220F

[lunchbox]

I got my new savage 220f and tried to put a couple different scopes on it and neither would fit. The mounts are to far apart for the scopes to sit in there right. The rings end up on the bell in the front and the magnification ring in the back. One scope was a leupold shotgun scope and the other was a little longer bsa I had just sitting around. So instead of buyin a longer scope I ordered an EGW one piece rail. They said it will be here Friday. I hope it is. All most everything I read or hear about on this gun is it is amazing to shoot. Both my wife and I cant wait to go out and shoot it.
Anyone here have any info to offer on this gun?
Thanks

[oked]

A friend had one in Ill. last fall and I shot it , shot 2 groups with remington accu tips that measured a little under 1.25 inches for 3 shots .Loved the accutriger . With the mount you have 2 choices use the base you ordered or use a ext ring on the front ring, all savages ,including rifles and muzzleloaders, have the same problem.Thse are great guns, I will own one ,hopefully by this fall if I can get my H&R 20 ga. slughunter sold to help fund the purchase.

[lunchbox]

I got my rail in today and mounted (picked by the boss) a BSA scope on it and took it out and shot it. Man I just loved it. She was scared to shoot it at first but when she did she said that she liked it too. She is now more willing to shoot it than any of the others I have.
The boy (11) shot it today also and he about fell over when he shot it lol.

[ricksalisbury01]

I love mine...I have an EGW base as well, and have no issues with ejection. I am thinking about trying to load some lyman slugs for it this year, but the remington accus shoot really well (but yet I had to bed it, stiffen the forearm with alum. stock (truth be told, I did not need to do any of that, but could not just leave it alone)). The rifle will give verticle spread fast if shooting it too fast, but I really like the rifle/shotgun.

[budga82832]

My buddy just bought one the other day and we sighted it in at 50yds using a bench rest and the Federal\Barnes expanders 3". It shot 1/2-3/4 groups using this load. We then tried it at 100 yds it shot around 4" to the right every time, which we couldn't understand. We knew it was dead on at 50, so it wasn't making any sense. When we got home we put a laser bore sighter in it and guess what, it showed the same that we saw at 100 yds. The laser dot was off to the right of the cross hairs a couple of inches. So now where trying to figure out if they drilled the scope mount holes crooked or the barrel isn't striaght.

[ricksalisbury01]

budga82832: Where does the laser hit at 50 yards? When the bullet/slug leaves the barrel, it can only go in a straight line (assuming no wind, gravity...etc.). A curved/bent barrel will not continue to impart an arc on the projectile.
If the scope base holes were milled out-of-true, a set of Burris Z Signature rings with offsets will fix that, while maintaining a windage zero close to the optical center of the scope.
I can think of no reason (excluding wind) that would drive the point of impact 4 inches in 50 yards. I would really be interested in hearing back from you when the problem is identified.

[Deleted]

Got me a 220 last weekend. Used a long one piece Weaver Base, no problems. Has alot of adjustability so just about any scope would fit. Put a Bushnell Elite 3200 3x9x50 on it and that's a really long scope. Fits fine. Very nice gun, I like every thing about it so far, just hoping Accutips shoot better than the Winchesters or Federal's, I'm not super thrilled on the accuracy so far, it's not bad, just not as good as I thought it would be. Accutips are like gold around here, have to wait til spring to try em. Too close to season to be messing around so the Ithaca DSIII gets the nod for this year (again) maybe next season for the 220.

[jims]

One thing I have seen posted is that the bolt needs to be cycled sharply to ensure proper feeding and ejection of the spent cartridge.

[mrbuck]

I am not all that thrilled with the 220's accuracy either. After all the hype I expected more.Shooting slugs since 1973, I have seen great steps foreward with regards to sluggun accuacy and projectile effectiveness. However, good, solid, 1 and 1/2 inch groups that hold a point of impact have not been obtainable with any slug I have tried. I think the barrel could have been heavier and a laminated stock might help. If I seem less than thrilled it is because I have just come in from the range and after 10 Remington 3" Accutips and 5 Winchester 3" Partitions it is not a gun I have confidence in when you get past 75 yds. and you need every advantage that is possible. By the way this is the second season of testing this 220 .The first was spent shooting almost a case of Federal 3'' Tipped Expanders, 5 boxes of Winchester Patitions, with a few boxes of 2 and 3/4 Accutips---and a couple of boxes of 3'' Lightfields thrown in just in case they were magic shell!!! Perhaps folks just don't want to admit that the one that they picked off the rack isn't the most accurate shotgun off assembly line! Also, I am lucky enough to be able to shoot at a local range about 80 times a year so I think operator error is minamal.

[tar12]

Mr Buck thanks for a real world report. I have been thinking about getting a 220f but that thought is waning rather quickly. I have seen reports of outstanding accuracy from this gun BUT there are reports like yours that make cringe at the thought of shelling out the coin for a mediocre slug gun when the H&R 980 Ultra is still getting it done....

