Thoughts on Savage Axis II

ReloadKy · November 25, 2019, 01:15 PM

Thinking about trying out a Savage axis II. Looking for thoughts / experiences with this rifle. I am always looking to add to my cabinet and my LGS is having a sale. Wanting to get a few opinions before I tell my wife what I am going to do lol. Thanks

reynolds357 · November 25, 2019, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReloadKy

Thinking about trying out a Savage axis II. Looking for thoughts / experiences with this rifle. I am always looking to add to my cabinet and my LGS is having a sale. Wanting to get a few opinions before I tell my wife what I am going to do lol. Thanks

It just depends on your level of expectation. I have several axis 2. They are accurate. They function fine. They are somewhat ugly. The only thing I dont like about them is its dang near impossible to low mount a scope. They are solid rifles for their price point. I actually prefer the Axis over the 2. About 30 minutes and 50 cents give you a far superior trigger in the 1.

godale · November 25, 2019, 04:44 PM

I have only a savage axis 2 that was made in hb 223 for big box stores . I didn’t like the feel of the stock so I put a Boyd’s on . It’s a great shooter though

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olddav · November 26, 2019, 10:40 AM

It is advisable to use a one piece base on a Savage long action rifle. Even then you have to pay attention to the length of scope you intend to mount. As reynolds357, said mounting the scope is a pain but it is possible. ( I paraphrased reynolds357’s commits).

godale · November 26, 2019, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olddav

It is advisable to use a one piece base on a Savage long action rifle. Even then you have to pay attention to the length of scope you intend to mount. As reynolds357, said mounting the scope is a pain but it is possible. ( I paraphrased reynolds357’s commits).

All my savages wear the egw. Mounts

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godale · November 26, 2019, 12:07 PM

I learned my lesson on a 30/06 114 classic . 3 scopes and 2 mounting systems later

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T. O'Heir · November 26, 2019, 01:46 PM

An Axis wouldn't exactly be an addition to a gun safe. Even though it's very hard to beat any Savage for out of the box accuracy. There's no need to fiddle with scope mounts at all. You can buy an Axis with a factory mounted scope. Not all of those scopes are not entry level optics either.
The Axis is an entry level hunting rifle with a synthetic stock(increases the felt recoil) and detachable mag. MSRP starts at $375(without a scope or sights). The Axis II comes with the adjustable Savage Accu-trigger and a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm scope. MSRP is $495.00.
Same rifle with a hard wood stock(looks like birch to me) runs $515.
Don't think there are different action lengths. That's a Remington thing.

godale · November 26, 2019, 02:02 PM

I noticed a axis combo with a engage scope from bushnell on it . With my eyes on something like that I need at least a 4x12x 40, other people may vary

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reynolds357 · November 26, 2019, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. O'Heir

An Axis wouldn't exactly be an addition to a gun safe. Even though it's very hard to beat any Savage for out of the box accuracy. There's no need to fiddle with scope mounts at all. You can buy an Axis with a factory mounted scope. Not all of those scopes are not entry level optics either.
The Axis is an entry level hunting rifle with a synthetic stock(increases the felt recoil) and detachable mag. MSRP starts at $375(without a scope or sights). The Axis II comes with the adjustable Savage Accu-trigger and a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm scope. MSRP is $495.00.
Same rifle with a hard wood stock(looks like birch to me) runs $515.
Don't think there are different action lengths. That's a Remington thing.

Savage says there is a short action and long action Axis. The action is in actuality the same length. The short action simply has the magazine moved forward and the bolt stop set shorter.

taylorce1 · November 26, 2019, 08:29 PM

I'd never add a Savage Axis to my safe, I don't care how well they might shoot. I buy cheap rifles for the action most of the time, so I'll only buy a Savage 10/110. The biggest issue I have with the Axis is the stock sucks, and I don't care for any of the aftermarket options.

reynolds357 · November 26, 2019, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylorce1

I'd never add a Savage Axis to my safe, I don't care how well they might shoot. I buy cheap rifles for the action most of the time, so I'll only buy a Savage 10/110. The biggest issue I have with the Axis is the stock sucks, and I don't care for any of the aftermarket options.

It serves its purpose.

taylorce1 · November 26, 2019, 09:39 PM

Never said it didn't, I just can't leave things well enough alone.

godale · November 27, 2019, 11:31 AM

Unless it’s the bull barrel axis I really liked the Stevens 200 better

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AgedWarrior · November 27, 2019, 12:19 PM

Axis II is a fairly good entry level rifle. The XP version comes with an entry level scope that Savage says is boresighted at the factory. If you buy the XP and intend to use the scope, be sure to take it completely apart so you can torque everything properly as you reinstall the scope; their factory boresight is poor at best anyway. The wood stock model is a plus over the Tupperware, but a Boyd’s stock is better than either of them in my opinion. I have one in .223 that I put a Nikon 4-12x40 on and a Boyd’s stock; shoots 1/2” at 100 if I do my job. She is no beauty queen, but a good functioning accurate rifle! Accutrigger gives a good trigger out of the box. Mags are half polymer/half metal, overpriced but functional. They can be found pretty cheap right now; way under MSRP. Some would probably disagree, but in my opinion the Axis II is good competition for the Ruger American.

taylorce1 · November 28, 2019, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godale

I really liked the Stevens 200 better

You weren't the only one!

godale · November 28, 2019, 11:54 AM

At it’s time I thought that was the best entry rifle . It was basically a 110 before the acutrigger and a proven platform with many options

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reynolds357 · November 28, 2019, 07:12 PM

It was competing with the 110 is the reason I think they they dropped it.

taylorce1 · November 28, 2019, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynolds357

It was competing with the 110 is the reason I think they they dropped it.

