Axis II OD Green in 223 Remington

[Bob Roach]

I have been looking over an Axis II in OD Green chambered in 223 Remington. My understanding is the Twist is 1/9. That will be good for Hornady 60 Grain V-Max Bullets, as well as Hornady 68 BTHP and Sierra 69SMK Bullets. It has a Scope Base.

NOTE: I have a High End 223 Target Rifle, pretty much set up to shoot 600 Yard F-Class in FTR. I do not expect the Axis II to compete with it in any way.

This rifle will spend a lot of time in the gun rack on my ROXOR Side By Side (Old style CJ Jeep made in India). I have been looking for a Jeep Gun, and this one does not look bad to me. I have owned a couple Ruger Americans in the past. Thought I would try a Savage this time.
Any thoughts on the Axis II in 223 Rem? Note: It will probably never fire a factory loaded round.

Bob R

[charlie b]

My Axis in .223 with a varmint barrel and 1:9 twist liked the 77gn Sierra Match Kings better than the 69gn. And it did well at 600yd if I read the wind correctly. But, every barrel is different and yours may like the lighter bullets better.

FWIW, I had terrible luck with the 68gn Hornady BTHP match bullets.

[Bob Roach]

I took the Axis II home today.

Description
Axis II in OD Green
Chambered in: 223 Remington
Twist: 1 in 9
Scope Base: Factory two piece supplied with the rifle
Rings: Warn Maxima 1" Vertical Split Rings
Scope: Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40 w/Dead Hold BDC Reticle

I plan for my main Bullet for general use to be the Hornady 60 grain V-Max. I have several box's left over from a 1-10 twist Encore 223 handgun barrel.
I also have 75 grain Hornady, and 77SMK bullets on hand, as well as a few other bullets.

I will be busy until probably Sunday with Thanksgiving company. Sunday I will start setting the Axis II up. I will put forth some real effort towards getting the Scope mounted as perfectly straight with the Rifle Axis as possible. I plan to install an Anti-Cant Device (Bubble Level) to keep the gun straight up and down. With this being my Jeep Gun, I will also plan to add a Bikini Scope Cover to protect the glass, as well as a Glove Finger for the muzzle protector to keep dust out of the barrel. I will also add some Shot Bag Sand Bags to my Jeep Gear.

First Impression
The Axis II in OD Green looks good.
The factory Trigger is not all that bad. I will probably set it lighter however.
The Magazine looks like it will work fine.
I believe that the Vortex Correction Diamondback 3-9x40 scope will work out very well on this package for how I will be using it.

So far I really like it. Getting it to the Range and shooting it will tell the tail. From what I have read, every one seems very impressed with the Axis II in 223 Remington's Accuracy.

Bob R

[charlie b]

Congrats on the new toy. Let us know how it shoots. When you clean it don't be surprised at the amount of copper that is embedded in the barrel :)

Vortex Razor or Diamondback? I suspect a Diamondback. I have one of those on my Axis now (4-16x) and it does really well. The Razor is a high end scope.

Since it seems to have the original stock then be aware that the fore end will flex a bit. If you put too much pressure on it you can get barrel contact and really screw up the accuracy. I stopped using a bipod with mine for that reason.

[Bob Roach]

Correct the scope is a Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40 w/Dead Hold BDC. I made the correction above. Reading about this scope you get Reviews that say it is a great scope, and everything works great, and the next post you read which is not a review says it is junk. Part of that could be the Label Snobs who have to have an expensive Name Brand scope or it is not worth mounting. This rifle being my Jeep Haul Around Gun, I do not need a $700 Plus scope on it.


I did the math on the BDC using a 1.71 Inch above Center Bore Scope Height, Using the 223 Remington and 60 grain V-Max bullets at 3,000 fps. The Ballistic Lines will be very close all the way to 500 Yards. I believe that the BDC may be worth giving a try.

100 Yard Zero

First Ballistic Line is 1.5 MOA, the Come-Up is 1.54 MOA at 200 Yards
Second Ballistic Line is 4.5 MOA, the Come-Up is 4.07 MOA at 300 yards (1.29 High)
Third Ballistic Line is 7.5 MOA, the Come-Up is 7.32 MOA at 400 Yards (0.72 High)
Top of Heavy Duplex Post is 11.0 MOA, the Come-Up is 11.36 MOA at 500 Yards (1.8 Low)


Just looking, I have a High Country 6-24, as well as a Leupold 4.5-14 that are not mounted on anything. I think I will stay with the Vortex for the moment. If I luck out, and the Axis II drives tacks, I might swap the Glass out for more magnification. Then again as a Beater Jeep Rifle, I may just leave it as I have it.

