As a member of the brotherhood of the barrel nut....or maybe just a nut... I would never recommend an Axis as they were designed with manufacturing 'efficiencies' the degrade the potential... yes, you will get a good shooter, also an ordinary one..
I would much rather a standard 110/10 action, the Stevens 200 was the go-to entry level Savage model, which was dumped on by dealers simply, in my opinion, because they could achieve a much better margin on anything else....on a 900 or 1500 or 2400 dollar rifle....hence your 'advised' to get something better 'if you can'....
With your axis, the barrel should free-float basically from the front mount, (which is moved to the stock in the Axis from the barrel/action in the savage+stevens) barrel nut and barrel.
When torqueing the stock, hand tighten the stock mounting screws, sit the on firm base vertically with muzzle up, tap the stock while holding the barrel and tighten with downward pressure on the
barreled assembly. This will firmly seat it in the stock s it doesnt move in recoil. front then rear screws...IMO
The front of the action/barrel should be free just as the rear of the action (the tang) so that the stock doesnt touch the tang.
Did you buy the rifle brand new or slightly used?? Did someone let-go a lemon perhaps??
You may need to spend time finding an optimum load.... if you're keeping the rifle that is...
I would prefer a used Stevens 200 in 223Rem, but for some strange reason you rarely find them on the used market