Tarhunt v savage 220

[nmc02]

I have always been told there is no better slug gun than a tarhunt. The Ferrari of slug guns. I have held one, but never shot one. My question is....are they that much better than a Savage 220??? I can't imagine a slug gun shooting better than my 220. The 220 can be purchased for approximately $600. The tarhunt...$3500...nearly six times the cost. Does the tarhunt shoot better??? Please give me your opinion if you own or shot a tarhunt.

[DeplorableDan]

Let me start off by saying I've never shot a tarhunt, and I don't need to. I highly doubt the tarhunt is more accurate than the 220. I have a 220 and it is a tack driver that shoots like a rifle. That being said, it is a savage and the action of the gun is somewhat unpleasant... based on price the 220 is a hell of a lot more gun for your money and I'm sure the tarhunt has superior quality and is made better, but is it worth $3500? I don't baby my guns they get wet, sometimes dropped and banged around so for me the savage was a no brainer. The end result is the same for both guns though and most of the time, you'll only need one good shot.

Edited December 22, 2016 by DeplorableDan

[LPJR]

I am sure the Tarhunt is indeed a shooter Nick...BUT no way, shape, or form I could ever justify spending $3500+ on a slug gun while raising a family right now.....

 

The 220 is an amazing tack driver like you said. So much so that by this time next year, my son will have his own so I can get mine back during gun season, lol!

[hunterdan199]

Ok I will bite. I am sure the tar hunt shoots great but at $3500.00 it's a little steep. Could I own one if I want hands down yes I own rifles worth double that all ,years always shoot a 870 , then a 1187 slug gun . Then as my sons got older I got them each a h.r twenty gauge slug gun and win those guns are shooters topped with a leupold vx3 3x9 50.

 

Now to the savage 220 yes the action is rough but I guess it's hot or miss I got the youth model with the stock one inch shooter cause it helps in December when you have a 5 layers of clothes. Since it was a gift by a ex gf I didn't want to spend 500 plus on a scope so I went with a cheap leupold riflmen 3x9 40 mm shooting remingtion 3 inch accu tips , of course the action was not the smoothest so I just oiled it up and cycled the bolt about 500 times before I shot gun now it's smooth as butter.

 

Now at the range the gun us simply amazing I have no reason to praise a cheap savage but inch groups are the norm at 100 yards not just the best groups. The normal every day groups plus the accu trigger is great,

 

If you think I talking shit check out on you tube savage 220. 300 yards kills they take the same savage and three different shooters harvest does at 300 yards.

 

I am sure the tat hunt is s great gun but with the money I save I can pay off all my taxidermy bills plus buy some new toys for my sons along with a new Xbox for my self and a sako 375.h.h I have my eyes on. Along with a browning bar in 338 for pa bear season.

[hunterdan199]

Ps up until browning remade the abolt 12 gauge slug gun the original ones circa 1996 got better reviews all day long then the tar hunts

 

 

Will I grab a 1996 a bolt maybe maybe not in the market for either new truck or car .

[Booner]

I own 2. 20&12. Beautiful guns,very comfortable. That said, they are only designed to shoot lightfield. Not that lightfield are a bad round, it's just that in today's world, with the faster ammo out there and want/need to shoot a million miles,the barrel can't stabilize the round. This is when you hear the Tarhunt sucks. If you stick with the lightfield, you have a DECENT shooter.

 

It's not a tack driver like some want. I've tried everything under the sky, including hand loads , and it's just OK. I have owned a 220 for about 6 minutes, I was turned off by the fit and finish of it. The Tarhunt is awesome in that aspect. Action very smooth,the 220, you know. Shot my 220 a little bit. It's showed promise but sold it to soon.

 

Randy Fitz owner of Tarhunt is a snake. The worst customer service you can imagine. Just a salesman. Has talented guys that work for him. But with his leadership, those guys hands are tied. I like the detachable mag model over the 2 shot they offer now.

 

If I was to suggest a gun to buy between the Savage or Tarhunt,,, Savage all day!

[Tarhunt]

Between myself and my friends, We have 4 Tarhunts. My one friend and I have owned ours since 1992. I have shot almost 180 deer with mine plus, my son has shot several using it. None of us has ever had problems with ours. They are flawless. Would I buy another one? Probably not. I know that Randy only produces less than two hundred a year but, I think that they are not cost effective for the average hunter.

Edited December 22, 2016 by Tarhunt

[BHC]

I own many slug guns, in 20ga and 12ga. I'm a big fan of the 220, and yes I have handled and shot a Tarhunt 20ga.

