8 Best Scopes For Savage 220: Expert Picks (2024)
Looking for the perfect scope for your Savage 220? You’ve landed in the right spot.
When it comes to hunters and shooters, finding the ideal hunting scope that fits the budget is always a top priority. But when it’s specifically for a Savage 220 slug gun, the search can get a bit tricky without knowing precisely what to look for in a shotgun scope.
For the longest time, slug guns didn’t have the best reputation. Many deer hunters often overlooked them, considering them the weakest choice for hunting. But the game changed around 2020 when Savage Arms stepped in. Their innovation in manufacturing slug guns, especially with the Savage 220 20 gauge slug gun, reshaped perceptions.
The debut of the Savage 220 by Savage Arms back in 2009 marked a turning point. This bolt-action, rifled barrel, 20-gauge shotgun swiftly became a crowd favourite among shotgun enthusiasts. Its sleek design perfectly complements the outstanding accuracy it offers. Yet, enhancing that accuracy further becomes possible by pairing it with a professionally crafted, precise scope.
For hunters seeking that extra edge in accuracy and performance, the right scope can genuinely elevate the Savage 220 slug gun’s capabilities to new heights.
1. Vortex Optics Diamondback SFP Scope
The Vortex Optics Diamondback scope is a faithful companion for hunters, offering reliability and durability that’s hard to match. Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium, it’s not just sturdy but also resilient against recoil—a vital quality for any serious hunter. Its weatherproof design, with argon purging and O-ring sealing, ensures it stays waterproof and dustproof no matter the hunting environment.
Precision is the name of the game with this scope. The precision turrets make zero-resetting a breeze, and the glide erector mechanism ensures precise tracking and repeatability. Plus, its optical quality is top-notch, thanks to fully multicoated lenses and ArmorTek outer coating, which provide scratch resistance and deliver high-resolution, crystal-clear images.
What’s fascinating is despite its compact size, it’s a beast in the field. This scope maintains robustness and durability, proving suitable for various hunting scenarios, be it driven hunting or navigating dense forest locations.
The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is a game-changer for driven hunting, allowing for quick targeting of large wildlife in dense forests. Pair that with its compatibility with the Savage 220 shotgun and variable magnification, and you’ve got a scope that adapts beautifully to different hunting situations.
It’s user-friendly, too, with fast focus and simple reticle focusing. However, the limited eye relief of approximately 3.5 inches might be a concern for some shooters, but for many, it’s not a significant issue.
What’s remarkable is that this scope offers features you’d typically find in high-end scopes, making it a beautiful choice for hunters seeking reliability and premium capabilities without breaking the bank.
For Savage 220 shotgun owners, its compatibility and variable magnification make it an ideal match, particularly suitable for fast-moving targets and close-range hunting—a true asset in the field.
2. Nikon SlugHunter Shotgun Scope
The Nikon SlugHunter 3-9X 40mm scope has been tailor-made to complement the capabilities of the Savage 220 model perfectly. It’s not just a scope; it’s a precision tool equipped with a BDC 200 reticle, specifically designed to elevate your shooting game within the 100 to 200-yard range. One standout feature that sets it apart is its exceptional 5-inch eye relief, prioritizing both comfort and safety during use. Pair that with its multicoated lens, boasting an impressive 92% light transmission rate, and you’ve got clear, bright imagery that enhances your hunting experience.
This scope isn’t just about its features; it’s also about its adaptability. Thanks to Warne’s Picatinny-spec Tactical base, compatibility issues with long-action mounts for the Savage 220 are resolved, offering versatile scope mounting options.
Designed with the 220 Savage model in mind, the SlugHunter scope’s BDC 200 reticle is tailor-made for sabot slugs, ensuring precise and effective targeting for your hunting needs. It’s that attention to detail that makes this scope stand out.
Beyond the technical specifications, the SlugHunter’s magnification range perfectly aligns with the Savage 220’s capabilities, making it an ideal choice for shooting distances between 100 to 200 yards. The BDC 200 reticle, with its easy-to-see ballistic circles, ensures quick and accurate aiming, allowing for swift target acquisition.
