle basix trigger, (haven't tried but the price matches the axis, you didn't say axis 2 so just ditch the trigger)
Boyd's at-1 (shown below on the wife's in royal jacaranda) works nicely it does, with an unadvertised qd 3rd pt ambidextrous sling swivel. Ordered red trim to match but you could have fun with skulls or whatever. Also, I ALMOST need the longer adjustments for lop and cheek (if I were going to a 56mm objective scope I'd definitely need it) but is still QUITE functional.
You picked 2 chamberings i have no love for honestly, I have interacted with plenty of both, and if you won't be swayed to a .270wsm fast twist......then I suppose...... first I prefer a heavier contour BUT let's first just chop the current barrel, and run some lightweight screamers with tuff construction. Then play with heavies, maybe even subs........ then when you're burnt out, go .270. Your current armament handles all the needs and most of the wants, but I'm thinking the .270 180 berger will fit in well with what you like to play with, shaw barrels are my fall back, but sometimes the $300 prefits are a necessary pill to swallow.

.270WSM is now on the table. Honestly I decided I disliked the whole .277 caliber (much as I had the .257s earlier), so any .277 would serve the thought behind the project.

P.S. per a post in a certain thread about goals in 2019, you're already throwing that out the window and I'm proud of you for having redeemed yourself so quickly!

My buddy spent two beers grumbling about not being able to sell his rifle. Weighing my wallet, and my fellow gun nuts happiness, I've decided to do the right thing.....

A cartridge you don't want in a rifle you don't like. Why put yourself through that? What did you do that you need to punish yourself that way? I can't give any advise except to start with a great action, choose a cartridge that you will use and appreciate shooting/hunting with. Top it off with a great stock and very decent scope. You owe it to yourself to not build a piece of unneeded, unwanted, piece of gold turd. Trash that project and get something you will be proud to own and take to the range!!!

End of sermon. Do whatever floats your boat!

I thought of a few more this morning:

Throwing good money after bad.
Money pit.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Losing proposition.
Cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Perfect storm (of stuff you don’t really like).

You already have a bias against the rounds you are considering AND the platform in which you’re considering them - odds are, you’re not going to LOVE the outcome. You’ll likely see merit in the cartridges, at which point you’ll wish you had it in a more appropriate platform. So maybe you resell this thing, which selling any custom is a money losing proposition anyway, but a custom Axis is very much so. Or maybe you enjoy the Axis enough to say, “eh, I’ll stop poo-pooing these when new shooters ask about them, ‘cuz maybe they’re ok for the price point.” But YOUR Axis is a very expensive Axis, in a milquetoast round you just don’t love.

What are the odds of you being COMPLETELY WRONG about both a rifle and a cartridge, such the combination of two bads turns into a good?

Nothing really wrong with an Axis, nothing really wrong with a 308 or 270, but if you gave me a 308win Axis and $800 cash for a barrel and stock, I’d sell the Axis and put the kaboodle towards something else.

I hear what you guys are saying, and I do agree. Generally if your gonna throw money at something, do it with something your really going to enjoy.
That's what pretty much every one of the other guns I own are. Honestly, one of the things that made me type the post @horsey300 is referencing, is that I sat down and looked at what I already own (literally my gun safe is molding so I need to find. Way to ventilate the room and safe better), and can't really find another niche for a rifle, and putting these things together is what I do for fun.
I HAD also considered the fact that the AXiS shares most every part I'll bechanging with the 110. I think I can even gouge out the recoil lugs and reuse the stock, should I decide I really don't like the finished product....I'm also not chasing this one, one build and done.

But in the end it's much like the 82 Magna I've got sitting in my garage. I'm gonna fix it, clean it up, and maybe paint it.
Then ride it just to see if I still dislike them and probably give it away.
The enjoyment is in the tinkering.

If the project gun doesn't have the accutrigger........goody for you!
No need to drop 70 bucks for a Rifle Basix.
Can mod the old trigger to good for cheap (and safe).
Did mine (first version Axis).
The spring was of two coil diameters, the smaller threaded into trigger.
That hole ended up being 10-24 IIRC.
I ran a button head screw up from the bottom and slid a new spring over it.
The screw ended up being the right length to act as decent overtravel stop. I could have gone w a longer one and taken even more overtravel out, but it was close enough I deemed the effort not worth it.
Picked a couple of springs from a good shop and think I had it right on second one (right spring rate and cut to proper length).
Also minor sear work.
Nothing major.........2 bucks and my trigger was around 2#, and safe.
And it didn't have that funky tab out the front.
So it was not adjustable with an allen wrench.
Yeah, so what?
I set my triggers and leave em.

