Savage Axis II XP Questions

[Airedale1]

Thank you for the add. I’m here to learn as much as I can about the Axis 2 XP in .223 as I’m 99% sure that is the model I want.

Am I correct that:
1. That model has the heavy barrel?
2. That model has the Accu trigger?
3. That model is still available and if so, still available in .223?

Any advice, comments or tips would be greatly appreciated. I’m sure I’ll have many more questions. Thank you.

 

[BigBL87]

If it is just labeled Axis II XP, then it would assume it will have the standard (sporter) profile barrel and the Accutrigger. All Axis II's should come with the Accutrigger. The XP in the name denotes that it comes with a scope. If it doesn't specify heavy barrel, I would assume sporter profile.

I can't find a heavy barrel 223 listed other than the Axis II Precision (which is a much more expensive chassis build), but Savage has a habit of making limited run variations that aren't actually listed in their product line (my Savage 10 FCP in its stock configuration is a good example).

 

[Turkeytider]

Admittedly haven`t looked it up, but I doubt seriously that the Axis II XP in .223 would come with anything other than the sporter barrel. My 110 Storm XP in .223 came with a sporter barrel. By the way, Savage advertises that the scopes are bore sighted. If mine was any indication, they are indeed.

 

[3Crows]

The lower one is exactly that, Axis II heavy barrel and with the Accu-trigger. I might consider letting it go. Just not a .223 guy I guess. But, I do not mind keeping it either, I like the little thing:



3C

 

[BigBL87]

Admittedly haven`t looked it up, but I doubt seriously that the Axis II XP in .223 would come with anything other than the sporter barrel. My 110 Storm XP in .223 came with a sporter barrel. By the way, Savage advertises that the scopes are bore sighted. If mine was any indication, they are indeed.

I've seen Axis II's with heavy barrels, and there are even model numbers I've found, but they don't have one in their "catalog" online and I can't find any currently for sale. Like I mentioned, may just be a case of lucky timing when they have a limited run.

 

[entropy]

This ^ sounds like the one you want; here (below) what my box says. I'd wager Pred means Preadator. The 22144 should be the UPC/SKU.

Hope this helps.

I've seen Axis II's with heavy barrels, and there are even model numbers I've found, but they don't have one in their "catalog" online and I can't find any currently for sale. Like I mentioned, may just be a case of lucky timing when they have a limited run.

I bought this one on clearance in the Spring of 2020, for $29. Probably not being made in the same model anymore. No, I'm not selling.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Thank you for the add. I’m here to learn as much as I can about the Axis 2 XP in .223 as I’m 99% sure that is the model I want.

Might look at savage 12 at cabellas, it's a short action rather than a long action, have to get scope separately though.

 

[12Bravo20]

Savage will put HB in the model number for the Axis rifles and will use the letter V for the Model 10/110 series rifles to denote a heavy barrel.

My Savage rifles all have the Varmint (heavy) barrel and the model numbers are as follows:
Model 12 FVL
MkII GVL
MkII BTVLSS

Here is a break down for the letter codes.
F - synthetic stock
G - wood stock
B - Boyds laminate stock
T - thumbhole stock
L - left hand
V varmint barrel (heavy barrel)
SS - stainless steal.

T - target
SR - suppressor ready
XP - factory scope package

I'm sure I forgot a few but that covers most the options available. The Axis line is a little different. The Axis does not come with the Accuracy-Trigger while the Axis II does have the Accuracy-Trigger. And savage denotes the heavy barrel by using HB in the model number.

 

[Turkeytider]

I've seen Axis II's with heavy barrels, and there are even model numbers I've found, but they don't have one in their "catalog" online and I can't find any currently for sale. Like I mentioned, may just be a case of lucky timing when they have a limited run.

I stand corrected!

 

[12Bravo20]

Savage and other gun makers are known to make special editions exclusively for Walmart. A few years ago Walmart had quite a few Savage MkII rifles without the Accu-Trigger.

 

[35 Whelen]

The Savage Axis II XP is not a heavy barrel rifle, it has a sporter barrel.

I recently bought one in .223 from Cabelas. I didn't care for the original stock so I ordered a replacement from Boyd's. Other than that, I'm very pleased with the rifle. It's quite accurate, slinging even 77 gr. Sierra HPBT's into tiny groups, and has already fulfilled its role of "laundry room gun rack just-in-case" rifle.









I did take the scope that came with the rifle (Bushnell 3-9 with ballistic plex) off and installed a Leupold 2-7 for no other reason than I like a really low mounted scope.

35W

 

[sarduy]

Thank you for the add. I’m here to learn as much as I can about the Axis 2 XP in .223 as I’m 99% sure that is the model I want.

Am I correct that:
1. That model has the heavy barrel? YES
2. That model has the Accu trigger? YES
3. That model is still available and if so, still available in .223? NOT SURE, BUT IT WAS LAST YEAR.

 

[sarduy]

The Savage Axis II XP is not a heavy barrel rifle, it has a sporter barrel.

I recently bought one in .223 from Cabelas. I didn't care for the original stock so I ordered a replacement from Boyd's. Other than that, I'm very pleased with the rifle. It's quite accurate, slinging even 77 gr. Sierra HPBT's into tiny groups, and has already fulfilled its role of "laundry room gun rack just-in-case" rifle.

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I did take the scope that came with the rifle (Bushnell 3-9 with ballistic plex) off and installed a Leupold 2-7 for no other reason than I like a really low mounted scope.

