Affordable Versatility: Exploring the .300 Blackout’s Potential with a Budget Bolt Gun and LPVO

The .300 Blackout cartridge has gained quite a following in recent years, especially among AR-15 enthusiasts. But what about those looking for a bolt-action option? Enter the Savage Axis II in .300 Blackout, a budget-friendly rifle that brings this versatile cartridge to the bolt gun world. Pair it with the new Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 First Focal Plane LPVO and a stealth-mode suppressor, and you’ve got a setup ready for everything from close-quarters hog hunting to midrange target shooting. Let’s dive into this intriguing combo and see what it has to offer.

The Savage Axis II: Affordable Precision

Savage Arms has long been known for producing accurate rifles at reasonable prices, and the Axis II is no exception. This .300 Blackout variant brings a lot to the table for around $400. The synthetic stock is ergonomically designed with a slim grip area and finger grooves up front for a stable hold. A cushy recoil pad at the butt helps tame what little kick the .300 Blackout produces, especially when suppressed.

One of the standout features of the Axis II is Savage’s renowned AccuTrigger. This user-adjustable system allows you to dial in the pull weight from 2.5 to 6 pounds while maintaining a crisp, creep-free break. It’s a feature that is becoming more common in budget rifles and contributes significantly to the gun’s accuracy potential.

Barrel & Action

The .300 Blackout variant of the Axis II sports a 16.125-inch threaded heavy carbon steel barrel with a 1:8 twist rate, perfect for stabilizing the wide range of bullet weights this cartridge utilizes. Savage’s button-rifling process ensures consistency, while their floating bolt head design allows for perfect lug engagement and headspacing. These factors combine to produce impressive accuracy from an affordable package.

The action feeds from a detachable box magazine, making it easy to switch between supersonic and subsonic loads in the field. I also appreciated that the magazine fit flush with the rifle for hunting use. I’ve read reports of extraction issues with .300 Blackout bolt guns, but I haven’t experienced any issues with this rifle. The three-position safety is easy to manipulate and allows you to work the bolt with the safety engaged. Most importantly for our purposes, the muzzle comes threaded 5/8×24 from the factory, ready to accept our chosen suppressor.

Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 LPVO: Budget Optic, Premium Features

To complement our budget-friendly rifle, we’ve opted for the new Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 First Focal Plane LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic). At around $200, this scope brings a lot of high-end features to a more accessible price point. The 1-10x magnification range offers true 1x performance for close-quarters use and enough zoom to stretch the .300 Blackout to its effective range of 300 yards.

The first focal plane (FFP) design means the reticle size changes as you adjust magnification, allowing for consistent holdovers regardless of zoom level. This is particularly useful with the .300 Blackout, given the significant trajectory differences between supersonic and subsonic loads. The capped turrets offer positive clicks in .2 MIL increments, and while I would prefer .1 MIL increments, it still provides enough precision for the .300 Blackout’s effective range.

Morpheus MM5 Reticle

The Panzer’s new Morpheus MM5 MIL reticle is a standout feature. It offers an illuminated outer crosshair circle reticle and center crosshair when at lower magnifcations for shorter distances, and MIL-based holdover and windage marks for precise shot placement at extended ranges. I found it to have a clean, uncluttered view at low magnification for fast target acquisition and fully capable for longer distances.

Banish Backcountry: Lightweight Suppression

To complete this versatile setup, I added the Banish Backcountry suppressor from Silencer Central. Weighing in at just 6.9 ounces and measuring only 6.5 inches long, this titanium can adds minimal weight and length to our rifle. It’s rated for calibers up to .300 Win. Mag., making it more than capable of handling anything the .300 Blackout can dish out. A high-performance suppressor like the Backcountry is also a buy-once, cry-once investment that you can use on multiple rifles.

