The .300 Blackout cartridge has gained fairly a following lately, particularly amongst AR-15 fans. However what about these on the lookout for a bolt-action possibility? Enter the Savage Axis II in .300 Blackout, a budget-friendly rifle that brings this versatile cartridge to the bolt gun world. Pair it with the brand new Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 First Focal Aircraft LPVO and a stealth-mode suppressor, and also you’ve obtained a setup prepared for all the pieces from close-quarters hog looking to midrange goal taking pictures. Let’s dive into this intriguing combo and see what it has to supply.
The Savage Axis II: Reasonably priced Precision
Savage Arms has lengthy been recognized for producing correct rifles at affordable costs, and the Axis II isn’t any exception. This .300 Blackout variant brings loads to the desk for round $400. The artificial inventory is ergonomically designed with a slim grip space and finger grooves up entrance for a secure maintain. A soft recoil pad on the butt helps tame what little kick the .300 Blackout produces, particularly when suppressed.
One of many standout options of the Axis II is Savage’s famend AccuTrigger. This user-adjustable system permits you to dial within the pull weight from 2.5 to six kilos whereas sustaining a crisp, creep-free break. It’s a characteristic that’s turning into extra widespread in funds rifles and contributes considerably to the gun’s accuracy potential.
Barrel & Motion
The .300 Blackout variant of the Axis II sports activities a 16.125-inch threaded heavy carbon metal barrel with a 1:8 twist fee, excellent for stabilizing the wide selection of bullet weights this cartridge makes use of. Savage’s button-rifling course of ensures consistency, whereas their floating bolt head design permits for excellent lug engagement and headspacing. These elements mix to supply spectacular accuracy from an reasonably priced bundle.
The motion feeds from a removable field journal, making it straightforward to change between supersonic and subsonic masses within the discipline. I additionally appreciated that the journal match flush with the rifle for looking use. I’ve learn studies of extraction points with .300 Blackout bolt weapons, however I haven’t skilled any points with this rifle. The three-position security is simple to govern and permits you to work the bolt with the protection engaged. Most significantly for our functions, the muzzle comes threaded 5/8×24 from the manufacturing facility, prepared to just accept our chosen suppressor.
Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 LPVO: Finances Optic, Premium Options
To enhance our budget-friendly rifle, we’ve opted for the brand new Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 First Focal Aircraft LPVO (Low Energy Variable Optic). At round $200, this scope brings a number of high-end options to a extra accessible value level. The 1-10x magnification vary affords true 1x efficiency for close-quarters use and sufficient zoom to stretch the .300 Blackout to its efficient vary of 300 yards.
The primary focal airplane (FFP) design means the reticle measurement adjustments as you modify magnification, permitting for constant holdovers no matter zoom stage. That is significantly helpful with the .300 Blackout, given the numerous trajectory variations between supersonic and subsonic masses. The capped turrets provide optimistic clicks in .2 MIL increments, and whereas I would like .1 MIL increments, it nonetheless offers sufficient precision for the .300 Blackout’s efficient vary.
Morpheus MM5 Reticle
The Panzer’s new Morpheus MM5 MIL reticle is a standout characteristic. It affords an illuminated outer crosshair circle reticle and heart crosshair when at decrease magnifcations for shorter distances, and MIL-based holdover and windage marks for exact shot placement at prolonged ranges. I discovered it to have a clear, uncluttered view at low magnification for quick goal acquisition and totally succesful for longer distances.
Banish Backcountry: Light-weight Suppression
To finish this versatile setup, I added the Banish Backcountry suppressor from Silencer Central. Weighing in at simply 6.9 ounces and measuring solely 6.5 inches lengthy, this titanium can provides minimal weight and size to our rifle. It’s rated for calibers as much as .300 Win. Magazine., making it greater than able to dealing with something the .300 Blackout can dish out. A high-performance suppressor just like the Backcountry can also be a buy-once, cry-once funding that you should use on a number of rifles.
