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.