The Savage Axis is a popular and affordable bolt-action rifle that is used for hunting, target shooting, and other recreational activities. However, one of the most common problems that Savage Axis owners experience is difficulty mounting a scope due to the wide variety of mount and rail options available. Today, I will discuss the various Savage Axis scope mount problems that owners may come across, as well as provide some solutions to these issues.
About Savage Axis Scope
The Savage Axis Scope is a highly affordable rifle scope for budget-conscious shooters. It is specifically designed for use with Savage Axis rifles but is compatible with many other firearms as well.
- The scope has a 3-9x40mm lens and is nitrogen-filled and sealed for fog proof, waterproof performance.
- It also features a one-piece tube construction and fully multi-coated lenses for maximum light transmission and clarity.
- The Savage Axis Scope is a great choice for hunters and target shooters looking for a reliable and affordable scope.
Savage Axis 8-40 (Savage Axis 2-Piece) Scope Base
The Savage Axis 8-40 scope base is a two-piece. The Savage Axis 2-piece scope base is a scope base designed for the Savage Axis rifle. This base is made of aluminum and is designed to fit any Weaver or Picatinny scope rings. And, Weaver-style scope base designed specifically for Savage Axis rifles.
- It is constructed of aluminum.
- It features a black-anodized finish to provide a long-lasting, corrosion-resistant base.
- The base is also compatible with most Weaver-style rings and mounts to accommodate a variety of optics for your Savage Axis rifle.
- It is also designed to be a low-profile base that will not interfere with the rifle’s performance.
- This base is easy to install and provides a secure mount for your scope.
Savage Axis Scope Mount Screw Size
- The Savage Axis scope mount uses 6-48 screws.
- The thread size is 6-48 x 3/8″ and the head size is 3/8″ Flat Head.
What Size Scope Rings for Savage Axis?
The Savage Axis has a Picatinny rail. It is recommended to use rings that fit a Picatinny rail. The size you need will depend on the size of the scope you are mounting.
- If you are mounting a 1-inch scope, you will need 1-inch scope rings.
- If you are mounting a 30mm scope, you will need 30mm scope rings.
Savage Axis Scope Rail: What Kind of Rail Is on It?
The Savage Axis rifle is equipped with a floating bolt head design, which is mated to a machined and tapped receiver.
- The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts and the barrel is free-floated.
- The barrel is made of carbon steel and is button-rifled with a 1:10” twist rate.
- It also has a detachable box magazine and a black matte finish.
The rifle is equipped with a Savage AccuTrigger, which is adjustable from 1.5 to 6 pounds, and a synthetic stock with a black matte finish.
- The Axis also features a standard profile rail that is mounted on the top of the receiver,
- It allows you to attach scope rings, scope mounts, and any other accessories you may need.
Savage Axis Picatinny Rail
The Savage Axis is not compatible with a Picatinny rail out of the box. However, there are after-market options available that will allow you to mount a Picatinny rail to the top of the receiver. These typically require drilling and tapping into the top of the receiver to secure the rail.
Do You Need Loctite on Scope Mounts?
Yes, most manufacturers recommend using a thread-locking compound such as Loctite on scope mounts. This will help ensure that the screws remain tightly secured and prevent them from becoming loose over time.
What Are The Savage Axis Scope Mount Problems?
The most common problem with Savage Axis scope mounts is that they are designed to fit a wide variety of Savage rifles, but not all of them.
- This can make it difficult to accurately align the scope with the bore of the rifle.
- The stock Savage Axis scope mounts are sometimes of low quality and do not hold the scope securely. This can cause the scope to move or shift during recoil, resulting in inaccurate shots.
Other issues with Savage Axis scope mounts include that the mounting screws may be difficult to access. So the mounts themselves may not be compatible with certain types of scopes.
Furthermore, some mounts have been known to have a poor fit between the mount and the receiver, resulting in additional movement and inaccuracy.
Finally, some Savage Axis scope mounts are not rated for recoil. So they may be damaged or shifted during firing.
Savage Axis Bolt Handle Hitting Scope? What to Do?
It is possible for the bolt handle of a Savage Axis rifle to hit the scope if it is not mounted properly. To avoid this, you should mount the scope properly and check that the bolt handle is not contacting the scope before firing.
-
- If the bolt handle is hitting the scope, the scope should be adjusted or the bolt handle should be adjusted or replaced with a longer handle.
How to Mount Savage Axis Scope Properly?
- You can start by attaching the scope rings to the scope. Make sure they are the correct height to allow a comfortable and safe cheek weld with your rifle.
- Place the scope rings into the bases on your rifle, and use a screwdriver to tighten them securely.
- Put the scope into the rings and use the screws provided to connect them together.
- Make sure the scope is level and parallel to the barrel of your rifle.
