Poor man's project rifle: Savage axis or Savage 110 action

[adcoch1]

Been thinking about a medium duty target/fixed position hunting rifle, and wanting to have a platform for various changes A la Loonwulf, the ability to swap barrels and magazines, I think the Savage is likely to fill my needs.

The question is this: for a project rifle that will swap stocks and barrels, is there any real difference between the axis and the 110 action?

I already have a 110 and barrel tools, but I haven't torn into an Axis yet. This rifle would probably end up in a chassis, run aics pattern mags and no real concern over weight. Not trying to make it heavy or light, just a rifle to focus on shooting for fun.

 

[gotboostvr]

Tagged due to relevance to my interests.

One thing to consider, a Remington 700 can be set up with the Savage style switch barrels very easily and you'll have access to just about every aftermarket part you could think of.

 

[adcoch1]

Tagged due to relevance to my interests.

One thing to consider, a Remington 700 can be set up with the Savage style switch barrels very easily and you'll have access to just about every aftermarket part you could think of.

Absolutely true, but that might be another thread entirely...

 

[sarduy]

My $29.00 Savage axis II 223 with a heavy barrel and that’s using Winchester 556 white box ammo.

5 shots

 

[Legionnaire]

I don't own a Savage. If I did, it would be a 110 action. This article is dated, but it does a reasonable job of covering the differences.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/savage_edge.htm

 

[adcoch1]

My $29.00 Savage axis II 223 with a heavy barrel and that’s using Winchester 556 white box ammo.

5 shots

We need a "LOVE" button! That's some good shootin!

 

[MachIVshooter]

The 110, hands down.

If you want a new budget gun for a project, I would look at the Mossberg Patriots. Conventional broached raceway receivers with twin lug bolts, and they shoot. I have one in .300 Win Mag for testing cans, just ordered another in 7mm-08 to do an integrally suppressed demo rifle build on.

 

[adcoch1]

The 110, hands down.

If you want a new budget gun for a project, I would look at the Mossberg Patriots. Conventional broached raceway receivers with twin lug bolts, and they shoot. I have one in .300 Win Mag for testing cans, just ordered another in 7mm-08 to do an integrally suppressed demo rifle build on.

Good idea. I played with one when they first came out. Great guns straight out of the box.
Howa rifles are good shooters right in the same group price wise. Just can't decide if I want to get into another manufacturer for this project.

But an integral suppressed mossy in 7mm-08 would be awesome. Ironically, one of the reasons for my project is to easily swap on an integral suppressed barrel.

 

[adcoch1]

Another point on why the savage is desirable for my project is all the good quality barrels out there for reasonable prices. And take off barrels are everywhere for dinking around with.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Another point on why the savage is desirable for my project is all the good quality barrels out there for reasonable prices. And take off barrels are everywhere for dinking around with.

I'm pretty sure the Patriot has the same barrel tenon threads as the 10/110/Axis. I'll get back to you on that.

 

[adcoch1]

I'm pretty sure the Patriot has the same barrel tenon threads as the 10/110/Axis. I'll get back to you on that.

Thanks, that info would be useful!

 

[troy fairweather]

100% the 110, messing with the axis will make you a poor man getting it to were the 110 starts at.

 

[LoonWulf]

If doing a savage, then for sure the 10/110 series. The axis is generally very accurate, but thats really about all that stands out. The bolt handles are crap and a 75dollar part, and the "simplified" firing pin assembly seems to rarely (in relation to how many are out there in use) but consistently cause issues.

There are also cheap 700 actions available, as well as "cheap" remage barrel kits (i guess shaws making em now, as well as there savage kits, and eabco stocks them) ready to go off the shelf.

I tend to lean hard on to the 700s just because rhey are USUALLY a little nicer. My last project gun was built on a take apart and it came out really nicely. The but is that if theres an issue with a 700 its usually more noticeable and harder to fix.

