Traded Axis Rifles

[Bob Roach]

WHAT I TRADED:
I just bought an AXIS II, 223 Remington, with Green Stock, and a 22 Inch Sporter Barrel. This model has the Two Piece Scope base, and 22 Inch Sporter Profile Barrel. I did up grade it with an MCARBO Pro Trigger Kit. Before trading it in, I swapped out the 1.5 LB MCARBO Spring for a 2.5 LB Spring, and I still felt it was a little too light, and ended up installing the 3.5 LB Spring. I put the MCARBO 3.5 LB Zip Loc Bag with the factory Spring in the Rifle Box for the next owner.

WHAT I TRADED FOR:
While at the Missouri Gun Company located in Cabool Missouri a couple days ago, I noticed an AXIS II PRO in the Gun Rack.
Caliber: 223 Remington
Twist: 1/9
Barrel: 20 Inch, w/Threaded Muzzle, Heavy Sporter Profile.
Stock: The same as the regular Axis II only in Woodland Camo.
Metal Finish: The Metal was finished in a Gun Metal Bronze Cerakote.
Scope Base: One Piece 0 MOA Rail.

This was very close to my original Axis II, just Dolled Up a little more, and with a 2" Shorter Barrel, with a little Heaver Profile.
The 1/2x28 Threaded Muzzle will probably never see a Suppressor, so that was not a big consideration.

WORK ON THE AXIS II PRO:
I had the 1.5 LB and 2.5 LB Springs left over from my MCARBO Pro Trigger Kit. I had previously used the 3.5 LB Spring, (2) Shims, and the Spring Stud on the original Axis II Build.
I picked up a Screw to use as the Spring Stud at the Hardware Store. I Installed the screw from the bottom of the Trigger. I adjusted it for the correct length, and using an Allen Wrench to hold it still, I cut the head off with a Hack Saw. I then dressed up the cut end of the new Spring Stud on the grinder wheel.
I happened to have some .005 Shims in my Revolver Tool & Parts Box. I got (2) of them out for the AXIS II Pro Trigger to take the side play out of it.
I installed the 2.5 LB MCARBO Spring, and the Trigger was vastly improved, with enough Wall for a Clean, but Light Trigger Break on command.
For the moment I reinstalled an older Tasco "High Country" 6x24 Scope. That should help to see just how small a group it will make.

More to come as I start shooting some groups with it.

Bob R

[charlie b]

Hope it shoots as well as mine does. I still like shooting it.

[J.Baker]

I've been eyeballing the new Axis 2 Pro for a couple months now. Thinking it's time to upgrade my current deer rifle (Winchester 94 Big-Bore in .375 Win.) to something with a little more reach, option to mount a scope, and a better selection of ammo and/or components. I like the new stock design and the redesigned bolt handle on the Axis 2, but I'm not super keen on the Legend cartridges since they use pistol caliber bullets (9mm and .40cal) and a lot of folks have reported having feeding issues with them - something I experienced with the 110 in .350 Legend I reviewed a few years back.

I've also been looking hard at options chambered in .360 Buckhammer such as the Henry lever-action and the various break-action single-shot options. Downside of it is that it's a rimmed cartridge which really limits what modern rifles it can be offered in. Was hoping to hear something out of Marlin that they were going to start offering it in their 336 models, but no announcement has been made yet.

Of course the return of Thompson Center has thrown a wrench into things as going the Encore route would open a lot more options. Not only could I get it in any of the above mentioned cartridges, but also cartridges like the .444 Marlin or .450 Marlin. It would also allow me to get additional barrels to make it a multi-purpose gun - such as a muzzleloader, varmint rifle, etc.

Good thing I have 10 months to make up my mind before our next deer firearm season comes in.

[charlie b]

If the Encore and replacement barrels weren't so expensive I'd have one now. Savage (and other 'nut' guns) have near the same flexibility and barrels can be cheaper.

I had a Contender pistol and it was fairly easy to find barrels cheap. Most were gathering dust on a shelf so I'd offer a price that was usually accepted. I even had one made for my by a local gunsmith. The Encore changed that and barrel prices went up dramatically.

I have to say I like single shot rifles. I wish I could afford them :) The guy who makes the Sharps Borchardt rifles is not that far away and they are good people. I shot a few times with their rifle 'tester' at the range here. He was shooting a .32 40 scheutzen style (separate load bullet and charged case) and making small groups at 100yd (.25").

[Bob Roach]

J Baker I had a 375 Winchester in a Savage 99. It was rare enough that I did not shoot it.
We went trail riding in North West Wyoming 30 years ago, and our guide had a Big Bore 94 in 375 Win in his saddle scabbard. I have always been a fan of the 375 Win.
I presume by your choices of Cartridges that you must be in a Straight Wall State?

Bob R

[J.Baker]

J Baker I had a 375 Winchester in a Savage 99. It was rare enough that I did not shoot it.
We went trail riding in North West Wyoming 30 years ago, and our guide had a Big Bore 94 in 375 Win in his saddle scabbard. I have always been a fan of the 375 Win.
I presume by your choices of Cartridges that you must be in a Straight Wall State?

