Savage 220 Scope Recommendations
 

I picked up a Savage 220 last fall and am just getting ready to put a scope on it, however, I'm torn as to what to buy and what slugs to use I mainly hunt in thick cover in MD and most of my shots are 75 yards or under. So, the two questions I have are:

1) I plan to shoot Remington Accutips and am trying to decide between 2/3" and 3". Wondering if 3" is overkill for me and if the recoil is much different between the two.

2) I think I've narrowed down my scope choice to the Nikon Slughunter and the Leupold VX-2 both in 3-9x40. The Leupold has a wider field of view, however, the Nikon has the BDC reticle. I have zero experience with BDC recticles and am not sure if it's more of a gimmick or if it's really useful.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!!

If you are talking about hunting heavy cover, I think you'd be better served with a 1.5-4X. I think you'd be "over-scoped" with a 3x9. It seems to me 75-100 yds is not that far that you'd be able to shoot any better with that extra magnification.

Put a scope designed for a slug gun on it that has good eye relief and you shouldn't need anything with more than 4 power at the top end. A fixed power scope is really all you would need for what you're describing.

+1 with the above comment.

If you are shooting 75 or 100 yards the BDC reticule is not of much use to you.
daddus

it's been shown that the 3" shells tend to shoot better.

the Leupold ultimate slam 3-9x is the scope to get, which shows slug drop out to 300yds.


btw if there was ever a time to use a BDC reticle it's with a slug if you ask me! a slug drops like a rock, esp past 100yds etc... so the difference at 150 or 100 can mean a complete miss! Even if you don't use it often, at least you have it. and the drop from 75, to 150 or 200yds, is huge.

You can also get this scope in 2-7x if you wanted.

I have and love my 220f, I use Remington Accu-Tip 3" and she topped off with a Leupold VX-II/2 3-9x40.....Those shotgun only scopes are a gimmick from the scope companies to add more models to their line and charge more, the difference is they are parallax to 75 yards, with today's high performance shotguns and ammo a regular rifle scope will do

Thanks for the feedback so far!


BowhunterCop - I saw in other threads you used a medium DNZ mount. Was wondering if you went with the 18200 or the 18200OS (image below) which is made for shorter scopes? Both seem to be medium height.

I think at the time I went with the 18200, as the 18200S wasn't made...I called DNZ told the make, model of the gun and scope (Leupold VX-II (now known as VX-2) 3-9x40) and they told me to get the 18200......excellent product, solid!!!!

Just picked up my 220 st Cabelas a couple of weeks ago. The action doesn't seem as smooth as it should be. Anyone experience the same thing?

I'm looking at the Nikon SlugHunter.

I shoot the 3" Accutips. Nikon Slughunter BDC. NJ Camoman, the action will loosen up as you use it. You may have to just work it back and forth for a bit. Mine was the same way, works great now. Good luck with whatever you go with.

Thanks JSK. I have not shot it yet but real axious. Came with a Bushnell but no sense wasting ammo before I sight it in with the new scope.

NJ Camo Man, the action is somewhat stiff, I had my gunsmith lap the bolt and bolt rails, it made it smoother but it's not as smooth as a rifle.

where in NJ are you from?

Hey thanks BowHuntercop. I might try that. I live in Orange. Went to Highschool in Hackettstown in early 80's. Hunt zone 5. You wouldn't happen to be one of the officers who hunts the conservatory next to the old RR bed?

I was born & raised in Lodi, now live in southern Warren County.....I hunt Sussex County

Zeiss Conquest would be my choice.

Either put some gun grease on the bolt and rack the gun 1,000 times or have it lapped.

I just bought one as well -- bought online and shipped to FFL, who's mounting a Nikon Slughunter in 1.65 x 5 on it for me. Only have handled it once (still in the shop), and didn't notice anything significant with the action.