Savage 219 and 220 Single Shot Rifles & Shotguns

I bump into Savage 340 bolt action 30-30's here in Wisconsin every so often. A good friend hunts whitetails with one every year. Nice little woods rifle, although magazines are scarce if one is lost.

I have long had a 219 in 30-30 that, the story goes, was purchased used by my grandfather in the early 1940’s to take his older son hunting. The older son carried a lever action, not cartoon what make/model. Grandpa died in 1949 and the model 219 was left to accumulate rust in the corner of the garage. My father (second son) found it there in the mid/late 1950’s and decided to clean it up and eventually had it reblued. The receiver came out a deep plum color as a result of the reblueing and I have gown to appreciate it.

My older brother, younger sister and I all started our deer hunting adventures with this old gun. Great for beginners because of the single shot aspect. As I was the fortunate one to inherit it, my sons likewise both started deer hunting with it. At one point in the 1990’s before I inherited it the firing pin or sear broke. A local gunsmith told me it wasn’t worth fixing and said I should just display it. Not good enough for me! I insisted he repair it ( especially since it wasn’t even mine at that point) and he said he had to make the park for it as he could not locate the correct one anywhere. Cost near $100 for the repair which I know was more than it’s market value. But sentimental value is higher.

My grandson is now ready to embark on his hunting experiences and I came across a Model 220A 20 gauge shotgun at an auction. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a matching set. The 219 I suspect is an early model from Utica with a stamped steel trigger guard and the 220A is a later model from Chicopee Falls with an alloy trigger guard.

The internal mechanisms (trigger, sears, etc) look different as well, I suspect more based on dates of manufacture then rifle vs. shotgun. Picture are 219 first and 220A second (correction…pictures appear to have uploaded randomly)

I hope to get a copy of your book and learn more about these two firearms, but for now Amazon is sold out.

Trader Vic, Welcome to this forum!  Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.  If you have time, how about a picture of your Savage 220? 

I agree with your statement.  I have a double rifle barrel set on a Fox Sterlingworth in .45-70.  It will shoot a 2" group at 75 yards, which in the woods of central Alabama is adequate for deer.   The trigger pull on the 219/220 can be greatly improved as I have had done to a M219 in .22 Hornet that I custom built for my daughter.  I can't do the work, but my gunsmith did and said it is a simple job.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Many find that a 40 to 45 grain bullet and a moderate load work best. Lots of options on powders. Both of mine do well with PMC ammo. I may convert on of them to an improved Hornet. But like anything, you can chase things!

Have fun in the chase!