Savage Axis XP

I have been satisfied with every Savage bolt action I've bought and shot. I own an Axis and a 110 in 6.5cm and two of my SIL's have Axis in .308, 6.5cm, and 22-250. The 110 has a smoother action and finish than the Axis, but they are all solid and accurate.

308 Winchester is my favorite starter cartridge.
The Savage Axis XP is a great value. Saving some money on the rifle will help you get everything else he will need. Ammo, carrying case, sling.... If hunting is part off the plan then the cost goes up for there.
I own a couple of Axis rifle they shoot
Merry Christmas (Guns For Gifts )

Had an axis 2in 223 rem shot bug holes with hand loads and 69 gr fed gold metal match ammo, gifted to sil. Bought my daighter an axis muddygirl came. In 243 win, never shot it but dil said it was an accurate rifle. I did do trigger mods on both rifles which helped with consistent trigger pulls

Was real impressed with my axis 2 , fit and finish wasn't the best but it redeemed itself with performance on target.

I have a Savage 110 Storm XP in .223. It shoots better than I do for sure. Savage has a reputation for accuracy out of the box that`s certainly warranted if mine is any indication. If I were looking to step up to a larger caliber I wouldn`t hesitate to look at another rifle/scope package from Savage. As far as the Axis line is concerned, I`d look at the Axis II guns.

The axis just has had to many things fail for me to trust another on a hunt. My buddy just broke his new one last week at the range, butt stock cracked almost in half. The 2 I've had had many things break, they shot well one was picky on ammo tho.

Let me say firstly that I don't care for the Axis. It's about as unrefined as a bolt gun can get.

I've never seen one shoot poorly, and almost all of the people I know who own them have used them successfully and with few issues.
As a first rifle I think 250 for an axis in .308 or .30-06 topped with a weaver Kaspa is a pretty good deal.

They are the Hi-Point of hunting rifles (well, Hi-Point PCC carbines are really) but they are a great bargain. Most will shoot better than the person pulling the trigger. The stocks and the magazines are the only weak links (though I've never had one break, but they are definitely noodles!), and there are fixes for the stock, at least. (Boyd's would be my suggestion.)
I've owned 2. These aren't even XP's, and they shoot like a rifle several times their cost. Especially the camo one, it was $29.00:


This is the $29 Axis with cheap Silver Bear 62 gr. SP. Granted, only 25 yards, but it gets better:

Some of you may recognize this target. Here's the gun:

My first Axis is below:

Along with both of my .45's. That was a sight-in target, 25 yards.

The small diamond is 50 yd. zero. The large one is 100. Two different 3 shot groups, 3 at 11:00, 2 at 2:00, and a flyer at 4:00.
It's hard to see, but on the target below there is a 3 shot group that I had to mic; .14" center to center.

It is just above the 3 holes in the white, right on the line.

I traded the black Axis to my son because he missed his, which he had sold to his roommate. When we were clearancing out some rifles at work, I was lucky enough to get the camo one for $79, and Savage had a $50 rebate at the time.

Savage Axis 2 XP accuracy is amazing, I’m in love with mine.



5 shot group at 100 yards.

My daughter just bought a Ruger Axis in .308 caliber. It is a fine shooter but I don't care for the roughness of the action! I have felt Mossberg Patriots with smoother actions than that model.

Make sure it has the better AccuTrigger™. My early 223 has standard. The 6.5CM has the better. No problems . Both Axis came as a package, 3x9 Bushnells. Ok to 300 yards.

Make sure scopes & bases are tight. Check action screws too.

Accutrigger comes on the Axis II, does not come on the base Axis, not sure about the XP which is a scope combo.

I LOVE my Axis in .223 Rem! It is more accurate than the Remington 700 ADL I had before it. I trimmed the spring to lighten trigger , put on a better scope & painted it.

3 years ago I got a double on my first succesful coyote hunt. Savage is a great company, I highly recommend them.

