Am I stupid for wanting to cut/thread a cheap gun?

[IDbrushswimmer]

Like the title says, am I an idiot? I’ve got a savage axis 2 in .243 that I’m considering having cut to 18” and threaded to run suppressed. I bought it this spring simply to kill a few deer with, and just prove to myself that I don’t need bigger cartridges to kill stuff with. 3 deer that went a combined 30 yds was proof enough for me.
Here’s the thing: the dang thing actually shoots really well for what it is. I loaded up to pressure, backed off a grain and a half and a 9 shot group was just over 1.25 MOA with 95 grain ballistic tips. Far better than I was expecting with this rifle.
My daughter and wife actually enjoy shooting it. They like the accutrigger (I don’t care one way or the other) and the recoil is very minimal.

It just feels weird to stick a $600 or more item on the end of a $450 dollar rifle. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Just wanting to avoid buying another rifle when I’ve already got one that shoots well enough for its intended purpose. Curious what others have done.

 

[Team4LongGun]

I don't think so. I have an axis 2 in 22-250 and is one of my most accurate rifles. I have a can on mine and love it. Do it!

 

[Loper]

I don’t think that’s stupid. The deer aren’t aware of how much your gun costs. A suppressed, accurate, inexpensive, light recoiling gun sounds great. If it is effective and you and the family like it, that’s all that matters.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Depends on the cost to cut and thread. Consider shopping around and buying a new cheap rifle might be more cost effective especially if you can just sell the old one. But no, if you want to shoot your rifle suppressed it's not stupid at all, do what'll make you use it more and more comfortably. The only wildcard in my mind would be the cost of doing it compared to buying something new.

Example since you stated Savage Axis 2: https://dahlonegaarmory.com/product/sav-axis-2-pro-woodland-223rem-20

 

[IDbrushswimmer]

One of the main things I have been thinking about is with the cheap stock that’s on there, will the weight of a can on the end cause me to have to start altering other things to keep it accurate and consistent?

 

[journeyman713]

Threading a gun barrel is cheap, nothing wrong with adding one you like to the rotation for the suppressor. Don't be surprised if your groups tighten up with the addition.
I have a Savage 12 in 204 Ruger threaded for this purpose, it's one of the most accurate guns I own, have picked off squirrels at 200 yards.

You will have to re-sight it in for the suppressor. If you wife and daughter plan on using it setup this way, be aware you'll need to be present, or take it off.

 

[IDbrushswimmer]

Threading a gun barrel is cheap, nothing wrong with adding one you like to the rotation for the suppressor. Don't be surprised if your groups tighten up with the addition.
I have a Savage 12 in 204 Ruger threaded for this purpose, it's one of the most accurate guns I own, have picked off squirrels at 200 yards.

You will have to re-sight it in for the suppressor. If you wife and daughter plan on using it setup this way, be aware you'll need to be present, or take it off.

I definitely plan to set up a trust for any suppressor that I purchase. They are my main reasoning for wanting the suppressor. My hearing is shot already, I’m trying to prevent that for my kids and wife lol.

 

[TaperPin]

If it makes the gun more usable I’d do it and not look back - same goes for free guns given as gifts, or super valuable custom rifles.

 

[IDbrushswimmer]

Depends on the cost to cut and thread. Consider shopping around and buying a new cheap rifle might be more cost effective especially if you can just sell the old one. But no, if you want to shoot your rifle suppressed it's not stupid at all, do what'll make you use it more and more comfortably. The only wildcard in my mind would be the cost of doing it compared to buying something new.

Example since you stated Savage Axis 2: https://dahlonegaarmory.com/product/sav-axis-2-pro-woodland-223rem-20

Probably not a bad idea either. I just get nervous to buy a different cheap gun. I feel like I’m playing Russian roulette with whether it will be accurate or not.

 

[Team4LongGun]

One of the main things I have been thinking about is with the cheap stock that’s on there, will the weight of a can on the end cause me to have to start altering other things to keep it accurate and consistent?

I threw a boyds on mine, very happy with it.

 

[Team4LongGun]

And a timney trigger....

 

[BLJ]

243 5/8x24RH THREADING KIT

243 5/8x24RH THREADING KIT

www.carolinashooterssupply.com

$60 for a kit to do it yourself.
I cut the barrel on my .308 and if I ever decide that it needs threaded, I’ll buy a kit and do it myself.

 

[BLJ]

Also think that price of the rifle has nothing to do with it.
Agreeing 100% with what @TaperPin said.

 

[hereinaz]

Cut it and kill stuff.

 

[dreadi]

Suppressors are like camera lenses. You get higher quality glass on a lesser cost body and get more enjoyment out of the body.

 

[HandgunHTR]

243 5/8x24RH THREADING KIT

243 5/8x24RH THREADING KIT

www.carolinashooterssupply.com

$60 for a kit to do it yourself.
I cut the barrel on my .308 and if I ever decide that it needs threaded, I’ll buy a kit and do it myself.

You will have a hard time threading the end of a barrel with that unless it is already contoured to close to the major diameter of the threads.

As far as the OPs question, I have chopped and threaded three Ruger Americans, so doing the same to your Savage Axis doesn't seem dumb to me at all.

 

[JUSTPASSINTHRU]

If your family loves it, I wouldn't hesitate at all, i say go for it.
Hard to put a price on that.

 

[Wrench]

243 5/8x24RH THREADING KIT

243 5/8x24RH THREADING KIT

www.carolinashooterssupply.com

$60 for a kit to do it yourself.
I cut the barrel on my .308 and if I ever decide that it needs threaded, I’ll buy a kit and do it myself.

Don't do this.

I had a coworker try a similar kit and he had horrible accuracy with the brake on. Sure enough....he's kissing the brake.

This is a baffle strike waiting for you to pull the trigger.

How do you plan to form the shoulder on the tennon? How will you validate concentric?

There's a reason everyone does barrel work on a lathe.

Coming from a guy who does barrel work on a lathe.....and it's not a sales pitch, I am not taking any work.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

i bought a savage axis youth model in 7-08 because it had been sitting in inventory a long time and it was left handed. a $10 trigger job with springs and screws from ace hardware, a boyd's laminate stock, and it's a fun, accurate little gun. if i didn't already have other threaded rifles i wouldnt hesitate to thread it.

at this point the only guns i'll shoot are threaded and have cans on the end unless i'm sighting in guns for friends. get that gun threaded.

 

[Mike Islander]

"It just feels weird to stick a $600 or more item on the end of a $450 dollar rifle."