Savage 220 or 212 and why?
 

In the market for a dedicated bolt action slug gun for whitetails. I have narrowed it down to the Savage line of sluggers. Now which chambering, 20 ga or 12 ga? My dad has a Marlin 512 and it is in my opinion way more gun than anyone would ever need for a Michigan whitetail. I am leaning towards the 220, that way my wife could use it as well without fear of it nocking her senseless. Tell me your personal experience with either gun and/or why you would choose one over the other. Any known issues I need to be aware of on either weapon?

Thanks,
Z

I love my 220f, she is topped of with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 mounted with the Grim Reaper Deadnutz one piece Medium rings, using Remington 3" Accu-Tip Slugs, I'm 4" high at 100yds above center with 3/4" 5 shot groups, easily a 200yrd shotgun

I have read most of your threads on the 220 and am leaning hard towards it because of your good reviews.

Let me tell you about the recoil with the 220f.......There isn't any!!!!!

I have the 220f as well. Haven't taken a Deer with it yet but it is one sweet gun. I'm shooting the 3" Accutips as well. It is a tack driver with very little recoil. You'll both love it.

I think you're making a good choice with the Savage, and if recoil is part of the decision, the 20 is the way to go.

I have a 512 and love it, but i don't feel that a 12 ga is really overkill for deer. Does your Dad's 512 have a wood or synthetic stock?

220 all the way!

browning has an abolt 12ga coming out.... or already out, if I wanted a 12ga in a bolt that might be the one to get.

220. i heard a couple times that 20 gauges can get a little better accuracy. and no matter what gauge all slugs with knock down a deer. so id go with the 20

Dad's 512 has a really nice wood stock, so the little extra weight helps.

As you can see in my avatar, I love my 220!! Shoots fantastic!!! Mine is topped with a Burris Fullfield II.. Shooting Federals with the Barnes tipped expander bullets...

btw...

260grs@1900 fps

vs.

300 or 385grs @1900 fps

IMO no need for a 12ga out to 200yds, past that maybe, but I don't see many shooting past 200yds with a slug regardless of a 12 or 20, and at common distances, 50yds, 75, 125, 20 has plenty of juice IMO, I'd take an accurate 20ga over a powerful 12 any day.

Get the 20 gauge. The 12 is overkill IMO. Shooting 12 gauge full-house slugs eventually drove me to muzzleloading instead. I've used an H&R 20 gauge fully rifled that drives tacks and the recoil is very tolerable. With the 12 gauge you have much, much more recoil for maybe a slight advantage in killing power when you are talking about deer. Now if you were hunting large bears, it might be different....