Tried searching the forum and couldn't find this so figured I'd poll the board. Academy has this rifle as a 'Hot Deal' right now for $279.99 (down from $299.99) and Savage is doing a $100 mail in rebate which brings the cost of this rifle to $179.99. Caliber options: .243, .270, .308, .30-06. Comes with the above mentioned scope and factory bore sighted (for what it's worth).

Link to Academy site.

Worth a shot (see what I did there) as a entry level rifle? Maybe swap out the synthetic stock at some point?

Need someone to talk me in or out.

What would you be using the rifle for? Hunting, target practice, or long range shooting?

Basic Texas blind hunting for whitetail/hog for the most part. I currently use an AR-15 which has sufficed just fine for the set up at my personal place (~ 50-75 yard shots) but thinking if I ever change things up, hunt elsewhere, need to reach out farther, etc. it might be nice to have a larger caliber (I'd pick the .30-06).

Hell of a deal if you just need something really basic to either punch paper or shoot a deer 150 yards or less (and it may be significantly more accurate than that, I dont own a savage).

Seems like a heck of a deal just for the receiver, which you could convert to similar length/case head calibers with just a new barrel, right? Might have to see if I can find a 243 in stock...

I got this package deal a few years back for the same price.

The .223 was offered, which is what I bought. I re-scoped it though. My kids have shot a few javelina with this rifle and last month I downed a yote in spite of the less-than-stellar trigger.

The deal would be much more awesome if a model with the accu-trigger was available.

That being said, the Axis is a tack driver and for $180 and blindhunting, this is a helluva deal.

would prefer it to have the accu-trigger but thats still a great price

Is the rebate valid for the XP model?

Rebate link

That's a ridiculously good deal. Especially for the intended use and the current quality of most production rifles.

I assume Axis and/or Axis XP qualify. On Academy's weekly print ad that they send via mail the Savage rebate is highlighted alongside the Axis XP 'Hot Deal.'

I would hold off to find the XP II. It is significantly better with the accutrigger. It can be found for the same price on sale. It is hard to beat a $200 gun but I would wait. A couple weeks ago they had the XP II hardwood for $220 after rebate.

Honestly it is not a very good deal. That is only 7% off and the rebate has been going on for a long time and I am sure it will re-set again.

You will hate that trigger.

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Better read the fine print..... There was another savage - Big thread now on this board - where there were both supply and rebate issues with a deal Cabelas was running a while back.

@ $180 I am in....@ $280 I am not.

Anyone read the fine print on the rebate yet??

_89

I bought the Cabela's Savage that you are referring to. The supply issue was one of the rifle being a Cabela's exclusive. It was merely backordered. There aren't any rebate issues as my rebate is currently being processed.

The most recent big box deal similar to this one was D I C K's selling the TC Compass with rebate for $180 on Black Friday.

For this price point and out of the box accuracy, $180 for a new Axis is an excellent price.

NRD09 said:

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Seems like a heck of a deal just for the receiver, which you could convert to similar length/case head calibers with just a new barrel, right? Might have to see if I can find a 243 in stock...

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You can find an adjustable rifle basix or timney trigger for around $90. Add a boyds stock (on sale now) and you have a nice little rifle for fairly cheap

So went to pick one up today and they didn't have the 30-06 in stock. I can order it and get in a few weeks. They had the .270 and .308 in stock though so that got me thinking...poll the OB and get thoughts/opinions on which caliber to go with between the three: .308, .270, 30-06. Primary purpose...Texas White Tail and hogs (although I'll probably just continue to use the .223/5.56 for hogs...more fun.)

I am not a 30-06 fan. I don't really have a good reason. I do love my 25-06 and was very fond of my 270 before it was stolen. I joy the large range of bullets the 270 offers.

Now I prefer short action. For that reason I would pick .308. I have 3 of them if that tells you anything. I like 30 caliber. I also have a 300WM and 300BO.

Edit. And if Kelso decides to part with it a 300 Savage.

Really, you can't go wrong with any.

I love my old Remi 700 .30/06 but semi-retired it as most of my deer hunting is for small hill country deer and the caliber, imho, is a bit much for that application.

I agree with the above, .308, .270, and 30-06 are all going to get the job done on Texas deer and hogs. I personally like .308 and 30-06 as that's what I have but the .270 is a good round too.

Basically just do you mind waiting a bit to stick with your original choice, or if you're more impatient don't have second thoughts about a different caliber as both of those others will do just fine too.

Figured I'd post an update. I waited and picked up the .30-06 last week when the next delivery came in. Rebate stuff has been sent off so hopefully doesn't take too terribly long to get that back (although no real hurry on my end). Didn't care for the scope that came with it so swapped it out with a Prostaff BDC I had on my AR and put a red dot back on the AR. The Weaver scope and Prostaff scope have different length tubes so the factory rings on the Savage didn't work...had to buy an offset pair. Finally got it all together and bore sighted it in my back yard (or so I thought). Shots 18, 19 and 20 (out of a box of 20) finally got on paper. 19 and 20 were centered left/right and about an inch high...so almost there. Who knew I'd need more than a box. That was quite the frustrating morning at the range.

Find a brand and grain she likes and you'll be good to go.

Could you not set up a 25 yard target?

No. Gun Smoke in Snook has a 100 or 200 yard rifle range. They have a 50 but rifles aren't allowed on it. Truth be told...I was the only one there so I grabbed a water bottle out of the trash can and took it about 40 yards out and shot at it with both eyes open so I could try and figure out where the heck I was shooting. After determining I was high and right I was able to somewhat dial it in to get on paper at 100. But it took me awhile to figure it out.

I always bore sight at 50-100 and hit paper. If you do not sight in regularly you might consider stepping your initial distance in to 25-50

I go to Gunsmoke every weekend and I've never seen a 50 yard range. They have 25 yard range that you can use. Just no 22s on the 100.

They took out the 25yd target on the rifle range several years back but they will let you go to the .22 range to get on paper. I did not know that for a long time but I asked once and they almost laughed at me. They said "well that is what it is for."

CTGilley said:

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They took out the 25yd target on the rifle range several years back but they will let you go to the .22 range to get on paper. I did not know that for a long time but I asked once and they almost laughed at me. They said "well that is what it is for."

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I had to ask too because of the dumb sign that says 22s this range only. Either way the 25 yard range is a rifle range. They just don't want 22s on their long range for obvious reasons.

Ha that sign in stupid. I would have never realized they didn't want 22s on the long range based on that.

I was shooting 100 yards with 22 at another range this weekend. I was testing the BDC on my dad's 22 scope. It was pretty on with regular ammo but stingers throw it way off. I was only watching splatters on steal but they only seemed to drop a couple inches where regular ammo was dropping about 8" sighted in at 50 yards.

You're right...it's a 25 between the pistol range and the 100/200 rifle range. Do they allow large calibers on the 25? I thought the 25 was for .22s. That sign out there has me all confused.

No need to answer my question. I see in the above posts that the 25yd range is okay to use. Well...good to know.