Bob R

Yep! I like the .375 Win, the problem is a real lack of bullet selection. Sierra offers a 200gr bullet which is what I've been shooting. Hornady used to offer a 225gr, but it's been discontinued for a number of years now. Barnes has a 255gr Original, but in 7 years I've yet to been able to catch them in stock anywhere and they're a bit pricey at about $1.25 per bullet. Not many cast lead bullet options out there either, and really don't want the hassle or expense of getting setup to cast my own.

[Bob Roach]

I do purchase 375 Winchester Brass now and again, but not to load 375 Winchester.
I use 375 Winchester Brass to form 35 BullBerry Cases for a Contender Super 14 Handgun.

Well so far I have not fired the new Axis II Pro. I am off work until Wednesday, so surely I will get to shoot it shortly.

Today I did spend hours at the Range, however I was repairing Targets. Between Deer Season, and Miserable Weather we have not had a chance to do much target repair in the last Three Months. The (6 Each) 2'x2' targets on the Upper Range 50 yard line were shot to Doll Rags.
We repaired Steel Target Hangers at 150 yards and 200 yards on the Upper Range. We also repaired (2 each) 4'x4' targets on the 100 yard line.
Next up was the Hi-Power Range. We rebuilt the 4'x4' Target at the 300 yard berm. All in all we inspected 34 of the 4'x4' Target Stands on the Range for damage. We also checked all of the Steel Targets. When the weather improves we will need to repair all 20 targets on the 600 yard F-Class Target Line.

I will work with some older AA2200 powder to start with. I am using 60 grain V-Max Bullets, Remington 7.5 Primers, with a 21.7 grain charge of AA2200. I will probably load 10 rounds to test, and see what size of a group that I am getting. I may need to switch gears to a slower powder with the 60 V-Max Bullets.

Bob R

[Bob Roach]

This afternoon I managed to shoot three different loads.
69 SMK, 21.5 grains of AA2015, Remington 7.5 Primers.
60 V-Max, 21.7 grains of AA2200 Data, Remington 7.5 Primers.
60 V-Max, 22.0 grains of AA2200 Data, Remington 7.5 Primers.

Today I had an old Tasco High Country 6-24 on the Axis II Pro.

After getting a 100 Yard Zero it looks like all three loads are capable of .75 Inch Groups or less.

When I got home I swapped scopes for a 4-12X Nikon with the Long Range Hunting BDC Reticle. The Nikon Long Range Hunting BDC has Circles instead of Hash Marks for Hold Over. This scope gives new meaning to CLEAR. I am expecting great things from it.

I have 50 more pieces of Starline 5.56 NATO Brass Primed and with 21.7 grains of AA2200. I plan to dump the powder back in the old RCBS Uniflow, and re-throw the powder charge at 22.0 grains.

I used the MCARBO 2.5# Spring, with .005 Trigger Shims to take up any side play in the Savage Accu-Trigger. After hitting the WALL after taking the slack out of the Accu-Release Lever, the Trigger Pull is very light.

I gave the Savage Axis II Pro a good cleaning before my Range Session today, and I cleaned it again after I was done shooting. Two Patch's Wet with Hoppe's #9, a few strokes with a Nylon Bore Brush, another Wet Patch, then two or three dry patch's, and I was happy with the results. This rifle seems to clean up about as nicely as any other rifle that I own.

The Savage Axis II Pro is going to make a good Truck/Jeep Gun. My Roxor (2024 Indian Made CJ Jeep) has a Vertical Gun Rack between the seats mounted to the back bulk-head of my Half Cab. The Savage Axis II will ride in the gun rack much better than an AR15 with an M-Loc Handguard, which eats up the rubber on the gun rack.

I plan to get back to the Range this weekend to Zero the Nikon. We are supposed to have some nice weather this weekend.

Bob R

[charlie b]

Congrats and hope it sees many years of use for you.

[J.Baker]

Sounds like you're about all set Bob. I liked those old Nikon reticles - still can't figure out why they decided to get out of the rifle scope business, especially right after they had just come out with the FX1000 Black 6-24x tactical/PRS scope the year prior that was extremely popular.

I have to admit, when it comes to .223 loads I've been pretty cheap and lazy. I stocked up on about 2500 50gr BT "factory seconds" from Midway USA a couple years back, and I've amassed 8-900 pieces of range pickup brass for my .223 needs. Loaded up a handful with 26.8gr of Ramshot Tac and CCI BR4 primers which shot 0.5-0.6" groups @ 100 so I called it 'good enough." Load development done! haha

Surprisingly that load shoots equally well in two of my three AR15's and my Axis. The third AR has a really skinny pencil barrel and has never shot as well as the others, but even in it the load still typically hovers right around MOA so I can't complain. Good enough for groundhogs!

What I'd really like to know though is whether those "factory second" bullets are Hornady V-Max's or if they're Nosler BT's. Only thing that makes them seconds is that the polymer tips on them are gray like the machine ran out of red or orange dye during the production run.

