How widespread is the Axis light primer strike issue?

First I’ve heard of this issue was checking in to this forum recently. I’ve got 4 of these rifles now and really like them. They’re hunting guns, so only 100 rounds or so through each rifle. No misfires so far. Super accurate and lightweight. The 2 older ones I’ve hunted with since 2012.

Minnesota had their first statewide youth hunt this year and half the photos I saw with a rifle in, it was an Axis youth model. Same thing I’ve noticed nationwide. The issue can’t be that widespread I wouldn’t think, or they wouldn’t still be selling like mad.

I just know that mine has not had the problem. Two years old now and over 2000rnds through it.

I'm having that problem with my Axis. I may have narrowed down the problem to an area in the bolt body rubbing on the FP. Polished the area and so far, that seems to have solved the issues popping primers in empty cases. Still have to try actual rounds at the range to confirm.

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Originally Posted by GaCop

I'm having that problem with my Axis. I may have narrowed down the problem to an area in the bolt body rubbing on the FP. Polished the area and so far, that seems to have solved the issues popping primers in empty cases. Still have to try actual rounds at the range to confirm.

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GC,

What did you use to polish it?

I have put over 200 rounds through mine in the month I have had it with zero issues.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by prdatr

GC,

What did you use to polish it?

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Polishing compound and felt buffing wheel.

Never had a single issue with either of mine.

I have 2 of these rifles, one an Axis II in 223. Rem.. The other a 308 Axis XP. The 308 shot fine unless using Military ammo but that all changed this summer... This precipitated me to disassemble the bolt. No dirt grime but the spacer and springs both of them had become tangled up so I untangled them put them back in same light strikes..

So I disassembled the bolt and built (machined) a much better brass washer to put between the two springs I also built a spacer to go into the rear threaded bolt cap (.125" ) to increase the spring tension in the FP... Now military ammo or anything else fires fine... Btw when this problem developed the rifle had around 1200 rounds through it... I don't like the washer between the 2 springs at all with the loose fit of the spring inside off the bolt and the fit of the spring on the FP I can't believe that this doesn't happen more frequently..

The Axis II in 223 has never had any problems.. YMMV..

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Originally Posted by J.Baker

Never had a single issue with either of mine.

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how old and how many rounds through them?

My .223 only fired 16 of 20 Hornady Frontier .223 Remington 55-Grain HP Match that I got at Cabelas. The unfired cartridges went through my AR no problem. The package was pretty worn and torn and looks like it had been sitting at Cabelas for quite a while, but I bought them because (1) I'm experimenting with different factory rounds for giggles and (2) they were on sale for like $5. It looked like the firing pin really gave the primer a good poke, so I'm just hoping it was those particular bullets which probably have cheap primers. If it becomes a trend, I'll allow Savage to address it under warranty.

I just got my 6.5 CM so I have no report on it. But my 30-06 has never had that problem. Hope you get it straightened out. Polishing the bolt sounds reasonable. I've had my 30-06 for 8 years now and I've never had a light primer strike.

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Originally Posted by farmer44mag

how old and how many rounds through them?

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2013 and 2014 production.

First one started as a 22-250 before being rebarreled to .284 Win. In total I probably put around 450-500 rounds through it before I parted it out a few months back.

Second one started as and remains a .223 Rem. and probably has 600-700 rounds through it at this point as it's become my main groundhog gun the last couple years.

I ended up ordering new FP springs through my gunsmith and just got them in Yesterday. Everything I tried, polishing the FP, and the bolt interior failed to cure the light strikes. I hope to test the new springs today if the weather co-operates.

Hope it does it for you.

Took the rifle to the club range yesterday for a function check. All rounds fired and upon checking the brass, the FP dents are noticeably deeper. In the past, I was storing the rifle in my safe with the bolt open putting the springs in a constant state of compression. This probably contributed to the springs taking a set. I no longer store the rifle that way hoping the problem will be solved for good.