The Stevens 200 was a 10/110, there was no competition with it other than price between it and any other Savage rifle based on the same action. Savage cut manufacturing costs with the Axis rifle plain and simple. So they no longer had a reason to continue the Stevens 200 rifles.

mxsailor803 · November 30, 2019, 01:41 PM

Nothing wrong with the Axis rifles. Ugly, yes. Accurate, yes. A very capable hunting rifle especially if you find a handload it likes. I like the overall light weight of the rifle. My dad uses a older Axis in 30-06. He did end up installing a muzzle brake due to a neck/shoulder injury is flaring up again. Now that thing kicks like a .22mag

epl1007 · November 30, 2019, 06:37 PM

It’s a shooter but the action isn’t the best. Have one in 270 and it’ll put a couple
Around 3/4 of an inch at 100. You have to figure out what it likes but mine liked Deer Season XP. Not the smoothest action but it’s a shooter for sure

November 25, 2019, 01:15 PM	#1
ReloadKy Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2018 Posts: 191	Thoughts on Savage Axis II Thinking about trying out a Savage axis II. Looking for thoughts / experiences with this rifle. I am always looking to add to my cabinet and my LGS is having a sale. Wanting to get a few opinions before I tell my wife what I am going to do lol. Thanks

November 26, 2019, 10:40 AM	#4
olddav Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2008 Location: Lower Alabama Posts: 727	It is advisable to use a one piece base on a Savage long action rifle. Even then you have to pay attention to the length of scope you intend to mount. As reynolds357, said mounting the scope is a pain but it is possible. ( I paraphrased reynolds357’s commits). __________________ Never beat your head against the wall with out a helmet

November 26, 2019, 01:46 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	An Axis wouldn't exactly be an addition to a gun safe. Even though it's very hard to beat any Savage for out of the box accuracy. There's no need to fiddle with scope mounts at all. You can buy an Axis with a factory mounted scope. Not all of those scopes are not entry level optics either. The Axis is an entry level hunting rifle with a synthetic stock(increases the felt recoil) and detachable mag. MSRP starts at $375(without a scope or sights). The Axis II comes with the adjustable Savage Accu-trigger and a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm scope. MSRP is $495.00. Same rifle with a hard wood stock(looks like birch to me) runs $515. Don't think there are different action lengths. That's a Remington thing. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 26, 2019, 08:29 PM	#10
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	I'd never add a Savage Axis to my safe, I don't care how well they might shoot. I buy cheap rifles for the action most of the time, so I'll only buy a Savage 10/110. The biggest issue I have with the Axis is the stock sucks, and I don't care for any of the aftermarket options. __________________ NRA Life Member

November 26, 2019, 09:39 PM	#12
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	Never said it didn't, I just can't leave things well enough alone. __________________ NRA Life Member

November 25, 2019, 04:44 PM	#3
godale Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2014 Posts: 178	I have only a savage axis 2 that was made in hb 223 for big box stores . I didn’t like the feel of the stock so I put a Boyd’s on . It’s a great shooter though Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

November 26, 2019, 12:07 PM	#6
godale Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2014 Posts: 178	I learned my lesson on a 30/06 114 classic . 3 scopes and 2 mounting systems later Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

November 26, 2019, 02:02 PM	#8
godale Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2014 Posts: 178	I noticed a axis combo with a engage scope from bushnell on it . With my eyes on something like that I need at least a 4x12x 40, other people may vary Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

November 27, 2019, 11:31 AM	#13
godale Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2014 Posts: 178	Thoughts on Savage Axis II Unless it’s the bull barrel axis I really liked the Stevens 200 better Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

November 27, 2019, 12:19 PM	#14
AgedWarrior Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2019 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 210	Axis II is a fairly good entry level rifle. The XP version comes with an entry level scope that Savage says is boresighted at the factory. If you buy the XP and intend to use the scope, be sure to take it completely apart so you can torque everything properly as you reinstall the scope; their factory boresight is poor at best anyway. The wood stock model is a plus over the Tupperware, but a Boyd’s stock is better than either of them in my opinion. I have one in .223 that I put a Nikon 4-12x40 on and a Boyd’s stock; shoots 1/2” at 100 if I do my job. She is no beauty queen, but a good functioning accurate rifle! Accutrigger gives a good trigger out of the box. Mags are half polymer/half metal, overpriced but functional. They can be found pretty cheap right now; way under MSRP. Some would probably disagree, but in my opinion the Axis II is good competition for the Ruger American.

November 28, 2019, 11:54 AM	#16
godale Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2014 Posts: 178	At it’s time I thought that was the best entry rifle . It was basically a 110 before the acutrigger and a proven platform with many options Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

November 28, 2019, 07:12 PM	#17
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	It was competing with the 110 is the reason I think they they dropped it.

November 30, 2019, 01:41 PM	#19
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Nothing wrong with the Axis rifles. Ugly, yes. Accurate, yes. A very capable hunting rifle especially if you find a handload it likes. I like the overall light weight of the rifle. My dad uses a older Axis in 30-06. He did end up installing a muzzle brake due to a neck/shoulder injury is flaring up again. Now that thing kicks like a .22mag

November 30, 2019, 06:37 PM	#20
epl1007 Member Join Date: August 28, 2015 Posts: 72	It’s a shooter but the action isn’t the best. Have one in 270 and it’ll put a couple Around 3/4 of an inch at 100. You have to figure out what it likes but mine liked Deer Season XP. Not the smoothest action but it’s a shooter for sure