Savage Arms Axis XP Rifles

You often read the claim that a rifle is ready “right out of the box.” That usually means it’s been bore sighted and fitted with scope rings or at least a mounting rail. Savage Arms has upped the ante with their inexpensive AXIS XP. The AXIS XP arrives bore sighted with a 3x9x40mm Weaver scope already mounted.

This is as close to being ready to hunt “right out of the box” as you can get. Bore sighting is a great first step, you’ll still need to head to the range, start with paper at 25 yards and move out to 200 yards before you’re ready to hunt, but the first step is taken care of.

The AXIS XP is a modernized version of the Savage 110 rifle. It is considered a “bargain” rifle due to its low cost, but that doesn’t affect the accuracy, and this rifle is accurate in any caliber from .223 to .30-06.

The AXIS XP is available in a wide range of calibers. Their most popular big game models are chambered for .243, .270, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 and .30-06 Springfield. They’re also chambered in .25-06, .223 Remington and .22-250 Remington for varmint hunters. Savage has included the “Legend” series as well, with models chambered for .350 and .400 Legend.

Every version features a lightweight design, around 7.3-pounds depending on the caliber. The 20-inch carbon steel barrel is durable and accurate. The shorter length is ideal for beginning youth hunters or smaller adults. A durable synthetic stock will withstand the best Mother Nature can throw at this rifle while you’re out on the hunt and a detachable box magazine makes loading and unloading a breeze.

An overall length of 39.5 to 42.5 inches makes it a good choice if you’re packing into the brush or foothills on a day of sight and stalk hunting. It is available in both right and left-hand models and includes a Picatinny rail if you want to swap out the included Weaver scope. The 1:9.5 inch twist provides accuracy at both short and long distances.

• .223 Remington - .22-inch barrel, 42.5-inch overall length– varmints
• .22-250 Remington -22-inch barrel, 42.5-inch overall length - varmints
• .243 Winchester – 22-inch barrel, 42.5-inch overall length – deer/varmints
• 6.5 Creedmoor -22-inch barrel, 42.5-inch overall length, 1:8-inch twist – long distance
• 7mm-08 Remington – 20-inch barrel, 39.5-inch overall length, big game
• .308 Winchester – 22-inch barrel, OD green or black finish – big game
• .350 Legend – 18-inch barrel, OD green or black finish, - short range
• .400 Legend – 20-inch barrel, 39.5-inch overall length, – short range
• .25-06 Remington– 22-inch barrel, 42.5-inch overall length – excellent all around
• .270 Winchester – 22-inch barrel, 42.5-inch overall length – big game
• .30-06 Springfield – 22-inch barrel, 42.5-inch overall length, 1:10-inch twist – big game