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/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.

1

u/Sawftswerve Apr 09 '26

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

2

u/basshead1395 Apr 09 '26

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.

6

u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx Apr 09 '26

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.

1

u/BlandRusk06 Apr 09 '26

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

2

u/Otherwise_Top_5762 Apr 09 '26

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

1

u/Halfbloodjap Apr 09 '26

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.