[Bob Roach]

I dumped the powder (21.7 Grains) from all of my remaining charged cases, and re-charged them with 22.0 Grains of AA2200 Powder. I then seated the rest of the 100 each 60 Grain V-Max bullets.
After that I loaded 90 rounds with Hornady 50 Grain V-Max Bullets for my Super 14 Contender.
I then loaded 50 rounds of 100 Grain ELD-M Bullets for my 6.5 Grendel AR15.
My plan at the moment is to get some Range time in this weekend. I work Friday, then I will be off until next Wednesday. I should be able to shoot some, if the wife does not come up with a different plan for my spare time.
I made an order with Midway for another 250 round box of Hornady 50 Grain V-Max Bullets. I also ordered another 100 rounds of 22 ARC Hornady Brass. My first 100 rounds of 22 ARC Brass came from Loaded Factory Ammo.
I also ordered an assortment of 1", 2" and 3" Orange Fluorescent Target Dots, and a second pack of 3" Dots with Orange Pasters to cover bullet holes to get more mileage from the Long Range 3" Dots.

If you had a sample of both the V-Max and Nosler BT you might detect enough difference to decide which bullets that you purchased.

I just bought 200 pieces of NEW Starline 5.56 Brass, and I have 5 Gallon Buckets of Range Brass. Most of it has even been sorted by Head Stamp.

I was in Hunts Long Range Gun Shop today, and he had several cartons of Remington 7.5 Primers at the bargain price of $114.99. I just looked at the ones in my pile in the shop. $13.78 a Carton on most, and two cartons had the individual Flat Price of $1.00 Each, and I could not make out the Carton Price. I picked up another Can of AA2520 for $42.99. I think that it had been on the shelf for a while. Most other powders were over $50 a pound. I can remember when Dupont was $3.25 a 1 pound can. I guess I am getting old. The only good thing about being old is that I have much nicer toys than I could afford when I was younger.

Bob R

[charlie b]

....I guess I am getting old. The only good thing about being old is that I have much nicer toys than I could afford when I was younger.

Bob R

Quite a few of us are :) When I got out of college a Python was $375. Firebird Trans Am loaded was $4500. My take home pay was $600/month. Apartment rent was $150. .22 rimfire was less than 50 cents a box. Funny that the buying power of my salary hasn't gone up that much.

[J.Baker]

I still have a brick each of CCI BR2 and BR4 primers here that were priced $27.95 that I purchased probably around 2005-06. Also have a brick of CCI 400's that are tagged at $21.99 that are probably just as old. First started reloading in 2004 so that's as far back as my story goes.

Regarding the 50gr BT bullets, they're most likely the Hornady's. Nosler typically sells their seconds through their own website, Hornady does not. Pretty sure Midway is Hornady's largest volume dealer ever since Lock, Stock & Barrel in Valentine, NE closed up, so it would make sense for Hornady to sell their seconds to them.

[Bob Roach]

As said above, I got the rest of my 100 pieces of Starline Brass Loaded. I also loaded 50 rounds for my 6.5 Grendel AR15. I am planning on a Range trip a little before noon today. The over cast is supposed to move off, and the Sun come out around noon. Per the local Weather Man it is supposed to be a rather nice weekend.

The scope I plan to zero on the Savage Axis II Pro today is a Nikon 4-12 with the Long Range Hunting BDC Reticle. That is the one with Circles instead of Tic Marks for the BDC. I have never owned a Nikon Scope before, so this will be a new experience. This scope was purchased used at the local Pawn & Gun. It is clean as a pin, and as clear as any scope that I have ever looked through. I really hope that I like it, after using it.

The MCARBO 2.5# Trigger Spring, and Shims are working out fine. This has to be the best upgrade "for the money" for the Savage Axis II.

With luck today with a Blue Sky, and NO Wind "I Hope". Possibly I can shrink the group size a little more. The Savage Axis II Pro has already reached the Keeper Status for a Truck Gun with 3/4 Inch Groups. I might be able to work up a load using CFE223, AA2520, or some other powder that will do a little better. However I have a lot of AA2200 DATA Powder that I need to start shooting up. Per Hodgdon the AA2200 is supposed to work well in the 6.5 Grendel. That is what I loaded the 6.5 Grendel ammunition with also, under a 100 grain ELD-M Bullet. It might work in my 22 ARC also.

I probably should get to swapping scopes on my Super 14 Contender in 223 Remington, and get it ready to go to the Range today also.

Bob R

[Bob Roach]

Well we did have some Sun. However the wind was not doing any good for shooting groups. Lots of shot stringing left to right. I believe that I now have a fair Zero on the Nikon scope. I will try and get a better zero on a day with no wind.

I went back to the Range this afternoon after getting the Winch Plate,Winch, and Bumper back on my Roxor.
The wind was not bad, but the Sun being low, and the Range facing South was not perfect. I put up my Towel Sun Shade, however I ended up shifting it down three times while shooting. I did not end up with enough time to shoot the Savage today. All of my time was spent shooting my AR15 in 6.5 Grendel. I plan to go back to the Range again tomorrow (Monday) with luck we will not have wind.

Bob R