The Backcountry uses a direct-thread attachment, which mates perfectly with the Axis II’s threaded muzzle. This provides a secure, zero-shifting mounting solution. With an average sound reduction of 29.4 dB with .300 Blackout loads, it transforms the shooting experience, especially with subsonic ammunition to sound more like you’re shooting a pellet gun.

.300 Blackout: One Cartridge, Two Personalities

Before we hit the range, let’s talk about what makes the .300 Blackout so unique. Developed initially for military use, this cartridge was designed to provide .30 caliber power from AR-15 platform weapons without major modifications. It comes in two distinct flavors: supersonic and subsonic.

Supersonic loads typically push 110- to 125-grain bullets at velocities around 2,300 fps, offering ballistics similar to the venerable .30-30 Winchester out to about 300 yards. These are great for hunting deer-sized game or ringing steel at longer distances.

Subsonic loads, on the other hand, lob 190- to 220-grain bullets at around 1,000 fps. These heavy, slow-moving projectiles stay below the speed of sound, making them ideal for use with suppressors. While their effective range is limited to about 100 yards, they offer excellent performance on hogs and other medium-sized game at close quarters.

Range Time: Accuracy and Suppressed Performance

I took the Savage Axis II, Monstrum Panzer and Banish Backcountry to the range on a crisp fall morning to see how they’d perform with a variety of .300 Blackout loads. After a quick bore sight, I had the scope zeroed at 100 yards in just a few shots. The crisp AccuTrigger and clear glass made precise shot placement a breeze.

For supersonic testing, I chose Barnes’ 110-grain TAC-TX FB and SIG Sauer’s 120-grain Elite Copper. The Barnes TAC-TX consistently produced sub-MOA groups at 100 yards. The all-copper construction of this bullet makes it an excellent choice for hunters seeking maximum velocity, terminal performance and weight retention.

The SIG Sauer 120-grain Elite Copper load printed 1.10 inch groups in my test rifle. This load offers a bit more weight for better downrange energy, while still maintaining the benefits of an all-copper projectile. With the Backcountry suppressor attached, the supersonic crack was noticeably reduced, though still present with both loads.

Switching to subsonic rounds, I tested Remington’s 220-grain Open Tip Match and Hornady’s 190-grain SubX. The Remington OTM load produced groups in the 1-inch range. This heavy bullet is designed for accuracy and would be an excellent choice for practice at short to moderate ranges.

The Hornady 190-grain SubX was the top performer of the two subsonic loads. It consistently printed sub-MOA groups at 100 yards. This load is specifically designed for optimal expansion at subsonic velocities, making it an ideal choice for suppressed hunting applications.

The real magic happened when pairing these subsonic loads with the suppressor. The report was reduced to little more than a quiet thwop, with the loudest noise being the bolt cycling. Of the two subsonic loads, the Hornady SubX seemed to pair best with the suppressor, producing a slightly lower tone that was barely audible beyond 50 yards.

Practical Applications: From the Bench to the Woods

To test the versatility of this setup, I set up a few practical shooting scenarios. First, I engaged steel targets from 25 to 300 yards using the supersonic loads. The 1x setting on the Panzer made close-range hits a breeze, while dialing up to 10x allowed for precise shot placement on the 300-yard target. The Morpheus reticle’s holdover marks proved spot-on once I determined the correct drops for each load. The Barnes TTSX, with its higher ballistic coefficient, showed a slight edge in retained velocity at distance.

Next, I simulated a woods hunting scenario with targets placed at unknown distances from 50 to 150 yards. Here, the Panzer’s 1-6x range proved ideal, offering enough magnification for precision without sacrificing field of view. The illuminated center circle made target acquisition lightning-fast, even in dappled shade. The Banish Backcountry’s minimal added weight was hardly noticeable, preserving the rifle’s handling characteristics. The SIG Elite Copper load shined in this scenario, offering an excellent balance of velocity and energy for deer-sized game at these ranges.

