6.5 Creed Budget Project

[Mountain Sloth]

After a year of owning a Savage Axis II in 6.5 creed with a 20" barrel I decided to put a little love into this rifle and give it a budget facelift. Went with an MDT fieldstock. The rifle shoots 147 eldm factory rounds well but I have been bitten by the reloading bug so this morning I loaded up some 140 grain Bergers and we will see how they perform next weekend. All in I'm just under 800 all in. Did a little horse trading with a buddy who didn't like the Nikon p-308 that is now on this rifle so that isn't factored into the budget. I think this will be a great "trainer" rifle and my son can use it this fall for his apprentice hunter tag.

 

[Hespco]

Just for general info. In the early 1990's I built a wild cat know as the 6.5x308. Still have it ( pictured ) . Some time later Rem brought it out as the 260 Rem. From it's very beginning I used the Barnes 120gr "X" then TSX bullet. For I don't know how many years now I have taken elk after elk with this 6.5x08 & the Savage model 16 in 260 Rem. All using the Barnes original X bullet & then went to the TSX, & now the TTSX. Never once had an issue. Never a failure. Just to be fair I have tried the Hammer 121gr & the Badlands Precision 125gr. Exact same results, no matter what bullet was used. Light recoil , & always deep penetration. For what it is worth.

 

[hesse]

I recommend the bolt lift kit . I also would do the trigger also

 

[ARlife4me]

I don't own the axis, but do own several 110's. The only part i upgraded was the trigger (just on 1 for now). I just don't care for the accu-trigger.

BTW, you did a good job! Enjoy!

 

[Mountain Sloth]

I recommend the bolt lift kit . I also would do the trigger also

I'm sure that will end up happening soon

 

[hesse]

I'm sure that will end up happening soon

The lift kits are on eBay for $20. I am also not a fan of the accutrigger

 

[Shankedit]

I have four Savage 10 rifles and I did some bolt lift lightening too, just not a kit. Trimmed down the mainspring a bit and filed down that hook at the end of the cocking ramp slightly. If I remember right, it reduced the lift by about 30%, maybe more. But if a bolt kit is only $20, then it's probably worth doing that instead of going through the stress of shaving down that bolt ramp "hook".
Might be a bit of an apples to oranges comparison but the mods I did helped a ton. I also replaced the trigger in two of them. One with a Timney, the other with a Rifle Basix. I like them both equally well I think.

 

[Greyfox]

Having done similar "spruce-ups" with the Savage 110, the the "weak spots" in my experience is the action bedding, and the ejector/extractor assembly. Midway USA/Brownell sells "beefed up" replacement springs.guide-pins" that work very well, inexpensive , and easy to install. Be cautious going too light with replacement triggers in the Savage! Particularly if you are going to be letting your son use the rifle as a trainer. You might be better off from a safety standpoint trying some different springs which are available(and can make a noticeable difference) in the function of the Accu-Trigger, and, still preserving the the OEM safety-blade feature of the Accu-Trigger.