r/canadaguns • u/Sawftswerve • Apr 09 '26
Buy recommendations Savage Axis XP- which caliber is ideal?
Hey folks, I am looking at getting the Savage axis to add to my collection.
They have multiple calibers available ranging from 223 (which was the one I’m leaning towards), .243, .270, and a .308.
I want a caliber that I can shoot often without breaking the bank, but still has punch and versatility.
Do you prefer any of these over the other? Is it worth the extra cost?
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u/HappyCan7250 Apr 09 '26
If you want a cheap rifle to shoot, 223 is the way to go. 75% of my shooting nowadays is 223 because you can still get it for 0.50-0.60 per round. All those other calibers are going to run you at least $1 per shot.
308 is a great all around caliber, but I probably shoot 1 box of 308 for every 3 I shoot of 223 just because of the cost factor and 223 will easily reach out to the limits of most ranges for distance. Unless you're shooting 500+ yd, 223 will do everything you need.
If it's going to double as a deer or elk, or moose rifle, id say go for the 308 though, but if it's purely a range gun, 223 definitely. I love shooting 223 and never get tired of it.
If you can go for the Axis 2. The trigger on the Axis 1 is awful, it can be improved DIY or with a kit, but I think the Axis 2 is worth the marginal additional cost. I've only owned an Axis 1 and I sold it not too long after because I hated the trigger and the bolt, although with some DIY work on the trigger I got the pull weight from around 6.5lb to about 2.5-3lb which was tolerable. You can trim the spring, and polish the surfaces to get the pull weight down by about 50%, but the Axis 2 trigger adjusts lower and doesn't have to be DIY'd which can be a bit sketchy if you don't know what you're doing and can make the gun not safe if you take too much off while polishing.
If you do end up going with 308 I would highly recommend the Savage/Stevens 334 over the Axis. The 334 is leagues better than the Axis for around the same price, it may even be slightly cheaper. I own quite a few bolt guns, some more expensive too, but my 334 in 308 is one of my favourites despite it costing only $500 or so. I out 3rd through the same hole with it last weekend at 100yd, the accuracy is phenomenal. The trigger also needs some work on it, heavy from the factory, but you can watch a video on how to adjust it and I got it down from about 7lb to 1.5lb just by swapping a spring, adjusting the set screw, and polishing. The 334 is much nicer all around, but does not come in 223 sadly (6.5CM, 270 I think, 30-06, and 308 are the options). You can find the synthetic stocked models for $500 or the walnut stocked ones for $650-$700. They're excellent value, and come with a medium profile barrel vs most rifles around that price that use a light or sporter barrel.
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u/BlandRusk06 Apr 09 '26
.223 will likely be the cheapest. I have heard that .308 is on the cheaper side as well. I shoot a .270, and ammo starts at ~$40/box, depending on where you buy from.
If you simply want to shoot at the range, then I would say go with .223. If you want to hunt as well, then go up a bit in size and power, so maybe .308.
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u/SneakerReviewZ Apr 09 '26
I have this in .223. It was a good gun… when it worked. The action seized and I had to send it in for warranty even when I oiled it intentively. It also easily surface rusts even if a light coating of oil is applied. Do not recommend.
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u/TheBulletBuddy Apr 09 '26
From everything I've picked up. .223 is ok for hunting the deer you've said, but ONLY if you have a very very good shot placement and the right projectile. Otherwise you're going to be just wounding the animal and it'll slowly and painfully bleed to death.
.223 is great for the range since its cheap and fun to stretch over longer distances.
If it was me, id be leaning towards a larger caliber, higher end rifle for hunting, and a fun "cheaper" (cheaper ammo) rifle for the range days.
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u/TheRip91 Apr 09 '26
I have a XP in 243. I wouldnt go any smaller for medium game IMO.
Not too much for a coyote, just right for a deer. Ammo is available and fair priced. Recoil is manageable
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u/CurlyWurly61 Apr 09 '26
I would get a tikka and call it a day
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u/preferablyoutside Apr 09 '26
Unlike the majority of guys on here I actually own one, and have shot three others, they shoot well and are an excellent rifle. Good trigger, excellent stock design, garbage scope, I’d suggest budgeting for a replacement optic and put a good quality MDT rail on it. When you get it clean it well with hoppes No.9 and oil with Lucas CLP, I suspect most problems guys have with them is that they’re trying to run them drier than their prom dates.
