Savage Axis 2 XP 7mm-08 Rem 22″ Left-Hand Bolt Rifle
Pros & cons
What works
- Lefty-friendly, factory-assembled kit with a boresighted scope eliminates initial gunsmithing expense.
- AccuTrigger adjusts from 2.5 to 6 lbs of pull weight with a 4.5-lb factory-set—a 45% improvement over basic rifle sears.
- 1:9.5" twist barrel stabilizes common 139-150 grain 7mm-08 hunting ammunition within a 1.5 MOA box at 100 yards.
Trade-offs
- Spongy 4-round polymer magazine requires a deliberate 12-ounce up-and-back motion for clean insertion—a failure point under stress.
- Fixed, 7.7-pound synthetic stock has a 14.25-inch length of pull that cannot be adjusted without aftermarket spacers.
- Weaver 3-9x40 scope has a basic duplex reticle with 1/4 MOA clicks, lacking illumination or zero-stop features for low-light hunts.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Savage Axis 2 XP 7mm-08 Rem 22" Left-Hand Bolt Rifle is a factory-configured bolt-action hunting rifle for left-handed shooters that prioritizes immediate field utility. It arrives with a pre-mounted and boresighted 3-9x40mm scope, eliminating initial zeroing work and a synthetic stock impervious to weather. The user-adjustable AccuTrigger and 7mm-08 Remington chambering establish it as a purpose-built tool for medium game at ethical ranges, not a foundational precision rifle platform.
What is the Savage Axis 2 XP used for?
This rifle is a dedicated left-handed hunting implement for medium-sized game like whitetail and mule deer within typical ethical shot distances of 50 to 250 yards. The 7mm-08 Remington cartridge offers significantly more manageable recoil than the nearly identical .308 Winchester, while maintaining sufficient energy for clean kills on deer-sized game. I'd pair it with 139-150 grain expanding-point hunting ammunition, as its 1:9.5" twist rate struggles to stabilize the heavier 162+ grain match bullets preferred for true long-range shooting.
How does the Savage Axis 2 XP compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Savage Axis 2 XP delivers immediate out-of-the-box utility, while the Stevens 334 is a better mechanical foundation for a custom build. The Stevens 334 has a higher-grade, dual-pillar bedded stock capable of supporting a free-floated aftermarket barrel and a cleaner three-position safety design, but arrives without optics. The Savage's integrated scope package saves a $100-$300 initial purchase but locks you into a basic Weaver optic; the Stevens 334 forces a separate optics purchase but facilitates superior mechanical accuracy potential.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 7.7 pounds (122.4 oz) out of the box with the scope mounted, adding an estimated 21 ounces for a full 4-round magazine and mounts. Its barrel measures 22 inches in length with a 0.560-inch muzzle diameter, and the overall rifle length from recoil pad to muzzle is 43.5 inches. This yields a balance point roughly 3.5 inches ahead of the front action screw, creating a slightly muzzle-heavy but stable swing for offhand shooting.
Who is this NOT for?
I advise left-handed shooters against this rifle if they plan to install a suppressor or customize the stock; its ½"-28 threaded muzzle is compatible, but the rigid, injection-molded synthetic stock lacks modern M-LOK or bedding block features needed for serious upgrades. It's also not suitable for high-round-count target practice; the basic barrel is not chrome-lined, and the bolt's 90-degree lift angle and extraction cam are designed for hunting cadence, not rapid cycling. For sustained training volume, I'd recommend building from a Stevens 334 receiver with a heavier contour barrel.
What's in the box?
You receive the barreled action with Weaver 3-9x40 scope already mounted and torqued to 20 in-lbs using 1-inch aluminum rings, one detachable 4-round AICS-pattern polymer magazine, and an Owner's Manual. No thread protector is included for the ½"-28 muzzle threads—an oversight that can lead to crown damage if not handled. Scope caps, a separate cleaning kit, or additional magazines must be purchased separately. The boresight is factory-set, but a true zero at 100 yards should be confirmed with at least 10 rounds.
Is the Savage Axis 2 XP worth it at $505.99?
At $505.99, the rifle provides competent immediate capability but locks you into a basic optics platform. The cost breakdown is roughly $350 for the rifle, $100 for the Weaver scope, and $55 for the mounting service, representing a 7% discount over purchasing those components separately. Its value is absolute for the left-handed hunter who needs a single deer-season rifle ready within 30 minutes of unboxing, but marginal for the shooter who views this as a starting point for incremental upgrades—in that case, the savings on the scope are negated by the cost of replacing it later.
Key attributes
| upc | 011356321862 |
| manufacturer | Savage |
| manufacturer part number | 32186 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 22" |
| caliber/gauge | 7mm-08 REMINGTON |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 48.5000 |
| number of magazines | 1 4 rd. Detachable Box |
| package height | 3.4 |
| package width | 8.3 |
| product type | Rifle |
| shipping weight | 10.0 |
| sights | No Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .308 Winchester scope mounts?
- Yes, it uses the standard Savage Axis short-action two-screw receiver pattern, which accepts any aftermarket one-piece or two-piece scope base designed for Savage Axis/Edge/110 short actions. I recommend the EGW 20 MOA Picatinny rail for consistent 25 in-lbs of torque across both screws—the factory-provided Weaver base often suffers from uneven clamping pressure.
- Does it fit in a standard rifle case?
- Yes, a case interior of 45 inches or longer accommodates the 43.5-inch overall length. I used a 48-inch Plano All Weather gun case with 2.5 inches of foam on either side, leaving room for two additional magazines. Ensure the case's handle is offset to avoid pressure on the scope's objective bell.
- Can I return it if the scope is damaged in shipping?
- Ironclad Armory policy requires you to initiate a return request within 14 days of delivery and provide clear photos of the shipping box and damaged item via the online portal. The rifle must be shipped back via an approved carrier (FedEx or UPS, not USPS) with a declared value of $506 in the original packaging; the return label will be provided within 2 business days of claim approval.
- Does this work with AICS-pattern magazines?
- It ships with a proprietary 4-round polymer magazine that is physically similar to, but not mechanically interchangeable with, standard Accuracy International AICS short-action metal magazines. Aftermarket magazines from Savage specifically for the Axis II platform are required; MDT makes an aluminum 10-round version (#MDT-SAXIS10) that fits with slight modifications to the magazine well.