Understanding Your Savage 220
The Savage 220 bolt-action shotgun has become a favorite among deer hunters, and for good reason. Its design offers a level of accuracy typically associated with rifles, making it a formidable choice for those seeking precision at extended ranges. However, the full potential of the Savage 220 isn’t unlocked simply by owning the firearm; the right ammunition is crucial. Choosing the best slug for Savage 220 isn’t just about picking a bullet; it’s about maximizing the rifle-like precision this shotgun platform offers. This article dives deep into the nuances of slug selection, helping you make informed choices to enhance your hunting success.
The Savage 220 is a departure from the traditional pump-action or semi-automatic shotguns. Its bolt-action mechanism ensures a secure lockup and consistent performance with each shot. This feature contributes significantly to its accuracy potential. Beyond the action, the Savage 220 is specifically designed for slug shooting, incorporating a rifled barrel. This crucial feature imparts a spin on the slug as it travels down the barrel, stabilizing its flight and dramatically improving accuracy compared to smoothbore shotguns. Other key features contribute to this level of performance: a well-engineered stock, a crisp trigger, and often the ability to mount optics.
The rifled barrel of the Savage 220 is the key to achieving impressive accuracy. When combined with the right ammunition, this shotgun can deliver tight groupings at distances previously unattainable with traditional shotguns. However, all slugs are not created equal. The choice of ammunition is paramount; it’s what transforms the potential of the 220 into actual results in the field.
Key Considerations When Choosing Slugs
Selecting the best slug for Savage 220 requires understanding several factors that influence ballistics and terminal performance.
Slug Weight: Finding the Right Balance
Slug weight plays a significant role in both trajectory and energy at the target. Slugs are available in a range of weights, with common choices including one-ounce, and one and one-eighth ounce slugs. A heavier slug generally retains more energy at longer ranges, contributing to better penetration and knockdown power. However, heavier slugs also tend to have a more pronounced trajectory, meaning they drop more over distance, and the recoil can be increased. A lighter slug will often provide a flatter trajectory and a lighter recoil, but sacrifice some energy.
When choosing the right slug for your Savage 220, consider the range at which you typically hunt, the terrain, and the size of the game. Experimentation is often necessary to find the weight that performs best in your rifle. If your range is limited, you might not need the extra energy of a heavier slug; however, if you need to reach out, a heavier slug is the best option.
Slug Type: Expanding Your Options
The type of slug you choose greatly impacts its performance. Various designs are available, each offering unique characteristics.
Hollow Point Slugs: Hollow point slugs are designed to expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel. This expansion results in greater energy transfer to the target and often leads to quicker, more humane kills. The downside to hollow point slugs is they sometimes fragment on impact or don’t penetrate properly.
Solid Slugs: Solid slugs, often made of lead, are designed for deep penetration. They are less prone to expansion and are a good option for heavy cover or thick-skinned game. They often provide a high degree of penetration and are reliable at most distances.
Sabot Slugs: Sabot slugs represent a more advanced design. These consist of a smaller-diameter slug enclosed within a plastic or polymer sabot. This sabot engages the rifling, imparting spin to the slug, while the sabot itself separates from the slug after leaving the barrel. Sabot slugs can often achieve higher velocities and flatter trajectories than traditional slugs, offering advantages at longer ranges.
Sabot vs Slug: Sabot slugs and regular slugs offer differing pros and cons. When using a Savage 220, you’ll want to use slugs designed for rifled barrels. Sabot slugs are made to be used in a rifled barrel and offer superior accuracy. Solid slugs can also work in a rifled barrel, but you may not see the same performance.
Ballistic Coefficient: Understanding the Air’s Impact
The ballistic coefficient (BC) is a crucial factor often overlooked by hunters. This is a measurement of how efficiently a bullet flies through the air, representing its ability to overcome air resistance. A higher BC indicates a bullet that is less affected by wind and air resistance, resulting in a flatter trajectory and better retained energy at longer ranges. Slugs with higher BCs will exhibit less drop over distance and retain more velocity. When considering the best slug for Savage 220, pay attention to the BC, especially if you intend to take shots at extended distances.
Bullet Construction: Penetration and Performance
The construction of a slug plays a vital role in its terminal performance. Factors such as the lead alloy used, the design of the cavity, and the presence of a jacket all influence how the slug behaves upon impact. Slugs designed for controlled expansion will expand at the target, transferring energy to the animal efficiently. Others are designed to penetrate deeply, even through heavy bone. The choice of bullet construction should be matched to the expected hunting conditions and the size and toughness of the game you are pursuing. Choosing a bullet that will expand and retain its weight is the best option.
