I have been reading with interest the reports on this site about .223, 5.56, 22-250, etc. Especially the info on 5.56 in .223. For most of this year I have had the yearnings for a .223 bolt gun. I couldn't decide whether to go $800.00 to $1,000.00 or go more toward the lower price points.

I reload for my ARs. While it would be a bit more extra effort, I could keep my reloads separate. In the past I'd get surplus NATO 5.56 as much for the brass as to get to shot low cost ammo plinking and for reloading. I have a couple or three thousand pre-price bump 5.56 and could swag, load etc lower charges for .223.

I can get a Savage with a threaded barrel for my can online for a little over $300.00. It has all the features I want except for the reported trigger pull. Hopefully, that could be lightened a bit by a gunsmith.

Anyone with experience on Savage or this model in particular?

Own an Axis .223. Yea, the factory trigger leaves a lot to be desired. Think Timmney has one now for it, around $100. You can do a trigger job yourself. Replace the factory trigger spring with a lighter one and do some honing on the sear. Should get the pull down to around 2-3lbs.

Stock on mine would flex in wrist area where rear of the trigger guard joins the stock. I noticed my crosshairs moving up to an inch vertically on a 100 yd target when shooting from a benchrest and a bag under the butt. Had another gent take my rifle to his benchrest setup and he noticed the same thing when pulling the trigger. No one makes a stock for the Axis....made my own to solve the stock flex problem.

Other problem I experienced with my Axis was poor extraction of a spent case. I need to firmly yank back on my bolt to eject the case. And even then it just dribbles out of the receiver. If I try to slowly pull back on bolt with idea of grabbing the mouth of the case when it pops out of receiver, brass will fall off bolt face into receiver.

Accuracy? Well, mine isn't a one holer on a 100 yd target. But, get under 1" groups with it.

Sorry, the Axis is not a rifle I recommend.

You might want to consider the Marlin X rifle in .223. This is fairly new to the line of Marlin X rifles. Fellow member at range has one and he's quite pleased with his. Own several Marlin X rifles myself in larger cartridges.....pretty nice rifles, shoot well and have a nice adjustable factory trigger.

Thanks, what I needed to hear. What caught my attention and got me hot for the Savage was the already threaded barrel. Guess I'll skip this rifle and put a bit more money into the deal.

Nothing worse than a PITA gun. Nothing better than a smooth, make me prowd gun.

Deltam...I don't have an axis..but I did a few years ago buy a Steven 200, which is really the old savage 110...in 22-250. I bought it with the idea of making a switch barrel rifle out of it... Well, it shoots so good that I ain't going to mess with it..it is now my primary predator calling rifle..shot lots of coyotes and cats with it.. I load it down to .223 levels and run 55gr. sierra game kings in it for pelt hunting...

You might consider the Stevens 200...good rifle for the money, at least that has been my experience..

Z

I bought several of them and gave as Christmas presents... I gave 1 to a friend that's in his early 70's and becoming recoil sensitive.. he's shot a 30-06 and 7 mag all his life... I scoped it with a simmons 3-9 and gave him lake city 55gr sp's... so far its accounted for several axis deer... none shot more than 70yds and all 1 shot kills... I kinda wish they had iron sights, and I put a weaver pitcanny rail on 1t, instead of a 2 piece base... I like the clip-fed action... I have yet to shoot the 1 ive got put back for myself... but ive shot the 1 I gave away... no recoil, and I didn't notice the flex in the stock... for a bolt gun at less than $300, its a winner!!!....

Agree with jimatcat on considering a Stevens 200 rifle. Own a couple of Stevens 200. Trigger is similar to one on an Axis, but easier to work on to reduce trigger pull and its always had a replacement trigger from Timney and etc. since it is similar to earlier Savage rifles.

Also, you can buy a replacement stock for it. Plastic factory stock on it leaves a lot to be desired, but will not flex at wrist like the Axis.

Another reason I prefer the Stevens is the blind magazine and the larger ejection port on receiver....able to load one round thru port when shooting from benchrest. With the Axis, you will need to drop the detachable magazine and load it since the ejection port on receiver is smaller.

More money but you might want to look at the Savage Hog Hunter. The Precision carbine also has a threaded barrel. I have the Precision Carbine in 223 and it's the most accurate rifle I own. Hog Hunter is a little cheaper.