Nope it does not have the accutrigger, good info on the trigger mods. I'll try it and if I get hung up I may pester you,.if you don't mind.

My LGS did have a 110 cheap, but it was .270.
Gonna hit the shower and run over, see if they got a used short action in

Good luck on your hunt.
I found a .243 a while back for cheap and turned it into another 6.5. You know I don't think 6.5CMs like me, they keep leaving with other people.....
Anyway, that was a fun project!

 

[LoonWulf]

i have 30 gibbs reamer!. i would do 308. lots of military brass and its cheap, midway has lapua brass for $75.

I....may wanna borrow that Gibbs reamer in the future

 

[LoonWulf]

Ahh, shooting cast .308s is a good suggestion also. Got a pig control thing to do with a friend, and the subs are less upsetting to the neighbors. Not as many run away with anttena either....pigs not neighbors, haven't arrowd a neighbor YET!

 

[Shimitup]

Here's an off the wall idea, no love for the .308? neck it up to .38. I happen to have a BLR81 in .358 Win and love it I think it would be cool to have that cartridge in a short action bolt gun. Screaming fast pistol bullets are fun to shoot at milk jugs too. Great for pushing bullets 200 gr and up.

 

[horsey300]

.270WSM is now on the table. Honestly I decided I dislike the whole .277 caliber (much as I had the .257s earlier), so any .277 would serve the thought behind the project.



My buddy spent two beers grumbling about not being able to sell his rifle. Weighing my wallet, and my fellow gun nuts happiness, I've decided to do the right thing.....






I hear what you guys are saying, and I do agree. Generally if your gonna throw money at something, do it with something your really going to enjoy.
That's what pretty much every one of the other guns I own are. Honestly, one of the things that made me type the post @horsey300 is referencing, is that I sat down and looked at what I already own (literally my gun safe is molding so I need to find. Way to ventilate the room and safe better), and can't really find another niche for a rifle, and putting these things together is what I do for fun.
And just This dosent seem like a total waste, I HAD considered the fact that the AXiS shares most every part I'll bechanging with the 110. I think I can even gouge out the recoil lugs and reuse the stock, should I decide I really don't like the finished product....I'm also not chasing this one, one build and done.

But in the end it's much like the 82 Magna I've got sitting in my garage. I'm gonna fix it, clean it up, and maybe paint it.
Then ride it just to see if I still dislike them and probably give it away.
The enjoyment is in the tinkering.



Nope it does not have the accutrigger, good info on the trigger mods. I'll try it and if I get hung up I may pester you,.if you don't mind.


Good luck on your hunt.
I found a .243 a while back for cheap and turned it into another 6.5. You know I don't think 6.5CMs like me, they keep leaving with other people.....
Anyway, that was a fun project!

Then just jump straight to the wsm fast twist run it with the 180s next to your 7rm for giggles, and then for goats to 3-400 yds, obliterate them with .22-250 speed 110 bondeds

 

[LoonWulf]

Then just jump straight to the wsm fast twist run it with the 180s next to your 7rm for giggles, and then for goats to 3-400 yds, obliterate them with .22-250 speed 110 bondeds

Gonna have to do some research on that one and see what barrel options are. I know pacnor and a couple others offer fast twist barrels. The other thought that just popped into my head is that the WSM savages are usually large shank, the Axis is small. I wonder if there are issues there.

 

[magnatecman]

My thoughts, if you dislike both the rifle and caliber... then your likely not to like your finished project. Now if there was a caliber you just have wanted to give a try, this may be a good time to do that. However, if you dislike that rifle, it may taint your opinion of this new caliber as well.

You seem to have the disposable income needed for useless projects like this one. So my suggestions is to keep it a .308 or better yet go 7mm08, wring out all the improvements that you can to make it as accurate and functional as you can. Then find some kid in need, give it to him/her and take them hunting and show'em how to use it. You may not like the rifle/caliber in question but I'd be willing to bet that this kid will love it like no other! And tell them Merry Christmas for me!

 

[horsey300]

Gonna have to do some research on that one and see what barrel options are. I know pacnor and a couple others offer fast twist barrels. The other thought that just popped into my head is that the WSM savages are usually large shank, the Axis is small. I wonder if there are issues there.

I figured swapping bolt heads wouldn't be top of the list for fun either or expense friendly either for what this project seems to be...
For the price of a pacnor you might also wanna check out mcgowen, they do up to 7 twist .277 (wsm or not) just customized on site for about 302 with no frills

 

[LoonWulf]

Savage bolt heads are cheap, the magazine is gonna.cost more. Tho I'm pretty sure I can just modify a regular magnum magazine.

