Axis in 300 Winchester Short Magnum

[Mr65]

I had a friend bring me a rifle that he had drilled into the chamber while trying to put on a scope mount. I fitted a new barrel for him and he left the old one with me. I cut about .750 off the back and picked up the threads and cut new ones .750 forward. I then chambered it in 300WSM. Got a savage 110 LA magnum bolt head, machined it for the proper firing pin protrusion and built this AXIS into a magnum, Turned out pretty nice. Got it all head spaced tonight and a scope mounted.

This AXIS was originally in .308, I modified the magazine and it feeds like factory, but only holds two of the fat rounds in the mag :)

[Dave Hoback]

Very nice Mr65! Hey, your’s is the 2nd MAxis we’ve seen done! Bravo!

[wywindsor]

Do you plan to reload? If so tell us how you feel about the action and pressure of a magnum in an axis action.

[charlie b]

I wouldn't have any problem with it. Same bolt lugs and action size as the 110. Same barrel.

[Dave Hoback]

Here ya go. Good read. https://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?338-DrThunder88-s-Maxis-Build

[Mr65]

Do you plan to reload? If so tell us how you feel about the action and pressure of a magnum in an axis action.

I handload for everything and I am running 70gr of N165 behind a 180gr Accubond CT bullet, if memory serves. That is the MAX load (and most accurate) and there is ZERO issue. I know people are going to scream when I say this, but the AXIS action is a TANK and in some respects (I have not measured) seems to be thicker in areas than the 110 action.

I have built 4 custom rifles on the AXIS actions and each of them has turned out to be excellent shooters, this however if the first magnum but I have no fear at all. Do not get me wrong, I love the 110s, recently built a 26 Nosler and a 30 Nosler on the 110 receivers and they shoot so nice.

One other note is that AXIS triggers seem to re-work\tune very well, so well in fact I have not replaced any of them, just reworked them to whatever pull weight I want and they break like glass. Friends who shoot my rifles do not believe they are factory triggers :)

[Dave Hoback]

I handload for everything and I am running 70gr of N165 behind a 180gr Accubond CT bullet, if memory serves. That is the MAX load (and most accurate) and there is ZERO issue. I know people are going to scream when I say this, but the AXIS action is a TANK and in some respects (I have not measured) seems to be thicker in areas than the 110 action.

I have built 4 custom rifles on the AXIS actions and each of them has turned out to be excellent shooters, this however if the first magnum but I have no fear at all. Do not get me wrong, I love the 110s, recently built a 26 Nosler and a 30 Nosler on the 110 receivers and they shoot so nice.

One other note is that AXIS triggers seem to re-work\tune very well, so well in fact I have not replaced any of them, just reworked them to whatever pull weight I want and they break like glass. Friends who shoot my rifles do not believe they are factory triggers :)

Sacrileicious! LOL! I would be all for the Axis, except for the weird Recoil Lug setup & no rear tang. It just seems unfinished. They are good solid rifles for hunting or plinking, etc. However, they are not ​the 110.

[Mr65]

Dave my friend I do not disagree! I just happened into a few of them from people who were selling, I do not think I would ever go out and buy a new one, but I like deals and toys :) I never pay over $200 for an AXIS and that gives me a platform to play with. Wish we could still get Mauser actions cheap like the ole days. I have only 2 Mauser action left to build on and one is a Siamese action, not sure what to do with that one. Oh just a note, you know you can add a REAL recoil lug to an AXIS right? Have to use heat to get that pesky lug glued in the stock out though, I hold a large soldering iron on them for a few minutes to melt the epoxy and pull them out.

The other day I had a friend give me a vintage Savage 110 Magnum action. He got it on some trade and just handed it to me. Best I can tell it is an older 110 that has the bolt face that recesses into the barrel like a Rem 700. It also uses a claw type extractor and the ejector works sorta like a Mauser, strange 110. It was missing all the trigger components but I won a full trigger pack on ebay for the older action (expensive). I had a new X-Caliber SS R5 6.5 barrel laying around, I cut the bolt face recess and chambered it in 26 Nosler. Set the headspace tonight on it, just waiting for the trigger parts now. I will post pics when I get it done. I know Dave likes gun porn :focus:

Little teaser pics, I am putting the vintage 110 in a vintage savage stock I have been hand rubbing with tung oil for a week.

[Dave Hoback]

YES……. I most certainly do! :cool:

[charlie b]

I wish there were more sources for mauser actions as well. I am trying to decide on what to build right now. Torn between a mauser and 700 action. But, until I can decide on a cartridge everything will have to wait.