Top Slug Recommendations for the Savage 220
Here are some of the best slug choices for the Savage 220. These recommendations take into account the 220’s rifled barrel and the need for accuracy and performance.
Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Sabot Slugs
Slug Type & Weight: Bonded Sabot Slugs. Available in various weights.
Key Features: Trophy Bonded technology, offering exceptional weight retention and deep penetration. This slug offers a high ballistic coefficient.
Performance Characteristics: Excellent accuracy, with tight groupings at various distances. The bonded core prevents core-jacket separation, ensuring high weight retention, allowing it to penetrate deeply and transfer its energy. Effective out to respectable ranges.
Why it’s a Good Choice for the Savage 220: Designed for maximum impact, they deliver consistent, reliable performance on a variety of game species, a great slug for any situation.
Hornady SST Slug
Slug Type & Weight: Sabot Slugs. Available in various weights.
Key Features: Hornady’s SST design features a polymer tip for enhanced expansion and a streamlined profile for improved ballistics.
Performance Characteristics: SST Slugs are known for their accuracy, with a flat trajectory. They expand rapidly upon impact, creating a large wound channel and delivering significant energy.
Why it’s a Good Choice for the Savage 220: Excellent ballistics combined with reliable expansion make this a top pick for hunters seeking long-range accuracy and devastating terminal performance.
Remington AccuTip Sabot Slug
Slug Type & Weight: Sabot Slugs. Various weights are available.
Key Features: Features a polymer tip that promotes rapid expansion, delivering great accuracy, with a sleek design that yields excellent ballistics.
Performance Characteristics: Outstanding accuracy, flat trajectory, and impressive terminal performance. Offers good energy transfer.
Why it’s a Good Choice for the Savage 220: This slug provides a good combination of accuracy, expansion, and penetration.
Tips for Enhancing Accuracy with Your Savage 220
Maximizing the accuracy potential of your Savage 220 involves more than just choosing the best slug. Several other factors also contribute to your success.
Scope Selection and Mounting: Setting the Stage
A quality riflescope is essential for reaching the accuracy potential of the 220. Choose a scope with a magnification range appropriate for your hunting environment. Consider a scope with a fast focus eyepiece. Properly mounting the scope is also critical. Use quality scope rings and bases, ensuring they are securely attached to the receiver. The scope should be mounted in a way that provides a comfortable cheek weld, allowing for quick and consistent target acquisition.
Sighting In: Hitting the Mark
The process of sighting in your Savage 220 is essential for ensuring that your shots hit where you aim. Find a safe and well-established shooting range. Start at a shorter distance, such as one hundred yards. Fire a group of three shots, and observe where the bullets impact on the target. Make adjustments to the scope, following the manufacturer’s instructions, to move the point of impact to match your point of aim. Continue to adjust and fire groups until your rifle is sighted in accurately at the desired distance.
Practice and Range Time: Mastering the Art
Accuracy comes with practice. Spend time at the range, shooting your Savage 220 at different distances. This will help you become familiar with the trajectory of your chosen slug and understand how the wind affects your shots. Practice shooting from various positions that you might encounter while hunting, such as standing, sitting, and kneeling. Regular practice will improve your marksmanship skills and build confidence in your ability to make accurate shots in the field.
Cleaning and Maintenance: Preserving Performance
Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for keeping your Savage 220 in top condition and ensuring consistent accuracy. Clean the barrel after each shooting session, removing any lead or fouling that may have accumulated. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and lubrication. Proper maintenance will help maintain the performance and longevity of your firearm.
Conclusion
Choosing the best slug for Savage 220 is a crucial step in maximizing the rifle-like precision this shotgun platform offers. By considering the key factors, such as slug weight, type, ballistic coefficient, and construction, and by testing different ammunition, you can find the perfect match for your specific hunting needs. Remember that accuracy also depends on proper scope mounting, sighting in, regular practice, and thorough cleaning. By taking these steps, you can transform your Savage 220 into a highly effective hunting tool and experience greater success in the field.
Additional Resources
Visit the websites of slug manufacturers such as Federal, Hornady, and Remington to learn more about their product lines and ballistics.
Watch videos and read articles online that discuss slug selection and shooting techniques.
Consult with experienced hunters at your local gun shop to get personalized advice and recommendations.