Finally, I set up a hog hunting scenario using subsonic loads and steel targets partially obscured by brush at 50 to 75 yards. Both the Remington OTM and Hornady SubX hit with authority. The subsonic loads’ point of impact was two MILs lower than the supersonics, but I could easily adjust for this using the MIL turrets or the Morpheus reticle’s MIL hash marks. The Hornady SubX had a slight edge here, with its purpose-built expanding subsonic bullet promising excellent terminal performance on tough hogs.

This is where the suppressor truly shined, reducing the rifle’s report to a mere whisper. In a real hunting situation, this setup would allow for follow-up shots without spooking nearby game or even possible shots at additional targets. The combination of the Axis II, Banish Backcountry and Hornady SubX created an impressively quiet and effective hunting rig. I used the setup this fall to harvest a mature Tennessee buck, and it dropped right in its tracks from the Barnes’ 110-grain TAC-TX FB bullet.

Suppressor-Ready Performance

The combination of the Axis II’s threaded muzzle, the .300 Blackout’s inherent suppressor-friendliness, and the Banish Backcountry makes for an exceptionally quiet shooting experience. The bolt-action design inherently makes for quieter suppressed shooting compared to semi-autos, as there’s no action noise to contend with. For those looking to hunt with maximum stealth, this setup with subsonic loads is hard to beat.

One thing to note is the slight point of impact shift when attaching the suppressor. This is common with most suppressor setups and was easily adjusted for by re-zeroing the scope. Once zeroed with the can attached, accuracy remained consistent whether shooting suppressed or unsuppressed.

Final Thoughts: Budget-Friendly Versatility

The Savage Axis II in .300 Blackout paired with the Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 LPVO offers a remarkable amount of versatility at a price point that won’t break the bank. From whisper-quiet close-quarters brush hunting to ringing steel at 300 yards, this combo can do it all with impressive accuracy and stealth, especially when using a suppressor.

The Axis II brings Savage’s reputation for accuracy to the .300 Blackout platform, while features like the AccuTrigger and detachable magazine enhance its usability. The Panzer LPVO scope impresses with its clear ED glass, versatile reticle, and wide magnification range, punching well above its weight class in terms of features and performance for the price. The Banish Backcountry adds suppression capabilities without significantly impacting the rifle’s weight or balance.

For the hunter or shooter looking to explore the capabilities of the .300 Blackout cartridge without venturing into the AR-15 world, this bolt-action setup offers an attractive alternative. Whether you’re chasing whitetails, hunting hogs or just enjoying a day at the range, the Savage Axis II and Monstrum Panzer are up to the task. It’s a testament to how far “budget” rifles and optics have come, delivering high-end performance that would have cost significantly more not that long ago.

Savage Axis II .300 Blackout Rifle Specs

• Stock: FDE Synthetic Sporter
• Action: Bolt
• Metal finish: Matte black carbon steel
• Overall length (in.): 36.625
• Barrel length (in.): 16.125
• Rate of twist: 1 in 8
• Weight (lb.): 6.58
• Optic Ready: Yes
• Magazine capacity: 4
• Manufacturer warranty – general: 1 year limited

Where To Buy

Monstrum Panzer 1-10×24 LPVO Scope Specs

• Magnification Range: 1-10x
• Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
• Tube Diameter: 30mm
• Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
• Reticle: Morpheus MM5 reticle
• Illumination: 11 brightness settings
• Field of View: 116.5 ft – 12.5 ft @ 100 yards
• Eye Relief: 4-4.5 inches
• Click Value: 0.2 MIL per click
• Adjustment Range: 40 MIL (windage and elevation)
• Parallax Setting: Fixed at 100 yards
• Length: 11 inches
• Weight: 17 ounces
• Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum
• Finish: Matte black anodized
• Waterproof: Yes, nitrogen purged
• Shockproof: Yes
• Fog proof: Yes
• Battery Type: CR2032
• Warranty: Lifetime warranty

Where To Buy

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