Savage 220 Harvester Woodland Slug Gun Review

For anyone facing the restrictions that accompany hunting in an area designated as “shotgun‑only,” the search for a slug gun that doesn’t feel like a compromise can undoubtedly be frustrating. Naturally, you want a shotgun that has the accuracy and adjustability you're used to in your rifles. Still, you also want something that fits your body, manages the recoil that accompanies slugs, and doesn’t have you icing your shoulder after a day in the field. In years past, this meant settling on something that, sure, may not have been the right fit for you, but it was "good enough" and filled the freezer, so why complain, right? Savage Arms understood this problem, as it was experienced not only by women but also by hunters of all genders, ages and experience levels. The Savage 220 Harvester Woodland was their answer to this unfortunately common issue. Available in both 12-gauge and 20-gauge configurations (the 20-gauge is also offered in a left-hand model), the Harvester Woodland is adorned with rifle‑like ergonomics, adjustability and more. For this evaluation, I chose the 20-gauge model not only for its lighter overall weight but also for its softer shooting, which many women (and plenty of men) will appreciate.

Finding a shotgun that fits well is a hurdle everyone faces at some point. Length of pull, comb height, and any other measurable parts of a firearm matter, with ill-fitting options ultimately resulting not only in a decline in comfort but also in accuracy. The Harvester Woodland is outfitted with an AccuFit V2 stock, which is a complete redesign of the original AccuFit system seen on previous models. To enable shooters to obtain the right fit, Savage opted for several toolless adjustable design elements, including an adjustable length of pull, an adjustable comb height, and three different grip modules for a variety of hand sizes and personal fit preferences. Now, instead of settling on a gun that is "good enough," you can adapt it around your needs and preferences for a fit that is "just-right." This gun has a synthetic stock with a Savage Woodland Camo finish and textured grip surfaces to keep it secure in your hands as you move through the woods. On the bottom of the fore-end, Savage added an M‑Lok panel with an integral ARCA rail. This gives hunters the option to mount the gun to a shooting stick or tripod, or to use a variety of aftermarket accessories, without any additional modifications or gunsmithing required. Lastly, quick-detach sling studs can be found at opposite ends of the shotgun for attaching a sling.

Slug guns have a reputation for delivering quite a punch to a shooter's shoulder. Savage included a LimbSaver recoil pad in its design process, which goes a long way toward reducing felt recoil. If something is comfortable to shoot, you’re naturally going to want to shoot it more, getting out during the pre-season for some well-earned practice sessions at the range. For anyone previously subjected to repeated blows to the shoulder or those who have found themselves recoil-shy, this is for anyone who may be recoil‑sensitive or simply prefer not to get battered during practice sessions. This is a priceless inclusion welcomed by many. I experienced this firsthand during accuracy testing, as the recoil was more akin to a rifle chambered in 7.62x39 or a similar caliber.

The 220 Harvester Woodland has a 22-inch, fully rifled carbon-steel barrel, designed to fire 20-gauge sabot slugs. A Picatinny rail sits atop the receiver, of which I took full advantage of as my eyesight isn’t quite what it used to be. The riflescope I chose for this evaluation was a Bushnell Elite 4500 2.5–10x40, which offered the flexibility I desired for close-range shots as well as for shots beyond 100 yards. Texturizing can be found throughout the shotgun, both on the grip, fore-end, and even around the bolt. The included Savage AccuTrigger is user-adjustable from around 2.5 lbs. to 6 lbs., allowing shooters to fine‑tune it to their preferred pull weight. One last feature of note is the gun's three-position tang-mounted safety. This easy-to-operate safety enables the gun to fire in its forward position and locks up the trigger and action in its rearward position. The third position sits right in the middle, locking the trigger while still permitting use of the bolt for loading and unloading.

After establishing my shooting position at 100 yards, I fired consecutive groups with Hornady's Custom Lite Reduced Recoil Shotgun Slugs and Federal's PowerShok Sabot Slugs. The Harvester produced impressive, consistent results with a slug gun across all brands tested, with no malfunctions or stoppages. Recoil remained mild enough that I could stay on target for follow-up shots, which is important when hunting, so I could spot a miss or confirm a hit while noting which direction the animal ran.  

After spending time with this modern-day slug gun, I was impressed not only by its performance but also by how pleasurable it was to shoot. Women often must work harder to find guns that fit well, manage recoil, and offer the adjustability needed for comfort and confidence. This new offering from Savage made the process simple and pain-free. If you are like me and already counting down the days until deer season opens once again, the Savage 220 Harvester Woodland should be a serious contender for those hitting the woods. For more information, visit savagearms.com.

Specifications

Accuracy Results

Shooting Results: 20-gauge Sabot Slugs