Called Savage technical support today. They confirmed that the Axis receiver is threaded the same as the standard "small shank" Savage actions. 1 1/16-20 thread pitch, btw.

My ER Shaw barrel WILL NOT thread into the receiver. My options are to spend the money on a tap ($45 - $100) or try some sort of hot/cold to gain some tolerance between these two pieces. Chase the receiver threads? I want to work on the cheapest part, not sure that's the receiver. I can get a new rifle TOMORROW at Walmart, but the barrel is a limited run.

Suggestions?