This rifle was bought to go in the Vertical Gun Rack between the seats on My 2024 ROXOR HD. (Made in India by Mahindra this is a somewhat refined CJ Jeep with a 2.7 Turbo Diesel and a 5 Speed Manual Transmission sold as a Side by Side) I have a Clamp Mount Rifle Holder bolted to the Rear Bulkhead on the Roxor's Half Cab.

I will need to add a couple Shot Sack Sand bags to my Roxor Gear for off the hood shots.

Bob R

[charlie b]

My barrel is a 22". Might need to check what barrel was used for the ammo vel. Regardless I'd shoot at several ranges and see how far off the BDC is. It is nice to just use the reticle for range adjustments. I set up 'dope cards' for shooting. Sometimes I'll dial it, sometimes just use the reticle lines.

I got the Diamondback when they went on a deep discount sale a few years ago. Except for the mag limit of 16x I like it. Does not gather light like my Burris XTR but it is good enough for range use.

[Bob Roach]

Most of my scopes will dial also. I have not worked with the Ballistic Plex Lines much. I do have them on my 6.5x30 JDJ Super 14 Contender with a NEW Burris 2-7 Ballistic Plex Reticle.
All of my long range rifles as well as my AR15's have Log Books with a Drop Chart, and a Round Count Chart. I am OLD as well as Old School. I still use a Log Book and not an App on my Cel Phone or Watch for scope adjustments.

Bob R

[Bob Roach]

SETTING IT UP
I finally started setting the Axis II up.
First I installed a Harris Bench Rest (Non-Swivel) Bipod. I then used a Bubble Level and File Cards under the Bipod Feet to Get the Rifle Level on my wife's Granite Table Top .
After getting the Rifle Level, I Leveled the Scope on the Rifle.
I then discovered that I did not have a Bubble Level to mount to the scope (Anti-Cant Device). I have Three on Order at this time.

AMMUNITION
The 5.56 Brass was Misc Range Brass that had the Primer Pockets Swedged, Sized, Trimmed, and Chamfered.
Bullets were Sierra 69 grain Match King (Sierra Seconds from the Sierra Store bought years ago by the pound)
Primers were Remington 7.5 Bench Rest.
Powder was AA2015 (From when Clinton was in office)
Charge 22.1 grains.
My Note says 2859 FPS.

ZEROING THE SCOPE
With no bubble level on the scope, I used a Level to place the Target Straight Up and Down on the target stand.
I would then align the Vertical Cross Hair on the edge of the paper, and then adjust Right to the Target Dot. Not the best technique, but it worked reasonably well.

I got a pretty good Zero at 50 yards, and then moved back to 100 yards.
My first 3 shot group at 100 yards went under 3/4 Inch and was centered approximately 1 Inch High just over the Aiming Dot.
I brought the scope Down Four Clicks, and shot a second 3 shot group. This group had two stacked approximately 3/8 apart, and the last shot went Left opening this group up to approximately 1 Inch.

CONCLUSION
Considering the Vortex Diamondback 3-9 Scope's Heavy Cross Hairs covered the Aiming Dot.
The lack of a Bubble Level on the Scope to keep things aligned Vertically.
The Ammunition I was shooting while not junk, was not nearly match grade either.
And I had not worked on the Accu-Trigger at all. It needs attention. (Target Spring and Shims)
My conclusion is that this rifle looks like it will shoot well enough to keep.
I like the Magazine Design. I will more than likely be shooting over the hood on my Roxor some. Not having a magazine hanging down is a good thing in this application.

MOVING FORWARD
I had mounted the Vortex Scope a little to far forward to start with, so it needed adjusted in the Rings.
After my initial Range Session, I decided to see what the rifle is capable off, and mounted a 6-24X High Country scope on it that I had laying around. Not the best scope, but it should have more potential than the 3-9 to see what the Axis II can do. NOTE: I may put the 3-9 Diamondback back on it after playing with it at the range with the higher magnification scope for a while.
USPS Tracking says the Scope Bubble Level will show up Monday. I will get it mounted when it shows up Tuesday.
I have a couple hundred Starline 5.56 Cases on order from Midway. Half for the Axis II and half for my Super 14 Contender Project.
I will next load up some 60 Grain Hornady V-Max Bullets. These bullets are what I have been planning on running in 1:9 Twist Axis II all along. I have several box's on hand left over from an Encore Handgun that I traded off.
I have not ordered a Lighter Trigger Spring and Shims so far. I will probably do that today.


CLEANING
I lucked out and had a Possum Hollow Bore Guide in my collection that was the correct size. I thought that I would need to call Eric and order one for it.
The first Solvent Soaked Patch goes through a little stiff. It gets better after the first patch however.

More to come as I work with it more.

Bob R

[charlie b]

Congratulations. I am having fun with mine again. It seems to like the Hornady 75gn ELD match better than the 77SMK's this time around. Just a couple tenths difference but noticeable. The 'bad' part is the 75's are seated a bit longer so they don't fit in the magazine. I may have to fix the mag since single loading is kind of a pain.

I had to start shooting mine at longer ranges to keep from being 'bored' :) It is capable of good accuracy out to 600yd.

FWIW, I put a McCarbo trigger on mine so could more easily adjust to a lighter trigger. It's down to about 1 1/2lb now.

And, yes, even my Diamondback 4-16 scope cross hairs are a bit large. It is a bit irritating when I just finish shooting with better scopes. I may have to start paying attention to sales and specials again :)

[CFJunkie]

Sounds like you have a really nice set up. The 24x scope will be right for 100 yds and out.

My .223 Savage shoots heavier bullets better than lighter bullets.
I am using a 45X Leupold Competition scope but I started with a 36X Sightron III and to be honest, there was really no difference in the group averages.
My barrel really likes 73 gr bullets, both Hornady ELD-Ms and Bergers.
And like charlie-b, mine hates 68 gr Hornady Match bullets.
Mine is also a 1:9 twist but it also shoots 77 gr SMKs and TMKs great.
Turns out the twist is slightly fast (about 1:8.75, at least as good as I can measure it.)

The rifle average for 1,425 5-round groups is 0.278 at 100 yards.
For bullets from 50 to 55 grs, the average is 0.297.
For 60 gr bullets, the average is 0.487.
For 68 gr bullets, the average is 0.643
For 69 gr bullets, the average is 0.278.
For 70 gr bullets, the average is 0.289
For 73 gr bullets, the average is 0.264
For 75 gr bullets, the average is 0.360
For 77 gr bullets, the average is 0.275

Your particular barrel will tell you what it likes.
And it might just surprise you with some of its preferences, like mine did.
Bullet shape seems to make a big difference in its performance.

[bsekf]

You guys ae making me feel bad. I was looking at the Axis II 223 and the 110 Scout 223 and chose the Scout thinking the short fat barrel would shoot better than the 22 inch sporter. WRONG!! I have stored the Scout barrel and am using a shortened sporter that I bought for $40 and shortened and crowned myself. I do my load development at 200 yards and have my 15-60X BR scope on it. I am shooting 1/2 MOA, the Scout barrel was shooting 1 1/2 MOA. Have not scoped the Scout barrel but with the naked eye it looks like tool marks instead of rifling. Contacted Savage and, of course, they want the complete rifle returned. Not going to do that because I spent too much time on the trigger, right around 1#. And the Scout cost twice as much!

[Bob Roach]

I did a little reloading today for the 223 Axis II.

Bullets: Hornady 60 Grain V-Max
Brass: Starline 5.56 x 45
Primers: Remington 7-1/2
Powder: AA2200 DATA (1995-1999 Surplus 5.45 x 39 Powder)
Powder Charge: 21.7 Grains
Over All Length: 2.250 Inches (Per Hornady Manual)

I Inside Chamfered the Cases, and Cleaned up the Flash Hole's.
I then Primed the Brass with Remington 7-1/2 Primers, and filled all 100 cases with 21.7 grains of AA2200 DATA Powder.
I only seated bullets in 10 cases. I want to fire a few before loading more than 10, just in case.
NOTE: I have a fair quantity of the AA2200 DATA Powder bought years ago for $54/8 LB Jug. I need to be shooting up some of this powder, and not just storing it for someone else.

I will try and get a little range time this week. I should be off Thursday, and I believe the temperature is supposed to be warming up a little Thursday.

I also did the same thing for my 223 Contender Super 14. I also have 10 rounds of Hornady 50 Grain V-Max loaded for it, and 90 more with powder in them ready to seat bullets if they shoot well enough.

Bob R