I’ve been looking for a no frills rifle for deer to maybe elk if the weather is bad and some range shooting. After bouncing around on calibers I came back to the 308 as the best option, though for the right price I could go with a 270 or 30-06. I’ve narrowed the race to the savage and mossberg. I like the stock on the Mossberg more but the safety is merely ok. The Savage has a better feeling safety but the stock feel is slightly less good. I can get either new locally for $300 with a scope. I also have found lightly used patriots for 230 in pawn shops around here. My guess is that whichever is the right price gets the spot in the safe but wanted to see what personal experience might be out there.
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Mossberg Patriot vs Savage Axis
- Thread starter tmd47762
- Start date
montanaoffroader
New member
I have some experience with both models, and they both have good and bad points. The one thing that stands out for me is the trigger. The base model Axis can have a pretty heavy trigger pull, I had to do a little work to mine to bring the pull weight down to a reasonable level.
The Mossberg has a decent trigger right out of the box. Not necessarily great, but decent - and it's adjustable. Makes it a whole lot easier to shoot accurately, IMO.
The Axis II is available with the AccuTrigger, but they tend to run higher in price.
I currently own an Axis in .223, my nephew owns an Axis in .223, and my daughter owns the Patriot in .270. Also, my BIL owns the Patriot in .243. He used to own an Axis, but he traded it in on the Patriot.
Both models have functioned well enough, and both are reasonably accurate but if I had to live with just one them it would be the Mossberg. If I hadn't purchased the Axis before the Patriot came out, I would probably be a Patriot owner right now.
The Mossberg has a decent trigger right out of the box. Not necessarily great, but decent - and it's adjustable. Makes it a whole lot easier to shoot accurately, IMO.
The Axis II is available with the AccuTrigger, but they tend to run higher in price.
I currently own an Axis in .223, my nephew owns an Axis in .223, and my daughter owns the Patriot in .270. Also, my BIL owns the Patriot in .243. He used to own an Axis, but he traded it in on the Patriot.
Both models have functioned well enough, and both are reasonably accurate but if I had to live with just one them it would be the Mossberg. If I hadn't purchased the Axis before the Patriot came out, I would probably be a Patriot owner right now.
I'd recommend staying with a short action in any of the budget rifles. They are all on the light side and recoil from the long action versions starts to get sporty. If shopping for a used, or for that matter new rifle don't focus on only one cartridge. A 243, 6.5CM, 7-08 or 308 will all kill deer and elk. The 243 is on the lower end for elk, but will kill one. No deer or elk will ever notice the difference between the other 3. For several reasons I like 308 a little better, but if I ran across a steal on a used 7-08 or 6.5 CM I'd not pass it up waiting on a 308.
Several companies make decent budget guns. I don't have any personal experience with either of those options. But based just on what I read on this and other gun/hunting related forums think the Axis has the better reputation.
They are a little more expensive, and I think are worth it, but the Ruger American gets my vote for the best of the budget rifles. The standard rifles run around $350 here and the Predator version around $400. That is for new rifles. When used ones turn up around $250.
Several companies make decent budget guns. I don't have any personal experience with either of those options. But based just on what I read on this and other gun/hunting related forums think the Axis has the better reputation.
They are a little more expensive, and I think are worth it, but the Ruger American gets my vote for the best of the budget rifles. The standard rifles run around $350 here and the Predator version around $400. That is for new rifles. When used ones turn up around $250.
The action length has nothing to do with felt recoil. The weight and stock design do. In a Patriot, both chamberings weigh exactly the same and have the same stock. 7.5 pounds. You won't notice the difference.
The Axis, an entry level hunting rifle, weighs a tick less at 7.25 pounds.
You can really toss a coin and buy either based entirely on price and live happily ever after. For bad weather, I think I'd lean towards SS. The Patriot comes in SS with Ceracote on it. The Mossberg is just SS.
The Axis, an entry level hunting rifle, weighs a tick less at 7.25 pounds.
You can really toss a coin and buy either based entirely on price and live happily ever after. For bad weather, I think I'd lean towards SS. The Patriot comes in SS with Ceracote on it. The Mossberg is just SS.
The action length on both rifles is the same. Long..
For the short cartridges a filler/spacer is used.
So you might as well go the 270 or 06' route.
At least for Savage that is wrong. Models in XX digits are short actions. No filler.
