Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:01:54 PM

Title: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:01:54 PM: So I went to adjust my trigger and apparently used the wrong Loctite on one of my action screws and ended up stripping the hex bolt. So I figured well since I've got to replace the action screws I might as well replace the stock. I went with the Boyd's featherweight thumbhole in pepper. I'll post before and after pictures once I've received the stock (1-2 week shipping time).

Anyone else upgrading their "entry" level axis/edge??
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: RadSav on April 18, 2014, 09:04:14 PM: Had you been having a problem with your action screws coming loose?
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:08:10 PM: They would slowly start backing out after roughly 30-40 rounds.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: RadSav on April 18, 2014, 09:15:36 PM: Wow, that's a bit weird. Do you have an inch pound torque wrench? Pillars and a good torque wrench might be nice on that new stock.

I've ruined a bunch of good smith drivers trying to remove and then repair action screws. Usually from guys using some sort of Loc-Tite. Most fine threads don't need it. If you find you do need something try plumbers Teflon thread tape instead. Works like a charm without the risk. :tup: Aluminum or brass counter sink washers work nicely too. And I think they add a nice finish to a new stock if the action allows for them.

I haven't played with any of the Axis guns. But it sounds like the marriage between Boyds and that action should make a sweet set up. Be sure to post some pictures when you are finished. Good luck!
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:16:48 PM: Thanks for the tip RadSav never thought of that. The Loctite was by suggestion from the savage gunsmiths. Now I'm trying to figure out the best way to get that screw out without damaging the threading :bash:. I've got 2 weeks to figure that one out
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:22:40 PM: Negative on the inch pound torque wrench. A mechanic buddy of mine has one and so I get to borrow it on occausion. Definently on the list of must have. Also I do believe the new stock has pillars as it's set to use the standard savage action screws. I was debating on if I wanted to glass bed the action but that's a project I'll leave to a professional
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: RadSav on April 18, 2014, 09:25:31 PM: Quote from: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:16:48 PM
Thanks for the tip RadSav never thought of that. The Loctite was by suggestion from the savage gunsmiths. Now I'm trying to figure out the best way to get that screw out without damaging the threading :bash:. I've got 2 weeks to figure that one out

Service techs at Loc-Tite have been fantastic when I've used them. I'd give them a call. But from my experience if you mistakenly used Red or BlackMax your better off taking it to a machine shop with an EDM machine and have it cut out and retapped. I've actually melted copper washers before getting either of those two to break loose.

I did not know Boyds had preinstalled pillars. That's sounding better and better!
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:29:09 PM: Well the advise I got from the savage gunsmith was to try JBwelding an allen wrench in there then applying direct heat to the bolt as I turned it. He said he gets loctited bolts in all the time and usually that combo gets them out. Figured it'd be worth a try.

Don't quote me on the pillars pre-installed in the stock yet. I'll let you know when it arrives.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: RadSav on April 18, 2014, 09:35:20 PM: Do you remember which Loc-Tite you used?
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:42:17 PM: Threadlocker Red 271 (and a little more then recommended probably)
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: sakoshooter on April 18, 2014, 10:00:46 PM: Quote from: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:16:48 PM
Thanks for the tip RadSav never thought of that. The Loctite was by suggestion from the savage gunsmiths. Now I'm trying to figure out the best way to get that screw out without damaging the threading :bash:. I've got 2 weeks to figure that one out

Carefully heat the bolt. Then remove.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: RadSav on April 18, 2014, 10:07:40 PM: Quote from: Jolten on April 18, 2014, 09:42:17 PM
Threadlocker Red 271 (and a little more then recommended probably)

:yike: :chuckle: :chuckle:

271 needs the material to reach or exceed 500 degrees before it lets loose. That's only about 80 degrees less than the JB Weld. The thoughts of getting something that hot around my trigger springs would scare the heck out of me! I would look into removing the trigger and any springs before doing it. I am sure glad you are doing it instead of me :chuckle: I bet someone on here like Bighammer knows a really good gunsmith you could trust to do it.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: akirkland on April 19, 2014, 11:29:52 AM: Savage Axis .270
Weaver one piece base
Killer Innovations rings
Vortex Crossfire II 4x12x44 AO
Upgraded trigger springs

Just got my Boyd's classic stock in peppered laminate ordered on Wednesday. I upgraded the recoil pad and had some checkering done for extra grip. I will do a little sanding and coating before the install. And it will be bedded properly as well. Before hunting season I will send off my bolt handle so it can be slightly lengthened. I hear the 110 bolt handle will work but I also heard it wond eject properly on the Axis. So, I will just send off the existing handle. I have thought of putting in the Timney trigger but mine is actually comfortable and quite smooth. 2.5-3 pounds max to boot. The gun is quite accurate as it is. I promise sub MOA with Hunt Wa members present. I can only imagine how well it will do after the flimsy stock is replaced. Some of you will say but its still an Axis. To me, that is the beauty of it.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: jay.sharkbait on April 19, 2014, 12:13:03 PM: I've used electric soldering irons to heat stubborn loctighted fasteners.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 19, 2014, 03:59:12 PM: Couldn't agree more akirkland. If I can do something for the fraction of the cost that a premium rifle and have more money to spend time at the range I'm going that route. With the Tupperware stock I was getting 3/4 moa on a bad day with just doing a little trigger work.

