Finding the savage 220 best slugs usually takes a bit of trial and error because this gun is famously picky about what it eats. If you've spent any time in a shotgun-only zone for deer season, you already know the Savage 220 isn't really a "shotgun" in the traditional sense. It's a bolt-action rifle that just happens to be chambered for 20-gauge shells. Because it has a rifled barrel and a structure built for precision, you can't just throw any old lead brick down the tube and expect to hit a bullseye at 150 yards.
Most hunters buy the 220 because they want rifle-like performance where rifles aren't allowed. But to get that performance, you have to match the slug to the barrel's specific twist rate and harmonics. It's a bit of a journey, and what works in your buddy's gun might group like a literal shotgun pattern in yours. Let's break down the top contenders and why certain slugs tend to rise to the top of the heap.
Why the Remington AccuTip is Often the Favorite
If you poll a hundred Savage 220 owners, probably eighty of them will tell you to start with the Remington AccuTip. For whatever reason, the engineers at Savage and Remington must have been sharing notes when they designed these. It is widely considered the gold standard for this specific platform.
The 20-gauge AccuTip is a sabot slug, meaning the projectile is encased in a plastic sleeve that grips the rifling and then peels away once it leaves the muzzle. The 260-grain bullet has a flat trajectory compared to old-school Foster slugs. In a Savage 220, it's not uncommon to see three-shot groups touching at 100 yards.
One thing to keep in mind is the choice between the 2 3/4-inch and the 3-inch shells. You'd think the 3-inch would be better because it's "more," right? Actually, a lot of 220 shooters find that the 2 3/4-inch version is more consistent. The extra velocity of the 3-inch shell can sometimes introduce more vibration or recoil, which messes with those tight groups. Plus, your shoulder will thank you after a day at the range.
Federal Trophy Copper as a Heavy Hitter
If you can't find AccuTips—which happens more often than it should these days—the Federal Premium Trophy Copper is usually the next one to try. These slugs use a deep-penetrating, all-copper bullet that's designed to hold together even if it hits heavy bone.
The sabot design on the Federal shells is quite robust. It's built to withstand the high-pressure jump from the chamber into the rifling without slipping. This is crucial for the Savage 220 because the gun is capable of high velocities. One of the perks of the Trophy Copper is how clean it shoots. Since it's a copper alloy rather than lead, you don't get that heavy fouling in your barrel after five shots. If you're the type of hunter who doesn't like cleaning their barrel every single time they go to the range, these are a solid bet.
The Speed of Hornady SST Slugs
Hornady is known for making things go fast, and their SST (Super Shock Tip) slugs are no exception. These things scream down the barrel. If you're hunting in a spot where a 150 or 200-yard shot is a real possibility, the SST is tempting because of its flat trajectory. It stays "point-on" longer than most other slugs.
However, there's a catch. The Savage 220 has a 1:24 twist rate, and some shooters find that the SST is almost too fast for their specific barrel to stabilize perfectly. You'll hear some guys say they get "fliers"—one or two shots that land inches away from the main group for no apparent reason. But if your specific gun likes them, they are devastating on deer. The polymer tip initiates expansion quickly, and they deliver a massive amount of energy on impact.
Winchester Expedition Big Game and Partition Gold
Winchester has been in the slug game forever, and their higher-end offerings like the Expedition Big Game or the older Partition Gold are often overlooked. These slugs are designed for terminal performance. They use a heavy jacketed bullet that mimics the performance of a high-end rifle round.
In the 220, these often perform somewhere in the middle. They aren't always the most accurate for every shooter, but they are incredibly reliable. If you find that the Remington or Federal options are giving you weird feeding issues (which can happen with the 220's magazine), sometimes the specific hull shape of the Winchester shells cycles a bit smoother. It's worth a box of testing just to see how your bolt handles them.
The "Picky Eater" Syndrome
It's worth repeating: every Savage 220 is a unique snowflake. You could have two rifles with consecutive serial numbers, and one might love the AccuTips while the other prefers the Federals. This isn't a flaw in the gun; it's just the nature of shooting large projectiles through a rifled 20-gauge bore.
When you're looking for the savage 220 best slugs, don't just buy a whole case of one brand because a guy on a forum said they were the best. Buy two boxes of three different brands. Spend an afternoon at the bench, let the barrel cool down between shots, and really see what the gun prefers. It's an investment of time and money, but it's better than missing a big buck because your slug decided to zig when it should have zagged.
Tips for Getting the Best Groups
To really find out which slug is king, you have to be consistent at the range. The Savage 220 is light, which means it has a fair amount of "jump" when you pull the trigger. If you aren't holding the forend consistently or if your rest is too hard, your groups will open up regardless of which slug you're using.
Check Your Scope Mounts
Before you blame the slugs, make sure your base and rings are rock solid. The 220 has a lot of vibration. I've seen guys pull their hair out trying to find the right ammo, only to realize their rear base screw had backed out a quarter turn. Use blue Loctite and torque everything to spec.
Let the Barrel Cool
This isn't a 12-gauge brush gun. The 220 has a relatively thin barrel profile for a "rifle." If you fire five sabot slugs in ten minutes, that barrel is going to get hot, and the plastic from the sabots will start to melt and smear inside the rifling. This ruins accuracy. Give it at least three to five minutes between shots if you want a true representation of what the ammo can do.
The Clean Barrel Debate
Some 220s shoot best when the barrel is "seasoned" with a little bit of plastic fouling, while others need to be scrubbed clean every five rounds. Generally, I've found that most 20-gauge rifled barrels settle in after two "fouling shots." Don't expect your very first shot out of a squeaky-clean bore to be your point of aim for the rest of the day.
Is the 3-inch Shell Worth the Kick?
A lot of hunters assume the 3-inch magnum shells are the way to go because they offer more velocity and energy. On paper, that's true. But in the real world, the deer isn't going to know the difference between a slug going 1850 fps and one going 1950 fps.
The Savage 220 often handles the 2 3/4-inch shells better because there's less pressure and less felt recoil. Less recoil usually leads to better shooting form. If you're flinching because you're worried about the 3-inch shell thumping your collarbone, your accuracy is going to suffer. If you find a 2 3/4-inch slug that groups tightly, stick with it.
Final Thoughts on Selection
At the end of the day, the savage 220 best slugs are the ones that give you the most confidence when you're sitting in a tree stand on a cold November morning. For most people, that's going to be the Remington AccuTip or the Federal Trophy Copper. They have the most consistent manufacturing tolerances and seem to play the nicest with the Savage's barrel.
Don't be afraid to experiment. While the hunt for the perfect ammo can be a bit frustrating—especially with the price of sabot slugs these days—once you find that "magic" load, the Savage 220 becomes one of the most effective tools in your arsenal. It's a gun that truly bridges the gap between a traditional shotgun and a long-range rifle, provided you give it the right fuel. Just remember to bring your patience to the range, keep that barrel cool, and trust what the target tells you.