Review: Savage Axis Stainless XP

Lightweight rifles are popular with hunters. Problem is, they tend to be expensive. With this in mind, Savage came up with a better mousetrap. Called the Axis (formerly the Edge), it comes out of the box at a weight-saving 6½ pounds, is chambered for seven different cartridges from.223 Remington up to .30-06 Springfield and is available in six full-size and two youth models. The line includes stainless and blued guns, as well as those sold as a package with scope aboard, which is what I received for testing. In this guise it is the Savage Axis Stainless XP.

To save weight Savage started with a synthetic stock with a radical design that may give some veteran hunters pause. From the muzzle end there is a graceful taper toward the magazine with a “checkering” pattern that includes textured boxes. A finger groove runs the length of the fore-end for a comfortable hold.