Ryan Godshalk 02.01.23
For this hunter, the Savage Axis II has been a no fuss, serviceable, entry degree rifle. New hunters, or outdoorsmen on a funds, will discover it able to do the job.
When I first picked up the Axis II, it didn’t encourage a deep emotional response. It’s not a rifle I see myself handing down, with reverence, to a future son or daughter. I noticed it as a stepping stone for somebody too broke to get right into a Bergara or Weatherby. But over the previous three years the Savage Axis II has carried out admirably. The emotional attachment that was absent once I bought the gun, has since been effectively earned, together with a good-looking quantity of weathering.
Just the information
This Axis II, chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, sports activities a Carbon Steel, 22 inches (55.880cm) Button Barrel, with a 1 and eight twist. It has an general size of 42.5 inches(107.95cm). The removable magazine carries 4 rounds. It comes normal with Savage’s user-adjustable AccuTrigger, and is positioned in an artificial inventory. MSRP of $479.00 USD. Naked, it weighs in at 6.3lbs(2.86kg).
Accuracy
With the Axis II, I really feel protected betting a case of beer that I can punch a gap by means of a bank card at 100 yards. It’s even yielded a couple of sub MOA teams, regardless of my shockingly mediocre capturing abilities.
While it is perhaps getting just a little lengthy within the tooth, the AccuTrigger stays a reliable design, and greater than satisfactory for searching accuracy.
Reliability and Handling
The Axis II loses a couple of factors right here. The rifle got here with a weak extractor. At occasions I’d discover myself making an attempt to fish spent casings out of the motion. Not excellent if it’s important to put one other spherical within the goal if you’re on the clock. The motion additionally doesn’t lend itself effectively to babying. A agency hand and decisive movement yields essentially the most dependable efficiency.
Picking the Axis II up, you already know immediately you’re dealing with a funds gun. The inventory is gentle, however nothing to write down residence about. The Axis II just isn’t the prettiest rifle, although it’s removed from the ugliest. Despite all that, it’s proved to be surprisingly rugged. Before I turned a real believer in trekking poles, my Axis II pulled double-duty as a strolling stick on some precarious terrain. Not beneficial use for a firearm, however even after such negligent abuse, the rifle was nonetheless capable of produce good teams.
The skill to lock the bolt can also be a function absent within the rifle. At occasions within the area, I’ve pulled my pack off and seen someplace on the path, a department or one thing had snagged on the bolt deal with and pried open the motion. I’ve began utilizing hair ties to safe the bolt deal with to the inventory when overlaying nation, however a very good three place security, with a bolt lock, is unquestionably one thing I’ll be on the lookout for on my subsequent rifle.
Price
Savage’s web site put up’s the Axis II’s MSRP at $479.00 USD. I bought my rifle effectively south of that determine. At current, there’s a unfold of fine funds rifles available on the market, and I might put the Savage Axis II amongst them. Lack of bells and whistles apart, I’d anticipate the Axis II to have the ability to sustain with rifles far dearer. And if you’re on a funds, and have to get into some good boots and a very good pack, a $350 rifle that may do 95% of what a comparable $1000 gun can do, is a seductive prospect.
At the time of writing this text, the Axis II remains to be my go-to centerfire possibility when chasing critters across the mountains and deserts. And whereas I do plan on changing it with one thing just a little nicer down the street, I’m not in a giant rush. If you might be of the thoughts {that a} hunter’s rifle is a instrument, then the Savage Axis II exhibits up and does the job.
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And only a notice, for those who just like the paint job on my gun, I shamelessly stole it from @TheLateBoyScout on youtube, who was gracious sufficient to clarify within the feedback how he achieved the look with bailing twine and spray paint.