The Backcountry makes use of a direct-thread attachment, which mates completely with the Axis II’s threaded muzzle. This offers a safe, zero-shifting mounting answer. With a median sound discount of 29.4 dB with .300 Blackout masses, it transforms the taking pictures expertise, particularly with subsonic ammunition to sound extra such as you’re taking pictures a pellet gun.
.300 Blackout: One Cartridge, Two Personalities
Earlier than we hit the vary, let’s speak about what makes the .300 Blackout so distinctive. Developed initially for navy use, this cartridge was designed to offer .30 caliber energy from AR-15 platform weapons with out main modifications. It is available in two distinct flavors: supersonic and subsonic.
Supersonic masses usually push 110- to 125-grain bullets at velocities round 2,300 fps, providing ballistics much like the venerable .30-30 Winchester out to about 300 yards. These are nice for looking deer-sized recreation or ringing metal at longer distances.
Subsonic masses, however, lob 190- to 220-grain bullets at round 1,000 fps. These heavy, slow-moving projectiles keep beneath the pace of sound, making them ultimate to be used with suppressors. Whereas their efficient vary is restricted to about 100 yards, they provide wonderful efficiency on hogs and different medium-sized recreation at shut quarters.
Vary Time: Accuracy and Suppressed Efficiency
I took the Savage Axis II, Monstrum Panzer and Banish Backcountry to the vary on a crisp fall morning to see how they’d carry out with a wide range of .300 Blackout masses. After a fast bore sight, I had the scope zeroed at 100 yards in just some pictures. The crisp AccuTrigger and clear glass made exact shot placement a breeze.
For supersonic testing, I selected Barnes’ 110-grain TAC-TX FB and SIG Sauer’s 120-grain Elite Copper. The Barnes TAC-TX persistently produced sub-MOA teams at 100 yards. The all-copper building of this bullet makes it a wonderful alternative for hunters looking for most velocity, terminal efficiency and weight retention.
The SIG Sauer 120-grain Elite Copper load printed 1.10 inch teams in my check rifle. This load affords a bit extra weight for higher downrange power, whereas nonetheless sustaining the advantages of an all-copper projectile. With the Backcountry suppressor connected, the supersonic crack was noticeably decreased, although nonetheless current with each masses.
Switching to subsonic rounds, I examined Remington’s 220-grain Open Tip Match and Hornady’s 190-grain SubX. The Remington OTM load produced teams within the 1-inch vary. This heavy bullet is designed for accuracy and can be a wonderful alternative for observe at brief to average ranges.
The Hornady 190-grain SubX was the highest performer of the 2 subsonic masses. It persistently printed sub-MOA teams at 100 yards. This load is particularly designed for optimum enlargement at subsonic velocities, making it an excellent alternative for suppressed looking purposes.
The true magic occurred when pairing these subsonic masses with the suppressor. The report was decreased to little greater than a quiet thwop, with the loudest noise being the bolt biking. Of the 2 subsonic masses, the Hornady SubX appeared to pair greatest with the suppressor, producing a barely decrease tone that was barely audible past 50 yards.
Sensible Functions: From the Bench to the Woods
To check the flexibility of this setup, I arrange just a few sensible taking pictures eventualities. First, I engaged metal targets from 25 to 300 yards utilizing the supersonic masses. The 1x setting on the Panzer made close-range hits a breeze, whereas dialing as much as 10x allowed for exact shot placement on the 300-yard goal. The Morpheus reticle’s holdover marks proved spot-on as soon as I made up my mind the right drops for every load. The Barnes TTSX, with its increased ballistic coefficient, confirmed a slight edge in retained velocity at distance.
Subsequent, I simulated a woods looking situation with targets positioned at unknown distances from 50 to 150 yards. Right here, the Panzer’s 1-6x vary proved ultimate, providing sufficient magnification for precision with out sacrificing discipline of view. The illuminated heart circle made goal acquisition lightning-fast, even in dappled shade. The Banish Backcountry’s minimal added weight was hardly noticeable, preserving the rifle’s dealing with traits. The SIG Elite Copper load shined on this situation, providing a wonderful steadiness of velocity and power for deer-sized recreation at these ranges.
