Does anyone Have experience with the Savage Axis II Pro in 22-250 or .223

[tbs]

The reason I'm asking is that I'm looking for a cheap range rifle in left hand. I have an extremely expensive 22-250 (H.S. Precision HTR) that I used to use for matchs but have basically put it up in the safe for a rainy day. It has tons of barrel life left and I want to keep it that way. I also spend a lot of range time with my AR platform that I have 2 uppers for.

I found these on Classic firearms and I'm itching to go for one of them. I'll need to sneak this into the house under the boss's nose! LOL
I need to go cheap cause I just bought 2 new Colt revolvers which the boss gave the OK on - just don't want rock the boat.

Savage Arms 32363 Axis 2 PRO Forest SP Camo 22-250REM Left Hand

Savage Arms 32363: The Axis 2 PRO offers hunters a new look with improved ergonomics. Featuring user-adjustable AccuTrigger; thread-in headspacing; threaded barrel; one-piece rail and an updated bolt handle with a sleek, ergonomic design delivers on functionality. *Note- the Forest SP camo has...

www.classicfirearms.com

Savage 32362 Axis 2 PRO Forest SP Camo Left Hand 223 REM

Savage Arms 32362: The Axis 2 PRO offers hunters a new look with improved ergonomics. Featuring user-adjustable AccuTrigger; thread-in headspacing; threaded barrel; one-piece rail and an updated bolt handle with a sleek, ergonomic design delivers on functionality. *Note- the Forest SP camo has...

www.classicfirearms.com

 

[243winxb]

My Old Axis in 223 with 6 lb trigger does ok for cheap. The 9 twist work well up to 69 gr Sierra match bullets. Have not tried longer/ heavier bullets. Did the Savage barrel break in first.*

My newer 6.5 Creedmoor is just average at 1 1/4" @ 100 with handloads.

 

[JB10]

I do not have the new axis2, but have 2 older axis models. They shoot very well. I do not like the stiffness of the bolt lift on them. But accuracy is there. Ones in 223, the other one was a 223 but was changed to 6x45 before it was ever shot as a 223.

 

[Lefty2506]

A co-worker that I shoot and hunt with bought an Axis in 223 for his son this past spring. Don't know if it was the newer Axis 2 or not. They only ammo they put through it so far was some Federal 55gr TRU (55gr hp) ammo, and it was comfortably under 1 MOA. My guess would be that with a good trigger and hand loads it could get down in the 1/2 moa range. My only issue with the Axis is that I'm not sure how I'd effectively bed the action on one. Other than that, they seem to be a fantastic budget friendly option for cartridges that are pretty light on recoil. I haven't done a ton of research on them, but my general impression has been that as the recoil level goes up, the system's accuracy goes down, but I could be totally incorrect on that.

 

[justinp61]

Both are good looking rifles. My only experience with the Axis is with the original Axis without the accutrigger. My Uncle has one in 243 and brought it by for me to shoot before deer season a few years ago. Despite the trigger feeling like it just came out of a sandbox the rifle shot very well for a $350 package rifle, about 3/4" at 100 yards with store bought ammo. With a good trigger and some load work it would be a real shooter IMO.

 

[Evlshnngns]

The axis2 has an accutrigger, its a nice trigger.

Ive only had one savage that didn't shoot well, bought used from GB. The new ones have always been satisfactory.

 

[Leo_B]

Nothing on that but I have a Model 25 Varminter in .22 Hornet they jokingly call "lightweight" at 8.25 pounds before optics. I'll be getting to the range soon with it. I anticipate really good things. I'd imagine similar from those.

 

[tbs]

I'm not expecting too much, going from a $4,500 rifle to a $500.00 rifle. I think I would be happy if the barrel does'nt fall off. LOL I have a ton of handloads I want to burn through that I loaded almost 10 years ago. I had 2 Savage 110"s about 25 years ago and they were kind of ruff. They did however shoot pretty good.

 

[Oso]

I bought 2 of the Axis rifles for my nephews for a last minute Xmas gift before a big deer hunt. I called around town and found two identical rifles and raced to pick them up before store closing. When I got home I discovered the bolt lift was crazy hard and also loud. It required a firm hand hold on rifle and on bolt handle (no 2 finger flip up). Very similar to dealing with a stuck case. I upgraded it with a bolt lift kit, which reduced it to only heavy… made a factory Rem 700 bolt lift feel like a custom action.

I would want to physically put my hands on an Axis II and test the bolt before I would consider buying it. You are looking for how hard is bolt lift and how loud is noise when closing (cocking) the bolt. Good Luck.

Another option that is both accurate and budget friendly inexpensive but is a Howa 1500 Mini.

 

[tbs]

Thanks Oso but it needs to left handed ----- I don't do right hand bolts. Yeah I can do pinky finger bolt lift on my H.S. ------ I'll look around town and see if I can actually get my hands on one.

 

[Oso]

Have you considered the Savage 110 Apex Hunter or similar Hunter Line (comes in left handed). It is moderate priced gun $600ish for left handed model.

If you want to stay skinny budget then you might also consider a CVA break action single shot. All reports are accurate and fun.

 

[std7mag]

Not the "Pro" series.
Bought an Axis II in 7mm-08.
Swapped barrel onto my Stevens 200, after I reamed it to 7mm-08AI.
I screwed a 24" sporter barrel from E.R. Shaw onto the Axis II action in 250 Savage.

It's my main walk around, set up cameras, and coyote rifle now.

Oh, trigger is at 2lb.
It does ok.
Distance 200 meters. 75gr Sierra HP Varmint. 5 rounds.
Wind caught me out on the last shot.

 

[charlie b]

I just put a new barrel on my old Axis. The old barrel (.223 varmint weight) had around 6000 rounds on it. I shot a ton of 77gn SMK and 73gn Bergers or Hornady ELD. Most of the time was good for well under 1/2MOA. I like shooting soda cans at 600yd.

For a while I put a .308 barrel on it (Savage model 12) and shot about 4000 cast and jacketed bullets through it.

The new barrel is from Brad and is a .223, long throat, 1:7 twist for shooting 90gn pills.

The std accutrigger is a bit heavy for fine work which is why I went to a McCarbo. I have a Boyd's stock that is bedded with pillars. You can also polish the bolt cam surfaces to make the bolt lift easier, but, it won't get anywhere near what a nicer rifle is like.

 

[Leo_B]

Doesn't Ruger do some LH actions?

 

[thatguyshm]

I bought a new axis 2 for a build. Never shot it with the original barrel, took it apart and put a 223 x caliber with a shortened Boyd's stock for my daughter's first rifle. It can change and grow as she does. It's a great little rifle. I think the bolt lift is a lot, there's no two fingers to move it, but then again, it's not designed for that as a budget friendly hunting rifle.

Biggest thing to remember is all savage Axis are the same sized actions. I used a standard Savage 223 bolt stop with the guide rail ground and polished to shorten the bolt throw.