Savage Arms has been within the gun enterprise for a very long time. Based by Arthur Savage in 1894, the corporate has had a protracted and illustrious historical past. Many shooters solely consider them as constructing rifles… their Mannequin 99 lever gun is a traditional… however in addition they construct handguns and shotguns. Truly, I’ve obtained their micro-9mm pistol, the Stance XR, on my desk now. It’s in line for evaluation. I prefer it, however keep tuned for that write-up later.
A lesser-known reality is that the corporate’s entry into our navy sidearm trials in 1910-1911 was the one different gun left to compete with what grew to become the Colt M1911. It misplaced solely after a 6,000-round endurance check – it had 37 stoppages, whereas the Colt had none. So, the corporate constructed good weapons then, and has continued that custom to the current.
Talking of Savage rifles, I needed to get an up to date Axis 2 to strive in .243. I had one earlier than, and I gave it to one in every of our sons. I needed to see what they’d performed to enhance it. Consequently, I ordered one for evaluation. This one reveals one obtrusive distinction between it and my older mannequin… its bolt is on the unsuitable aspect. Effectively… unsuitable aspect, for those who’re right-handed. I discover it fascinating which you can type firearms on their web site by eight standards, one in every of which is “Left Handed”.
They make a number of fashions for us southpaws, which is refreshing. My left-handedness has needed to adapt to a right-handed world… discovering a left-handed desk in most of my faculty school rooms again within the day was principally an train in futility. And so it goes, besides the place this rifle is worried.
This Rifle
(I do know. The bolt’s on the unsuitable aspect! Know that Savage likes we lefties. They make 79 left-handed merchandise.)
Specs
Product Household/Group AXIS 2 XP
Caliber 243 Win
Objective Large Sport Looking, Hog Looking, Predator Looking
Handed Left
Availability North America
Barrel Shade Black
Barrel Contour Sporter
Barrel End Matte
Barrel Size 22″ (55.88 cm)
Barrel Materials Carbon Metal
Fee of Twist 1:9.25″
Barrel Threaded No
Bolt Launch Aspect
Pistol Grip No
Interchangeable Grip Panel No
Journal Capability 4
Journal Amount Included 1
Journal Launch Ambidextrous
Receiver Shade Black
Receiver End Matte
Receiver Materials Carbon Metal
Feed Sort Removable Field Journal
Scope Bases 2 Piece, Weaver Fashion
Scope Mounted and Sighted Sure
Scope Energy 3-9×40
Scope Rings Weaver Fashion, Medium
AccuStock No
AccuFit No
Inventory Butt Shade Black
Inventory Butt Sort Recoil Pad
Inventory Shade OD Inexperienced
Inventory End Matte
Inventory Fastened Sure
Inventory Pull Size – Min. 13.75″ (34.93 cm)
Inventory Pull Size – Max. 13.75″ (34.93 cm)
Inventory Materials Artificial
Inventory QD Studs Shade Black
Inventory QD Studs Amount 2
Inventory Thumbhole No
Inventory Sort Sporter
AccuTrigger Sure
Set off Adjustable Sure
Set off Pull Power – Min. 2.5 lbs (40 ounces)
Set off Pull Power – Max. 6 lbs (96 ounces)
Size 42.5″ (107.95 cm)
Weight 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg)
Worth $549
The place To Purchase
After my expertise with the sooner .243 Axis 2, some of the essential specs listed above is “AccuTrigger: Sure.” This set off is superb on a $500 rifle. You’ll be able to alter it to 2 ½ kilos or as much as 6 kilos. This lets you set it very mild for goal and competitors work, and possibly a bit heavier for searching. It’s simply adjusted. Different adjustments that I observed have been that the inventory was a bit extra ergonomic – it match just a little higher than the unique, and the grip had a noticeable palm swell.
Additionally, one other plus is the scope. Savage has evidently solid a relationship with Viridian, which got here as a shock to me, as my older .243 had a Bushnell 3-9×40 on it. Right here we’ve got an Eon 3-9×40. It got here bore-sighted, which saved me a while and ammo as I shot for this evaluation. It wasn’t precisely within the bullseye middle, however it should do. If I have been to maintain the rifle, it could be fast work to middle the crosshairs. This can be a respectable scope, to make sure.
