New Rifle or upgrade my own?

[NARDhunterRP]

Wanted to hear some differing thoughts on what I should do. I currently have a savage AXIS II in 6.5 Creedmore, with an older Nikon scope on it. It's a hunting rifle, and it shoots pretty good groups actually. The trigger and stock is meh, as well as the scope. I am wondering if it would be better to replace the stock, scope, rings, and trigger on my current gun, or does it make sense to just buy a whole new rifle? I am always trying to save a little bit if I can too.
I am thinking of more of a budget build for an all-purpose big game hunting rifle if I were to get a new set up, but would also want to take the "buy once, cry once approach in that budget build. let me know different thoughts. TIA

 

[hereinaz]

Axis is not a platform to build from long term. Best to buy something new, even if it is a used Tikka. There are nice REM 700 clone types if you want to go that route.

Is there anything that has your eye?

 

[Cherokeeguide]

I currently have a savage AXIS II in 6.5 Creedmore

I am wondering if it would be better to replace the stock, scope, rings, and trigger on my current gun, or does it make sense to just buy a whole new rifle?

I don't mean to come across as an elitist prick, but no matter how much lipstick you apply to a Savage Axis II, it is still going to be a Savage Axis II. If you ever want to move it on down the trail, it isn't going to be worth more with the lipstick applied than it would be without it.

Sell it and buy something that you'll find to be more personally satisfying.

I am always trying to save a little bit if I can too.

How much did you save by shopping from the discount bolt-action bargain bin? I'm guessing you didn't really save a whole lot, given your apparent desire to replace the stock, scope, rings, and trigger, or just buy a whole new rifle.

I am thinking of more of a budget build for an all-purpose big game hunting rifle if I were to get a new set up,

That sounds like the same kind of thinking that leads people to believe that buying a Savage Axis II makes economic sense in the first place.

It doesn't.

Owning a firearm is potentially cheap, thanks to things like the Savage Axis, the Maverick 88, and the Kel-Tec P-17. Actually using a firearm never was, is not, and never will be. The real cost of shooting sports isn't in the hardware. It is in the metal you send downrange through it, and all of the costs associated with doing that. Those costs don't change if you do your shopping from the discount bolt action bargain bin. You pay the same for licenses, tags, range fees, ammunition, and everything else involved with recreational shooting as someone who spends over $2,000.00 on a new Winchester Model 70 Super Grade does.

Instead of thinking about how much your firearm costs, think about how much it actually costs to engage in anything other than the most casual use of one. Nothing about using a firearm recreationally is cheap and those costs have only gone up in my five decades as a licensed hunter. Do you really want to spend what it costs to hunt deer, elk, and pronghorn in western states, so that you can use a Savage Axis II while you do it?

Maybe you do, but if I'm going to spend what it costs to put a rifle to use, I'm going to a rifle worth spending that kind of money on, and that rifle isn't coming out of the discount bolt action bargain bin.

 

[Deere_Man]

The only upgrade worth doing to the Axis is new set of mounts and a decent scope. But if the Nikon holds zero, no need. Just keep it as a spare and buy a new setup.

 

[coyotekilla]

Axis arnt terrible at doing the job they are made for. That in my opinion is being an occasional use, inexpensive, disposable rifle. If your a guy that only hunts deer in his home state the day after Thanksgiving with the family cause its tradition and leaves the rifle alone the rest of the year, they do the job.

Now, if you want something with a little refinement, something you can build off of, they arnt the right choice. For that id steer you towards the savage 110 w/ top bolt release, an older rem 700, a bergerra, a howa 1500, or my favorite, a Tikka t3x.

Buddy bought an older t3 243, used in a shop 2 weeks ago, for 500, think it came with a cheap scope too. He swapped the scope, and we have taken it to the range 2x. It flat out drives tacks. He shot 5 you could cover with a dime completely, handed me the rifle and I repeated it save a flyer that jumped an 1/8th of an inch. That little gem gives his full blown target rifle, rem 40x w/ a Douglass a serious run for its money.

Well, that's what id do, id buy another that has good aftermarket support and build a fine 1 off that.

 

[Pheasanthnter1]

For the Axis, do a M carbo trigger upgrade kit, prefit from northland, boyds or oryx stock/chassis... then have fun.

Otherwise, used tikka, rem 700, or even howa mini

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[NARDhunterRP]

Appreciate the replies- some of the routes mentioned were ones I had in mind- between tikka, begara, hogue and weatherby.

To preface- I actually didn’t buy this actual gun that I currently own. It was a gift- have been using it to hunt when I’m not bow hunting over the last 8 years. So it’s finally time to upgrade in some way shape or form. I don’t want to be “gun broke”, and Mae sure I have money for gas, tags, and applications- which is where the budget part comes in.

It sounds like I should do a new rifle set up… DARN…