Savage Axis .223 * Millett TRS-1 * Boyds stock

[spleify]

I thought this one was worthy of a review, especially if you are looking for a good economical varmint rifle.

She started life out as a basic Savage Axis Walmart only version .223 rifle. Cheap ass plastic stock and a nasty gritty 6.75lb trigger. $279+tax $311 out the door (+$10 for BGC)

I started by ordering a Boyd's stock for it, which I am not sure you can get a better stock for this kind of money and you would be hard pressed to find better customer service than Boyd's guns Stocks. http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/product.htm?pid=55684&cat=1220 This was $116 shipped

Then, I needed to do something with this ridiculous trigger. There are a couple of after market triggers out there for it, Timney and Rifle Basix both make great aftermarket options(from what I've read) and most folks said to go with the Rifle Basix as it is a better option for this rifle. I opted to see what I could with it on my own first as I figured it wouldnt be very hard to improve on 6.75 lbs. After some jeweling and polishing and installing and testing and jeweling and polishing and installing and testing and jeweling and polishing and installing and testing and jeweling and polishing and installing and testing and...you get the point.... I was able to get a super crisp 2.5lb trigger break with no creep or over travel on it at all. I did also shorten the spring and worked it a little too. I was happy with this for right now so I am going to leave it for a while. I'm sure at some point down the road I will get a Rifle Basix aftermarket trigger for it. This was FREE, just a little of my labor.

I had been wanting a new scope for my .308 so it was a perfect time to upgrade that scope and I took the Millett TRS-1 off of the Remington 700, .308 and bought a new one for it and was able to add the Millett to the Savage Axis. These are descent scopes and I figured for the purpose of this rig(economy beater varmint build) it would do just fine and I was able to upgrade the Remington. So this was no current charge to me but you can purchase these for around $300 now. I've had mine for a few years and think it was like $500 then but for all intents and purposes you can now purchase one for around 300 clams.

Alright trigger group has been cleaned lubed and re-installed. The new Boyd's stock has arrived and has also been mounted. Mounted the scope and a Blackhawk Bi-Pod, I think it was like $50 at Cabela's. I was able to get out to the range last weekend with my Father-in-Law and J(AKA Justin you know the purple nerdy guy). I did take this out once before doing anything to it and slung about 70 rounds through it. I dont think a new firearm is even broken in until 300 rounds and really starts performing its best after 1000 rounds.

So after bore sighting the new rig I threw the bolt back in and started throwing copper plated lead down range!! Six shots later we were rockin and rollin. I fine tuned it the rest and was shooting sub MOA with less than 80 total rounds through this and factory loaded ammo. (and a sub $500 rifle)

J took the rifle and was shooting sub MOA 10 shot groups! Thats no to bad. .819 with a 10 shot group will work for me.

Ok, ok, pics!

The day I brought her home! I threw the cheap scope in the back ground on it for its first range trip.

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Latest configuration

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37473

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And with the Remmy

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Target at 100yd Bi-Pod and a rear squeeze bag J shooting

37483

Savage Axis Base Walmart only model chambered in .223
1:9 twist
Boyd's thumbhole laminate stock
Millett TRS-1 Scope
100 yrd zero
Fiocchi 50gr V-Max factory ammo
Blackhawk Bi-Pod

Total cost pre scope $487+$300ish for some glass, or whatever you want to spend

**EDITED** 12/21 I was able to sell the stock, plastic stock on eBay for $90

Pre scope $487-$90= $397 + scpoe

[J]

For those inclined to know, this was from a bench with variable winds between 5-10mph. I'm usually a bit better from prone, so I think on the right day with the right shooter this is sub 3/4 MOA rifle (maybe near 1/2MOA) for 10 shot groups.

I was shooting Fiocci 50gr VMAX factory new ammo ($0.44 ammo, so not overly expensive either).

I will be building a similar setup sometime in the future.

[islandermyk]

That's a pretty sweet looking project!

I've been saying it all along... "It just never ends... does it?" [Coffee]

[Beer]

[4gunfun]

I didn't think you could get sub moa with a $300 gun. That is encouraging. I just bought a Remington 770 youth in 243 with a terrible gritty trigger for my young son. But I don't know how to do the 10 cent trigger job.