[hornet22savage]

Spend some time over of shotgunworld.com especially in the slug shooters section and there are plenty more problems with the 220F. There seems to be a misfire problem and ejection problems and I even think I have read of a few feeding problems. If your looking for a 20 ga. repeating dedicated slug gun look for a good use Ithaca DS-II or if you don't mind the weight a DS-III. I own a regular Deerslayer in 12 ga. and I'm surprised by the accuracy of it, considering it is a switch barrel gun. This year I was printing 2.29 inch groups at 100 yds. with Remington Accu-Tips. That was before I realized how terrible the trigger pull was and had it adjusted from almost 8 pounds down to 5 pounds. I bet those groups are smaller now but I have not checked.

[Dave W]

I just measured Ohioguys last two groups on my backer. Right at 2" @ 100yds and just under 6" @ 200yds with the tipped Expanders.

His DSIII is a tack driver!

[jims]

;D Ric, if you got that Savage shotgun you would have to change your name to 220F from Tar12.

[esshup]

I've got a Tar-Hunt slug gun, and I've found that how you hold the gun is the largest variable in shooting groups past 50 Yds. Even putting your shooting hand thumb on the side of the stock vs. the top will change the group size and location at 100 Yds.

I'm now shooting slug guns (when checking for accuracy) from a lead sled type gun rest, and barely caressing the stock with my right hand when squeezing the trigger. I don't touch the forend and let it go where it will after the shot, and my shoulder is NOT against the rest either.

Yes, the gun will shoot to a different POI when held during hunting, but I'm only checking gun/ammo accuracy, not shooter accuracy. I'm asked by a number of friends to check their guns for accuracy and get them in the ballpark because of the cost of the ammo. I can usually get them on paper at 100 Yds in less than a box.

I don't have faith in bore sighters much past 25 Yds. I can take my boresighter and rotate it in the barrel - it'll scribe a circle on the wall at 40' that is 6" dia. when the gun is held in a gun vise.

[mrbuck]

How can a POI be established for hunting situations when they are so variable? Is the gun only to be shot sitting on the ground. back against a tree,standing forearm held braced against a tree,or sitting in a elevated stand with the forearm rested on a shooting rail (a well padded sling under the forearm to keep it similar to padded front rest to avoid excessive bounce), or offhand??? Does not seem to be a reliable platform to slip a hot one through the trees past 80 yds. on a cold , blustery late Nov. early Dec. dawn.

[esshup]

the information that came with my Tar-Hunt slug gun said sight it in at 50 Yds (how high depends on what slug you are using) and check it at 100 yds due to the variables that can happen.

I use my Savage ML for all my Indiana deer hunting with the exception of State Park Hunts and if we do a deer drive on a certain farm that I hunt wnere multiple shots are a possibility.

[mrbuck]

esshup....with everything ( ammo @$2.00 a pop,range time, gas to get to the range,etc ) involved with two Rem. 1100's with Leupolds, a Sav.210 with custom barrel and a Sav. 220 both with Leupolds over the course of 35 yrs. I'm sure I could have bought a Tar- Hunt. Randy is only 100 mi. away in Pa. However,it just seems for all the accuracy of the Tar-Hunt it revolves around the full bore Lightfield or Hastings type slug that is able to slice through the air only slightly better than a black, cast iron frying pan at 1400 f.p.s. The Barnes Tipped Expander is a up to date slug that to me compliments the Tar-Hunt's potential.I have never clocked a Barnes or Winchester Partition (talk about fliers!) in any gauge or gun at more than 1735 f.p.s.so out of a short 21"barrel accuracy destroying speed should be less. I also have seen on Lightfields website and read in Dave Henderson's (slug expert from N Y) book that a slug gun should be zeroed at 50 yds. But all experienced rifle cartridge handloaders and sharp Savage ML shooters know what is fine at 100yds. may fall apart at 250yds. What may be just be one hole at 50 yds. shot off a bench on a dead calm morning may not get the job done under field conditions at over 125yds.

[tar12]

How difficult would it be to get a after market barrel for the 220?

[7mmfreak]

Not too hard. ER Shaw should do it and I've seen guys talking about using Pac-nor blanks intended for .600Nitro. Depends on how much barrel you are looking for I guess. The reamer will be the more difficult part but still just a phone call away.

[jims]

Tar 12: Just put that barrel change out of your mind IMHO. They will never shoot as well as our smokeless MLs I think.
I do admit sometimes when I have to go out to look for another's crippled deer (shooting foster slugs) in a smoothbore etc. I will take my TarHunt or even my Marlin 512. In the thick stuff they are lighter and shorter and more handy and I would have two extra shots should it be necessary.
I cannot convince some of my family to give up the fosters and can't count the amount of lost deer in the last 10 years. I have even offered to let them use my MLs to no avail.

