• Savage Axis .22-250 Rifle Review

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    Published on 04-09-2011 02:52 PM
    Out of the secret laboratory of Savage comes a new rifle called the Axis, a lower cost, rugged rifle, based off the Savage 110 design marketed towards the younger shooter, with an all-new modern design. The Axis is designed to compete against the Remington 770 rifle, and other entry class hunting rifles. Savage did a good job of keeping this rifle a secret, as soon as I heard that such a rifle existed, I had to get one to see what it was all about.

    Taking the Axis out of the box, I found that it had a good look to it, with a parkerized finish, a 22-inch long sporter contour barrel, and a black plastic stock, that is sure to please. The rifle is available in black and camo, or as a package rifle with a 3x9 scope. The rifle I received was chambered in one of my all time favorite calibers 22-250 Remington, but it is also available in 223, 243, 7mm08, 308, 25-06, 270, and 30-06. The Axis weighs in at 6.5 lbs, and has a right port similar to what is found on the target actions that measures 3.41 inches long by .64 inches tall. The Axis has a two-position safety, which does not lock the bolt operation, and it has a detachable four round magazine, that works well. The Axis has a MSRP of $329.00.

    The rifle I got did not come with scope mounts, but I did find that it would use the standard round back Savage two-piece mounts. The Axis has a different base spacing between the mounts than the 110/10 rifles so a one-piece mount from a Savage will not work, because it is in-between the length of short and a long action. I found that due to the action length of the scope bases that scope length was critical. Some scopes will be too short, and will not work without use of extended bases. At the time, this article was written E.G.W. is in the progress of designing a one-piece mount for this rifle, this will remedy the scope length problem.

    The Axis has a new designed stock that has a large trigger guard and a large safety button, both of which work well with thick gloves. At the end of the stock, there is a well-made recoil pad which is a plus when shooting heavier recoiling rounds. The recoil pad is held in place by the rear sling swivel. The magazine well in the stock has no attachment metal, as found in other detachable magazine rifles as the contact points for the magazine have been molded into the stock. The rifle uses a detachable magazine setup similar to what is used on the center feed rifles; the main difference is this magazine uses a plastic cap, which contains the latching mechanism.

    The stock has a nice off hand feel and the rifle is well balanced. Stock replacement will be difficult because the Axis has a different action screw spacing measuring 4.80. This falls between the screw spacing lengths of the long and short actions Savage offers in the 110/10 series rifles.

    I was curious if any of the aftermarket products available to the 110/10 design rifles would be compatible with the Axis. The rifle has a standard fluted barrel nut, and uses the same barrel as the 110/10 series rifles, but that is about all that the Axis has in common with the 110/10 design that would allow interchanging parts.

    The Axis has many differences from its parent design, the first being that the rear baffle has been eliminated. Because of this it uses a different style bolt handle that is non-interchangeable with the parent design. The bolt release is also smaller and harder to use than the ones used on the 110/10 series rifles. The bolt is similar in design to the bolt used in a Savage 220F shotgun; which uses a short trigger spring in the back of the unit. The bolt has a rear-cocking indicator, and has a floating bolt head and front baffle as found on the parent rifle.

    Another difference between the Axis and the Savage 110/10 series rifles is that the Axis has an internal recoil lug that is wedged in the stock. Upon closer inspection of the recoil lug, you will see that it is the same shape and size as the parent design but has the top barrel hoop removed. The receiver has a slit cut in the bottom to catch the recoil lug as the stock is installed. I found that installing the stock is a bit difficult, due to the recoil lug.

    One of the more obvious differences is that the Axis action has no rear tang, and in the area where the tang would normally be is the new self-contained trigger group. The entire trigger group is held into place by a slave pin and is semi-floated. The trigger group is partially supported by the rear action screw then installed in the stock. The trigger is set at 5.5 pounds and it is non-adjustable. Do to the design aftermarket triggers for the 110/10 series will not work.

    After inspection, I slapped on the bipod and a scope and took the Axis to the range. I sighted the rifle in, and noticed that the trigger felt heavy, I could see the cross hairs drift and fall on the target as the trigger was pulled. It reminded me of the trigger found in the Stevens 200, and older Savage rifles. The stock feels stiffer in the grip area than the plastic stocks found on the Stevens 200, and Savage rifles, but as the rifle sat on the bipod and rear bag, flex was evident in the forearm.

    Despite these noticed shortcomings, I found that the Axis shoots like a typical Savage with groups in the ½ to ¾ MOA area. The loading ports are great, and they are large enough to feed the ammo, and if needed to stick a finger into. The function of the rifle is flawless and the magazine feeds rounds regardless of bullet design. I find that the magazine is easier to install than the center feed magazines found on Savage 110/10 design rifles.

    I wanted to see what the competition was about, so I went to the local gun store to find the Remington Model 770. Looking at the 770 it was apparent where Savage got some of their ideas for the Axis. At first glance, the Axis and the 770 could almost pass for twins. The rifles have similar looking stocks, and loading port designs. The 770 is only offered in a package set up with a 3x9 scope, but the 770 has an option of stainless steel finish, unlike the Axis. The Remington 770 uses a traditional barrel mounting, and a three-lug bolt.

    I found another rifle that could pass as a sibling to the two rifles, and it is the Maverick by Mossberg. The Maverick is offered as a bare rifle without a scope and shares a lot of its design with the Mossberg 4x4 and ATR rifles. Both the Axis and the Maverick use a floating bolt head design and a barrel nut. Both rifles look very similar and are equipped in the same manner.

    In comparison of the three rifles, I found that the Axis and the Maverick had similar feeling triggers, but the Remington had a nicer, lighter trigger. The Axis and the Maverick had a similar feel to the bolt opening, where the Remington was a bit smoother. In local comparison, the Axis has the lowest cost of the three rifles. The only option I would like to see added to all the competing rifles would be a set of iron sights.

    In closing, if you are looking for an entry level hunting rifle, and have no desire to modify it, then the Savage Axis is a good choice for you. The rugged design of this rifle paired with the parkerized finish should last many of hunting seasons. The rifle is plenty accurate for mid range varmint hunting, and is light enough to carry all day. This is the perfect rifle for the dear hunter, or any game hunter looking for a low cost rifle that will get the job done. The Axis is a wonderful addition to the Savage line up.




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    Contact Information
    Savage Sports Corporation
    100 Springdale Road
    Westfield, MA 01085
    Phone: (413) 568-7001
    www.SavageArms.com




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