Savage Arms 220 Slug Gun: Unlocking Rifle-Grade Accuracy for Shotgun Hunters

For serious hunters operating in shotgun-only zones or those simply seeking unparalleled precision from a slug gun, the Savage Arms 220 stands as a transformative solution. This isn't just another shotgun; it's a meticulously engineered bolt-action platform designed to bridge the gap between traditional shotguns and high-performance hunting rifles. If you've ever asked, "What is the most accurate slug gun available?" or "How can I achieve rifle-like precision with a shotgun for deer hunting?", the Savage 220 provides a compelling answer.

Why Precision Matters in Slug Hunting

Hunting with slugs, particularly in areas where rifle use is restricted, presents a unique challenge. While traditional shotguns offer versatility, achieving consistent, ethical long-range shots with slugs often proves difficult. The Savage 220 Slug Gun directly addresses this by incorporating features traditionally found in high-precision rifles, fundamentally redefining expectations for shotgun accuracy. It allows hunters to confidently extend their effective range and place shots with an accuracy that was once unimaginable for a smoothbore. This translates directly to more successful hunts, fewer wounded animals, and greater confidence in the field.

The Foundation of Accuracy: A Rifle-Inspired Design

At the heart of the Savage 220's exceptional performance is its bolt-action platform. Unlike pump-action or semi-automatic shotguns, the robust bolt-action mechanism provides a solid, consistent lock-up, minimizing vibration and movement that can detract from accuracy. This solid foundation, coupled with a series of innovative Savage Arms technologies, enables the gun to deliver sub-MOA accuracy with quality slugs in many cases, a feat rarely attributed to shotguns.

Key Technologies for Unprecedented Performance

The Savage 220 integrates several proprietary Savage Arms innovations that contribute to its outstanding precision and user experience:

• AccuTrigger™ System: This user-adjustable trigger allows shooters to customize the pull weight to their exact preference, from a crisp, light pull for precision shooting to a slightly heavier setting for safety in rugged conditions. The AccuTrigger eliminates creep and overtravel, ensuring a clean, predictable break that minimizes shooter-induced fliers and significantly enhances accuracy. It’s a game-changer for repeatable shot placement.
• AccuStock™ with AccuFit™ Technology: Ergonomics play a crucial role in consistent shooting. The Savage 220 features the revolutionary AccuStock, a rigid, aluminum-bedded synthetic stock system that cradles the action precisely, eliminating flex and improving accuracy. Furthermore, the AccuFit system allows shooters to easily adjust the length-of-pull and comb height. This tailor-made fit ensures optimal eye alignment with optics, reduces felt recoil by directing it linearly, and allows for comfortable, stable shooting from any position. A properly fitted gun means better control, less fatigue, and ultimately, tighter groups.
• 22-Inch Button-Rifled Barrel: The 22-inch barrel is not just any barrel; it's meticulously button-rifled. Rifling imparts a spin on the slug, much like a bullet from a rifle, stabilizing it in flight and dramatically improving its accuracy and consistency. The 22-inch length strikes an ideal balance, offering ample barrel length for ballistic performance while remaining maneuverable in dense woods or when navigating tight blinds. The matte black finish on the barrel and receiver not only provides a stealthy appearance but also offers enhanced durability and corrosion resistance in challenging outdoor environments.

Power and Versatility: The 20 Gauge Advantage

The Savage 220 is chambered in 20 Gauge with a 3-inch chamber, offering a powerful yet manageable combination for big game. While the 12 Gauge often gets the spotlight, the 20 Gauge, especially with modern sabot slugs, offers several compelling advantages for precision hunting:

• Reduced Recoil: Compared to a 12 Gauge, the 20 Gauge generates significantly less recoil, allowing for quicker follow-up shots, reduced flinching, and more comfortable practice sessions. This translates to greater shooter confidence and better accuracy over extended periods.
• Excellent Ballistics: Modern 20 Gauge sabot slugs offer impressive velocity and flat trajectories, making them highly effective for deer, hog, and even bear at considerable ranges. The combination of a rifled barrel and advanced slug designs ensures potent energy transfer and deep penetration.
• Optimal for Purpose: For dedicated slug hunting, the 20 Gauge in a purpose-built platform like the Savage 220 is often considered the optimal choice due to its balance of power, precision, and shooter comfort.

Ready for Optics: Essential for Precision

Recognizing that precise slug hunting demands precise aiming, the Savage 220's receiver is drilled and tapped and includes a one-piece rail. This thoughtful inclusion makes mounting a scope or red dot sight incredibly straightforward. For maximum accuracy, pairing this firearm with quality optics is essential, allowing hunters to fully exploit its inherent precision capabilities and extend their ethical shooting range. Whether you prefer a traditional hunting scope for magnification or a holographic sight for quick target acquisition in dense cover, the Savage 220 is ready to accommodate your preferred sighting solution.