[tar12]

Jim it is not such a far fetched idea as I had E.R. Shaw barrels on my TarHunts? I know they will never achieve the accuracy we get with our muzzys but I like to keep a 20 ga. slug gun around for the occasional youngster that wants to deer hunt with us. It is just easier to deal with.... ;D

[jims]

Tar12: It all makes sense to me now. I can appreciate the lighter recoil especially for young shooters and even older guys like me.
You have another good alternative in some of those lighter loads you developed for your daughter and without question for a beginning hunter 20 gauge loads are easier to use than an ML.
I feel bad about my earlier post, in re-reading it, it seems harsh or critical and I did not mean it to be. Tar12 is my friend and I did not want to come across as mean spirited, I am many things but that is not one of them. Good hunting.

[kb]

I've had my 220 for two seasons now, and I do like the gun. I agree that for $500 it should function better, but I have adapted to its peculiarities.

When ejecting a shell, you must do so with quickly. This will flip the casing out.

When loading a round, go slower. If you do it too fast it will jam. Mine will jam if I rack a 3 inch shell too quickly, but not the 2 3/4. My friends jams on 2 3/4 inch rounds. These jams only seem to happen on the first round out of a full magazine.

Mine shoots 3" Federal Barnes expanders, 2 3/4 Remy accutips, and 2 3/4 Winchester supremes into a nice (for me) 3 inch group at 100 yards. (Benched off a rolled up piece of carpet). I am hitting an average of 1.5-2 inches high at 100 yards. This will far exceed my needs for a deer gun. I'm sure in the hands on a more experianced shooter, this gun is capable of much more.

I have a Bushy 3200 3-9X 40 mounted on high Warner QR rings.

Hope this helps someone.

[Deleted]

I'm gonna adjust my trigger down, round up some Accutips, clean the barrel thoroughly, check to make sure the barrel isn't hitting the stock somewhere ad then take it to the range and sand bag it before I make my final judgement on mine. Nice gun, sure hope it shoots the Accutips well, if not, it may go bye bye and help fund another DSIII.

[mrbuck]

ohioguy... With bucks like the one in your picture (Ithaca D S 111 strikes again) available in your area you should have the best shotgun, scope, and slug combination possible. This is the second year here in ' Jersey that folks have tales of poor killing ability of both 20 ga. and 12 ga. Accutips. Seems if they do not hit bone they do not open up much. The Barnes Tipped slug (also reccomended by Savage) is not quite as accurate but they never fail. Folks are paying thousands of dollars and traveling thousnds of miles for a CHANCE at a buck like you shot! A fine accurate rifle or shotgun and reliable scope is a lifetime investment! Once again, nice buck!!!

[Deleted]

Thanks a bunch. Yeah I feel I have the best setup available in My DSIII loaded with Accutips, it is a tack driver and every buck I have shot has dropped in its tracks, literally. So I have had no bad experiences with the Accutips. If I do my part it is a 1 hole group rig at 100 yards. It has served me perfectly and has taken bucks in excess of 200 yards. I was wanting a back up gun that was lighter for days that I wanna be mobile so I thought I'd try the savage since everyone was raving about it. So far, it's just ok, def not even close enough to replace the DSIII as my number 1 gun. I'll keep trying it but it's gonna have to do better for me to carry it. Thanks again.

[mrbuck]

ohioguy...That looks like a shoulder shot on that fine buck in the picture. The lack luster reports all involve much smaller 'Jersey deer, lung shots , and well over 100 yd. from point of impact recoveries. That Ithaca sounds deadly. However, remember in ''these parts'' we like''bang-flop'' as there is usually another hunter or a posted property line not all that far away.

[Deleted]

I completely understand. We run the same risk of deer crossing to neighboring property where eager hunters await, we are only hunting approx 100 acres so we don't have any option but to put em down, especially when we don't shoot any less than 140". So far so good for me with Accutips, this buck was actually shot behind the shoulder not thru the shoulder, and he never took a step. I've had this same exact result on every buck I've shot with them, DOI. At the same time, my son shoots Winchester XP3's out of an H&R ultra slug 12 ga, and the XP3's have proven to be just as accurate and just as deadly. Maybe give them a try and see how they work for ya. Regardless, sabot ammo has came a long way for us. Thanks again and good luck!

[hornet22savage]

I shot a 150 pound four point this year with the 12 ga. Accu-Tips. Deer was quatering away down hill 70yd. shot. Entered high back of the ribcage and I found the slug just under the hide on the oppsite side ribcage. Perfectly expanded and perfectly dead deer.

[mrbuck]

In a past post concerning slugs, ''rangeball'' stated that Federal Expanders were his previous ''gold standard'' before they changed a few years back. Does anyone (rossman ?) know what was changed that could have affected accuracy ? I have always looked to stock up on what I thought was an accurate lot number. A Remington 1100 with a rifled barrel (epoxied to the receiver) shot 2'' groups at !00 yds. so ,to me , it was worth it buy 10 boxes and have an accurate shooting lot of slugs that will last years.