New to Savage/AXIS ll XP misfires

[Plinker1962]

Hello, I’m new to bolt action rifles and purchased an AXIS ll XP in .223 cal. I’m not a hunter and shoot at paper and I chose the .223 AXIS so I wouldn’t have to buy more ammo because I usually shoot AR’s. My AR’s will accept .223 and 5.56 whereas the AXIS is .223 only. I took it out to my sister’s place and set my targets out at 50 yds and 80 yds. Both range finder calculated. The first shot was about 8” to the left and 2” high. Made adjustments with 2 more rounds and was grouping near the bulls eye. Then the misfires started. About every 5th rd would be a misfire. I tried other ammo brands with the same misfire consistency. Looking at the primer it appeared the strikes were centered and possibly shallow. I reloaded those rounds into my AR mags and they fired. I bought the AXIS since it was my first bolt action rifle and had an entry level price. Is anyone else experiencing this problem? Some other forum sites are saying the shallow primer strikes can be fixed by adjusting the firing pin. Then it was said the .223 doesn’t have one. Did I make a bad choice? I’ve taken the bolt apart and could see nothing wrong with its assembly. Oiled it back up but won’t get back up to my sister’s for another 2 weeks. Any suggestions?

[Robinhood]

Disassemble the bolt, remove all oil. Try again and post results.

[charlie b]

I would bet there is some gunk in the bolt.

FWIW, mine loads and shoots 5.56 just fine.

[Nub Hippie]

What brand of ammo? Federal uses military grade primers in a lot of their .223 ammo which some bolt action rifles may not be able to set off. That being said I have a regular Axis in .223 and i regularly use Federal ammo with such primers and have never experienced a misfire. You also read correct, there is no way to adjust the firing pin spring in the axis bolts like you can in the 110/111 models. I would go with the previous suggestion of disassembling the bolt, cleaning with gun scrubber or non chlorinated brake cleaner and a nylon brush, then sparingly oil and reassemble and try again. I have had mine apart for cleaning once and it was very simple and straightforward, just take not of how it comes apart and you will be fine. This forum has a great thread on disassembling the axis bolt here: http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?177-Savage-Axis-(and-Edge)-Bolt-Dissembly-and-Assembly-Instructions.

[Plinker1962]

Thanks for the attachment. I had the bolt taken apart and used a synthetic cutting board as a base to place it on while taking theend cap off. I wiped the oil off of everything leaving only a slight oil feel. We have an indoor range (25 tds max) and I plan on going next week. I’ll post results afterwards.

[prdatr]

Thanks for the attachment. I had the bolt taken apart and used a synthetic cutting board as a base to place it on while taking theend cap off. I wiped the oil off of everything leaving only a slight oil feel. We have an indoor range (25 tds max) and I plan on going next week. I’ll post results afterwards.

Oil=Drag so go lightly. An option is to wipe it down with WD40 Specialist which is as good as it gets to prevent corrosion. Unless the barrel is marked 223/5.56 do not use 5.56, some guns it makes no difference but I have seen guns ( A Winchester Model 70) where the bolt was hard to lift, really hard. The light primer strike has happened to others so do a search on this forum. Worst case if you have to send it back in to the factory.

[GG308]

I bought one a couple years ago set up for .308. First box of ammo had 4 non-fires (slight dimple on round / no fire). I assumed it was the federal XM80 ammo. Situation kept getting worse and a couple months ago I was at a point where it was not firing more than it was firing. I read forums, disassembled the bolt and cleaned it as suggested to no avail. Decided that the Savage Axis is just a cheap gun that works when it wants to. Out of the box the scope was not mounted correctly and I had to get it fixed. Shortly thereafter the clip broke. I then read that the accu-trigger requires you to pull the trigger in a certain way to avoid miss-fires. I just want to be able to pull the trigger and have the gun shoot. I finally solved my problem by buying an AR-10 and it shoots EVERY time I pull the trigger. Love the rifle. Will never buy anything with the name Savage on it again.

[prdatr]

I bought one a couple years ago set up for .308. First box of ammo had 4 non-fires (slight dimple on round / no fire). I assumed it was the federal XM80 ammo. Situation kept getting worse and a couple months ago I was at a point where it was not firing more than it was firing. I read forums, disassembled the bolt and cleaned it as suggested to no avail. Decided that the Savage Axis is just a cheap gun that works when it wants to. Out of the box the scope was not mounted correctly and I had to get it fixed. Shortly thereafter the clip broke. I then read that the accu-trigger requires you to pull the trigger in a certain way to avoid miss-fires. I just want to be able to pull the trigger and have the gun shoot. I finally solved my problem by buying an AR-10 and it shoots EVERY time I pull the trigger. Love the rifle. Will never buy anything with the name Savage on it again.

Should have sent it back to Savage. The one I bought had one of the scope base holes that wasn't completely taped so I contacted them and sent it back. It took a couple of weeks to get it back.

[charlie b]

I bought one a couple years ago set up for .308. First box of ammo had 4 non-fires (slight dimple on round / no fire). I assumed it was the federal XM80 ammo. Situation kept getting worse and a couple months ago I was at a point where it was not firing more than it was firing. I read forums, disassembled the bolt and cleaned it as suggested to no avail. Decided that the Savage Axis is just a cheap gun that works when it wants to. Out of the box the scope was not mounted correctly and I had to get it fixed. Shortly thereafter the clip broke. I then read that the accu-trigger requires you to pull the trigger in a certain way to avoid miss-fires. I just want to be able to pull the trigger and have the gun shoot. I finally solved my problem by buying an AR-10 and it shoots EVERY time I pull the trigger. Love the rifle. Will never buy anything with the name Savage on it again.

Why didn't you send it back to them? Every high volume mfg puts out a bad one every now and then.