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> Savage Axis am I a bad Shot
Savage Axis am I a bad Shot
@ 10:18 am (GMT) |
JinnI have a savage axis that I got from my friend. After some time, I upgrade the rifle by replacing the trigger poundage to 1.5, add a new scope and installed a check riser in the stock. Despite this I am consistently getting 4-inch grouping at 200 meters, and I don't know if it is me or the rifle. Am I too harsh on myself for trying to get 1-inch groups at that range or is it the limitations of the rifle. |
Replies
@ 08:12 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Savage Axis am I a bad ShotHi Jinn, it is always difficult to diagnose this sort of thing via a forum so you have to keep this in mind.The Axis is of course a budget rifle and as such, accuracy tends to be a mixed bag. But some are indeed capable of relatively good accuracy. Along with this, it does pay to try your best, as you are doing, rather than lowering ones own standards based on the assumption that the rifle is cheap and lacks potential. The trigger was a good idea, very important, especially in the light weights. Shooting technique is a major issue, especially regarding modern light weights. I went over this in great detail in the book series. All I will say here, is that it may help to remove the bipod (if you are using one), instead using a shooting rest, use a good double hand hold and employ a sturdy sling. If you wan to get the best out of this rifle, avoid modern methods and go back to the old ways. Again, all of this is covered in the book set. You are not being too harsh on yourself. Do try to stick with that goal of 1MOA or less. If you have tried your best and it simply won't get down to the MOA mark, then so be it. But one should always strive for a high standard. All the best. |
@ 05:07 am (GMT) |
Calin BrabandtRe: Savage Axis am I a bad ShotJinn, Nathan,First, I must apologize. I love this forum and all of Nathan's books and videos but I only seem to post when I have a big hunt planned. Usually I just hunt local (white tail on our property). I'll try to change my posting behavior, starting with this tardy reply to Jinn! I've often seen a change in my loads shrink a 4 inch group down to near a very respectable 2-inch group at 200 meters or yards. I agree with the guys on the Hornady Manufacturing Youtube channel; the "big knobs" when hand-loading (things that most often make a significant difference) are changes to the projectile, powder, or barrel. Brass, primers, neck turning (unless necessary to fit a chamber), etc. usually don't make much difference. At least that's been my experience too. Jinn, Have you tried a variety of different loads yet. I've found some rifles to be very picky! High barrel round count can make a difference too. I've confirmed my Bergara B-14 HMR 300 PRC barrel is shot-out (need to get my new lathe online and re-barrel it this winter). I've taken my 300 PRC to four Known Distance Appleseed events and I have over 1500 rounds through it. That's about right for 300 PRC barrel life. It's the only barrel I've ever "shot-out." I confirmed the barrel velocity and accuracy deterioration by shooting accurate "gold standard" loads I developed when the rifle was nearly new. Bore scope inspections were not definitive for detecting wear but measurements of a huge increase in bullet jump to lands (around 0.100" increase), tend to confirm that my 300 PRC lands have been significantly worn away. Jinn, I assume your Axis is chambered in a non-magnum cartridge, because I don't think Savage has ever built a magnum or other "over-bore" cartridge in the Axis, but perhaps a high round count might still be an issue. I'll wager it's unlikely. I hope you get your Axis shooting to your expectations. I have three Savage Axis rifles (17 HMR, 270 Win, and 30-06) and they all shot pretty darn well right out of the box--even with a snug but not overly tight sling attached to their original flexi-flyer plastic stocks. I've upgraded them all in various ways and they even still shoot well. ;) I had another accurate 270 Win rifle so I converted my Axis 270 to a "Maxus" 358 Norma Mag. My 300 PRC is down so the Maxis is going elk hunting in the Idaho high country in about a week. Sorry...long post but making up for my absence, I guess. -Cal - |
@ 03:39 pm (GMT) |
Edwin JettRe: Savage Axis am I a bad ShotBrand new to this forum; This is my first post here.I can't say whether you are a bad shot nor not, but I recently acquired a Gen 1 Axis in .25-06 and have only function tested it, but not accuracy tested it. That will come pretty soon now however. Did you buy your rifle "used" like I did or New In Box. If it was NIB, then it probably needs some rounds run through it before you give up on it. Likewise if is used, did you scrub the bore well and get all of the fouling out. If it was used and the previous owner shot all copper bullets, the bore may have some build up that needs to be removed. Then you can use all copper or copper/lead (i.e. "conventional bullets). If not that's the first thing you should do. Some barrels will shoot acceptably right from the first box. Others take a bit more to settle or "break" in. One of the first things I did with mine was top buy and install the forend stiffening kit from MCARBO. Not expensive and easy to do. They have spring kits for the stock trigger. There are a lot of similarities between the Axis line an the 110 line. If you expect less than minute of angle precision out of this budget rifle, you might be disappointed. I would think that 2MOA is achievable. Not every budget rifle (from any maker) will shoot better than 2MOA. Don't give up on it to quick. I'll try to get some targets done in the coming week with my rifle. I'll post some pics of the rifle and the groups if I can make that happen. Good luck. Savage is a pretty good company. EJ |
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