Looking to purchase a slug gun for deer hunting. I'm not partial to either 12 ga. or 20 ga., bolt action or semi-automatic. A few friends have recommended the Savage 220 (20 ga. bolt action), said it's an excellent slug gun. I hunt VA woods, farms, & thickets w/ shots inside 150 yds., usually much closer. What are your thoughts on a good slug gun?

H&R Ultra Slug.

If cost is not a factor, the Browning A-Bolt 12gu is a very good gun.

Savage F220 or for ole' timers an Ithaca Deerslayer.

I second this. I hunt VA and I picked one of these up. Mine is the ultra-lite model. Accurate and easy to carry. Not too expensive either. I like mine an awful lot and with some practice you can get it reloaded pretty quick.

the savage 220 is best shotgun for slug guns & if you can afford it go with the ithaca deerslayer 3

I have a Marlin 512 Slugmaster. It shoots very well and I've taken a pile of deer with it. They are no longer made but can be found used. Same goes for the Mossberg 695 (I think that's the model). Both of these are kind of bulky. My 512 is like a 2x4 with a steel pipe bolted to it.

I really like the savages, and if I were to buy a new gun, I'd go with the 212. With the sabots available today, the 220 is very capable as well.

I own many slug guns from the smoothbore Ithaca Deerslayer in 12 & 20ga, to a Mossberg 500 20ga (rifled/cantilever), to Remington 1187 in both 12 & 20ga (both rifled/cantilever), to the H&R Ultra Deluxe 20ga., to the Savage 220f. within the 150 yrd range the Mossberg 500, Remington 870 and the 1187 will be just fine, but if you want longer distance then the H&R or the Savage, my vote would be the Savage over the H&R. The Savage has a slight edge for accuracy near the 170 yrd range and beyond, the Savage is built and handles like a rifle, easier to carry cause of the lighter weight, the trigger is great, safety is as well. Top any of these shotguns with at least a decent glass or better like a Leupold VX-2, 3-9x40 and try the Remington Accutip 3" slugs (20ga) and you will be set. For the Savage the DNZ one piece mount/rings are best. For deer size game I will opt for the 20ga., they fly flat, no recoil, and knock the snot out of game......By no means am I knocking the 12ga,

I hunt with the savage 220 and love the gun. This is the most accurate slug guns that I have ever shot....I own two Remington slug guns also and they are not even close to the accuracy of the savage..

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