[Dave Hoback]

For several years I wanted to build a Mauser Action. But it wore off. Like the others. Toyed with building from a Tikka, Howa, Rem.700 besides the Mauser. Lost interest in all. I always resorted to building another AR, & relying on Savage 10/110 for Bolt guns.

[charlie b]

I've done the Savage thing. I've tried to convince myself to do an AR but just don't like them. So, I keep going back to the mauser and 700.

[Dave Hoback]

I've done the Savage thing. I've tried to convince myself to do an AR but just don't like them. So, I keep going back to the mauser and 700.

How can you not like the greatest rifle of all time?? You’ve never built an AR? WOW! That’s like a kid who’s never celebrated Christmas! It’s so sad! You just don’t know what you’re missing.

[charlie b]

I can agree the Lego thing can be fun. I just don't like shooting them. I've tried many times to like them, even the AR10. Probably fired more than 10 or 20 of them with folks at the range. Just doesn't do it for me.

I am leaning more toward a mauser action right now. Takes more work to build it :)

[Dave Hoback]

I can agree the Lego thing can be fun. I just don't like shooting them. I've tried many times to like them, even the AR10. Probably fired more than 10 or 20 of them with folks at the range. Just doesn't do it for me.

I am leaning more toward a mauser action right now. Takes more work to build it :)

Indeed, it does. Let me ask, have you built any 1911’s? Talk about more work! But they are so rewarding.

[Mr65]

YES……. I most certainly do! :cool:

OK as promised, here is the 1968 Savage 110 action built into a vintage looking rifle. The action was given to me, I collected the other parts, there was simply NO correct trigger to be had anywhere so I got one from a 1980s 110 (EBAY) and modified it to work properly, Chambered in 26 Nosler. The stock is hand rubbed tung oil, many coats. I pillar bedded, glassed the lug, and free floated the barrel. I made the muzzle break and blended it in nicely.

[Mr65]

Indeed, it does. Let me ask, have you built any 1911’s? Talk about more work! But they are so rewarding.

I have built so many 1911s, FALs, AKs, and ARs I lost count many years ago. I even once built a 1911 from scratch, slide and frame, I did not make all the little parts, to tedious. But alias that was a different time when parts kits and guns were cheap! A real Romanian AK kit complete less receiver was $79.95 back then. You could get Embel FAL receivers from Brazil before the US government banned imports, man we had a lot of fun while it lasted.

[Dave Hoback]

I have built so many 1911s, FALs, AKs, and ARs I lost count many years ago. I even once built a 1911 from scratch, slide and frame, I did not make all the little parts, to tedious. But alias that was a different time when parts kits and guns were cheap! A real Romanian AK kit complete less receiver was $79.95 back then. You could get Embel FAL receivers from Brazil before the US government banned imports, man we had a lot of fun while it lasted.

2005 started the GOLDEN era with the DIY Firearms build culture. Right after the Billary Clinton AW Ban expired in ‘04. That’s when I started. The surplus kits came pouring into the country! The InterWeb was starting to come alive with new sellers every month, so in supply & demand it became one of those oddities where both buyers & sellers did well. It was everyone’s market! Yes, those Romanian AK kits were wonderful! That was my first rifle build. I’ve posted pictures here before of two of my first AK kits in fact. Good times.

Great looking classic 110 my friend. Beautiful! 26 Nosler eh? Spicy.

[charlie b]

Yes, three 1911's.

Unless you count the ones in the arms room that I 'fixed' for local competition :) There were probably 20 of those. But, that was back in the 70's and 80's. Also when I could order National Match parts through the Army supply system :) I sometimes wonder what happened to those guns. Since they were in the company arms room they probably ended up issued to someone who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. The only thing that made them look different were the sights and the NM stamped on the barrel hood. :) Lots of slides were 'bent' into shape, barrel lugs fitted, etc. Polished internals. Sears honed.

[Mr65]

I know it has been awhile but I finally got the 300WSM Axis to the range. First trip I found the chosen barrel had a fluting to the chamber? Took it home, removed barrel and tried to recut the chamber, no matter how much I cut the fluting was still there. It was a free barrel from someone, now I know why. So anyway I pulled a .30 cal barrel blank 1:10 twist 22" (Green mountain) off the shelf, turned, threaded, and chambered. I then cut the threads for the muzzle brake and timed it. Went to the range today and immediately found the node. You can cover all three holes with a dime (the picture looks bigger than it is). at 100 yards So success on converting a Savage Axis to 300 WSM. I Cerakoted the barrel and action in Blackout. I really LOVE this rifle!

LOAD:

67.5gr of Staball 6.5
168gr Federal Trophy Bonded (Tactical) bullet
Rem 9 1/2 Mag primer
COL=2.850
Light crimp

Sorry guys, I did not take the crono today :(