302s not bad, I was figuring closer to 5

 

[BigBore44]

I can’t imagine having so many rifles that I’d want to build what you’re proposing. There has to be something out there you don’t have. A trapdoor, highwall, M1-A NM in 6.5, a Sharps in 50-110, an M-70 featherweight in 700 NE, a Derringer in 959 JDJ, a JC Higgins combo .410 over .50 BMG. Something!!

 

[horsey300]

Savage bolt heads are cheap, the magazine is gonna.cost more. Tho I'm pretty sure I can just modify a regular magnum magazine.

302s not bad, I was figuring closer to 5

The other thing to contemplate as you're running out of niches for rifles, and something you've mentioned previously, get a good .41 revolver, my 4 5/8" is nice, bought with the intention of use in rough terrain, not bad for open country and plinking, but I think a 5.5" is in the cards too. Just food for thought. I'm still planning on a .257 high velocity fast twist, a 6mm hv fast twist, a 6.5 hv f-tw, and a .224 hv f-tw, but sometimes there are enough rifles to keep your appetite satiated, in which case we have pistols and shotguns too lol, maybe a rifle in .41 loaded heavy and slow would fit your pig problem niche? All this does negate your axis dilemma, but DOES provide you with a time soaker upper

 

[someguy2800]

Get a 45 Raptor barrel. Uses 460 S&W dies and load data, made from 308 brass, and will fit in the existing magazine.

http://www.45raptor.com/45RAPTOR/

https://shop.saternbarrels.net/products/20-savage-45-raptor-34-24

 

[adcoch1]

Why not drop power level a bit and have a lot more fun. Valkyrie in a bolt rifle. Or go wild and build a modern savage based destroyer carbine.

Or a heavy hitter. What’s a .308 blown straight called?

44x1.8"....

 

[LoonWulf]

I can’t imagine having so many rifles that I’d want to build what you’re proposing. There has to be something out there you don’t have. A trapdoor, highwall, M1-A NM in 6.5, a Sharps in 50-110, an M-70 featherweight in 700 NE, a Derringer in 959 JDJ, a JC Higgins combo .410 over .50 BMG. Something!!

I don't own that many, but there is very little overlap.
Mostly what I really want now are the expensive ones that won't get used any more than my regular ones lol.

41 loaded heavy and slow would fit your pig problem niche?

I've got a 5" gp100 in 44 speeecial on order

 

[LoonWulf]

44x1.8"....

That would be interesting.....I've officially added the .375 Raptor to the will build list, tho not on a long action.

 

[Newtosavage]

I was messing around with a buddy's Savage Axis yesterday at the range. We put a decent Leupy scope on it and guess what, it shot great with plain 'ol green box Remington core-lokt's. I have no idea why people are so down on the Axis when in fact they should be promoting it as one of the most accurate out of the box rifles you can get for the money, if not THE most accurate for the money.

As soon as the market gives us an inexpensive, lightweight, easy to work on, accurate hunting rifle, all we do is drag it's name through the mud. LOL

We're a pretty ungrateful lot if you ask me.

To your question, because Axis' only come in long action, I'd sure be tempted to find some new old stock 6.5x55 or 7x57 barrel laying around and throw that on there!

Of the two calibers, I'd say stick with the .270. Because snooze 'O eight is about right.

 

[Hookeye]

Could go .458 socom or .450 BM..........but I've already seen those conversions done on Axis.

 

[Hookeye]

Having owned an Axis and a fair number of other rifles.............the Axis factory stock sucks (when I got mine Boyds didn't make a lam replacement).
The factory bolt handle is ugly, the action is long no matter what cartridge you choose. EGW was the only rail maker when I got mine, for more convenient ring spacing.....and was 60 bucks. The non accutrigger indeed sucked. But I made it nice for cheap.

Really, a Rem 700 ADL synth looks and feels better, and I've had two of them, both good shooters.

I'm not ungrateful.

Just don't like stuff that annoys me.
The more one shoots, IMHO...........the more picky they get. Some stuff just feels and looks better and is worth the cost.

Deer don't care how much you spend.
But then being a cheapskate .......aint gonna score you brownie points with the hunting Gods.

I'd rather drive a 2K beater Jeep and shoot a 1K rifle.
Quite a few guys at work drive 55K trucks/Jeeps and shoot 300 dollar rifles and 200 dollar shotguns.
One even told me that a .22 rf that costs over 100 bucks is silly.

You know what we call those folks?
Managers, usually have an MBA.

Goodness, if any rifle should be expensive it should be the .22rf.
Shoot it more, and pass it down when the time comes. Heirloom type stuff.