I took a friend of mine out shooting today. He's not a gun owner, but he wants to get one by the end of the month. I let him shoot my .30-06 Savage 110 and my M91/30. He enjoyed both, and he wants a rifle with a scope. So, because he's 19 and he can't afford a gun over $400, I suggested the Savage Axis XP in .223. He's got some experience shooting, but I think he'd benefit from the cheaper price of .223 rather than .308 or .30-06.

So, when we got back to my apartment, I showed him how the 110 comes apart. My 110 is a F serial block number, and it was made in the late 1990s. Three hex bolts/screws and the action comes out and goes back in, my friend liked the simplicity.

So my question is, does the Axis have any major differences than an older 110 when it comes to disassembly and reassembly? Does the Axis have a barrel nut, and is it as caliber-interchangeable as my 110?

Thanks!