Went back to an Axis

[ivob]

Hi guys
had a 223 HB which I sold a couple years ago it was an accurate shooter - after much debate 6.5 cm or 308. - I decided on the HB 308. The 223 was replaced with the Weatherby S2 in 223. The 6.5 cm will be from Howa in a few months. I will be reloading for the 308 since I already have bullets, dies, powder and unfired cartridges which are already primed and neck sized. Anyone have good load data for their axis 308?

[s3silver]

My axis 308 has a sporter barrel. I have done some load workup with very good results, but still working on some more tweaking. For now I've settled on 48.0 gr varget with Nosler 155 custom comps, FC brass, CCI 200, 2.950 col (pretty much right at lands). Sub moa at 228 yards
This load is a little hot so make sure you work up to it.

Currently, I'm tinkering with rl17 to see what it does using Hornday 178 bthp. 42.0gr with same specs above was sub moa at 228 yards. 44.0 gr showed promise too. Still working on this one though.

[ivob]

My axis 308 has a sporter barrel. I have done some load workup with very good results, but still working on some more tweaking. For now I've settled on 48.0 gr varget with Nosler 155 custom comps, FC brass, CCI 200, 2.950 col (pretty much right at lands). Sub moa at 228 yards
This load is a little hot so make sure you work up to it.

Currently, I'm tinkering with rl17 to see what it does using Hornday 178 bthp. 42.0gr with same specs above was sub moa at 228 yards. 44.0 gr showed promise too. Still working on this one though.

Thank you Will start tinkering with the load data and let you know my results

[s3silver]

The 178's shot very good too at 43.7gr of varget. Same distance of 228 yards.

There was another accuracy node at 43.0 gr of varget with the 155's.

The axis has real potential. The more I shoot it the more I feel the flimsy stock is really holding it back from what it can really do.

[ivob]

Update: The Axis arrived from Bullseye London - upboxed it yesterday. My first impression it does look "Budgetized" to say the least. I ran a 30 cal snake down the bore a few times. The rifling looks great - Cycled a few rounds they ejected nicely and as expected. The trigger has a heavy pull to it which is expected.

Before I take it out to the range am going to dissemble it give it a good cleaning and torqu the screws to the recommended specs with a like dab of blue locktite. Break in procedure will be fire 5 rounds clean with boresnake and repeat 8 times for a total of 40 rounds.

Do do not have future plans for this (trigger/stock) it should shoot well as is if I do my part. Next update will be range report hopefully with pictures of targets after break in period.

cheers

[s3silver]

No accutrigger?

Keep us posted on how she shoots.

[ivob]

Update: made 50 rounds 43g Varget 168 SMK coal 2.823 ojive 2.260
this will give me some fire formed brass for the next 50 rounds

[ivob]

Range Report:
Well sighted in using 168g Hornady HPBT then started with my reloads.

At 40 meters I had no problem putting rounds inside a quarter (Cdn / American) whichever it really doesn't matter.
At 100 meters the group opened up significantly at least 2 plus inches (yes the trigger is hard) and the wind was blowing 20-25 mph

Need to find the sweet spot with the load - going load up the fire formed brass in increments to see which one gives me the tightest group. At the end of the day the gun functioned as it should had no problems ejecting rounds, no rounds got hung up. I pulled the trigger it went bang. I see some potential with this Axis - no regrets buying it.


ivo

[s3silver]

You should shrink those groups with loads around 42.0 or 44.0.

[ivob]

Okay thanks may be reloading some over the weekend

[ivob]

I was able to get just under MOA at 200 yards with the factory trigger using an old Bushnell Dusk to Dawn 3-9x40 scope. Had a Timney trigger from a previous Axis that the Gunsmith is currently installing should get it back this week - also am upgrading the scope with the Vortex Crossfire 4-12x42 (model number 13013)

After 288 rounds down the pipe - have had zero problems with the spent cartridge ejecting - never had a round jam up while loading - and - the magazine has never popped out on it. I will post another update on how's she's doing at 500 rounds.

cheers
ivo

[s3silver]

Nice update. I highly recommend spending the extra few dollars and get the diamondback. My buddy got the crossfire for his 308 hog hunter and it didn't work too well. He now sports an Athlon Argos. The crossfire had trouble tracking and he thinks it didn't hold zero too well. The diamondback has good reviews holding up to 30-06 recoil.

[ivob]

Scope update - I can almost punch four holes under 3/4 inch at 100 yards -as I mentioned previously the groups open up quite a bit in as little as another 100 yards travel to 200 yards. After trying to figure it out - I looked into parallax and my scope is set at 100 yards - not good beyond that distance - why they make it a 4-12 and only set the parallax at 100 yards I do not know - have to upgrade my scope to something that has a parallax adjustment - am pretty sure I will be able to maintain that level of accuracy at 200 yards with some work on my part my goal once they have the 300 yards set up is maybe have a MOA between 1.50 and 1.75 inches (four shots)

The magazine rear clip broke at around 470 rounds and now have it glued back together hopefully it will last a bit longer - going to load up to 80 rounds in the next week or so - pick up a new scope and off to the range again for some me time.

cheers
btw - still like the look/feel of the Axis