I have decided I have been a good boy this year and deserve a new rifle. Been shooting a Rem 7mm Mag for decades and want a lighter and handier rifle. I have the chance to get a brand new Savage Axis with the accutrigger in 308 for $296. That price seems good to me compared to other prices I have see but I have no personal experience with either the Savage Axis or the accutrigger. The only expeience I have with any Savage rifles was a model 110 in 300 Win Mag that a buddy used to have and it was an accurate rifle. I am not looking for a fancy new rig just a rifle to play with and maybe tip over a few does with from time to time. Is this rifle worth my time pursuing? Would like to hear from anybody with experience in either the Savage Axis rifle or the accutrigger, or both.

Thanks

Foe the budget guns out there right now axis is not in my top anymore. Decent yes but to me the axis feels to cheap. The accutrigger is a decent factory trigger if you want to adjust down but it’s far from a custom trigger. Still a lot of grit to it. Accuracy wise they are 2” or so guns or the two I’ve had were. I never hand loaded but factory ammo that’s about as good as it got.

If you wanted a budget gun I’d seriously look at the Thompson centers. Can be had for 200-250 pretty easily 5r rifling and moa with factory ammo. Or spend a little more and find a ruger American.

I've had a few Axis in 223 and they both shot very well, under MOA with multiple factory loads. I think they are a great budget gun.

Savages shoot great, cycle like crap.

My wife's Axis 7-08 shoots MOA all day but sometimes you almost need a hammer to get the bolt back.

Never had any issues whatsoever with my Savage XP II. The stock isn't pretty and it doesn't have high gloss bluing but it has killed everything I've shot with it with no exceptions.

Here's a video you might find interesting...

im in this camp

Bingo. For $300 it's worth it IMO. Some will eject just fine. Mine will eject fine as long as you cycle with gusto.

Have an Axis II in 223. A 3-shot group is one ragged hole at 100 yards when using commercial Barnes TTSX. Had an Axis II in 6.5 CM (beater to have while waterfowl hunting in case we saw a four legged critter) that would consistently shoot commercial ELD-X at half MOA. Had a friend that wanted to buy the rifle. I was hesitant to do so due to it shooting so well. I won a T3X in 6.5 CM and was concerned that it'd not shoot quite as good as that Savage. Thankfully the T3X became a shooter due to handloads. I'm happy with that rifle and my friend is happy with my former Savage.

Never had any issues with the Axis line or any Savage for that matter. They will not win a beauty contest but they will absolutely compete comes time for accuracy.

When is the last time you bought a rifle under $1000? A better question would be, when is the last time you shot a rifle under $1000? Your opinion on this is invalid.

Any rifle, including an ugly one, looks better laying atop the game animal it helped put down.

The rifle make the hog look pretty.

It's definitely worth mentioning that in 2019, a former Savage senior executive along with members of the company's management team purchased the company back from Vista Outdoors. Much like when employees purchased Harley Davidson back from AMF, the company has focused on improving its product line and reputation, in this case that being one of the best and most longstanding firearms makers in the US. It was just last year the company celebrated its 125th anniversary.

I think their rifles improved under Vista just like Bushnell improved. Vista is not like Cerebrus from what I've seen of the companies they purchased.

Savage is the most accurate, cheep gun made, in my opinion. I have a couple

A Savage Axis will serve you well IF you mount decent optics. My .223 shoots MOA with factory ammunition and better than that with handloads.

Have to agree with above posters. My .223 Axis shoots great. Had trigger worked on and it shoots sub-MOA with a variety of loads.

If I was going to another Axis it would definitely be an Axis II with the accutrigger. I have a heavy barrel 6.5CM that will shoot 1” groups at 200 all day. I did change the stock to a MDT chassis and use handloads but it shoots great.

yea but I might need a "beater" so I don't get my other rifles dirty. They feel so comfy and kozy in the safe. OOH Wade, you gave me a great idea. Please, Buy my BFR so I may begin.

That BFR is nice but too weak of a caliber for me

Oh good grief....now you went and done it. Buzz is going to pair up every fancy gun in his safe with a ‘beater’ of the same caliber!

I’m pretty sure a in with a scratch on it would not be welcome at his house.

That's a great idea! Oh, wait...I'd have to pair up every beater in my safe with a beauty in the same caliber.

Savage 12 FV (only at Cabela's) can be had in 308 and is just a bit more money. It is a 110 action and has much more aftermarket support, should that interest you down the road. An acquaintance at the range had one in 223, even I could hit targets with it.

I recently bought one (.308) from Academy. Still in the box. Eventually I will chg. scopes I'm sure. At this point I'm still in the researching dept.
Haven't been hunting since 87' ...Eastern N. Carolina. Finally found some rounds for it. Will get it bore sighted by some tech. I just ordered a
Laser bore sight...bullet type in case I ever need it. Time to go hunting with my 12 yr.old grandson !! Hope to pick up a few pointers from the forum.
Stay safe all. Back to the TFF..