Open Sights on the Axis.

[pdcullen]

Have you tried a rear peep? If I was going to have them put sights on, I'd have them do a scout setup.

[Gabe1972]

I don't know if they would be able to do a Scout type setup. When I get ready to send it in and call them to ask for the procedure, I will ask them what, if any, options I have available for mounting sights on the Axis. I was figuring it would probably be like what is on the Hog Hunter, but the only thing I don't like about that is that the rear sight is nearly halfway up the barrel. That would certainly take some getting used to. With regard to the Scout setup...I'm not really sure that it's for me. What I'm used to is what's on my Marlin 25N. That's what I wish they had something like, but I think the Hog Hunter is the closest I am going to get.

What I really wish was available was some sort of aftermarket setup where the front sight could be slipped over and/or clamped onto the barrel, and the rear sight could be mounted in the rear scope rail holes. Actually, the rear sight probably wouldn't be that much of a problem to deal with, as I've seen some that actually mount on the rail itself, but the front one is a bugger for sure. I figured someone would make something like that, but after a ton of searching I've come up with nothing. I've seen front sights like that for shotguns, but nothing for rifles. It's not like it would be very hard; just slip it over and tighten it. No biggie. Getting it centered would take some time, but the fine tuning is done with the rear sight anyway. Again, I can't find anything like that, though I thought there would be a lot of something like that available. Just front sights that have to be mounted the traditional way, with having holes drilled and tapped.

What I would truly like is just a traditional blade in the front, and a simple adjustable sight for the rear. Nothing fancy. Again, though, I think the type on the Hog Hunter is the closest I am going to get. I think I am going to call them tomorrow and ask for more details about what options, if any, they have.

[Gabe1972]

After calling them again today, to ask a few other questions, I found out that it is limited to the type that is on the 11/111 Hog Hunter. This is fine, though, as it will be very similar to what is on my Marlin 25N. I checked the Axis to see if it will be easily used with that type of open sights, as the stock is shaped a little differently, but I think it will be just fine. It doesn't push up into my cheek any more than my Marlin, so I think it will be perfect. Actually, after thinking about it, even if the peep type setup was an available option, I don't think I would go with it. I like the openness of the type of sights on the Hog Hunter and my Marlin. Easy and quick.

[toomanyguns]

I would say that you are not the only one who likes open sights as evidenced by other manufacturers that are producing Hog Hunter-type rifles that come with open sights. My Axis, of course, has a scope, but I have thought about getting a second one and getting open sights installed on it.

[Gabe1972]

I'm definitely excited about the prospect of the sights. I actually went out on Saturday and did some target shooting for a couple of hours with both the Axis and my Marlin. I actually had more fun with the Marlin, but that may also be because I am one of the people lucky enough to still have a bunch of .22LR ammo left to have fun with. I didn't use the scope on the Axis, but the red dot instead. Not the most accurate thing in the world, and almost certainly less accurate than open sights, but it was still enjoyable enough. Only squeezed off about 20 of them, though, as they are harder for me to get in NY state now because of the new laws. Trying to find .223 ammo at a chain store here is almost as hard as finding the .22LR ammo. What they most often have is that Tulammo junk, and I won't disrespect my Axis in that way. I was lucky enough to find some American Eagle ammo last year and bought five boxes, so I still have four of them left. Plus a box of Wolf Gold and two boxes of Winchester soft point (my lord the Winchester is expensive!). I made the mistake of buying two boxes of the Tulammo before I knew what it really was, and now that I know, it sits there, collecting dust. I was going to give it to my neighbor, but after he found out it was Tulammo, he didn't want it. LOL.

Anyway, I surely do look forward to sending the Axis in for the sights. It probably won't be until July, but I will surely let people know how it went once I get it back and try it out.

BTW, what scope do you have on your Axis? Did you use the factory base or buy an aftermarket one? I put a Weaver type that I found on Amazon for about $14 and used some Torx head screws that I got from Brownells. I had to use a Dremel to shorten the two front ones a little, but they are much better than the slot screws that came with the base or the original Allen wrench screws that came with the pre-mounted base. Those ones strip much too easily. I had to get the Weaver type as the red dot sight wouldn't have worked with the two piece base that came with the gun.

[toomanyguns]

I bought my previously-owned axis (.223) from a pawnshop (the gun was like new.) The rifle came with the factory two-piece scope mounts (but no scope.) The problem I had with these mounts is the distance between them is so great that most scopes do not have a straight tube that is long enough to be mounted. I already had a BSA 4-16XAO (picked up at a gun show) that worked, but I'll probably go to the one-piece mount and maybe a better scope later. I bought the Axis because I wanted a lightweight (and inexpensive) bolt-action .223. My heavy-barrel Model 10FP is too heavy for anything but bench shooting.

I currently have a total of 4 .223's , the Axis and the model 10 bolt-actions and a NEF and an H&R break-open. The NEF is the Youth model w/ open sights, and is a lot of fun to shoot, especially w/ reduced loads. That's the reason I'd like to have a second Axis w/ open sights. (I think I"m getting toomany223s )

No .223 ammo? You MUST get into reloading.

[Gabe1972]

Actually, for me, reloading wouldn't really be worth it. I don't shoot as often as I'd like to, and probably wouldn't go through more than five or six boxes of ammo per summer. I live in the boonies, and sometimes can go out and shoot here, but I have to be VERY careful that no one is around, as quite often there are people doing various things out in the fields and creek area around here, whether hiking or camping or whatever. I don't have any gun ranges nearby, nor would I probably go to them if there were. Just a few days per summer is all I go out and shoot, with the .223, at least. With my .22LR, that's a different story. That I get out quite a bit and do, though I wish the shortage of the ammo would end. I still have quite a bit, but if I continue shooting my .22LR as much as I like, I will be in the same boat as everyone else...with no ammo.

Now, of course, with the open sights, that may change, and I may very well get out and shoot more. Then it might very well be worth it. With our laws in NY state, I would have to find out if I can even buy anything besides the equipment online. I still may have to get the brass, rounds and powder from an LGS, and if that's the case, it will be just about as expensive as buying boxes of rounds at Walmart, when they have them. My closest LGS seems to be about twice as expensive as Walmart. Nearly $14 for a box of Wolf Gold. Ludicrous.

[toomanyguns]

I truly sympathize with your living in such a restrictive state. But, if you could reasonanably obtain the necessary reloading components, I believe that you would shoot and enjoy your Axis much more. I shoot both jacketed and cast bullets in my reloads. The recurring cost per round for the cast bullet loads is only about $0.04 (mainly the cost of the primers), and the velocities are 800 - 2000 fps, depending on the powder and the charge weight. The cost per round is more like $0.06 if I use gas checks for the higher velocities. The reloading process itself, IMO, is itself interesting and enjoyable. I enjoy casting bullets and muzzleloader round balls.

I also live in a rural area in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. I have 40 wooded acres. I do have to be careful not to shoot in certain directions, especially at high angles. A lot of my shooting is across my pond into the earthen dam. I also have a number of bullet traps that are wooden boxes filled with sand that will stop virtually any bullet. So far (in 32 years living here) no one has complained about my shooting. Just about all of my neighbors shoot some, just not as much as I do.

Once again, reloading can allow you to shoot with lower cost per shot, and you have the versatility of loading rounds that have the noise level and velocity of your Model 25N (I used to have one of those and foolishly traded it.) I do not have elaborate reloading equipment, just a very simple setup, and that's all I want or need.

I have been looking at aftermarket sights so that if I do buy another Axis, I may just buy a set of sights and have a machinist friend install them. Or I may install them myself. I do have a drill press and vise.