This afternoon I snuck out to the field for a quick test drive. Distance was only 65 yards but she was making nice clusters. Ammo was 37 grains IMR 4895 under a 180 grain slug, which is actually a .300 Savage load. Seems appropriate that this rifle would like it! One thing that impressed me is how the cheap plastic stock actually fits me quite well. Recoil and muzzle jump is about like a .30-30. The trigger is pretty creepy but quite serviceable for hunting use.
Only thing I really don't like about this rifle and most modern bolt actions in general is they all use expensive proprietary mags. The Axis mag is really thin, spot welded sheet metal, about on par with those no name pistol mags in every gun shop's bargain bin. The base plate and follower are just plastic, as is the mag latch. And yet these things are like $40-50.00 apiece. It would make way more sense to use a proven design like the AR-10 or AI style mag, but I guess they have to gouge you somewhere. If somebody like Promag came out with a substitute for half the price that would be pretty sweet. Or, create a fixed mag option like the Remington 700.