Savage AXIS XPs, 25,30-06 or .308?

**jbg123** · 03-24-13, 14:35

Hey everyone,
I'm shopping for an affordable deer rifle with the potential to take larger game out West should the chance ever present itself. I've always had 270s and always liked them but just want something different to start rebuilding my stock since I had to sell all my guns about 2yrs back when I lost my job. Any thoughts on caliber choice or other recommendations for a gun under $400? Thanks in advance. Jon

**TriviaMonster** · 03-24-13, 14:53

Of those I would get the '06 IF you reload AND plan on some longer range hunting. If not, get the .308. It will do everything the '06 will do for less money at the cost of a bit less effective range and you get a short action to top it off.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**jbg123** · 03-24-13, 15:08

You talking the 25-06 or 30-06? And what do you mean by having a shorter action? Forgive my ignorance

**TriviaMonster** · 03-25-13, 05:58

Sorry, regular 30'06. Skip the 25 cal. I'd rather have a 243 or the like over the 25'06. Also, most short action setups allow you to maintain your cheekweld instead of lifting your head off the stock to clear the bolt like most long actions. Short actions also have less distance to throw the bolt and will be faster to cycle than long actions (all things being equal like smoothness and quality). Its preference I guess, but short actions are hard to beat if you are shooting factory ammo for most short calibers.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**jbg123** · 03-25-13, 20:01

Ahh gotcha, thanks a bunch buddy. Learn something new every day!

**TriviaMonster** · 03-25-13, 20:33

Just another thought, but the magnum 7mm's may be worth looking into if you don't mind a long action. Even the plain old 7mm Rem Mag has some great factory loadings and shoots flatter than most 30'06 loadings. Its all preference, but distance and game size will determine what you really NEED.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**jbg123** · 03-25-13, 20:42

Yeah good point, that's a good thing to consider too. Hey off topic, why can't I reply to an EE thread? I've been a member here for months?

**gashooter** · 03-25-13, 20:48

I too was looking for a different cartridge for large game. I have a Savage 110 in .270 and wanted a .30-06 when I bought that rifle.

When my wife asked what I wanted for Christmas this past year, I told her I wanted a Savage rifle in .30-06 if the funds were available. I didn't hear any more about it, so I had given up on a new rifle gift.
Much to my surprise, I got the Savage Axis/Edge in .30-06 for a present.

That being said, I would prefered the Acu-trigger model 110 but the factory non-Acu-trigger breaks clean at 5lbs and has just a slight bit of take-up and the same amount of overtravel. All in all, it's not to shabby for a $350.00 rifle. I like that it has a removeable magazine and the stock feels "right" when shouldered.

I haven't developed a hand load as of yet. With all the panic crap going on and components bieng scarce, that will have to wait.

As for caliber of choice, the .30-06 has been aroung a good while and there are a plethra of factory loads to handle white tail through moose on the market. The data that came with the rifle stated the 168grain balistic tips performed the best when savage tested the rifle.

Good luck. The Savage Axis gets my vote.