Built for the Field: Durability and Reliability

Beyond its accuracy features, the Savage 220 is built to withstand the rigors of the hunting season. Its tough synthetic stock, finished in matte black, is impervious to the elements, shrugging off rain, snow, and rough handling without warping or degrading. The carbon steel receiver and matte black barrel finish contribute to its overall robustness and longevity. The oversized bolt handle ensures positive manipulation even with gloved hands, a critical feature when temperatures drop and conditions become challenging. With a 2-round detachable box magazine, reloading is quick and efficient, ensuring you're ready for any opportunity the field presents.

Ideal Applications and User Scenarios:

• Whitetail Deer Hunting: The Savage 220 shines as a primary deer hunting firearm, especially in states with specific "shotgun-only" or "straight-wall cartridge" regulations. Its accuracy allows for confident shots in open fields or longer distances in clearings.
• Hog Hunting: For large, tough game like hogs, the combination of a powerful 20-gauge slug and pinpoint accuracy ensures effective stopping power.
• Dense Brush and Woods: While capable of longer shots, its 22-inch barrel and overall maneuverability make it effective for navigating thick cover where quick, accurate shots at moderate ranges are common.
• Ethical Harvesting: The enhanced precision of the Savage 220 significantly increases the likelihood of a clean, ethical harvest, minimizing tracking and animal suffering.
• Hunters Prioritizing Accuracy: For shooters who demand the utmost precision from every shot, regardless of the firearm platform, the Savage 220 delivers.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Savage Arms 220 Slug Gun:

• Is the Savage 220 truly as accurate as a rifle? While it's still a slug gun, the Savage 220 is consistently reported by users and reviewers to deliver accuracy approaching or even matching that of many hunting rifles, particularly at typical slug gun ranges (e.g., 100-150 yards) when paired with quality sabot slugs. Many hunters report 1-2 inch groups at 100 yards.
• What kind of slugs should I use with a rifled barrel? For optimal accuracy with a rifled barrel like that on the Savage 220, you should use sabot slugs. These slugs have a plastic "sabot" that engages the rifling, imparting spin, and then separates from the slug upon exiting the barrel.
• How does the AccuTrigger improve shooting? The AccuTrigger allows you to adjust the trigger pull weight and eliminates creep, leading to a much cleaner, crisper break. This reduces the chance of pulling shots off target, directly translating to improved accuracy and consistency.
• Can the AccuStock really make a difference in recoil? Yes, by allowing you to customize the length-of-pull and comb height, the AccuStock ensures a proper fit. A well-fitted firearm naturally absorbs and directs recoil more efficiently into your shoulder, reducing felt recoil and allowing for more comfortable shooting and faster target reacquisition.
• Is a 20 gauge powerful enough for deer? Absolutely. With modern sabot slugs, the 20 gauge is incredibly effective for deer. It provides sufficient energy and penetration for ethical harvesting while offering the advantage of reduced recoil compared to a 12 gauge, which can improve shooter comfort and accuracy.
• What are the benefits of a bolt-action slug gun over a semi-auto or pump-action? Bolt-action designs inherently offer a more rigid, solid platform for firing, leading to greater consistency and accuracy. There are fewer moving parts during the firing sequence that could introduce vibration or inconsistency, making them ideal for precision applications like slug hunting.
• Where can I purchase the Savage Arms 220 Slug Gun? The Savage Arms 220 Slug Gun, including the model with UPC 011356573773, is available at reputable firearms retailers like DEGuns and deguns.com, where you can explore its features and make your purchase with confidence.

A New Standard for Shotgun Performance

The Savage Arms 220 Slug Gun with its 20 Gauge chamber, 22-inch matte black button-rifled barrel, AccuStock with AccuFit, and user-adjustable AccuTrigger system represents a significant leap forward in shotgun technology. It is a testament to Savage Arms' commitment to precision and performance, offering hunters a reliable, accurate, and customizable tool that will redefine their expectations of what a slug gun can achieve. For those who demand rifle-like accuracy from their shotgun, the Savage 220 is not just an option; it's the benchmark.

Savage Arms 220 Slug Gun Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Savage Arms
Model	220
Gauge	20 Gauge
Chamber	3"
Action	Bolt
Capacity	2rd (Detachable Magazine)
Barrel Length	22"
Barrel Finish	Matte Black
Barrel Type	Fully-Rifled
Receiver Finish	Matte Black
Receiver Material	Carbon Steel
Stock Description	AccuStock® with AccuFit™
Stock Finish	Matte Black
Stock Material	Synthetic
Sights	Optic Ready (Rail Included)
Overall Length	43"
Length of Pull	13.75"
Weight	7.34 lbs
Trigger	AccuTrigger®
Application	Field / Hunting
Hand	Right Hand
UPC	011356573773