 

The Tarhunt is one hell of a fine made shotgun, its clean, smooth and without question made well, worth $3500? NO WAY !!!!!  With it being such a great shotgun, why is it tested and recommended to use such a slow, ancient slug known as the LIGHTFIELD? With today's advancements in slugs this shotgun should be tested with the new advance slugs. Tarhunt has come out with a slug of their own, cost is about $45.00 for I think 12 rounds

 

Back in 2008 or 2009 I was still using, my stock 1187 12ga with rifled/cantilever barrel with 2-3/4" Lightfields, friend of mine had a 870 12ga with the same stock barrel but this barrel was pinned by Tarhunt and other work done by them on this gun he was also using the Lightfields, it cost him a few hundred dollars. A few days before the hunt, we decided to check the zero on each. My 1187 was shooting great out to 100 yards, his 870 wasn't getting the groups like my 1187, we thought lets shoot each others guns, he grouped the same as I did with my 1187, I shot his 870 and grouped same as he did......Point is, I think Tarhunt screwed him, and I think the Tarhunt slug gun as well made as it is, WILL NOT shoot as well or better then the SAVAGE 220.

 

Now I will agree with others that the 220 has a toy like stock, but that can be switched out with a stock from Boyds for about $100, I got use to the toy stock. The action on mine when I first got it was rough, but I lapped both the bolt and and bolt rails and it's smoother, matter of fact it's smooth enough, I have no issues with mine. Only thing besides that I did was get the stock Hydro-Dipped in camo, at the time of purchase Savage just offered the black stock, blue barrel, and there is no need to spend the extra $$$$ on a stainless barrel, performance isn't better. I do highly recommend DNZ one piece scope mounts, and of course Remington Accutip 3", the 2-3/4" are fine, but beyond the 100/120 yard range the 2-3/4" starts to drop.

 

This is just my opinion from handling and shooting both a Tarhunt and Savage 220.......

 

Buy a Savage 220, quality glass, DNZ mounts, and proper ammo and you will still save yourself money and still have a more accurate shotgun

 

 

$3495 for a Tarhunt, then you can add upgrades for added funds....Randy Fritz is insane on his prices!!!!   https://www.tarhunt.com/product/rsg-20-mountaineer/

 

At the time I purchased my Savage 220:

 

Savage 220......................................................$450

Leupold VX-II 3-9x40........................................$275

DNZ Mounts......................................................$45

Mount/Bore Sighted, lap bolt and rails...............$75

Hydro Dip Stock.................................................$100

 

Grand Total........................................................$945

 

I saved...............................................................$2550

 

Can you honestly say, for $2550 more you will get a much more accurate shooting gun or as equal? I think not

Edited December 22, 2016 by BHC

[BHC]

Let me add, one other gun I have the H&R Ultra Deluxe has the same scope as my Savage and I use the same ammo as well, the Savage is a tad better within 150 yards after that the Savage is much better....Once more the H&R is a much cheaper shotgun yet is damn accuarate

[BHC]

$4.50 per round......Randy is a true use car salesman

 

https://www.tarhunt.com/product/the-20ga-schrifle/

[LPJR]

$4.50 per round......Randy is a true use car salesman

 

https://www.tarhunt.com/product/the-20ga-schrifle/

 

He calls them Shrifle? Seriously? 

[Zipper]

My H&R 20 is all the slug gun I need. Killed out to 200 yards. I enjoy shooting my muzzleloader far more anyway. All 3 guns are tack drivers.

[MGHunter66]

IDK this has been beat to death many times and only is an argumentative topic. Both shoot great, one cycles great the other doesn't, one costs alot and the other doesn't. My beretta 391 shoots 2" groups CONSISTANTLY at 100yrds with handloads that only cost me $1.45 per shell. How much do you really need out of a slug gun? I see guys hunt spots with the bow and see alot of nice bucks out of their stand but out of bowrange. Then once the slug gun is in their hands they abandon those spots for areas where "they can shoot 200yrds" only to come up empty handed. How stupid is that? I haven't had to shoot past 60yrds for years so 200 yrd accuracy is not important. Just my 2 cents

[JHbowhunter]

I am with Zipper. How can you find ANYTHING wrong with the H&R Ultra slugger in 20ga?  I thought it was an awesome tack driver out to 100 yards with 2 3/4" Remington copper solids.   I recently upgraded to 3" Accutips, and wow - just wow over the accuracy.    I would have no qualms taking a 150 yard shot, possibly out to 200.  I also like the aspect of "one shot" is all you get - make it count.  (like bow, muzzy, etc).

Edited December 22, 2016 by JHbowhunter

[BHC]

IDK this has been beat to death many times and only is an argumentative topic. Both shoot great, one cycles great the other doesn't, one costs alot and the other doesn't. My beretta 391 shoots 2" groups CONSISTANTLY at 100yrds with handloads that only cost me $1.45 per shell. How much do you really need out of a slug gun? I see guys hunt spots with the bow and see alot of nice bucks out of their stand but out of bowrange. Then once the slug gun is in their hands they abandon those spots for areas where "they can shoot 200yrds" only to come up empty handed. How stupid is that? I haven't had to shoot past 60yrds for years so 200 yrd accuracy is not important. Just my 2 cents

Never any cycle issues with my Savage, no issues what so ever besides a rough action which was a easy fix, now it's smooth.....But I will agree with you on 100 yards is more then enough for most slug gun hunts and most shots on deer here in NJ are within 60 or 75 yards, and guys giving up archery spots for spots for longer shots is stupid