Savage Arms has donated five Axis 2 Pro 250th Edition rifles to the International Hunter Education Association–USA (IHEA-USA) in recognition of the 250th anniversary of American independence. Only 60 of the rifles were produced.
Chambered in .308 Win., the 250th Edition was built as a commemorative rifle marking 1776 to 2026. The five donated to IHEA-USA will be used to support hunter education nationwide, with proceeds directed to programs, instructors, agencies and educational initiatives across the country.
“A rifle like this doesn’t get donated by accident,” said Alex Baer, executive director of IHEA-USA. “Savage had 60 of them and chose to put five toward hunter education. That’s a statement about where they think this work matters, and it turns into real support for the instructors and agencies doing it.”
The first of the rifles will be offered through a raffle opening Oct. 1, with a requested donation of $25 per entry and two entries for the same donation for IHEA-USA members. Additional opportunities involving the remaining rifles will be announced in the months ahead. Entries and raffle rules are found here.
Industry support of this kind allows IHEA-USA to invest directly in the people who carry hunter education in every state, including the more than 32,000 instructors. Many of them are dedicated volunteers, who teach hunters to be safe, responsible and ethical in the field.
“Savage Arms is proud to be a long-term supporter of IHEA,” said Beth Shimanski, vice president of marketing at Savage Arms. “As we celebrate 250 years of American heritage, it is about more than looking back, it’s about recognizing the people and organizations that continue to shape our future. We’re proud to commemorate this milestone by donating these one-of-a-kind 250th Anniversary custom rifles to organizations like IHEA that share our commitment to conservation, community and the outdoor traditions we all value. It’s an honor to use this historic occasion to give something meaningful back to the people who help keep those traditions alive.”
The Savage Axis 2 Pro is an upgraded version of the famed firm’s already popular Axis line of bolt-action rifles. In our #SundayGunday review of it earlier this year, American Hunter staff noted, “…the addition of the Savage AccuTrigger that breaks right around 2.5 pounds, an improved bolt-handle design, a bronze Cerakoted action and barrel, a slightly heavier profile barrel, and thankfully a threaded muzzle so you can use a suppressor.”
