Savage axis 308

[eaglemike]

Which factory loads?
ETA: IIRC I might have heard that some have short chambers? Just a hint of a memory, and I'm getting old.

[FeuerFrei]

Took it out to desert to see how she does after I put on new rings and scope. (Viper 2.5-10x44)
After I shoot, the bolt is hard to pull back to eject the spent casing.
Ejects fine I guess. But it’s just hard to pull the bolt back. Unfortunately that’s the only ammo I had and have at this time.

She’s also not a very consistent shooter. I wasn’t expecting sub moa out of the cheap FMJ, but I was also not expecting the randomness.
Went home to clean it and give her a good wipe down, I couldn’t get the too far past where the barrel sits in the fire end/stock. So I think something is touching the barrel.
Any ideas regarding the bolt?
Thanks .

Your hand loads? Buy some factory Federal gmm ammo and re-test. Some NATO spec stuff too. Federal or PPU.

You did pre-flight the rifle before you set out? Brushed the chamber as well?

Sticky extraction could still be your hand loads. Need factory stuff to rule that out/in.

[Kokopelli]

What was your handload recipe for these? How did the primers look after firing? Can you post a picture?

[FishnHunt]

Sorry these were factory loads.
Haven’t got the dies in yet.
I did not clean her before I took her out

[Preston-CLB]

OP, my Savage M10 has a specific barrel break-in procedure in the owner's manual. You might want to see if your Axis has the same.

Just a thought on the bolt pull/eject. In a safe place, of course, chamber a live round and see if the pull force is less/equal/more than a fired round. Let us know what happens with that test.

Hope you get this sorted out.
-P

[Kokopelli]

Make sure the bolt head is properly aligned when the bolt is inserted into the action.

[sigstroker]

Don't think you can close the bolt unless it's lined up.

You do need three hands though, or two hands and a flexible toe.

[FeuerFrei]

Would be nice to know what factory ammo was used.

Not doing a proper clean n lube before testing renders wonky results.

Scope mounted properly? Thread locker applied once mechanical zero is confirmed?

[Stanze]

I have a Savage Axis version 1 (without Accutrigger) in .308 win.



Yep, the bolt sticks and you have to really work it if you shoot the entire magazine and don't wait for it to cool down.

I figure that the rifle wasn't designed to be a pinker so reach for my AR .308 win rifle for blasting rounds downrange.


Installed Magpul BUS since pic was taken.

[FishnHunt]

Ammo was igman 147 gr fmj. I bought for cheap plinking and to get brass.
It was $15 for box of 20.

[sigstroker]

I have a Savage Axis version 1 (without Accutrigger) in .308 win.



Yep, the bolt sticks and you have to really work it if you shoot the entire magazine and don't wait for it to cool down.

I figure that the rifle wasn't designed to be a pinker so reach for my AR .308 win rifle for blasting rounds downrange.


Installed Magpul BUS since pic was taken.

Does it help to disassemble and clean the bolt? The "big" Savage 10's often benefit from it, from what I hear.

[Cowboy T]

So are the synthetic stocks on the Mossberg Patriot (and for that matter the synthetic stock on my Winchester Model 70) - but that doesn't mean they won't shoot. Also - the lightweight synthetic stocks are preferable for hunting, IMO.

A Boyd's stock will double the initial outlay for the rifle in question, and I see no reason to spend relatively big money on an after market stock for a inexpensive budget rifle. There are cheap and effective ways to stiffen the "wiffle bat" if that's what you're after and you're so inclined..... but I'll bet it'll shoot just fine as-is.

Never said otherwise. I was simply offering a suggestion to the OP because he said that he wasn't too impressed with the factory stock. In such a case, a Boyds would be a fine choice if one wants to replace it. But yeah, it'll probably shoot just fine as is, wiffle bat and all. :-)

[Cowboy T]

And yeah, OP, I would thoroughly clean that rifle first. This is something I always do with any "new to me" rifle before shooting. Learned that shooting Mosins with cosmoline. Not that Savages are soaked with cosmo, but still, it's a good idea.

[Stanze]

Does it help to disassemble and clean the bolt? The "big" Savage 10's often benefit from it, from what I hear.

I've cleaned it. Same. Once it gets hot from shooting, the metal expands and starts to bind. I reckon if you're hunting and doing a first and follow up shot you're going to be fine. If you dump a mag, it will get hot and start to stick. Design, intended use and physics is happening.

Can Remington, Winchester and Ruger bolts action .308 Win rifles mag dump magazine after magazine and not have any bolt actuation issues?

[bigbossman]

Can Remington, Winchester and Ruger bolts action .308 Win rifles mag dump magazine after magazine and not have any bolt actuation issues?

I've never had that issue with my Model 70, Tikka, or even the el-cheapo Mossberg Patriot.

Have you called Savage tech support? They are pretty good at standing behind their stuff.