I was thinking of purchasing the Savage 220 Slug Gun (low cost and good reviews) for deer hunting and was wondering how you guys feel about it as I don't know anyone with this particular gun to try out before purchasing. Also was interested in possibly the 212 but most reviews I have read preferred the 220 due to weighing less and recoil factors. This gun will be used primarily from a tree stand in relatively thick cover (Shots won't be more than 100 to 120 yards and will usually be about 60 yards on average).
Savage 220 vs Savage 212 Opinions?
Big Joe NJ
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There are three ...categories where the Savage could measure up as "best" out there. #1. Accuracy, #2. Trigger, #3. Accuracy for your dollar. (a form of value)
After that, it is more likely to be in the running for worst out there. Obviously the three virtues of this firearm clearly offset it's handicaps for many shooters in many situations. If the shooter is in a one shot kill environment, (meaning he is shooting well within the specific slug's terminal ballistics, and his own skill level) and doesn't need to quickly engage a second target or follow up shot.
I own both a Savage 220F and two Benelli's. I have lapped the bolt on the 220, cycled the bolt hundreds of times. Still, the gun has the sloppiest bolt I have ever felt in my life. It will hang up with the slightest side pressure while cycling shells into battery. Try cycling shells slowly, quietly and meticulously ... and they jam. Try using other than 3" slugs in the magazine and you have to pray that the rim of the lower shell doesn't get in front of the higher shell or you will be party to a monumental, show stopping jam up in the receiver. Trying to drop a mag and inserting a new magazine can be akin to trying to dock the shuttle with the space station. Even though I meticulously cleaned the magazines of plastic ridges left from poor mound fit-up. I purchased a dozen factory Savage magazines from different sources, and half of them had visible inconsistencies from magazine to magazine. The Savage is a cheaply made gun, that shoots stunningly accurately. So, if accuracy alone determines "no better slug gun out there," then we agree. <smile>
If it wasn't so accurate, it would be extinct...LOL
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He was lucky to hit it's spine. At that range. a 20 ga slug (3" Accutip) has less than 700 ft lbs of energy. That's much less than the minimum experts say are required to kill a deer. Mind you a "monster" Iowa deer.
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Here is the ballistic charts for the 12 and 20 AccuTip’s, which you will most likely be shooting out of either and also what savage recommends. Velocities are right in line with each other but impact energy is a huge difference. I opted for the 220, which has performed just fine for me. Both shoot very flat so you have to ask yourself do you want more impact, which in turn is more recoil. I find myself to be more accurate with a lower recoil and if you put either round in the vitals the result will be the same. Hit a shoulder you will have different results for sure. In addition 115g worth of bullet weight is a huge factor.
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Then buy a rifled barrel and scope for one that you have, very few guns don't offer this option, As for the 12 vs 20, 20 is the rave and I have several of each, 870 with both the Hasting Bull as well as the lightweight barrels in 12, and the LT1100-20. either one is great out to 125 yards. Using 12 ga Lightfield "lite" loads will do just fine for the Mrs. and you could/should put the savings toward that little ones college fun,
Having a DSG or an extra setup (removable barrel and scope) will not make a difference to 99% of the people on NJH the other 1%, well they are just the 1%'ers.
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The reason I am looking at a dedicated slug gun is that I do alot of bird hunting (upland and duck) and use the Benelli for that, I have been limited to buck shot this winter deer shotgun season so I dont have to keep resighting in my scope. With the buckshot the only ethical shot I am willing to take is 40 yards and would like a longer distance shooting gun as my other shotguns are smooth bore and used for ducking in the am with me sitting in my tree stand in the pm. I have the scope on now only since the coastal duck season is now over.
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can't go wrong with a 220. I have one fully set up I would be interested in selling the only reason I want to move it is I want the stainless one. It is black with a real tree hardwoods stock, leupold 2.5 -8 vxIII, claw sling, EGW tactical base and aluminum rings. I will be listing it on here shortly.
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I have a safe full of all high quality weapons no reason to lie my 220 is one of most accurate guns at 100 yards. Like I said no reasons lie
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It could mean that the rest don't shoot very well. [hihi][smoke]
bottom line, VERY few rifled barrel slug guns with decent scopes shoot poorly at 100 yards.
Now I will get the lesson on the definition of poorly. Most likely poorly is the person, possibly the ammo but unlikely the gun. I have a few that will shoot under a MOA several under 2 MOA and none over that.
Last week I had a few poorly placed shots, thought for sure I had bumped the scope really hard, well I fired the last round at about 75 yards and missed the bull's eye by about 8 inches which once again I thought I bumped my scope. next 2 rounds (different box) dead on, second box (different code) dead on, third set of 2 (now 2 2/4") also on the mark. Have no Idea why, BUT I had a bad box of shells.
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I agree that the action is not fantastic. I never worry about a second shot! you rarely get a second shot with bolt action anyhow!
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220 it is, just one less handgun this year for me.
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Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk
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How did you make out with the 220 i'm getting ready to order the 212 camo.
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Remington Accutip ballistics
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Yes I like the (FT-LB)s of the 12-3
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As odd as it is check gun broker the 212 sit and there are bidding wars on the older model 210. Boggles my mind
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Ps will put my 220 against any body out their thousand dollar tar hunt and make them look foolish at 100 yards
Ps it wears a cheap leupold riflemen 3x9 40mm
Check out on YouTube savage 220 killing deer at 300 yards .
Ps it wears a cheap leupold riflemen 3x9 40mm
Check out on YouTube savage 220 killing deer at 300 yards .
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127 Posts
Saw the video of the three hunters each shooting deer at 300yds with the 220 and the 20-3 accutips.
I shot one last week at 100yds and was very impressed, still leaning towards the 212.
I shot one last week at 100yds and was very impressed, still leaning towards the 212.
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I like it just have not had as much time to use it as I'd like with the new home purchase, the honey do list has been taking up a lot of time. I think it was the right decision even with the stock scope.
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yea i have a bow and several guns i haven't shot yet. my wife has no problem with me buying, then it seems i never get the time to shoot em.
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I read that the 20 gauge is intrinsically a more accurate platform, but haven't found much info to compare to the 212. basically the 220 is half a pound lighter with less recoil.
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