The Americans are also another decent option tho aftermarket support is low(ish). Barrels are available from all the majors, as well as most minors. They use a +/- 1ishx16 thread pattern (ive screwed two win 70 push feed, and a colt light rifle barrel into my American reciever, and one American barrel into a 70 receiver), with what i THINK is a standard 77 length shank so you have the option if nutted or not.

Im curious about the patriot also. If they DO take savage small shanks, and have a similar bolt face depth, then that maybe my new favorite project action.
My limited research says they use 1ishx20tpi barrels.

 

[BigBL87]

As someone who owns both, 10/110 for sure. Nothing wrong with the Axis but if you're going to turn it into a project there's a much better aftermarket for the 10/110. Just when it comes to aftermarket stocks, it's slim pickings for the Axis whereas alot of stock makers make them for the 10/110.

 

[gotboostvr]

Is there a significant difference between the Axis II's AccuTrigger and that on a 110/10?
Is it the exact same unit?

 

[horsey300]

Is there a significant difference between the Axis II's AccuTrigger and that on a 110/10?
Is it the exact same unit?

Can't find a difference in trigger, but the port is quite a bit more restricting on the axis.

 

[doubleh]

I voted for the 110. Troy Fireweather has already pointed out why. I own an Axis and have spent some money on it. Damn thing is still basically an Axis

 

[rbernie]

The safety on the Axis/Edge doesn't lock the bolt; that's a deal-breaker for me.

 

[BigBL87]

Is there a significant difference between the Axis II's AccuTrigger and that on a 110/10?
Is it the exact same unit?

It depends on what model of 10/110 I believe. Unless things have changed recently, there are 3 different Accutriggers: Standard (2.5-6lbs), Varmint (1.5-5lbs), and Target (6oz-2lbs). I imagine all the Axis rifles have the Standard just for cost reasons. 10/110s could have any of them depending on the model, though I imagine base models are pretty universally the standard one.

 

[wiscoaster]

I just bought a Howa 1500. IMO beats any Savage. (And I have two Savages)

 

[BigBL87]

I just bought a Howa 1500. IMO beats any Savage. (And I have two Savages)

I do love my Weatherby Vanguard, though I haven't gotten a chance to find out its real accuracy since I had to replaced the scope mounts. Probably the smoothest action I've ever used though.

 

[LoonWulf]

I just bought a Howa 1500. IMO beats any Savage. (And I have two Savages)

IMO, they are nicer than almost all the guns in their price range. They arnt as good options for tinkerers tho, as there arnt a lot of easy barrel swap options, and they dont change cartridge family nearly as well as the savage.
Im liking the idea of then patriot simply because it offers similar options with the same advantages as the savage.

 

[adcoch1]

Since this has expanded quite a bit bigger than just savage rifles, what do you guys think is the best action for nutted barrels in something like an MDT LSS chassis?

Since most chassis use aics pattern mags, most rifles that'll fit the chassis can have a mag readily available for most cartridges within reason.

 

[LoonWulf]

Since this has expanded quite a bit bigger than just savage rifles, what do you guys think is the best action for nutted barrels in something like an MDT LSS chassis?

Since most chassis use aics pattern mags, most rifles that'll fit the chassis can have a mag readily available for most cartridges within reason.

At that point i dont think it really matters. I would probably go with a savage, rem 783, or Patriot, just to get the interchangeable bolt heads.... really which ever i liked the look of in the chassis, and or found the cheapest.
I cant really say i think any of the actions are actually better than the others, but I WOULD still lean towards the Patriot.

 

[tallpaul]

When younger I liked the multi use barrel change systems but shortly realized that swapping barrels/calibers etc were limited and took time for change over and resighting etc. Even with the cheap H&R rifles I found myself just buying individual rifles for each use/cartridge... even my first change barrel- my third gun was a Dan wesson with the pistol pac and while "neat" I tended to keep a frame for each barrel as I got older/more established. Now with rifles I understand when the barrel wears out it is a great time to have an easy change feature available now I usually restrict barrel changing to contenders/encores but even then tend to add frames for favorites I know clear as mudd