My only recommendation would be to press for a purpose. Is he wanting to hunt? Target shoot? That’s where having insiders is helpful, like a daughter asking him what he wants with a rifle anyhow. Keeps the gift secret and hopefully on target.

My sole Axis is chambered for 350 Legend as my youngest can still hunt youth season but purpose drove choice. No issues so far and on par with RARs for accuracy.

I think 223 would be the best fit for him as you say he isn't a hunter. 223 is a lot cheaper than larger calibers and with the mild recoil will encourage more shooting practice.

George Dickel said:

I think 223 would be the best fit for him as you say he isn't a hunter. 223 is a lot cheaper than larger calibers and with the mild recoil will encourage more shooting practice.

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I would have to agree, .223 is the cheapest and most available right now of all those options. Reloading .223 is a bit more of a pain, but bullets are plentiful and SRP have been more available than LRP lately.

I have 3 Savage rifle right now. A 223 AXIS, 223 Model 10 and a 243 Model 11.

Working at an outdoor rifle range I see many examples daily. If just as a starter rifle to gain experience or to just shoot paper I too would recommend the 223. If hunting medium sized game like White Tail deer I would opt for the 6.5 Creedmoor over the 308.

Hugger-4641 said:

I would have to agree, .223 is the cheapest and most available right now of all those options. Reloading .223 is a bit more of a pain, but bullets are plentiful and SRP have been more available than LRP lately.

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Funny its exactly reversed out here. .223s/5.56s are running 20-30 bucks a box, and all small primers have been non-existent for the better part of a year, shotgun primers are low also.....I can get all the large, and 50bmg primers I can shoot tho.

I

LoonWulf said:

Funny its exactly reversed out here. .223s/5.56s are running 20-30 bucks a box, and all small primers have been non-existent for the better part of a year, shotgun primers are low also.....I can get all the large, and 50bmg primers I can shoot tho.

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I've actually been passing up SRP on LGS shelves for weeks because I have enough, but LRP have been non-existent for months.
Cabella's, Rural King, Academy, and all of my LGS have tons of various .223 and 5.56.

223 makes the most sense IMO out of the calibers mentioned if target shooting is the main use if for no other reason than cost of ammo. If a multi-use role is envisioned or shooting beyond the range of 223 is a possibility, out of the calibers listed off 6.5 Creedmoor would be the best do-it-all cartridge of the bunch probably.

Regarding the Axis, it's rough around the edges compared to more expensive/more refined designs but the average shooter probably won't notice the things that "enthusiasts" might quibble over. My biggest issue is the 90 degree bolt throw, it can cause issues with the eyepiece of the scope interfering with the bolt travel depending on the height the scope is mounted at and the size of the eyepiece. In my case, high rings mounted the scope fine for clearance from the barrel BUT not for the bolt. I ended up needing X-high rings. Not a huge issue, more an annoyance than anything.

The stock trigger is not good to put it nicely. That being said, a kit from M*CARBO costing less than $20 does wonders. Very easy to install too. I would prefer an Accutrigger like on the Axis II or 10/11 Series, but the Axis trigger with the M*CARBO kit is perfectly serviceable.

The magazines are a weak point for sure, but they've redesigned them from the original tab design and they seem a little more sturdy and dependable.

The polymer stocks, as with almost all manufacturers anymore, are pretty crappy. The options for aftermarket stocks is very limited, but Boyds has them and they aren't bad price wise. The one I have here is a Boyd's Spike Camp.



I realize that all sounds really negative, but I really do like the rifle. Just had some quirks. They do have a great reputation for accuracy as well, as pretty much all Savage rifles do.

Hugger-4641 said:

Accutrigger comes on the Axis II, does not come on the base Axis, not sure about the XP which is a scope combo.

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They do come with the Accutrigger, look at my post above, mine is also a Heavy Barrel.

sarduy said:

They do come with the Accutrigger, look at my post above, mine is also a Heavy Barrel.

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Right, yours is an Axis II so it would have the Accutrigger. The base Axis (Axis 1 I guess?) does not, that's what he was saying.