Models in XXX (110 etc) are long (there is some cross over but mostly that describes it)
I don't know about the Mossy.
reynolds357
New member
I have never shot a Patriot. I have shot my son's Axis. It is ugly, rough, cheap feeling, and an absolute tack driver. It will shoot any ammo I have ever fed it sub MOA. It will shoot match ammo under 1/2" at 100, 5 shot groups, with a 3x9 cheap scope.
PlatinumCore16
New member
My brother has enjoyed his Axis, but I would suggest, if you can find it, step up to the Axis II for the Accutrigger. I have a Mossberg MVP LC, so I can't really comment against the bottom budget one.
Ya know, it has occured to me...
Say what you will about the "budget" rifles. It has a bad trigger, stock is cheap, scope is cheap, fit & finish sadly lacking.
But way more often than not, people exlaim the accuracy of them.
Browsing my local gun shops, i'm hard pressed to find used ones on the shelf.
Say what you will about the "budget" rifles. It has a bad trigger, stock is cheap, scope is cheap, fit & finish sadly lacking.
But way more often than not, people exlaim the accuracy of them.
Browsing my local gun shops, i'm hard pressed to find used ones on the shelf.
I have owned both, both are great and functional budget rifles.
The very latest Axis models have an updated stock that looks much better, and is SUPPOSED to be a bit stiffer. I can’t comment on that because I only own the older style.
The Patriot has been a smashing success for a Mossberg. They are not finished particularly well if you really nitpick, but they are smooth, have good triggers, and are accurate rifles on the whole.
I am a fan of the Remington 783, which is very similar to both the Axis and Patriot. Remington is pretty much hated now, but the 783 is a great basic rifle that functions well. The stock is fairly stiff, (I also have the Walnut model so that’s a non-issue regardless), bolt is smooth, and it has a GREAT recoil pad.
Don’t overlook the TC Compass, either.
I don’t think you can go wrong with most of the budget guns; they all have strengths and weaknesses. For a basic hunting gun they’ll all do the job well.
I’m a member of some hunting groups on social media, and I’ve been surprised at how many hunters have embraced these budget guns. They don’t have the sex appeal of the old school deer guns, but they get the job done just fine where it counts.
Good luck and good shooting!
The very latest Axis models have an updated stock that looks much better, and is SUPPOSED to be a bit stiffer. I can’t comment on that because I only own the older style.
The Patriot has been a smashing success for a Mossberg. They are not finished particularly well if you really nitpick, but they are smooth, have good triggers, and are accurate rifles on the whole.
I am a fan of the Remington 783, which is very similar to both the Axis and Patriot. Remington is pretty much hated now, but the 783 is a great basic rifle that functions well. The stock is fairly stiff, (I also have the Walnut model so that’s a non-issue regardless), bolt is smooth, and it has a GREAT recoil pad.
Don’t overlook the TC Compass, either.
I don’t think you can go wrong with most of the budget guns; they all have strengths and weaknesses. For a basic hunting gun they’ll all do the job well.
I’m a member of some hunting groups on social media, and I’ve been surprised at how many hunters have embraced these budget guns. They don’t have the sex appeal of the old school deer guns, but they get the job done just fine where it counts.
Good luck and good shooting!
PlatinumCore16
New member
Edit: removed based on information on the 783. Was unaware of the upgrades it received over the 770.
Checked out our monthly gun show this morning and didn’t find the rifle at the right price, but it wasn’t a total bust. I did get some confidence in my shopping around and some odds and ends. Great for pistols and ARs but lacking in diversity for bolts. Next week I’ll check the pawn shop mossbergs to see how used they actually are then decide from there. My guess is most of these are rifles in 30-06 that were bought and the owner didn’t like the recoil and traded them for something else.
Don Fischer
New member
Why in the world are you looking a gun shows and pawn shops for used Partiot's? You will probably pay close to if not at new price for it. My first Patriot came in a plastic stock and I ordered a wood stock the same day. Rifle with the plastic stock shot 1" out of the box and cost my $299 brand new!
For real. These are under $300 brand new with warranty everywhere.Why in the world are you looking a gun shows and pawn shops for used Partiot's? You will probably pay close to if not at new price for it. My first Patriot came in a plastic stock and I ordered a wood stock the same day. Rifle with the plastic stock shot 1" out of the box and cost my $299 brand new!