For caliber .223 is an excellent range round and a decent hunting choice depending on area and legality. Most of the guys on here are more collectors, LARPers or foot fetishists going off the average post so take their opinions with a grain of salt. I reside in Alberta and used that exact rifle in 22-250 as my primary hunting rifle this year, shooting a good quality 55gr Norma Oryx I was able to accomplish killing a whitetail, and a cow elk, as well as numerous coyotes. Contrary to advice on this post not one of the rounds bounced off. If you use .223 as a target choice and shoot consistently with it, your practice will pay off and show dividends on your hunting success. I know this will flabbergast many but practice does indeed make perfect.
Good Luck, and it’s an excellent choice.
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u/paidjannie Apr 09 '26
Yeah same, I have one, not my favourite rifle in my safe but it's excellent value for money. Works great and haven't had any issues at all.
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u/Snipez9999 Apr 09 '26
I would argue that 22-250 is far different than .223 and if there just starting out in the hunting world a .308 has more benefits for longer ethical kills while still maintaining cheaper ammo prices with a variety of different hunting and target ammo available without needing to reload
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u/preferablyoutside Apr 09 '26
At $12.50/box for PMC Bronze .223 vs $30ish on .308 I’d respectfully disagree on the cheap ammo side of .308.
If OP is relatively new to firearms shooting a .223 is going to help them develop good shooting fundamentals while still being capable as a hunting round.
I agree with the 22-250 to .223 being a different calibre proposition on game, I was more referencing my lived experience with that rifle. I would have felt as confident with a .223 in all the hunting situations I was in last year, especially as Norma loads that exact 55gr Oryx in their .223 line. Excellent cartridge.
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u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx Apr 09 '26
What exactly do you mean by "versatility"? Do you plan to hunt with it? What kind of game? What kind of terrain do you expect to hunt in: dense forest, open plain, mountains? Do you want to target shoot? What discipline, if any? What distance? Do you reload?
There's almost no information here for anyone to give you any recommendations
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u/Sawftswerve Apr 09 '26
I have acquired my hunting licence and gotten into a club, so by versatility I meant where I could use it at the club without spending too much on ammo, while also using it for medium/smaller game (if I decide to go north with my hunting group).
Research stated I could go for a .223 for all these uses and it’s a good price on boxes, but am I at a disadvantage down the road if I choose a .223 vs the others?
I’ll be going to the range more often than hunting.
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u/Halfbloodjap Apr 09 '26
.223 is great for a range gun and for medium game, but I'd go .308 if you plan to hunt. Alternatively depending on your budget I'd get it in .223 to get good, then a .308 version to hunt with. Depending on how much shooting you plan on doing you could very well save money in the long run by buying both.
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u/Wooden_Celebration34 Apr 09 '26
While a .223 may be legal for hunting, it’s borderline ethical. Don’t get me wrong, I’d take a .223 loaded with a 55 grain monolithic bullet like a Barnes TSX over a 243 with a 55 grain varmint bullet for deer but you still need to be 100% sure of your shot placement. I’d buy a 308 or 6.5 Creed personally for a dual purpose range and hunting rifle. You can find cheaper practice ammo for both those calibers and the hunting ammo selection is off the charts for both. And that’s expensive for an Axis. Looks like a BassPro page. For a couple hundred more you can get the Browning AB3 with a Leupold scope when they’re on sale. Far better rifle and far better scope.
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u/SKS1953 Apr 09 '26
If you could be a little more specific about everything you plan to use it for that would be helpful
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u/Ciggaris Apr 09 '26
Man be aware that the savage axis XP you get what you pay for. You’ll need to be careful of the 90 degree bolt throw which will limit the kinds of optics and mounts you can use with your rifle otherwise you’ll run into issues with the bolt hitting the scope or your hand not having enough space to fully cycle the action. FYI
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u/SmokeySamson Apr 09 '26
It depends on what you consider versatility. If you're just taking it to a range, .223 is perfect with its cheapest ammo cost compared to the other calibers. 270 and 308 are both solid cartridges and can do pretty much anything, with the 270 tending to have better velocity and 308 having access to heavier projectiles.
All that being said, there are very few agreements on what is an "ideal" caliber. Everything is going to have pros and cons. Queue to the people coming in with 300 Win Mag and 338 suggestions.