I bought a 308 savage axis last year during black friday, since i bought the gun the bolt has been really stiff after shooting, i saw some people say its known for savages but this seems a bit excessive. When a round is fired its harder to pull back the bolt, i tried it with different brands of ammo as well, the same thing happens if i put brass in there from the rounds i just shot, if it was pressure issues would it still be doing it with just the brass?the brass is being scratched by the chamber on the walls of the brass as well, any advice is appreciated thanks

I forgot to add that it only does this when the trigger is pulled, if i put the brass in there and dont pull the trigger, its still a bit stiff but it comes out alot easier, when you pull the trigger you literally have to put the gun down and tap it or pull back pretty hard

Sounds like a rough chamber.

Contact Savage, and they will take care of you.

If you want to try a DIY fix, 320 gr sandpaper wrapped around a wood dowel rod, chucked up in your drill. Sand the chamber.

This

My wife’s 9-10 year old Axis does this occasionally, not every shot. Sometimes have to pound the bolt back.

Had this issue (chamber) on a H&R 223 i bought for my 5 year old son many years ago. Took a fired round, drilled and tapped the primer pocket, inserted a threaded rod to chuck up in a drill.
Started with valve lapping compound and smoothed up the chamber. Helped a couple friends with this as well, same process and used jewelers lapping compound.

any unusual marks on the fired brass?

Could be a rough chamber like JG said.

I'm not sure if you mean running the bolt is stiff, or if the bolt lift is stiff. You can get aftermarket bolt lift kits like this.

Also, check to make sure the Savage bolt lug is in properly. I've seen several brand new Savage rifles with the bolt lug upside down. Video here to explain better.