Savage Axis XP- which caliber is ideal?

[u/Sawftswerve]

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?

[u/SmokeySamson]

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.

[u/Sawftswerve → u/SmokeySamson]

Would .223 be fine for medium game (for example whitetail) if I decide to go hunting with it down the road?

[u/SmokeySamson → u/Sawftswerve]

I personally have a 308 for my hunting rifle. I've taken it to the range many times, and while ammo cost isn't as cheap as it used to be, you can still find boxes on sale for ~$40/20 rounds.

I hunt with someone who has successfully harvested a whitetail with a 223 but shot placement is everything (as it should be for any caliber). He now prefers his 270 as it gives him more options for projectiles.

Other noteworthy calibers are 6.5Creedmoor and 30-06. Both are widely available and tend to have reasonable cost for ammo. If you like the rifle you've picked out and you're only planning on owning one, then I'd lean towards the larger calibers.

[u/Sawftswerve → u/[deleted]]

I am just beginning hunting yes.

223 is legal here for hunting, but that’s makes a lot of sense - thank you

[u/basshead1395 → u/Sawftswerve]

Not sure if any of the provinces allow the use of 223 for deer hunting. Personally I'd lean towards 308 as ammo is pretty readily available.

[u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx → u/basshead1395]

I'm only familiar with BC and Ontario, but .223 is fine in both. BC prohibits FMJ (so you have to use an expanding hunting bullet, which you should anyway) but there are no caliber requirements for deer (bison is the only game animal with explicit caliber requirements)

In Ontario the only requirement is that the rifle is centerfire. Some regions only allow shotgun hunting but anywhere that allows 308 also allows 223.

I would say personally that .223 is perfectly fine for deer as long as you're using a high performance heavy projectile, with the caveat that you should be confident in your accuracy (which you should be anyway). Bullet technology has come a long way since 243 and 308 became the default deer calibers. I'd say that a good shot with a .223 is a far more ethical hunter than a bad shot with a .308.

[u/BlandRusk06 → u/basshead1395]

Some probably do. I have heard of people shooting moose and elk with a 223. But that may have been before any restrictions.

[u/Otherwise_Top_5762 → u/BlandRusk06]

Legal in Alberta. As of late 2025 .22 cal centrefire is legal for big game

[u/Halfbloodjap → u/Otherwise_Top_5762]

Man I know .22 is enough to kill big game, but I can't see many scenarios where it could be done ethically. I'd have to be in a survival situation to do it myself.

[u/No_Win_9797 → u/Sawftswerve]

.223 you can’t ethically/legally hunt deer with in bc. In Alberta it’s fine, but check your region.

[u/FD4L → u/Sawftswerve]

223 can kill deer,but its not a legal caliber for them in many provinces. I dont know the rules everywhere but in NS you need .23 caliber or above for large game. You need to look up your local hubting regs before you use it.

223 is ideal for medium size game like ground hogs, coyotes, pigs, raccoons, etc...

[u/Irishprisoner7 → u/FD4L]

Curious, would a .22lr be enough for a raccoon? Or is it in that not very ethical part?