[J]

The $99 stock helps a lot!

But if you like, id be happy to shoot your gun and see what it will do. [LOL]

[encorehunter]

I have heard a lot of bad things about the Savage Axis, but I got to shoot one a couple weeks ago. It was a stock .30-06 with the cheap Bushnell scope on it. I was helping a friend sight it in with factory Remington 180 Corelokts. After sighting it in, I shot a 3 shot group, well inside a 1" square. Not believing it, I shot a second group, confirming the first group was not a fluke. Both groups I would guess around .75", as both were inside the one inch squares. The trigger was horrible, but it broke clean.

This is a rifle that follows an old adage, you shouldn't "judge this book by its cover."

[<MADDOG>]

Good write up speifly!

I think the Millet TRS is probably an overlooked value/sub $750 scope, and is well worth the money you pay for it. Tracks as it should, and the glass, while not on the Zeiss/SB level, is pretty damn good. The only feature I dislike is the "locking" mechanism on the turrets.

As far as Savages: same story. Savages, minus their horrible stocks, are known "out of the box" shooters.

Question though: what commonality does the Axis series have to the 110/10 series? IE: barrels, stocks, triggers?

[spleify]

The $99 stock helps a lot!

But if you like, id be happy to shoot your gun and see what it will do. [LOL]

Man that is a good friend right there, someone who is willing to shoot your gun and ammo for you,....''FREE OF CHARGE''.....

In all seriousness J is a great trigger man so if ya want a straight eye let him shoot it...as long as he stays off of the Monster Energy Drinks.

[ROFL2][Sarcasm2][g3]

[spleify]

Thanks for the compliments gents, its definitely a nice rig. To top it all off Santa Clause brought me a Rifle Basix trigger!! I am going to polish and soften some of the surfaces and remove to fine machine marks in it but other than that I dont think it will need much. Cant wait to run it with the new trigger.

Thanks Santa J

Maddog I honestly dont know much about the Savages to be honest with you. I know Bert thinks they are great guns and that was kind of the deciding factors in buying this one, that and the fact that I shot Irvings and for the money how could ya go wrong.

Also another update, I was able to sell the stock on eBay for almost $90 so that can come back off the total now too. For whatever reason that stock is really desirable, obviously if someone is willing to pay $90 for a bone stock plastic POS stock. I updated my OP to reflect the sale of the stock, stock.

[J]

Man that is a good friend right there, someone who is willing to shoot your gun and ammo for you,....''FREE OF CHARGE''.....

In all seriousness J is a great trigger man so if ya want a straight eye let him shoot it...as long as he stays off of the Monster Energy Drinks.

[ROFL2][Sarcasm2][g3]


They don't seem to hurt me on the rifle... But on Pistols.... I shake like a shot bearing brass tumbler one handed shooting a Pistol if I have more than one of those energy drinks.

But like he says, if you want to let me shoot your rilfe and your ammo, just let me know where to be! [ROFL1]

[J]

Thanks for the compliments gents, its definitely a nice rig. To top it all off Santa Clause brought me a Rifle Basix trigger!! I am going to polish and soften some of the surfaces and remove to fine machine marks in it but other than that I dont think it will need much. Cant wait to run it with the new trigger.

Thanks Santa J

Oooh, oooh. Mine next? For the trigger polish that is?

[J]

I have heard a lot of bad things about the Savage Axis, but I got to shoot one a couple weeks ago. It was a stock .30-06 with the cheap Bushnell scope on it. I was helping a friend sight it in with factory Remington 180 Corelokts. After sighting it in, I shot a 3 shot group, well inside a 1" square. Not believing it, I shot a second group, confirming the first group was not a fluke. Both groups I would guess around .75", as both were inside the one inch squares. The trigger was horrible, but it broke clean.

This is a rifle that follows an old adage, you shouldn't "judge this book by its cover."


The stock on the axis is horrible. Invest in a Boyd's at some point, when you/they can and your groups will be cut in half.

