Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
Like I have stated in the past the history of a gentleman trading this Axis (.308Win) in stating the gun hardly stays on target. Fast forward several years maybe a decade.
I finally dusted it off, mounted a scope and did some standard .308 Win 150gr FMJ "service" rifle loads (IMR-4895 43.5grs). Choosing today to find out the real status of this rifle.
Yep the Gentleman was correct while the rounds count is way low, as in less than 3 boxes (60 rounds max) fired through it (even counting the 20 rounds I did today).
It indeed is off. It is most definitely a bad barrel.
Consistent 5" 5-round groups, notice plural.
Now that it is actually proven to be a crappy barrel, the barrel need to go. Be cut up and used to make muzzle brakes or something useful.
The multi million dollar question is caliber, do I stay with the .308 Win, or go with something like a slow twist 22 BR (which was my actual original plan for this action) ?
Option 1 - stay with the 308
a. Takeoff's while affordable do pose problems sometimes, and is a roll of the dice in quality. No guarantees that I wind up with as bad, if not worse than I currently have . However I do have two known quality barrels both are chambered in 308 Win.
One is a 26" Remington 700 (date code "we" = Aug, 2010, 25 rounds down the tube) Varmint contour, unsure of the twist until I measure it.
The other a Bergara B-14 Remington 700 clone 20" heavy threaded 1-10" IIRC , but will check twist if I use it, slightly more rounds count 60 IIRC. Which both are heavy enough that a rethread could be done to the Savage small shank.
b. order new pre-fit barrel for the savage axis.
Option 2 - go with the original plan of the 22 BR which I've been keeping a eye on a vendor in Oklahoma to provide the barrel.
The only reason that I had even entertained the idea of leaving as be, was as a loaner rifle for one of the daughter's friend. But in the end it is my rifle until I pass it on.
Which honestly is my choice what to do.
Several observations for today
I had completely forgotten how much a 6 lb .308 rifle recoils, wasn't really that bad just a "gentle" reminder why I like the little bit heavier rifles. The way she bucks yeah there is no follow through or looking for a trance unless a spotter catches it. Still waiting on a LGS to get the MDT Field Stock in for me, I'm sure that would tame it a bit, the factory stock is really lacking although some say the Axis II stocks are a improvement.
The performance was so bad I had even doubted my own abilities thinking I was having a bad day. So put the Rem 700 PCR on the bench, did several 10-shot groups measuring 3/4 of a inch.
Tried some IMR-4895 loads with the 6.5mm 100gr Sierra Varminter, which did Extremely well without any load development in that powder, although I did set them out a little further to 2.656" COAL. Then shifted to the 120gr load with IMR-4350 again just stacking them in a cluster. So yeah wasn't me, the scope used is a known good quality. The load is a known performer in lots of rifles in the past so yeah.
I finally dusted it off, mounted a scope and did some standard .308 Win 150gr FMJ "service" rifle loads (IMR-4895 43.5grs). Choosing today to find out the real status of this rifle.
Yep the Gentleman was correct while the rounds count is way low, as in less than 3 boxes (60 rounds max) fired through it (even counting the 20 rounds I did today).
It indeed is off. It is most definitely a bad barrel.
Consistent 5" 5-round groups, notice plural.
Now that it is actually proven to be a crappy barrel, the barrel need to go. Be cut up and used to make muzzle brakes or something useful.
The multi million dollar question is caliber, do I stay with the .308 Win, or go with something like a slow twist 22 BR (which was my actual original plan for this action) ?
Option 1 - stay with the 308
a. Takeoff's while affordable do pose problems sometimes, and is a roll of the dice in quality. No guarantees that I wind up with as bad, if not worse than I currently have . However I do have two known quality barrels both are chambered in 308 Win.
One is a 26" Remington 700 (date code "we" = Aug, 2010, 25 rounds down the tube) Varmint contour, unsure of the twist until I measure it.
The other a Bergara B-14 Remington 700 clone 20" heavy threaded 1-10" IIRC , but will check twist if I use it, slightly more rounds count 60 IIRC. Which both are heavy enough that a rethread could be done to the Savage small shank.
b. order new pre-fit barrel for the savage axis.
Option 2 - go with the original plan of the 22 BR which I've been keeping a eye on a vendor in Oklahoma to provide the barrel.
The only reason that I had even entertained the idea of leaving as be, was as a loaner rifle for one of the daughter's friend. But in the end it is my rifle until I pass it on.
Which honestly is my choice what to do.
Several observations for today
I had completely forgotten how much a 6 lb .308 rifle recoils, wasn't really that bad just a "gentle" reminder why I like the little bit heavier rifles. The way she bucks yeah there is no follow through or looking for a trance unless a spotter catches it. Still waiting on a LGS to get the MDT Field Stock in for me, I'm sure that would tame it a bit, the factory stock is really lacking although some say the Axis II stocks are a improvement.
The performance was so bad I had even doubted my own abilities thinking I was having a bad day. So put the Rem 700 PCR on the bench, did several 10-shot groups measuring 3/4 of a inch.
Tried some IMR-4895 loads with the 6.5mm 100gr Sierra Varminter, which did Extremely well without any load development in that powder, although I did set them out a little further to 2.656" COAL. Then shifted to the 120gr load with IMR-4350 again just stacking them in a cluster. So yeah wasn't me, the scope used is a known good quality. The load is a known performer in lots of rifles in the past so yeah.
which honestly is just as cost effective as putting in a new barrel. The most cost effective is telling her friend she is on her own to get a rifle to use.
