LH Axis 30-06 Moose rifle build

New to the forum,

I am looking into purchasing a new axis in 3006 for a moose hunting rifle.I am going to be purchasing a boyds stock in pepper laminate for this build.I am interested in the thumbhole but not 100% sure yet.I recently picked up a .LH 243 axis and it turned me on to the 3006 build.I will be moose hunting every year and also taking it now and then for whitetail as i am in Ontario,Canada.I was never a Savage man until a year or so ago and a few co workers have turned me onto the brand.I am happy and i am only looking for a solid customized rifle for under $1000 with optics.Do any of you have any customized axis for moose?.....I am hoping to have this bought and customized as soon as i get back from my september archery moose hunt....."Macho Man"

I am also trying to decide on which glass i want.I will go through work and purchase it through a pro deal,so basically i will get a $600 scope for $300.I am considering Leupold,Vortex and maybe Nikon for this rifle,i am looking for a solid 3-9x40 hunting scope.This is going to be a fun little project,I have more expensive rifles and the name brands but i want to make this rifle "my" own.I am also going to be starting to reload,just to have the winter go by quicker if i am not working or out hunting coyotes......"Macho Man"

Not sure what difference there would be between customizing and customizing for Moose.... It's the same as far as I know.

1. Trigger work or a new trigger
2. Boyds stock is good idea... although look at Prairie Hunter type designs as well as they are close to a traditional hunting stock
3. Pillar bed the action screws at the minimum... may need to glass bed as well. Warning!!! the glass bedding is a COMPLETE PITA.
4. Leupold VX2 in 3-9 or 4-12 (just a recommendation)
5. not really needed just for a hunting rifle, but you can also look at an aftermarket barrel... Through Northland Shooter Supply

You should at least take a look at them because you may want to make a precision rifle for your next project if not this one.... Trust me... You will get the bug just like the rest of us... It's an addiction!!

I am a bowhunting and archery guy who spends 99% of his time tinkering with that and i hunt with a bow 99% of the time.I am building a moose rifle to use because we cant get drawn for archery tags and i want to moose hunt.I do not think it will become an addiction tho...bowhunting is my addiction.Just looking to customize a hunting rifle that is different then the store bought ones a little..Thanks for the suggestions,i plan on trimming the spring on the trigger a lil' at a time......."Macho Man"

Right on Man... You are the first full time bow hunter I have ever seen on this site, actually wanting to build a rifle.... I guess there is always an exception to the rule... Most of us are TOTAL gun nuts... Good on ya!!

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Originally Posted by SageRat Shooter

Not sure what difference there would be between customizing and customizing for Moose.... It's the same as far as I know.

1. Trigger work or a new trigger
2. Boyds stock is good idea... although look at Prairie Hunter type designs as well as they are close to a traditional hunting stock
3. Pillar bed the action screws at the minimum... may need to glass bed as well. Warning!!! the glass bedding is a COMPLETE PITA.
4. Leupold VX2 in 3-9 or 4-12 (just a recommendation)
5. not really needed just for a hunting rifle, but you can also look at an aftermarket barrel... Through Northland Shooter Supply

You should at least take a look at them because you may want to make a precision rifle for your next project if not this one.... Trust me... You will get the bug just like the rest of us... It's an addiction!!

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Look at the Boyds Heritage, Prairie Hunter and Classic stocks as they're the most "traditional" styled for a hunting rifle. As for pillar/glass bedding, with the boyds stocks I really don't see a need to. I have two Axis rifles fitted with them and neither are bedded in any way yet both shoot 1/2 MOA or better with handloads. Bedding won't hurt anything, but I'd hold off and see how it shoots w/o bedding before doing it as you may find it doesn't need it. Either way, do yourself a favor and order one of these if you get a Boyds stock: http://www.v3tactical.com/front-moun...r-savage-axis/ The one Boyds includes with their stocks is plastic and is prone to breaking.

+1 on the Leupold VX-2 recommendation, and the Bushnell Elite 3500's are another great option. 1.5-6x, 2-7x or 3-9x are my preference for a hunting rifle. Usually you're in pretty thick brush for moose so a 1-4x or a 1.5-6x would probably be the best bet so you can dial them way down for those close-in shots on a moving target.

No need for an aftermarket barrel - most factory barrels shoot plenty well.

Here's a group I shot yesterday with a 22-250 Axis take-off barrel screwed onto a stock Model 11 action in a Boyds stock with no bedding. Last round bolted down stiff and is the one that printed just outside of the 4-shot cloverleaf.

Attachment 3625

Thanks,i have been moose hunting quite a bit and i am actually looking for a longer range rifle like a 250-300 yard shot.I already have a "brush" rifle in a .35 rem that i take as well.I agree though that a new barrel or bedding isnt necessary.I may go with a browning x-bolt over this build..I just need to decide here shortly.Main reason i may switch is i want a .325 wsm or .300wsm and i can get them at a great price through work pro deals and i regret selling my x-bolt in .325 wsm...so many options and i am only buying/building one rifle for moose hunting....Thanks for the help and info.I appreciate it..."Macho Man"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SageRat Shooter

Right on Man... You are the first full time bow hunter I have ever seen on this site, actually wanting to build a rifle.... I guess there is always an exception to the rule... Most of us are TOTAL gun nuts... Good on ya!!

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I am not a hunting snob,i am a hardcore hunter who not only spends all his free time hunting,fishing or working on equipment but i spend 40 + hours doing it as "work" and have for a decade.I prefer bowhunting but enjoy gun hunting as well and basically anything hunting.I am also at a point where it is nice to pick up another hobby/tinkering thing..it never hurts to learn."Macho Man"

It is really hard to go wrong with a Browning. I just got rid of my last browning 7mm Mag because once the barrel was shot out it just wasn't worth replacing both the barrel and throwing a stock on it AND the gun smithing fees, compared to buying a whole new rifle. I love Browning, but I would never buy one that I would ever think about swapping the barrel on after it is worn out... That is why Savages are great for a do-it-yourselfer, you can do a barrel at home! Now that I have more than the one rifle, I don't think I will probably ever wear out a magnum again, so I have been thinking about a 7mm Mag in a Tikka or Browning. Sorry, for rambling.

BTW I really like my Savage 300 WSM Bear hunter!