Thinking about picking up a cheap but fun rifle to build. How hard or economical would it be to swap to a more interesting caliber? Probably would pick up 223 to start with

I would just do a Stevens 200, can get them as cheap as 300 bucks

The Axis use the same barrel as any Savage. I agree with Songdog: buy a Stevens 200.

Hard to find the Stephens reasonable anymore have a lead on a cheap axis

Plus not trying to get crazy probably a barrel and a trigger and call it good enough. Don't want a full custom build

academy has the axis for 279. just picked up and axis 308 last week from there

The axis is not bad for the price. One just needs to be aware that all the aftermarket parts for other Savage models and the Stevens are not compatible with axis rifles.

The axis is a good rifle for the money. They shoot well

If you are planning on ripping the barrel off anyway, you might look for the older Savage 10 or 110 (pre accutrigger). It's the same thing as the new stevens 200 and you can get them fairly cheap.

Have you considered this?

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bar...-prod23300.aspx