Re: AX-338
I shot an AX 338LM a couple of months ago in a Rifles Only course. The AX was provided by Mile High Shooting -- Randy and Diann ROCK! The AX was suppressed, so it was a pleasure to shoot. IMO the recoil pulse of the suppressed 338LM was greater than that of my unsuppressed .308, but not by a huge amount.
We were using Hornady 285 HPBT ammo, which was quite acccurate in the rifle. I shot steel at 750, 1000, and 1500 yards. The AX was a tack driver at 750 and 1000, although with similar accuracy as my GAP Crusader at those distances.
Shooting the AX at 1500 yards was a bit more interesting, as we had fishtailing breezes on the range. The guys going for the 22"x40" steel rang it like clockwork. Those of us shooting at the 14" gong at 1500 had more challenges. But once our spotters got the wind calls down, three of us were ringing the 14" gong.
I like the AX platform better than the AW -- it just seems to fit me better. Trigger is nice, ergonomics are good, adjustments are great, the bolt action is smooth. But I still prefer a more traditional stock, as I like to lay the thumb of my trigger hand on top of the stock, just behind the bolt.