[RonMexico]

I didn't think you could get sub moa with a $300 gun. That is encouraging. I just bought a Remington 770 youth in 243 with a terrible gritty trigger for my young son. But I don't know how to do the 10 cent trigger job.
My best shooter is a Stevens action in 223, only the action is stock but a cheapo gun can be built to shoot well if not better than a custom built gun(cost vs accuracy). When I turned 18 my dad made me buy my own gun. It was a 710 in 270win. I purchased 5 boxes of factory ammo and broke it in properly and then tested accuracy. 2 were sub moa and only 1 box was above 1.5 moa. They are cheap guns but it will do the job of a hunting rifle for a few seasons.

[Great-Kazoo]

I have heard a lot of bad things about the Savage Axis, but I got to shoot one a couple weeks ago. It was a stock .30-06 with the cheap Bushnell scope on it. I was helping a friend sight it in with factory Remington 180 Corelokts. After sighting it in, I shot a 3 shot group, well inside a 1" square. Not believing it, I shot a second group, confirming the first group was not a fluke. Both groups I would guess around .75", as both were inside the one inch squares. The trigger was horrible, but it broke clean.

This is a rifle that follows an old adage, you shouldn't "judge this book by its cover."


It's because someone with a $1K rifle doesn't want to admit a $500 rifle package out shot him. I sold a very nice polytec M-14 to a high power shooter years ago. It has a USGI bolt installed and NM trigger group. He's competing @ the NRA center in Raton. All the Springfield / Smith snobs gave him shit, till he cleaned their clocks, with that "sub-par chinese junk"
No matter what you're wallet can buy, it's as much the practice as it is the rifle. My basic MVP shoots better than i can. is is a tricked out remy 700, of course not. However i'd put it up against one, if need be.

[ray1970]

I bet finding the right hand load for that Savage will cut those groups in half.

Looks like you have yourself a nice shooter on a shoestring budget.

[Awesom]

[Irving]

Thanks for the great review. Makes me feel great about my purchase.

Do you have an issue with your bolt handle hitting your scope?

[spleify]

Thanks for the great review. Makes me feel great about my purchase.

Do you have an issue with your bolt handle hitting your scope?


It did hit it but I filed it down a little so it didnt have a sharp bend and now it clears with out an issue. It cleared before but just barely, now I have lots of room.

[J]

New best for this rifle, 0.553 MOA 10 shot group:

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/124845-New-Best-for-Shooter-and-Rifle

[spleify]

And it still has the stock trigger in it because I am such a slacker and havnt installed to new RifleBasix in it yet

[Irving]

Check it out!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0f-8IRYBUBs/UzXnaE7Cp0I/AAAAAAAAIvM/xFEUiwkfFP8/w999-h562-no/20140328_151929_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg

[spleify]

Looks good Irving. Now we need to get it out and run it!

[Irving]

You should write your name on your stock with a Sharpie so we don't get them confused.

[sportbikeco]

What makes it a Walmart only model exactly?

I own 2 axis rifles, a .223 and .308. They seem the same at Walmart as they are everywhere else.

[sportbikeco]

For mine I installed metal rods in the fore grip running the direction of the barrel. Set those in with epoxy then free floated the barrel. I would to pick up a boyds.

[Irving]

I don't think he was indicating it was a Wal-mart only model, only that is where he, and I, happened to purchase them.

[spleify]

Yes it's a model built by Savage specifically for Walmart. I dont remember the exact model number but it isn't even listed on their site. I called and asked what the deal was and they said it's a special model only sold at Walmart.

Similar to the Federal 510 and 510b. It's the exact same product but Federal changes the name and the box and adds the "b" to it and it's only sold at Walmart.

[Irving]

Hmmm, news to me. Good to know.

[mtnrider]

What are your thoughts on the Millet TRS-1? Was thinking of putting one on one of my AR's

[J]

I'll chime in since I have shot with it:

For the money, it is a heck of a scope. It is missing some of the features I generally like, but at a price point much lower than those features demand.

For example, my complaints:

1. Mil reticle, MOA turrets
2. SFP
3. Lack luster reticle

But for the price, I like everything else, and it is a fraction of the cost of a scope that would satisfy my complaints.

[spleify]

Yep, what J said. For the money its a great scope. I think for just a few bucks more if your looking for a good budget scope look at Hawke Optics. They're GREAT scopes in that price range.