Just sent mine back to Savage for this issue with my .223. Doesn't fire like 20-30% of the ammo I give it. Doesn't matter who makes it or how fancy it is.

measure firing pin protrusion

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Originally Posted by Willoughby

measure firing pin protrusion

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One of the first things I did and it was fine. When the new springs arrived I compared them to the old ones and they were noticeably longer.

thanks for the update-

sometimes you can stretch a spring and for sure a weak spring could do it - thats why I always drop the bolt while holding the trigger -de-compressing the fp spring when not in use I do this on all my firearms regardless of brand

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Originally Posted by Willoughby

thanks for the update-

sometimes you can stretch a spring and for sure a weak spring could do it - thats why I always drop the bolt while holding the trigger -de-compressing the fp spring when not in use I do this on all my firearms regardless of brand

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I'm a whole lot confused on this. Do you close the bolt and pull the trigger then leave it like that. "Drop the Bolt" what is that? I have always stored my guns with the bolt closed. I never gave it any thought about closing the bolt then pulling the trigger and leaving it like that or just leaving the bolt open and I've owned rifles for 40 years and never had a problem with any of them.

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Originally Posted by prdatr

I'm a whole lot confused on this. Do you close the bolt and pull the trigger then leave it like that. "Drop the Bolt" what is that? I have always stored my guns with the bolt closed. I never gave it any thought about closing the bolt then pulling the trigger and leaving it like that or just leaving the bolt open and I've owned rifles for 40 years and never had a problem with any of them.

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Best is to close the bolt but don't rotate the handle until you hold the trigger down. This uncocks the FP spring slowly. I too have never had any problems with other brands of rifles, commercial or military, but the Axis is a different breed with a screwed up FP system. I really wish Wolff would produce springs for the Axis.

All of my bolt guns are stored cocked, safeties on. Haven’t had a problem so far. Oldest Axis is 9 years old. They sit on distributor shelves for months with the bolt out and even more fully compressed before you buy them.

I have taken my 6.5 Creedmoor out twice now, got it zeroed and checked some new reloads. I thought I was having a problem with it last week. I bought some Hornady 140 gn. A-Max bullets for it. All of the data I have lists COL at 2.800. As always I loaded a dummy round and tried to chamber and the bolt would not close at all. I had Several cases that I had fired through it with 125 gn. bullets and 7 Hornady cases that were range police cases. All had been FL resized in my die, but the Hornadies seemed to be just .001 or .002 larger than my Winchester cases. After racking my brain the calipers found the problem. The shoulders weren't set back as much as required. I adjusted my FL sizing die about 1/8 a turn more into the press and viola, problem fixed. Took it out Saturday to shoot the 140gn. check rounds and it was smooth shooting. This is my second Axis and I am happy with them.

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Originally Posted by rerun5

I have taken my 6.5 Creedmoor out twice now, got it zeroed and checked some new reloads. I thought I was having a problem with it last week. I bought some Hornady 140 gn. A-Max bullets for it. All of the data I have lists COL at 2.800. As always I loaded a dummy round and tried to chamber and the bolt would not close at all. I had Several cases that I had fired through it with 125 gn. bullets and 7 Hornady cases that were range police cases. All had been FL resized in my die, but the Hornadies seemed to be just .001 or .002 larger than my Winchester cases. After racking my brain the calipers found the problem. The shoulders weren't set back as much as required. I adjusted my FL sizing die about 1/8 a turn more into the press and viola, problem fixed. Took it out Saturday to shoot the 140gn. check rounds and it was smooth shooting. This is my second Axis and I am happy with them.

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Glad you got it solved. :thumb:

I just took my new axis II in 350 legend to the range today shooting Winchester 150g ballistic tip. 3 out of 18 rounds didnt fire. Thought it was the ammo because I did t have any issues with the ones that fired. Now I’m thinking I have a spring issue in a brand new rifle?