35W

My Savage Axis II XP came with a heavy barrel, accu trigger and a scope.

 

[35 Whelen]

My Savage Axis II XP came with a heavy barrel, accu trigger and a scope.

How long ago did you buy yours?

If you go to the Savage website via the link I provided above, you'll see that the Axis II XP comes only with a sporter barrel. In fact, with the exception of the Axis II 300 and the Axis II Precision, it appears all of the Axis II XP come with sporter barrels.

Savage Axis Series

Maybe yours was a distributor exclusive...?

35W

 

[3Crows]

My heavy barrel Savage XP with Accu-trigger came from Walmart and set me back the princely sum of $49 with scope and camo stock. And it is typical of Savage rifles, very accurate even in the plastic stock.

3C

 

[BigBL87]

So, as we have seen so far there was clearly an Axis II (probably several different model numbers to reflect different stocks actually) offered with a heavy barrel at one time, may have been a limited run or dealer exclusive. One thing to note, though, is when it is listed it is generally listed as "Savage Axis II XP HB" with the HB modifier being for the heavy barrel.

With the OP asking if the "Savage Axis II XP" has a heavy barrel, I think it's safe to assume he's talking about current production, which in fact is not offered with a heavy barrel unless there's a dealer exclusive or limited run not listed on their website. I've searched the interwebs for one since this thread started, and I haven't found a currently available model with a heavy barrel (aside from the 300 BLK and Precision models as mentioned).

 

[12Bravo20]

As I mentioned in an earlier reply, Savage does in fact make special runs for certain dealers, distributors, and retailers. Walmart is one that gets exclusive models from Savage quite often. And no you won't find those particular models listed on the Savage website.

As much as I don't like buying anything firearm related from Walmart, if they would have a heavy barreled left hand Axis in 223, I would buy it from them.

 

[mshootnit]

Thank you for the add. I’m here to learn as much as I can about the Axis 2 XP in .223 as I’m 99% sure that is the model I want.

Am I correct that:
1. That model has the heavy barrel?
2. That model has the Accu trigger?
3. That model is still available and if so, still available in .223?

Any advice, comments or tips would be greatly appreciated. I’m sure I’ll have many more questions. Thank you.

If you want a Savage with a heavy barrel, get the Savage 12 low profile varminter. This is a rifle you wont have to do a thing to, and you will enjoy it for life.

 

[VoodooMountain]

XP means scope package

FV means heavy barrel

SR means threaded barrel

If my memory is correct

 

[BigBL87]

FV means heavy barrel

Kind of. The F denotes polymer stock, the V denotes heavy barrel.

On a wood stocked heavy barrel rifle, it would be BV (with the B denoting the wood stock).

That all applies to Savage's model numbering/lettering scheme. In practice, almost everywhere I've seen that has listed a heavy barrel Axis just lists HB after the name to denote heavy barrel.

 

[12Bravo20]

On a wood stocked heavy barrel rifle, it would be BV (with the B denoting the wood stock).

See my first reply above.

G - wood stock
B - Boyds laminate stock
F - synthetic stock
T - thumbhole stock

Here is the break down again:
GV - wood stock, varmint barrel
FV - synthetic stock, varmint barrel
BV - Boyds laminate stock, varmint barrel
BTV - Boyds laminate thumbhole stock, varmint barrel

I have 3 Savage rifles and all are left handed so they will also have an L in the model designation
GVL - wood stock, varmint barrel, left hand
FVL - synthetic stock, varmint barrel, left hand
BTVLSS - Boyds thumbhole stock, varmint barrel, left hand, stainless steel.


On the subject of the Axis line, it seems that the heavy barrel version might be a dealer/retailer exclusive model. And the Axis with have HB as part of the model number to denote a heavy barrel.

 

[jag1954]

I have the XP II in 6.5 Creedmoor and it is one fine shooter.

 

[BigBL87]

See my first reply above.

G - wood stock
B - Boyds laminate stock
F - synthetic stock
T - thumbhole stock

Here is the break down again:
GV - wood stock, varmint barrel
FV - synthetic stock, varmint barrel
BV - Boyds laminate stock, varmint barrel
BTV - Boyds laminate thumbhole stock, varmint barrel

I have 3 Savage rifles and all are left handed so they will also have an L in the model designation
GVL - wood stock, varmint barrel, left hand
FVL - synthetic stock, varmint barrel, left hand
BTVLSS - Boyds thumbhole stock, varmint barrel, left hand, stainless steel.


On the subject of the Axis line, it seems that the heavy barrel version might be a dealer/retailer exclusive model. And the Axis with have HB as part of the model number to denote a heavy barrel.

Good call. I guess all the "wood" stocks I've seen from Boyds lately have actually been the Boyd's laminates, so I just associated B with wood.

 

[sarduy]

My heavy barrel Savage XP with Accu-trigger came from Walmart and set me back the princely sum of $49 with scope and camo stock. And it is typical of Savage rifles, very accurate even in the plastic stock.

3C

Yup same here.

 

[Airedale1]

Thank you all for the advice and info. Initially, I said I was 99% sure that I wanted the Savage Axis in .223.
Well, after doing more research here I've decided that the rifle that will best fit my needs will be the Ruger American Ranch in 5.56 and I'm 100% sure.

Again, thank you all for your invaluable input. I'm learning a lot here.