Long Range Hunting build

Joined
Nov 21, 2018
Messages
6
Location
Clarion County, PA
Hello everyone, I'm about to start a long range rifle build. I'm thinking building a 280 ai off of a savage axis using a shilen barrel. I'll be putting in a timney trigger as well and a Boyd's laminate stock. I'm using it for west hunts, mostly pronghorn and elk. But I'm also considering going on a hunt to Alaska for caribou as well. I wanted to know if anyone here has done builds off of savage axis or if you have a better gun to build off of or maybe a caliber your recommend. I'm up for any input you all have. Mostly want to here what you guys with more experience think.
 
The 280AI is a great choice, 160 class come to mind for a bullet. My only concern would be the freebore. Talk with Shilen and see how there reamers ground for if its saami probably set up for the 140's. You could always get it throated.
 
DarkEagle Customs makes higher capacity magazines for Savage bottom metal (both model 111 Axis). I have one for a Savage 300 WSM. Pretty nice.

Good point about the throat above. Shilen will cut a chamber based on a dummy round too. I would call Northland Shooter Supply and talk to them about it.
 
I have done 8 Savage builds and all have done great. I did a Savage 280 AI with the new accufit stock and its a great rifle. Maybe try the Accutrigger first, there is a spring you can buy that lightens the trigger pull. Its like $6 and easy to install, I have it on 6 of the 8 savages. The Boyds at-one is a nice stock, it weighs around 3 pounds but has adjustable LOP and cheek riser. Best of luck!
 
I built my coyote calling rifle off a savage axis. I do like the rifle but it's still an axis. It shoots great I used a Boyd's at-one stock and have a timney trigger in it. It's chambered in 22-243. But if I was to do it again I would do it off either a Remington or Remington aftermarket action. You have more choices for everything stocks, bases, triggers, every Smith knows there way around a Remington if they are a good smith. Just leaves you with more options in the future.
 
I built my coyote calling rifle off a savage axis. I do like the rifle but it's still an axis. It shoots great I used a Boyd's at-one stock and have a timney trigger in it. It's chambered in 22-243. But if I was to do it again I would do it off either a Remington or Remington aftermarket action. You have more choices for everything stocks, bases, triggers, every Smith knows there way around a Remington if they are a good smith. Just leaves you with more options in the future.
I've thought about building it off a Remington. Always new it was a.much better action, just trying to do it for the cheapest I can without compromising to much accuracy.
 
As others have said you will probably be better off getting a different action unless you already have the axis. The price you pay for a Timney will make up for what you save going with the cheaper gun. Also, the acutrigger is very good if you change the spring and there are a lot more stock choices available for 110. Shilen makes very good pre-fit barrels, I've used several and all were shooters. I don't have any experience with the 280ai but it doesn't seem to be an improvement over the plain old 7 Rem mag. I don't worry about weight but I'm not old yet, so down the road, it might be a concern of mine, but for now, accuracy is more important to me. The laminate stocks are stable but make sure that you don't forget to bed the barreled action into the stock.
 
I've done several builds on savages, none on the axis though. Personally I'd stay away, there is more aftermarket for the 110 based builds. Unless you never want to swap stocks. Also there is a lot more aftermarket for short actions from what I've seen. But not nearly as much as for remington, that is king for aftermarket. I don't necessarily agree that it's (remington) a better action, personally I love the ability to swap out bolt heads if I change calibers. I guess better is subjective to intended use a little bit.

If you look around you can find a good deal on an action in the classifieds sooner or later.

Also, don't discount a rifle basix trigger from northland shooters supply, I have used several and they have all been fantastic :)
 
Have you elk hunted before? Lot of difference between a 8-10 pound gun and a 15+ pound gun when your hunting in the mountains.
That depends on both how you are hunting and how you are carrying. If you have horses it doesn't much matter. If you are just setting up and glassing for an ambush shot it doesn't much matter.

If you're on foot and humping a lot of territory it can and does matter a lot.
 
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