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Originally Posted by Talan

I just took my new axis II in 350 legend to the range today shooting Winchester 150g ballistic tip. 3 out of 18 rounds didn't fire. Thought it was the ammo because I did t have any issues with the ones that fired. Now I’m thinking I have a spring issue in a brand new rifle?

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My Axis 243 wasn't very old when the FP springs started to act up. I only had about 250 rounds thru the rifle. New springs cured the problem. Had to order the springs thru the LGS as Savage wouldn't sell to me.

Light primer strikes are caused by 2 things. Defective firing pins (i.e. broken or too short) or springs. Not rocket science. Measure the firing pins protrusion or disassemble the bolt and check the springs. Replace as necessary.
Light primer strikes are NOT caused by the trigger/ammo/moon phase!

Depends on how long and how much the Axis has been fired.

I have two Axis's One in 30-06 and my newest in 6.5 Creedmoor, and I haven't had any light primer strikes with either one. I would take either one on any hunt I went on. Sorry to hear some of you have had problems, I hope they get solved.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...blem.3914/fullOld post warning.

Close tolerances can slow firing pin speed. The round part can drag on the receiver. After firing, flush bolt/firing pin channel with WD 40. Or let Hoppe's No. 9 Powder Solvent run down the pin channel Before firing, lube with Break Free CLP, it contains Teflon. . I do this on both Axis 223 & 6.5 Creedmoor.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...blem.3915/full

I didn't think it was a problem until about a week or so ago. I have had 2 misfires but it has shot probably 250-300 rounds so percentage wise it is not a huge problem. It does seem that it should not be happening at all though. None of the other guns have ever misfired.

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Originally Posted by Mr.Snerdly

I didn't think it was a problem until about a week or so ago. I have had 2 misfires but it has shot probably 250-300 rounds so percentage wise it is not a huge problem. It does seem that it should not be happening at all though. None of the other guns have ever misfired.

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Took my Axis in 450 Bushmaster to the range today to test loads. Shot Cast 273 grain poly coated gas check bullets over 12.5 to 13.1 grains of Unique, 450 mag primers in once fired Hornady brass trimmed to 1.690". Out of 15 round, I had three failures to fire and the primer indentations were shallow. I tried four times to fire the rounds w/o any luck. Since replacing the springs early last year I've put 1000 rounds thru the rifle to date. This problem is getting to be a PIA. I've completely stripped the bolt and cleaned it after getting home.

The 450 Bushmaster head spaces on the case mouth. To much roll crimp is not good. If you didnt already know.

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Originally Posted by 243winxb

The 450 Bushmaster head spaces on the case mouth. To much roll crimp is not good. If you didnt already know.

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No roll crimp, used factory Hornady taper crimp die set to bring the case mouth down to .474".

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Originally Posted by 243winxb

Old post warning.

Close tolerances can slow firing pin speed. The round part can drag on the receiver. After firing, flush bolt/firing pin channel with WD 40. Or let Hoppe's No. 9 Powder Solvent run down the pin channel Before firing, lube with Break Free CLP, it contains Teflon. . I do this on both Axis 223 & 6.5 Creedmoor.

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I don't know the properties of the lubricants you are using when the solvents evaporate but every time I try to lubricate any part of the bolt internals I have problems. If anything I would completely clean the inside and remove any gunk to eliminate any sluggish firing pin travel. Again, I have not studied your particular lubricant's but I have plenty of others. That has been not only my experience but many others. A dry film may be a good option.

Pulled down the rounds that failed to fire and primers were like new and no burned powder at all. I've fashioned a spacer from a lock washer and will see how, or if the rifle will function.

Rifle functioned fine with loads having CCI 400 and CCI 450 primers. Primer strikes on the 450 primers still looked a bit shallow but they did fire. Looks like the thicker washer worked.

Savage started using that same firing pin spring set up in 10,11 and 12 actions as well. I have a mod 11 trophy hunter that acted badly in this regard. The other issue is the real crappy design of the bottom bolt release. It is junk as well.