- Once the scope is secured in the rings, place the turrets onto the scope and use a screwdriver to tighten them securely.
- Place the lens covers onto the scope, and use the screws provided to secure them in place.
- Turn the turrets to adjust the elevation and windage, and use a coin or screwdriver to make the adjustments.
- Sight in your rifle with the Savage Axis scope, and adjust the turrets for the most accurate shot.
Best Scope Mount For Savage Axis
The best scope mount for the Savage Axis is the Leupold Dual Dovetail Steel Base.
- It is designed to fit the Savage Axis perfectly.
- It is made from durable steel, which ensures a secure and reliable fit.
- It also features a matte finish and is easy to install.
The Leupold Dual Dovetail Steel Base is a great choice for the Savage Axis and comes highly recommended.
Basic Queries About Base & Ring Gaps
How Tight Should Scope Bases Be?
Scope bases should be tight enough that your scope does not move when you remove and replace it. It should also be tight enough that it does not move when the rifle is fired. However, the screws of the scope bases should not be so tight that you strip the threads.
What Happens If You Over-Tighten Scope Rings?
If you over-tighten scope rings, you may strip the screws, damage the scope, or cause the scope to become misaligned.
- It can cause your shots to be off target and your scope to malfunction.
- Over-tightening may also cause the scope tube to become dimpled or warped, leading to a decrease in accuracy.
How Close to The Barrel Should a Scope Be Mounted?
Ideally, a scope should be mounted as close as possible to the barrel while still allowing the shooter to comfortably get behind the rifle and see through the scope. Generally, this is between 1-3 inches away from the barrel.
Should Scope Rings Have a Gap?
No, scope rings should not have a gap. Scope rings should be securely and tightly mounted on the weapon to which they are attached, with no gaps.
What Causes Rings to Not Fit?
Rings may not fit properly due to several different factors. The most common of these are incorrect sizing, wear, and tear, or damage to the gun.
- Incorrect sizing can be caused by buying the wrong size ring or by using a ring that was not specifically designed for the make and model of the gun.
- Wear and tear are normal over time, and gun rings can become worn or misshapen due to repeated use.
- Damage to the gun can also cause the ring to be misaligned, preventing it from fitting correctly.
What Is Ring Gapping?
Ring gapping is the process of measuring and adjusting the gap between the barrel and the cylinder bore of a revolver.
- This gap, or “ring”, is necessary to ensure proper revolver operation and accuracy.
- The process involves measuring the gap between the barrel and the cylinder, then filing or grinding the ring to the desired size.
What Happens When The Ring Gap Is Too Wide?
When the ring gap is too wide, the combustion chamber will not be properly sealed.
It causes the engine to be less efficient and results in a loss of power and fuel economy. Additionally, the extra space can cause the piston rings to wear out faster as they are unable to make a proper seal.
How Much Ring Gap Is Too Much?
The ideal size of the gun ring gap should be between 0.006″ and 0.008″ (0.15-0.20 mm).
Any gap that is larger than this could lead to excessive chamber pressure, excessive muzzle flash, and instability of the round when fired.
How Do You Check For Ring Gaps?
To check for ring gaps, you will need to remove the spark plugs and use a ring gap measuring tool to measure the gap between the two ends of the ring.
The typical gap size is around 0.006-0.010 inches. If the gap is larger than the recommended size, then the rings will need to be replaced.
What Happens If The Piston Ring Gap Is Too Small?
If the piston ring gap is too small, it can cause excessive friction, which can lead to premature engine wear and reduced fuel economy. Additionally, the pistons may not be able to expand properly, leading to inadequate compression and poor engine performance.
How Do You Fix Ring Gaps?
Ring gaps can be fixed by having the ring professionally sized.
- If the gap is too large, may need to add additional metal to the ring.
- Alternatively, a ring guard or ring wrap can be added to the ring to help fill in the gap.
How Much Ring Gap Do You Need?
The optimal amount of ring gap for any particular engine will vary depending on the make and model.
- Generally, you have a gap between 0.003 and 0.008 inches for cast iron rings,
- 0.004 and 0.010 inches for chrome moly rings,
- and 0.005 and 0.012 inches for moly-filled steel rings.
What Causes Piston Rings to Fail?
Piston rings can fail due to a variety of causes, including wear and tear, incorrect installation, incorrect piston ring gaps, inadequate lubrication, contamination from dirt, debris, or other materials, overheating, and inadequate piston ring tension.
Conclusion
The Savage Axis scope mount is a reliable and popular option, but there are a few issues to be aware of. The most common problem is that the mounting screws may strip their threads, and the mounting screws may not fit tightly into the receiver. Also, the scope mount may not have enough clearance for some larger objectives, and the scope mount may not be compatible with some aftermarket bases.
In the end, it’s wise to research and expertise about the scope mount and accessories before purchasing to make sure they are compatible with your rifle.
