I'm not sure how much a HB Axis differs from a model 12, besides a slightly shorter barrel and .050 or so less on barrel dia. on the Axis however, I'll offer a few suggestions nevertheless.
I have found that American Eagle 50 gr, Varmint tipped ammo (p/n AE223GTV) shoots very well out of my 223. It's cheap from Palmetto State Armory and shoots sub MOA. I use as a warm up load, and as a benchmark load if I suspect something is a bit off, whether it's me or the gun. It is a 3350 FPS load and I've shot it as far as 700 yds. with surprisingly good results.
As for a heavier load, I've found the 69 gr. Sierra Tipped Match King over IMR4320 to be particularly good in my 26 inch, 9 twist varmint barrel model 12. I shot three, 5 shot rounds today and got .298, .315 and .358 MOA results at 200 yds. in light rain and wind.
I've also worked up a load using 75 gr Sierra HPBT and IMR 4320 that shot spectacularly well when temps were over 90F, but fell off considerably below that temp. Nothing I've tried so far has recouped that group size with the fall temperatures. Guess I'll have to wait for summer and see if history repeats itself.
Never a dull moment….
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