Savage AXIS 2 Compact .223 Rem 20″ Left-Hand

About this product

The Savage AXIS 2 Compact .223 Rem 20'' Left-Hand is a purpose-built bolt-action rifle with a 20-inch heavy sporter barrel and left-hand bolt orientation, designed for left-handed shooters who require a compact, reliable platform for field use, training, or varmint control. It's chambered in .223 REM/5.56 NATO, feeding from a 4+1 round detachable box magazine, and features Savage's user-adjustable AccuTrigger system for precise shot management. This configuration, with a fixed green synthetic stock and a carbon steel receiver drilled and tapped for optics, represents a functional middle ground between pure utility and shootable accuracy.

What is the Savage AXIS 2 Compact .223 Rem 20'' Left-Hand used for?

This rifle is built for left-handed shooters who need a compact, reliable bolt-action for practical applications like groundhog and prairie dog control, informal range training, or as a field rifle for small-to-medium game. The 20-inch heavy sporter barrel manages heat and recoil during sustained fire sessions, while the 1:9 twist rate stabilizes a wide range of common .223 factory loads from 55-grain to 62-grain projectiles. Its 39.50-inch overall length and 6.30-pound unloaded weight make it maneuverable in blinds or thick brush, though you'll appreciate the 10.7-inch length of pull for faster shouldering compared to our 14-inch LOP-capable Stevens 334 in .308.

How does the Savage AXIS 2 Compact compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?

The Savage AXIS 2 Compact is a more compact and left-hand-specific package better suited for shooters under 6 feet tall or those prioritizing maneuverability, while the Stevens 334 in .243 offers a longer length of pull and a more ergonomic stock profile better for taller shooters. Mechanically, the Stevens 334 uses a three-lug, 60-degree bolt throw for faster cycling, while the Savage uses a two-lug, 90-degree throw, resulting in a roughly 0.4-second slower cycle time from shot to reload on the clock. The Savage's primary advantage is its factory left-hand bolt orientation—a true necessity, not a convenience, for left-eye-dominant shooters who don't want to break their firing grip to run the action.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

Empty of optic and ammunition, the rifle weighs 6.30 pounds (100.8 oz) and measures 39.50 inches from the buttplate to the muzzle crown. The 20-inch barrel has a heavy spouter profile with a muzzle diameter of 0.625 inches, and the fixed synthetic stock provides a 10.7-inch length of pull, which is a full inch shorter than many adult-sized rifles. Combined with its 13.5-inch height from the top of the receiver to the bottom of the trigger guard, this creates a compact envelope that fits easily in standard 42-inch rifle cases with room to spare for a box of ammunition.

Who is this NOT for?

Right-handed shooters should avoid this model—it's a dedicated left-hand action, and operating it right-handed is awkward and inefficient. It's also not for competitive precision rifle shooters or those wanting a heavy-barrel varmint rig; the barrel profile is a sporter, not a true varmint contour, and sustained 5-shot groups will open up after about 20 rounds as the barrel heats past 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, if you require a capacity greater than 4+1 rounds without a magazine change, you should look at a different platform or prepare to carry multiple magazines, as aftermarket high-capacity options are limited and not guaranteed to feed reliably.

What's in the box?

You receive the complete rifle, one 4-round detachable steel box magazine, and the factory paperwork including the owner's manual and warranty card. No tools, optic mounts, sling swivels, or cleaning kits are included; you will need to source appropriate scope bases, which typically require #6-48 screws for the 0.860-inch spaced receiver holes. The magazine release is a simple lever on the right side of the trigger guard, and spare magazines from Savage, part number 108258, retail for approximately $38 each and are often backordered for 6-8 weeks.

Is the Savage AXIS 2 Compact worth it at $456.99?

At $456.99, this rifle represents strong value for a left-handed shooter needing a reliable, compact bolt-gun, as dedicated left-hand actions typically command a $75-$150 premium over their right-hand counterparts. The included AccuTrigger, which is adjustable from approximately 2.5 to 6 pounds of pull weight, is a legitimate upgrade over many basic factory triggers and saves you a $100-$150 aftermarket trigger purchase. When you consider that a comparable left-hand custom barreled action alone can cost over $800 before stock and bedding, this factory package at under $500, ready to drill and mount an optic, is a pragmatic entry point.