Savage Arms AXIS II XP TrueTimber VSX Bolt-Action Rifle – .223 Remington

I own a Savage Axis 2 in .223 and love it! It fits me very well and functions as good as any other .223 I've had. Scope that came with it (Bushnell Banner) worked, but I upgraded to a Vortex Diamonback and its awesome now. (Be sure to get yourself the Axis 2, the magazines are way better). So when I saw the Savage Axis 2 XP in .243 compact with scope on sale for under $600, I jumped at it. It came and its every bit as good as my .223 Axis 2. However, I discovered quickly that "compact" is code for youth model I guess in this case. The length of pull on this model is only 12.25" and I am more of a 14" kind of guy. I am not sure if the other calibres are a longer LOP or not. The way that the website read I just figured the barrel was 2" shorter than the other calibers (which is clearly stated in the description with no mention of the LOP being less than normal). I am a bit disappointed to say the least. But, its still surprisingly not bad to shoot for a big guy as compared to other youth models I've held. So I will keep it in the safe with hopes that I'll have a little hunter buddy in the years to come. It's still a bargain on sale, but I'd just like everyone to know about the LOP when buying the .243 compact. Also, Cabelas, if you could pretty please put the LOP in the details it would be a huge help to myself and I am sure many others too. Happy hunting and shooting everyone!

I bought this gun on black Friday special in 6.5. Kept in the safe until last week when weather perked up and took to the range. I know it was cheap, but they charge $500 for it right now!! I'd be mad if i paid $500 for this gun/combo. The bushnell scope is almost comically bad/blurry turned up full at 100 yards. But I knew this and was buying something cheap and was gonna toss the scope anyway. But WOW! if you're gonna try to hunt with this outta the box, just don't. Get a new scope. The bolt is TIGHT and requires a bit of steam to raise after a shot. I didn't know this ahead of time, but after reading for a bit, this seems to be a savage trait. Fair enough, it still works. Right? You ever watch those hunting videos where the guy eases the round in to the chamber when he spots the deer because he's safe and wouldn't walk around with a chambered round? That won't be happening with this gun. You gotta ram that baby in there for the bolt to join with the cartridge rim to seat in the chamber and then eject. Load a round when you get outta the truck. You'll be scaring half the mountain side if you wait to find the game to chamber a round. But that's ok. It still works, right? I was admittedly using discount Aquila 140 grn ammo to season the barrel and try it out. It would be generous to say I was shooting a 4 moa group off the sled. I had the blurry scope in the same spot every time. But it was ALL over the paper. But it still goes bang when I pull the trigger, right? The best part of the gun was the trigger. Crisp, light, and adjustable. I'm going to try other ammo and ditch the $12 scope before I throw my hands up completely. I won't give it a 1 star because I was cheap and it's my fault. But don't buy this gun if you're wanting a scope that works, bolt that works, or gun that shoots straight.

All of my SAVAGE ARMS rIFFLES HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING FOR THE PRICE. Accuracy out of the box is outstanding. would buy another, We will see how the cartridge performs during deer season

I really like the look and feel of the gun but having issues getting sighted in. All over the place at 100 yds. I thought it was the scope at first, but after really inspecting the gun I found the stock was rubbing the barrel on one side. I am going to take it home and do some sanding to see if I can correct the issue. Just disappointed that I am having to do work on a brand new rifle to get it to shoot straight. I have a few Savages and this is the first one ever to have an issue.

Excellent product. Taking it to the range to zero it this weekend. Will be used mainly for deer and target shooting.

For what it is intended for gets the job done. You have to keep in mind this is a budget rifle. So the most important things are, does it work and can you hit your target. Answer to lease are yes. Find the right load for it and you are good to go.

Nice rifle...savage could have dine a better job on the finish of the gun. I bought the gun for the price and the trigger..

The bolt is stiff and hits the scope when you chamber round. Scope should be mounted higher to avoid this.

Bought this in 270 win on black Friday sale. A real steal. Some people on here have complaints about stiff bols an feeding issues. Well all I have to say is you should have checked out the gun before you left the store. I brought a dummy round with me and made sure there were no feeding issues. As far as the bolt stiffness goes. It will break in. I sat for about an hour a day for a week wirking the bolt. Slick as grease now. Always check out your gun purchases before you leave the store. Even a $2000 gun can have issues

Excellent purchase - I have purchase several Salvage rifles over the last couple of years never disappointed.

Great buy! Got it on sale and absolutely love it. I put a vortex straight wall scope on it. Shoots Great!

For a lower budget hunting rifle you can’t beat this one. Worked up the proper load and shooting sun .500 groups at 100 yards. Savage never disappoints!

Very pleased ! Killed 5 deer with it this past season . Light weight , awesome color , great shooting gun . Priced right .

I Bought my Savage 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle in March of 2022. Even with the factory Weaver Scoper I was hitting the bulls Eye at 100 yards with in a few Rounds. I Now have put a Vortex 3x9x50 mm cross fire II Scope on it. The Rifle is very Reliable and wonderful. I would Like to get another one Some day in .308. I would Highly recommend this rifle to anyone. For hunting or Long rang Target Shooting. Thank you Savage Arms. And Thank you Basspro. In God We Trust.

Very fist time shooting the rifle it is very accurate shooting from 100 yards to 500 yards. Very good rifle for the price. Only con to this rifle is the bolts action is a little sticky but I bet it will break in just fine.

Bought from cabelas in .223 i bought Hornaby ammo , 12/20 misfire all were lite touch on primer .. will try different ammo, then we will see but not happy

This is my 4th Axis, this one in 308. I toss the Weaver scopes that come on them & replace with a Vortex. This particular rifle came with a Bushnell Banner so I decided to leave it on & try it. So far so good, no complaints whatsoever with this rifle or the scope. I've shot 120 rounds through it & have found that it likes the Winchester Super X 150 gr the best which is great as that is a lower priced ammo. I consistently get 0.8" to 1.50" groups out of this rifle at 100yds. with the Winchester soft point. I have a 6.5 CM in a Axis that gets a little better groups. I have had very good luck with each AXIS that I own , 243 & 7mm08, 6.5, & now the 308. For the price it's hard to beat this rifle, especially now since Savage is topping it with a better scope, or what seems to be a better scope.

I bought this Axis ll rifle in 223 on the Black Friday sale in 22. Didn't have a chance to fire it until yesterday. So many problems. Bolt is unbelievably hard to move. Magazine is hard to load and difficult to insert. Couldn't find the paper with the first 9 shots I took (3 at a time-adjusted scope after each group). Finally found the very top of the paper on the next 3. Actually shot a good group just a long way from the center where it was aimed. No way this was bore sighted! I have 3 other Savage rifles that I find very reliable including an Axis ll in 22-250 that I have had for several years and carry in the feed truck daily in the winter and I've never had trouble at all with it. Very bad purchase decision on my part

For the money it’s a great buy! Gun groups well @ 150 yards 3 shots all with in a the size of a half dollar. Happy customer 350 legend using Winchester deer ammo 150 grain. I would recommend using a bore sight.

i would love to write a review but i ordered this gun a week ago that was showing as in stock at Hamburg store. so, if i'm picking up at Hamburg why does it have to be sent from another location with at least a week delivery time when they could have taken it from hamburg stock in 1 day. makes no sense. to make matters worse they can't even track it to tell me how much longer.