Axis II .223

**beefsupreme** · 09-13-2023, 09:31 PM

Hello,

I've posted about this before but thought I'd throw this out there. I have a Savage Axis II heavy barrel in .223 that I got for a steal years ago. I thought I would enjoy shooting it, but honestly just cannot get comfortable behind it. I dropped it in a mdt oryx chassis and found it fed much better with the mdt aics magazines. But, again, after taking it out to shoot, I just cannot get comfortable.

I am right-handed but have to shoot rifle lefty because I'm right eye dominant. I don't know if it's that or what. I have a Savage Mk II tr that I am super comfortable behind and can ding 2 inch steel at 100 yards regularly.

In short, I think I've put too much into this rifle hoping for something comfortable I can shoot a ways out but it just isn't working out as I had hoped. I'm wanting something that I don't have to switch stocks and don't have to work on too much. I used to love to tinker but due to life and work, just don't have the time anymore. I just want something I can take out to shoot and be fairly accurate with and enjoy. I chose 223 because it is/was cheaper when I purchased the rifle and I liked to shoot a lot. I shoot less nowadays because of my life situation.

Just looking for recommendations - I'm considering selling the axis or trade it towards something I really like in the $1000 or so range. Been looking at Tikka and considering an AR - I've never owned an AR and am unsure if it will be comfortable and fun. Thanks much!

**Dave Hoback** · 09-13-2023, 10:20 PM

Hold on… you said you’re Right handed & Right eye dominant… so why do you have to shoot LEFT handed?

Did you mean to say you are actually Cross-Eye dominant? If that’s the case, I would still shoot right handed. Simply close your left eye. We never trained to shoot other handed due to cross eye dominance. Your hand orientation takes precedence unless you are blind in one I as I am. (Thankfully, it’s my left eye which is blind.)

Honestly I think you may need to work on fundamentals. I’ve been shooting since I was 12. And I’ve been involved in every aspect of the hobby. I worked in firearms retail & range management, I’ve been involved in shooting competition & I was an instructor. For a long time I’ve been able to shoot a firearm very accurately; any firearm! While I’m not the “best”, I can still hit any target I want. If 10 guns are in front of me, I’ll shoot all 10 with reasonable accuracy. If I shoot a firearm and show extreme inaccuracy, something is wrong with the weapon.

So, something is wrong with your Axis, or again, I’m going to recommend working on fundamentals.

**beefsupreme** · 09-13-2023, 10:54 PM

Yep - that's correct - I'm left-eye dominant but right handed. Sorry about that. I'm obviously not as experienced as you but I've been shooting for a while - but just don't get to practice like I once did and so just am unsure as to how to proceed. I think my fundamentals were solid - but seem to have lost something. Shooting the mark ii rifle in 22lr goes well as do handguns in 9mm and 22lr.

**Dave Hoback** · 09-13-2023, 11:26 PM

Try practicing what I said. Shoot right handed as you normally would and simply close your left eye. Wearing an eye patch is a good training tool as well. Now, if you simply wish to continue shooting left handed, you might want to look into Left Hand firearms. Another thing I always frowned on when instructing people was the misconception that accuracy and comfort go together. In pistol training, I quite used to reseting shooter’s individual Grips constantly! And would continuously hear them utter “but that doesn’t feel comfortable. This feels better!”, as they would transition back to either the “Cup & Saucer”, “low & thumb covered” or “Thumb behind the slide” grips. (All of which are incorrect!) My answer to which was was always, “if your grip of the firearm is comfortable, you are likely gripping incorrectly.” So comfort is not something I look for.

But if you simply do not like how the Axis feels or performs, then getting a new rifle is likely the best answer. The AR15 is an exceptional piece of hardware. I’ve been an AR advocate since 2005, only building them. Never purchased a manufacturer’s piece. And I’ve built more than most.

So I do highly recommend them…especially if you’ve never had one! They are fun, accurate and contrary to some un-educated ignorance, quite robust. But, this is a Savage Forum & the Axis section. So if you have any questions, I’d encourage asking in our “Non—Savage firearms Discussion” section, or message individuals personally.

I will say, there are places you can go to try one out first, to see if you enjoy it. Before shelling out more money.

**charlie b** · 09-14-2023, 09:50 AM

My father-in-law was left dominant and right handed. He shot left handed for his whole life, including pistol competition in the Navy. He never liked bolt rifles for that reason. Just too hard to find LH bolt guns in those days.

Are you shooting from a bench or prone or different positions?

You have tried the two basic rifle stocks, conventional and chassis. The AR series is basically a chassis stock rifle. The chassis are nice due to the adjustments available. Could it be you just haven't got the MDT adjusted correctly for you? I've just never like a chassis stock. One day I might try one again but until then I have my wood stock rifles. One of those is an Axis with a Boyd's Pro Varmint stock.

FWIW, you need to know why you don't feel comfortable with it. You do ok with the rimfire tr. Is it just the weight or weight distribution? Length of pull? Cheek rest position? Texture? Or is it just the increased recoil over the rimfire?

First, I'd try adjusting the MDT and see if that changes things. Then I'd find a good shop where someone could help you by trying different stocks. DO NOT buy another stock or gun until you figure out what you really need/like.

**Dave Hoback** · 09-14-2023, 10:18 AM

By the way…

I got it

**beefsupreme** · 09-14-2023, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by charlie b

My father-in-law was left dominant and right handed. He shot left handed for his whole life, including pistol competition in the Navy. He never liked bolt rifles for that reason. Just too hard to find LH bolt guns in those days.

Are you shooting from a bench or prone or different positions?

You have tried the two basic rifle stocks, conventional and chassis. The AR series is basically a chassis stock rifle. The chassis are nice due to the adjustments available. Could it be you just haven't got the MDT adjusted correctly for you? I've just never like a chassis stock. One day I might try one again but until then I have my wood stock rifles. One of those is an Axis with a Boyd's Pro Varmint stock.

FWIW, you need to know why you don't feel comfortable with it. You do ok with the rimfire tr. Is it just the weight or weight distribution? Length of pull? Cheek rest position? Texture? Or is it just the increased recoil over the rimfire?

First, I'd try adjusting the MDT and see if that changes things. Then I'd find a good shop where someone could help you by trying different stocks. DO NOT buy another stock or gun until you figure out what you really need/like.

I'm shooting primarily from a bench. It might be that I haven't adjusted the MDT quite right for me yet. I just put a fixed 12x SWFA scope on top and am getting accustomed to that too.

With the rimfire tr, it's all about the cheek rest position - really, I think that's the issue with the MDT - trying to find that good position with the cheek and eye relief with the scope.

Yeah... I'm not going to buy anything else until I visit a shop. I was at Brownells earlier this year and didn't realize how much customer service they would be willing to help with onsite. When I'm back, I think I might take it out there and see if they could help.

Thanks.