r/canadaguns • u/Sawftswerve • Apr 09 '26

Buy recommendations Savage Axis XP- which caliber is ideal?

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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/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.