Savage 212 or 220

[Big Jack]

I have an older 12 ga. model 210F. I is very accurate and has devastating knock down capabilities. I shoot homemade lyman 525 lead slugs. It has a slightly less reach advantage ( that's what my smokeless muzzleloader is for anyway), but it is more than adequate out to 150 yrds.
here's a group @ 100 yrds.

That's one heck of a group! How hard is it to get the reload sabots etc?

Two guys shoot 12 in my gang and a 525 slug shooting that group at 100 is something to be reckoned with!

[smokeeter]

That's one heck of a group! How hard is it to get the reload sabots etc?

Two guys shoot 12 in my gang and a 525 slug shooting that group at 100 is something to be reckoned with!

I thought you'd have everyone in your group converted to a smokeless muzzleloader. lol
As for reloading , I measure out the charges and just use my old Texan 12 ga. reloader. I did have to make a cardboard disc under the wad to make up the hull column for a proper crimp. These Lyman slugs were designed to fit in stock Winchester components ie. hulls and wads , and they are quite accurate once the right load recipe is determined and they sure beat the cost of factory slugs.

[Big Jack]

I've converted a few but the price tag is tough to swallow!

If you had to estimate cost of slugs and components - what do you think?

[BEPPEQ]

Not a concern if the appropriate base and rings are installed. I could probably have installed shorter rings on mine and still have adequate clearance but wanted to keep the option open of perhaps someday installing a scope with a larger bell housing and also taking into consideration the cycling of the bolt handle. Whatever you are comfortable with shooting the gun. Have a look at the picture I posted up above.

Love the Camo! I went with the synthetic stock but kinda regretting it now, the camo looks much better IMO. Deer don't care but just pleasant on the eyes.

What base and rings did you end up going with? I've been having a hard time finding EGW's but to be honest i havn't really looked that hard yet. Thats on my July list of things to do.

Bep

[impact]

What base and rings did you end up going with? I've been having a hard time finding EGW's but to be honest i havn't really looked that hard yet. Thats on my July list of things to do.

Bep

To avoid unnecessary travel and disappointment I took my gun and scope to the counter at a local shop. We tried different combinations of base and rings until I was happy with the setup. I don't recall the brand name of them.

[Big Jack]

Love the Camo! I went with the synthetic stock but kinda regretting it now, the camo looks much better IMO. Deer don't care but just pleasant on the eyes.

What base and rings did you end up going with? I've been having a hard time finding EGW's but to be honest i havn't really looked that hard yet. Thats on my July list of things to do.

Bep

Beep - you may want to look at DNZ reaper one piece rings and bases. They conform to the cutout of the receiver.

[smokeeter]

If you had to estimate cost of slugs and components - what do you think?

less than a buck a shot. that's for salvaged lead tho not book value.

( first I thought you were asking the cost of a smokeless and I'd have to say around $200 like I told my wife)

[Big Jack]

less than a buck a shot. that's for salvaged lead tho not book value.

( first I thought you were asking the cost of a smokeless and I'd have to say around $200 like I told my wife)

Too funny.

I changed it because it seemed as though I was asking the wrong thing.

With that cost it is well worth while. Even cheap federal blue box 1300 fps slugs are $9 for 5 (yes I know the box says 1450!)

Thanks for the info!

Folks this is a great way to get shooting more with your slug guns before deer season.

I wonder if they have a 20 gauge version....

[canadaman30]

A 12ga although it hits hard is not even close to ideal if you go outside of a shotgun only area, sure you can use it but your effective range due to the rainbow trajectory compared to a rifle is just brutal if you end up in an area that allows rifles. The recoil too is tough to get used too, I will take a 30-06 with no recoil pad or a sporter 303 Brit with a brass butt plate over my 12ga rifled barreled shotgun any day of the week if I have the option. The 12ga is what I went with because it is simply a barrel swap and was a $200 option at a time when $700 was way too rich for my blood but I have seen and handled the savage 220, although not smooth right out of the box they do not take a lot of work to run very nice and they are setup like a proper rifle with a floating barrel, you just have to find the best ammo for them.

Most of the swamp donkeys we've shot have been no further than 150 yds. A decent sabot will work just fine at that range and closer. Just because you don't like or can't handle the recoil doesn't mean others are the same. A 12g slug gun IMO is a much more versatile gun than a 20g

[Fox]

Most of the swamp donkeys we've shot have been no further than 150 yds. A decent sabot will work just fine at that range and closer. Just because you don't like or can't handle the recoil doesn't mean others are the same. A 12g slug gun IMO is a much more versatile gun than a 20g

That does not mean that a 12ga slug gun is the best for every application. There is almost the same energy at 200 yards with a 303 British 180 grain than a 300gr 12ga sabot slug at 100 yards and a Lee Enfield sporter can be had for $200 with ammo at $1.50 a shot rather than $4 a shot with a heck of a lot less recoil. At 150 yards on a moose you have a ton of options. Not saying that the 12ga sabot slug will not do just fine on a moose at 150 yards but 90% of guys who are buying rifled shotguns are because they are restricted from using rifles and want to reach out and touch that buck across a field and in that case a 20ga will do you just fine out to 150-200 yards.