Savage Axis II Precision 6.5CM bolt issue?

[JoeyAmmo]

Guys,

Brand new to the forum. Today, I unboxed my new Savage Axis II Precision rifle. All looked good, bolt inserted and close/lift a bit tight. Trigger good. Prior to buying the rifle I had about 100 pcs of once fired range brass and prepped the cases (mostly Hornady), cleaned, sized, trimmed (1.910). I made a dummy round as I set up my press. The round passed the plunk test and OAL 2.820. 140gr ELD match. I wanted to check the bolt function and while it fed a round, closing the bolt felt extremely tight. The bullet is not contacting the lands. I also took some empty cases which were sized, measured and checked in the case gauge, but closing the bolt was even harder. I don't have any factory ammo as of this writing, but I am curious if anyone else has experienced this before?

 

[oldrifleman]

Wondering about headspace issues. Did you lubricate the rifle at all? I might see if anyone around you has a go/no go gauge set.

 

[Ty21]

I assume that the cases were fired in a different gun?…sounds like the shoulder on the cases needs to be pushed back about 2 thousand then you should be good to go.

 

[supercorndogs]

Yes lots of people have had those problems. Screw the die down farther. If that doesn't work youre going to have to start measuring stuff.

 

[JoeyAmmo]

Ty21, You were correct. I adjusted my die and wa la. Thanks. I also got some factory loads and all good there. Long time reloader but haven’t done bolt action cartridges in a very long time. New to 6.5 as well.

 

[JoeyAmmo]

This is an update to my original post and a few hundred rounds later. The bolt has loosened up a bit but a lift kit will be ordered soon. I decided my scope needed more power so, still working with a budget, bought an Arken EP-5 5-25 from Midway (on sale of course). It's amazing what a higher power scope did for my groups. I ended up having 5 different loads shooting under 1 moa at 100yrds and 2 of them shooting sub MOA. At 300 yards I had a 1.091" group. I am impressed with the performance of this "budget rifle". I was using 140gr and 147gr ELM-M factory 2nds from Midway and still got these kinds of groups. My next component is the bipod. Currently I am using a cheap amazon "CV life" 5" bipod. Any suggestions for a good budget bipod would be appreciated. I have to say I had fun building AR's but this is more addicting.

 

[Turkeytider]

This is an update to my original post and a few hundred rounds later. The bolt has loosened up a bit but a lift kit will be ordered soon. I decided my scope needed more power so, still working with a budget, bought an Arken EP-5 5-25 from Midway (on sale of course). It's amazing what a higher power scope did for my groups. I ended up having 5 different loads shooting under 1 moa at 100yrds and 2 of them shooting sub MOA. At 300 yards I had a 1.091" group. I am impressed with the performance of this "budget rifle". I was using 140gr and 147gr ELM-M factory 2nds from Midway and still got these kinds of groups. My next component is the bipod. Currently I am using a cheap amazon "CV life" 5" bipod. Any suggestions for a good budget bipod would be appreciated. I have to say I had fun building AR's but this is more addicting.

If you haven’t already and are interested in seeing if your gun will shoot more budget friendly ammo, give AAC 140 grain SMK and Hornady’s American. Gunner 140 grainBTHP a try. Both shoot great to 500 yards through my Tikka Super Varmint.

 

[Thump_rrr]

If you want an easier time cycling the bolt replace the bolt handle with the tactical model.
I use it on all of mine.
Edit: Glades Armory makes a tactical bolt handle for the Axis II