Savage Axis 223 Build

**CavReconScout** · 08-30-2015, 10:31 PM

A couple years ago I received a Savage Axis 223 as a gift from my wife. It was always a pretty good shooter, but I wasn't happy with the stock and decided to rebuild it. I picked up a Boyd's stock, a 26" Criterion barrel (223 Match chamber) from NSS, a SAV-1 trigger, and sent it off for CDI bottom metal. A local smith pillar bedded it, assembled it, and did the detail work. I think he did a great job. I topped it off with a Sightron SIII 3.5x10 I've had for a couple of years. It looks a lot different than it did with the flimsy black stock!

I had a load that was worked up for the original barrel with a Nosler 80gr HPBT, 24.1gr Re15, Wolf primer, and LC brass. This was the 25th-30th shot through the barrel:

The rifle was shooting so well that when a fly landed on my target the spotter dared me to shoot it. I hit it, it was probably the luckiest shot of my life:

I went out again today and this barrel just seems to keep shooting better with each outing. This was a 5 shot group at 100 yards prone off a bipod and rear bag:

This is a 10 shot group with the Magnetospeed Sporter attached (The shot to the left was a called flyer!):

I am pretty happy with how this project turned out. I think the rifle looks great, and it is definitely a shooter!

**DrThunder88** · 08-31-2015, 12:30 AM

Nice bug hole! That's some good shooting, unlucky flies notwithstanding.

Great looking build too. That coyote pattern laminate is striking. How long did the CDI conversion take?

**CavReconScout** · 08-31-2015, 12:56 AM

Thanks! A second fly landed on the target a little later but I knew better than to press my luck. The stock is an eye catcher, I saw the photos BlueDog posted of his and I knew it was the one. CDI was a pleasure to deal with, I believe it was right around 3 weeks to have the bottom metal installed. I also bought the MDT magazine from them, it works great with the long bullets.

**drybean** · 08-31-2015, 09:38 AM

Very nice,looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**BlueDog** · 08-31-2015, 02:30 PM

Wow CavRecon! That may look like mine, but yours shoots a fair bit better! Glad you're happy with it.

QMaze · 08-31-2015, 04:17 PM

What a gorgeous stock, that's a Boyds with the cheek rest, never seen one before.

**CavReconScout** · 08-31-2015, 05:25 PM

Thanks everyone it really is a looker isn't it. I shamelessly copied the look of BlueDog's rifle it was my inspiration for this build. The adjustable cheek piece was a $60 option from Boyd's, I also had the length of pull shortened a little. The coyote was also a little bit more but I think well worth it.

**davidenorth** · 08-31-2015, 07:06 PM

That's a beautiful rifle!

**BlueDog** · 08-31-2015, 07:15 PM

CavRecon, what's going on in the closeup of the adjustable cheek piece? Did you add the knurled aluminum or did it come that way? My cheek piece is held up with much thinner pieces. Inquiring minds would like to know!

**CavReconScout** · 08-31-2015, 08:53 PM

The smith added those spacers so that when I remove the cheek piece for cleaning I can return it to the same height. He is truly a master machinist, and I think he was showing off a little lol.

**BlueDog** · 08-31-2015, 09:05 PM

@CavRecon, lol. I thought I was getting short changed! Really though, your rifle looks great, and apparently shoots great. Hopefully you'll be able to stretch its legs soon. (Pictures when you do!)

**scooterf79** · 09-01-2015, 06:35 AM

Very nice! The entire package looks awesome! Those groups add a little something too 😉.
Nice build....I really like the coyote color.....
Scooter

**sixonetonoffun** · 09-01-2015, 09:39 AM

Looks fantastic.

I have to ask how much was put into brass prep? Looks like your getting match quality results from the barrel. Especially given the load was worked up for the previous one!

**CavReconScout** · 09-01-2015, 02:51 PM

Brass was once fired sorted by head stamp, FL sized to just set the shoulder back, then neck sized, primer pocket and flash hole prepped and cleaned, brass trimmed and chamfered, powder charge dumped then trickled. Bullet is seated .020 off the lands (2.45 OAL). The load was originally given to me by a high power shooter. I think he might have gotten it from White Oak Precision? I tuned it for the original barrel, and this one seems to like it too. I can't explain why it shoots so well, but I am certainly not going to complain. I might have received a set back however. I just ordered 1000 new Nosler 80gr HPBT bullets and I see they changed the angle and shape of the boat tail. I hope they work as well as the older bullets. I am also out of the prepped LC brass, and have to start using my new Lapua brass. We will see how much that changes things. I chrono'd the current load last weekend with my Magnetospeed and it was running right at 2800 fps.

I forgot to add I will be attending the rifle class Controlled Chaos Arms is sponsoring at Brownell's range located near Grinnell Iowa in October. Team Blaster (Tony Gimmellie from Impact Data Books, Rob Ormond), and Curt Drewel of Long Gun Training) are teaching it and I will have this rifle at class if anyone will be there and would like to shoot it.