Savage axis has the potential to be the best budget rifle on the market. I say “has the potential” because the factory trigger is junk. A 25$ spring kit brings the trigger down to 2-3 lbs. with the trigger upgrade, both my savage axis shoot 1/2-3/4 inch groups. The sticks are flimsy and just junk. For accuracy and plain simplicity, these guns are worth what they cost and do a lot better than most off the shelf higher end guns. Now if savage could fix the trigger and stock, this could be a 500$ gun all day.

I'm out I don't do anything Savage or Mossburg. Might be right for some folks but not for me.

Mossberg lost my business after I had really bad luck with an ATR.

Walmart had a clearance last summer so I took a chance on the axis. Shot 2 inch groups at 100 with the stock trigger. Replaced/upgraded the trigger spring and took my group down to less than an inch. Found another really good deal on one at a pawn shop. Upgraded the trigger spring and it shoots 1/2 inch groups. Flimsy junk stocks but I won’t spend what a gun is worth on just a replacement stock.

Ruger American mo betta.

Pictures speak for themselves.

Savage Axis XP II and Model 110 Classic. Both with light and crisp triggers, straight from the factory.

Another vote for the Savage.

If you're going to get a savage, get one with the accutrigger. Then you don't have to do a thing to it...except replace the stock. Lol.

The savages I've had all had pretty good factory triggers - not Tikka good but better than Remington or Mossberg.

My brother had a Mossberg 100 ATR that was lights out. They also make some 223 guns that are very accurate. Nothing wrong with Mossberg or Savage as far as I'm concerned.

^^^^^^^

I just can’t do a Savage

My vote goes to Winchester XPR, the one I bought few years back was dirt cheap. I bought a 325 WSM that’s not only a really good shooter but feels like it has some quality to it. Short throw bolt, action smooth as glass and feeds like it was well engineered. It’s first thing I grab hunt with.

I had many Savages over the years and they all shoot good but I’ll take an XPR any day. The XPR has a trigger that a gun smith can really slick up good for cheap.

Bubbas and booger pickers

The savage with the bull barrel is really nice and I like their triggers

I got my fair share of “Salvages” (110’s and 12’s mostly) most of them only have the receiver and bolt as original equipment. The Axis is ok for what it is, but I think the Ruger American is a better option, and an even better option in the budget category is the Weatherby Vanguard line.

I agree 100%, I think you get a lot more rifle and quality for just a few dollars more with the vanguard line of rifles, many options and calibers to choose from as well

I know most us would vote for what we bought... That's generally why we bought it. So I'll do the same with the Ruger American Predator. I also just learned Ruger will send the parts to convert the rotary magazine to A.I. for about $26.

Walmart had the savage axis on clearance last summer for 190$ out the door so I took a chance on it. I hated the way it shot until I replaced the trigger spring. I refuse to replace the junk stock for the price. So I’ll still argue that this particular 190$ gun was the best budget gun on the market at the time.

I got my TikkaT3x for $469 March 2020, not complaining.

Great deal right there.

To me a budget gun is around the 300 price. The axis trigger can be adjusted. Those guns will shoot.

One son-in-law recently bought a Savage package in .308. He hasn't hunted that much and gets frustrated easily, even more than me, if you can believe it. I've always noticed that he doesn't have any patience with scopes whatsoever, and that Bushnell on there sucks eggs big time. Only Savage I own is a model 99 in .300 Savage with a brass cartridge counter (currently open-sight).

Mine came without a scope so I topped it with a sig 4-12x40. Amazing glass for the price

I bought a heavy barrel Axis II for $400. Sold the scope and stock for $100. Bought a MDT chassis for $300 and added a SWFA 3-15 scope. No longer a budget gun but shoots 3/4” groups at 200 yards all day long. Also added a Glades Armory bolt handle.