BTW savage came out with the axis that comes with the accutrigger. I thought about calling savage up and seeing if I could purchess on for the axis.

Next step after replacing the stock is to upgrade the rings and scope. For a .243 its never let me down.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 20, 2014, 09:10:36 AM: Update... apparently you old timers are hiding some pretty awesome secrets. My wifey's father came over and asked how my project was going and when I told him about the action screw he said "really easy to fix I'll show you" so he raided the medicine cabinet grabbed some finger nail polish remover a torx bit from the tool box. I splash of polish remover a couple taps on the bit from a hammer and walah. Completely stripped off the loctite
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: baker5150 on April 20, 2014, 09:56:02 AM: How are you getting that new stock to fit an Axis? Are you customizing the stock to fit?
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 20, 2014, 09:58:03 AM: Boyds sells drop in stocks for the axis now.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 20, 2014, 10:09:01 AM: Here's the one I'm getting.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 28, 2014, 09:08:55 PM: Tracking shows my stock should be in tomorrow. Will update once I get it all together and hopefully the weather is cooperative so I can test it out fully.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: akirkland on April 29, 2014, 07:47:30 AM: Mine has not shipped yet but I had some upgrades done to it. I'm going to do some sanding and finish work on my stock before I do anything. Not anything crazy, just a bit to protect it I guess. And with the help of a friend, Im going to bed it before I go out and shoot it. I want it dialed in properly before I send a bullet down range. Take pictures and let us know what you think of it.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 29, 2014, 03:17:39 PM: New stock arrived and everything fit exceptionally well.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: iusmc2002 on April 30, 2014, 08:37:28 PM: :tup:

Really like the looks of that stock!

FWIW, the FAT wrench is pretty handy to have around when you're working on guns. I use it on all my action screws.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on April 30, 2014, 08:51:21 PM: Yea the picture doesn't do the stock Justice. It did increase the overall weight and makes the overall setup feel better balanced.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: RadSav on May 01, 2014, 03:05:32 AM: Yeah baby. NICE! :tup:

I love my laminated thumb hole stocks.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: akirkland on May 06, 2014, 09:24:25 PM: The new Boyd's classic stock in pepper for my Axis. The checkering is where it's at. It looks good and almost feels like grip tape. Barrel is free floating and everything fit like a glove. No complaints. Quite happy.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on May 06, 2014, 09:28:04 PM: Akirkland its a pleasant surprise that they come pillar bedded.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: akirkland on May 06, 2014, 09:49:28 PM: Totally happy with it!
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on May 15, 2014, 10:45:28 PM: Finally had time to go to the range today. And I must say I'm very impressed with how the new stock feels. My groups did open up a bit. So I'm going to go back again to retest tomorrow.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on June 08, 2014, 01:32:46 PM: Barnes 80gr ttsx seems to work wonders. Went from an open group to damn near touching
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Maverick on June 08, 2014, 05:28:28 PM: How much was that stock? Looks great! Would live to have that on my savage axis 22-250
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on June 08, 2014, 05:30:20 PM: 99.99+tax and shipping
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: bowhunterwa87 on June 08, 2014, 05:32:57 PM: Never thought id say it but thats a nice looking axis!
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on June 08, 2014, 08:41:31 PM: Its even got a cheap cabelas alpha series scope on it. Not too shabby I'd say.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: RadSav on June 08, 2014, 09:13:00 PM: What scope rings do you have on that?
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on June 08, 2014, 09:15:01 PM: The scope rings & bases are what came with the axis. They're on the upgrade list as well. Trigger I rigged down to ~2.5lbs.
Title: Re: Savage Axis Upgrading
Post by: Jolten on October 29, 2014, 02:29:25 PM: Magazine broke while hunting. Back latch plastic price broke causing the magazine to not sit flush which hindered loading from the mag. Also noticed replacements aren't cheap. So I drilled a small hole in line with the hole in the metal. Inserted a q-tip tube with a small push pin and glued all together. Seems to have fixed the issue if just temporarily.