Savage Axis XP, .223 caliber

[plumbum]

So I was weak this morning.
I’ve been wanting a new centerfire bolt gun in an inexpensive caliber - for range fun and casual zombie defense. Well Sportsman’s Warehouse has Axis combos with a 4-12 scope for $299 and they have a $50 rebate... and I have had $170 in gift cards burning a hole in my pocket since all the handguns and ammo are sold out?!
In case anyone needs a cheap, hunt-ready, backup deer gun, they also have all the stalwarts including 6.5 CM.

My only questions are, how heavy can you go with bullet weight on a 1-9” twist 22” long barrel? Would those 75ish weights be pushing it? Seems like what I see in relation to twist rates is for 16” AR barrels.

[baih777]

I reload 52g and 55g for mine. Didn't have much luck with 68 g.

Make sure you get the version with the accutrigger.
Earlier versions without the trigger. Feels like they have a 10lb pull trigger.

[PoorRichRichard]

Nice. I have a standard Axis in 30-06. I did the aftermarket spring replacement on the trigger (cost less than $30), which brought it down to about 3 pounds. Killed my first deer with it 2 years ago. They are great inexpensive rifles.

[FeuerFrei]

I have an AR coyote rifle with a 20" 1/9 that shoots 55/62/77 with good accuracy.

Savage action is strong and their barrels are pretty good too. Great rifles and that accu-trigger is a really good ootb trigger.

Savage makes some great value rifles and if you get that discount there's no thinking involved IMO. BUY!

[plumbum]

Savage makes some great value rifles and if you get that discount there's no thinking involved IMO. BUY!

[JackEllis]

Can't tell you about anything heavier than 62 grain bullets from personal experience but I've gotten those to shoot reasonably well in a 1-12" Howa 1500.

Berger's stability calculator says you can go up to 64 grain bullets but my recommendation would be to buy the rifle and try shooting some heavier commercial ammo to see how it does.

I have a Savage in .22lr and while it isn't an apples-to-apples comparison, I've been very pleased with the way it shoots.

[Fjold]

My 1:10" twist 22.250 shoots the 68 grain SMKs , the 9" twist 223 should do that.

[sigstroker]

I've got basically the same rifle as OP but haven't shot it. However, I did check twist calculators online, and 69 gr should be good, 74-77 are marginal, but may be worth trying. I figure that the 69's also have higher velocity and would be the best choice.

[Speedkills66]

I had an Axis 2 .223 and had very good results with 55 and 62 grain.

[ysr_racer]

I did a "free axis trigger job" on mine, and it worked great. If you Google it, you'll see it in YouTube.

I'M NOT A GUNSMITH, AND I'M NOT RECOMMENDING YOU MODIFY YOUR FIREARM IN ANY WAY.

ALWAYS, AND I MEAN ALWAYS HAVE YOUR FIREARM MODIFIED BY A FULLY TRAINED GUNSMITH.

[Preston-CLB]

My savage M10, .223, 22" barrel, 1:9 twist likes Federal Fusion MSR 62 gr, and Federal Gold Medal Match 69 gr. the best. I get 1" groups consistently at 100 yards.
-P