Lastly, I arrange a hog looking situation utilizing subsonic masses and metal targets partially obscured by brush at 50 to 75 yards. Each the Remington OTM and Hornady SubX hit with authority. The subsonic masses’ level of impression was two MILs decrease than the supersonics, however I may simply modify for this utilizing the MIL turrets or the Morpheus reticle’s MIL hash marks. The Hornady SubX had a slight edge right here, with its purpose-built increasing subsonic bullet promising wonderful terminal efficiency on robust hogs.
That is the place the suppressor really shined, decreasing the rifle’s report back to a mere whisper. In an actual looking state of affairs, this setup would enable for follow-up pictures with out spooking close by recreation and even doable pictures at further targets. The mix of the Axis II, Banish Backcountry and Hornady SubX created an impressively quiet and efficient looking rig. I used the setup this fall to reap a mature Tennessee buck, and it dropped proper in its tracks from the Barnes’ 110-grain TAC-TX FB bullet.
Suppressor-Prepared Efficiency
The mix of the Axis II’s threaded muzzle, the .300 Blackout’s inherent suppressor-friendliness, and the Banish Backcountry makes for an exceptionally quiet taking pictures expertise. The bolt-action design inherently makes for quieter suppressed taking pictures in comparison with semi-autos, as there’s no motion noise to deal with. For these seeking to hunt with most stealth, this setup with subsonic masses is tough to beat.
One factor to notice is the slight level of impression shift when attaching the suppressor. That is widespread with most suppressor setups and was simply adjusted for by re-zeroing the scope. As soon as zeroed with the can connected, accuracy remained constant whether or not taking pictures suppressed or unsuppressed.
Last Ideas: Finances-Pleasant Versatility
The Savage Axis II in .300 Blackout paired with the Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 LPVO affords a outstanding quantity of versatility at a value level that received’t break the financial institution. From whisper-quiet close-quarters brush looking to ringing metal at 300 yards, this combo can do all of it with spectacular accuracy and stealth, particularly when utilizing a suppressor.
The Axis II brings Savage’s popularity for accuracy to the .300 Blackout platform, whereas options just like the AccuTrigger and removable journal improve its usability. The Panzer LPVO scope impresses with its clear ED glass, versatile reticle, and large magnification vary, punching nicely above its weight class when it comes to options and efficiency for the worth. The Banish Backcountry provides suppression capabilities with out considerably impacting the rifle’s weight or steadiness.
For the hunter or shooter seeking to discover the capabilities of the .300 Blackout cartridge with out venturing into the AR-15 world, this bolt-action setup affords a pretty various. Whether or not you’re chasing whitetails, looking hogs or simply having fun with a day on the vary, the Savage Axis II and Monstrum Panzer are as much as the duty. It’s a testomony to how far “funds” rifles and optics have come, delivering high-end efficiency that might have value considerably extra not that way back.
Savage Axis II .300 Blackout Rifle Specs
Inventory: FDE Artificial Sporter
Motion: Bolt
Steel end: Matte black carbon metal
General size (in.): 36.625
Barrel size (in.): 16.125
Charge of twist: 1 in 8
Weight (lb.): 6.58
Optic Prepared: Sure
Journal capability: 4
Producer guarantee – normal: 1 12 months restricted
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Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 LPVO Scope Specs
Magnification Vary: 1-10x
Goal Lens Diameter: 24mm
Tube Diameter: 30mm
Focal Aircraft: First Focal Aircraft (FFP)
Reticle: Morpheus MM5 reticle
Illumination: 11 brightness settings
Discipline of View: 116.5 ft – 12.5 ft @ 100 yards
Eye Reduction: 4-4.5 inches
Click on Worth: 0.2 MIL per click on
Adjustment Vary: 40 MIL (windage and elevation)
Parallax Setting: Fastened at 100 yards
Size: 11 inches
Weight: 17 ounces
Materials: Plane-grade aluminum
End: Matte black anodized
Waterproof: Sure, nitrogen purged
Shockproof: Sure
Fog proof: Sure
Battery Sort: CR2032
Guarantee: Lifetime guarantee
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