Taking pictures The Rifle
After a latest storm, my 100-yard goal location had been fairly nicely obliterated – it was subsequent to an enormous tree that gave up the ghost. So, I went to 75 yards. I do know… that isn’t 100, nevertheless it’s about as shut as I may get. Plus, what the rifle does at 75 yards goes to carry up fairly nicely at 100. Once more, I fall again on my expertise with the older .243 from Savage. That rifle accounted for deer previous 100 yards, and there’s no motive to assume that this one wouldn’t do this, as nicely.
I broke with custom and shot a 10-shot, rambling group for the reason that rifle was so enjoyable to shoot. I figured that, out of 10, at the least three can be making a great group… It’s my logic, and I’m sticking to it.
It hit a bit low and proper, however like I mentioned, that might be simply fastened. I shot the one .243 load I had readily available, Hornady’s American Whitetail 100-grain JSP. It appears that evidently the extra I shot, the extra it drifted down and proper – that’s in all probability extra me than the gun, as I’m not one of the best rifle shot… I spend an excessive amount of time with handguns.
As you’ll be able to see, the load is common in accuracy — not precisely a ragged gap — nevertheless it’s a good way to start out. If I have been to take this rifle into the deer woods, I’d reload it. Once I had the older one, I got here up with a load that shot into underneath a half-inch at 100 yards. I gave the gun and all my ammo to my son, so I didn’t have it useful. This goal is an efficient start line within the seek for a tack-driving load. I imagine the rifle can be as much as it as soon as it’s damaged in and the barrel conditioned.
One Glitch
The one glitch I ran throughout involved the 4-round journal that got here with the rifle. It flat didn’t work. I loaded 4 rounds into it, inserted it into the journal nicely, and ran the bolt house. It pushed the rounds up so arduous that you just couldn’t chamber a spherical, as the highest cartridge was bumping up towards the highest of the receiver. It labored nice if I loaded only one spherical at a time. At the very least the journal is a straightforward and cheap repair.
One vibrant spot was the set off.
Savage’s AccuTrigger has confirmed itself again and again and is among the higher inventory manufacturing facility triggers on the market. I didn’t alter it out of the field. They sometimes ship rifles with triggers set in the direction of the center of the two.5-6 pound adjustment vary, so I in all probability may have improved it. Nonetheless, it could nonetheless be me urgent it… I’m not one of the best shot with a rifle, as I discussed earlier, however I do take pleasure in them and personal a number of.
Additionally apparent within the above photograph is the grip. Savage redesigned its shares some time again, and so they work very nicely. This one got here in inexperienced, however different colours can be found. Sling swivel studs are included as nicely. You’ll be able to try the rifle right here.
One other vibrant spot was the rifle relaxation I used. Caldwell launched 4 new Lead Sled rests this yr – search for a evaluation on this web site quickly. I used essentially the most minimal LS I’d ever used, the Solo 2. It’s simply moved, adjusts each coarsely and finely, and has a tray for a weight bag.
It labored very nicely.
Summing Up
The Savage Axis II Hunter is kind of a deal. For $480 (avenue worth), you get a rifle that features a nice set off, thread-in headspacing, improved bolt deal with, and a redesigned, ergonomic inventory – to not point out a Viridian Eon 3-9×40 scope. That’s arduous to beat in right this moment’s financial system.
For people like me, who sometimes shoot rifles or are looking for an important rifle to take to each the deer stand and the varmint area, this .243 is difficult to beat. Is it excellent? Nope, nevertheless it’s shut sufficient. I will make the most of its characteristic set and put holes nearer collectively within the goal. One other plus for this caliber is recoil… There isn’t a lot available with a .243.
I’ve owned Savages through the years, and so they have at all times carried out nicely. However possibly you need extra in a .243 Win-chambered rifle. If that’s the case, know that Savage makes .243 Win in 40 completely different platforms. Their 110 collection is a step up, for instance. However… Should you’re trying to enter the lengthy gun market and need a rifle that’s versatile, correct, and affords good worth, contemplate the Axis 2.
Hyperlinks To Gadgets Used In This Overview:
