Axis .223 -- Again

[charlie b]

Well it's been a while since I put any rounds through this barrel. In 2022 I put the 6BR barrel on my 12BVSS and I then put the .308 12BVSS barrel on the Axis. At that time I had put about 4500 rounds through the .223 barrel, mostly 77gn SMK's. The .308 barrel was mainly for cast bullet loads and I lost count of how many rounds I put through it. Well over 5000. I got to the point that making precision cast bullets was getting tedious and the tremors in my hands are bad enough now I worry about spilling lead when casting bullets.

So, I got out my barrel tools and swapped back. The old Axis barrel, Varmint weight (it was a Walmart exclusive), 22" and 1:9 twist. I had kept all my old brass (100 used and 100 new Lapua cases) along with some bullets (77gn SMK, 75gn ELDM and 55gn FMY BT). Loaded them up with my old loads and shot it today.

The Axis has a Boyd's Pro Varmint stock on it, bedded and pillars. Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44 and a McCarbo trigger. The trigger was done recently and made a big difference for me.

I shot 5 rounds to get it warmed up and then my first group.



The center was the first group, 75gn ELDM with 23.5gn Varget. I was shocked as that is the best group this rifle has ever done.

The two with the 77gn SMK's (also 23.5gn Varget) were normal for what this barrel shot before, but, it still surprised me for some reason.

Then the cheap stuff. I had bought a bunch of the Hornady 55gn FMJ BT bullets a while ago for plinking and they never did that well, 'only' MOA :) So I was not surprised at this group. These were 26.5gn Varget. I should also note that the 55gn bullets were shot with no cool down. 'In the old days' this barrel showed almost no change in POI or precision from cold to hot, but, I will shoot some more of those bullets again.



Needless to say I am very pleased to have this thing back again. This was the rifle that really got me hooked back into shooting again.

Also need to thank CFJunkie here since he helped me get more proficient with this rifle when I first shot it.

[J.Baker]

Looks like a keeper to me.

[Peabody]

Well it's been a while since I put any rounds through this barrel. In 2022 I put the 6BR barrel on my 12BVSS and I then put the .308 12BVSS barrel on the Axis. At that time I had put about 4500 rounds through the .223 barrel, mostly 77gn SMK's. The .308 barrel was mainly for cast bullet loads and I lost count of how many rounds I put through it. Well over 5000. I got to the point that making precision cast bullets was getting tedious and the tremors in my hands are bad enough now I worry about spilling lead when casting bullets.

So, I got out my barrel tools and swapped back. The old Axis barrel, Varmint weight (it was a Walmart exclusive), 22" and 1:9 twist. I had kept all my old brass (100 used and 100 new Lapua cases) along with some bullets (77gn SMK, 75gn ELDM and 55gn FMY BT). Loaded them up with my old loads and shot it today.

The Axis has a Boyd's Pro Varmint stock on it, bedded and pillars. Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44 and a McCarbo trigger. The trigger was done recently and made a big difference for me.

I shot 5 rounds to get it warmed up and then my first group.



The center was the first group, 75gn ELDM with 23.5gn Varget. I was shocked as that is the best group this rifle has ever done.

The two with the 77gn SMK's (also 23.5gn Varget) were normal for what this barrel shot before, but, it still surprised me for some reason.

Then the cheap stuff. I had bought a bunch of the Hornady 55gn FMJ BT bullets a while ago for plinking and they never did that well, 'only' MOA :) So I was not surprised at this group. These were 26.5gn Varget. I should also note that the 55gn bullets were shot with no cool down. 'In the old days' this barrel showed almost no change in POI or precision from cold to hot, but, I will shoot some more of those bullets again.



Needless to say I am very pleased to have this thing back again. This was the rifle that really got me hooked back into shooting again.

Also need to thank CFJunkie here since he helped me get more proficient with this rifle when I first shot it.

That's like ....wow!!

[Bob Roach]

Looks like it is doing very well.
The Tuned up MCarbo Trigger might explain the "better than before" groups. :)

Pretty good group for not being a Target Rifle with a High Magnification Scope.

Bob R

[Mcrider55]

Those hand tremors don't seem to have effected your shooting! The Axis 223 is a blast to shoot.

[charlie b]

Thanks all. The little Axis has been the most fun for the money I've ever had in a firearm.

No, the tremors really bug me with pistols. With rifles I am not gripping them tight at all so it doesn't move the gun. I only shoot from the bench these days, either bipod or full front and rear rest.

The trigger has helped a little. I got similar groups without it, just took a bit more concentration.