Savage Axis II XP
We know you may be thinking: another Savage bolt-action, really?Our answer is a resounding yes. The Savage Axis series is widely considered to be the inspiration for the current generation of bargain basement tack drivers, including the Ruger American, Mossberg Patriot, and Remington 783.
Well, the Axis II XP is an upgraded version of Savage’s extremely influential bolt-action platform. Like the American, Patriot, and Compass (is this starting to sound like a Jeep commercial?), the Axis has a free-floating barrel attached to the receiver with a barrel nut that Savage has made an industry standard. The Axis also has a detachable 4-round magazine that seems to be the flavor of the day.
This is the only scoped rifle combo on the list for good reason; we don’t like scoped rifle combos. The optic in the case of the Axis II XP combo, a very decent Weaver Kaspa 3-9 X 40mm, will get the job done. Still, it’s probably not the optic you’ve been dreaming about drilling bullseyes with.
The reason we chose the Axis II XP package is actually two-fold. First, the Axis II is equipped with Savage’s legendary AccuTrigger, just like the 14-FV. The original Axis platform has a simpler, single-stage trigger. It’s not a particularly bad trigger, but it requires some actual warranty-voiding gun-smithing to adjust the pull weight.
The other reason we favor the Axis II over the original formula is the optional hardwood stock. Look, there are a lot of nice things about a composite stock; they can take abuse in the field and they don’t get dinged up. The issue is that composite stocks, at this price point at least, aren’t solid enough for taking long shots.
The Axis II XP package gets you a substantial trigger upgrade, hardwood stock, and an optic for under our price ceiling of $500, well under in fact. If you don’t mind the composite stock, you can find Axis II XP combos at an even less expensive sub $400 price.
That’s a lot of value for your money, decked out in a wide range of calibers, including .22-250 Rem, .223 Rem, .243 Win, .25-06 Rem, .270 Win, 6.5 CM, .308 Win, .30-06 Sprg, and 7mm-08 Rem.
RETAIL: $430