Crafted with high-quality optics and multicoated lenses, this scope guarantees 92% light transmission, promising crisp and vivid imagery even in challenging lighting conditions. At a length of 11.3 inches and weighing 13.7 ounces, it strikes a balance between being compact and lightweight while offering exceptional functionality.
In the field, performance matters. This scope doesn’t falter, offering fast target acquisition even in low-light scenarios, ensuring reliability and confidence in every shot taken.
Lastly, backed by Nikon’s lifetime warranty, this SlugHunter scope provides long-term peace of mind for users. It’s not just a purchase; it’s an investment in quality and performance backed by a brand renowned for its commitment to excellence.
3. Burris Scout Scope
The Burris Scout Scope – 2-7×32 mm is an optic tailored for the Savage 220 slug gun, boasting a blend of compactness and versatility. Crafted to withstand the elements, it’s waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof, ensuring reliability in various conditions. Its forward mount configuration grants ample eye relief, spanning from 9.2 to 12 inches, allowing for shooting with both eyes open—an advantage for keen marksmanship.
With a magnification range of 2-7x and a 32mm objective lens, it caters to a spectrum of shooting distances, from close to long-range targets. What aids precision is the Ballistic Plex reticle positioned in the Second Focal Plane, streamlining accuracy without cluttering the sight picture.
Swift target acquisition is assured by the quick-focus eyepiece, complemented by multicoated lenses that augment visual clarity, ensuring a crisp view of your mark. For Savage 220 owners, this scope embodies reliability, bolstered by Burris’s renowned warranty, promising enduring quality and unwavering performance.
In dimensions, it stands at a manageable 9.7 inches long and weighs a mere 13 ounces, fitting seamlessly with the Savage 220 without compromising handling or adding unnecessary bulk. Its durable construction, crafted from high-quality aluminium, ensures longevity, withstanding the rigours of regular use.
The magnification range, coupled with the 32mm objective lens, extends its usefulness to varied shooting distances, making it a valuable companion for targets as distant as 500 yards. The Ballistic Plex reticle simplifies aiming, adapting effortlessly to different ranges, while the quick-focus eyepiece maintains a balance between swift target acquisition and situational awareness.
For precision, the capped, finger-adjustable turrets offer reliable adjustments without slipping once dialled in. Moreover, backed by Burris’s warranty coverage, any issues that may arise are promptly addressed, guaranteeing repair or replacement—an assurance of its quality and the manufacturer’s confidence in its product.
4. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 scope is a pinnacle within Leupold’s offerings, especially catered to the discerning Savage 220 hunters. Its slight increase in the objective lens diameter significantly enhances its light-gathering capabilities, translating into more precise and more defined images, a crucial advantage in low-light scenarios such as dawn or dusk hunts.
Crafted with a focus on durability, this scope showcases an amalgamation of robust features: waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof properties. These qualities ensure consistent and reliable performance across various environmental challenges, making it a dependable companion regardless of the terrain or weather conditions.
One of its standout attributes is the twilight light control system, an innovative addition offering seven different brightness levels. This feature grants users the flexibility to adapt to changing light conditions, enhancing visibility and precision during critical moments of a hunt.
The superior quality glass used in this scope not only contributes to exceptional visual clarity but also incorporates scratch-resistant properties. This aspect is particularly beneficial when traversing harsh and rugged terrains, safeguarding the scope from potential damage and ensuring its longevity for countless hunting expeditions.
In essence, the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 stands as a testament to Leupold’s commitment to delivering excellence in optics, providing Savage 220 hunters with a reliable, durable, and performance-driven tool for their pursuits.
5. Barska AC10380 Plinker-22 Scope
The Barska AC10380 Plinker-22 Scope is widely celebrated as the prime choice for Savage 220 users, blending exceptional features with an attractive price point. Its sturdy build ensures resilience in the face of challenging outdoor conditions, standing firm against rain, fog, and impacts.
Furnished with a 30/30 crosshair reticle and precise ¼ MOA click adjustments, this scope becomes a beacon of accuracy, enabling precise targeting across diverse shooting scenarios. The fully coated lenses play a pivotal role in delivering remarkable clarity by mitigating glare and staving off scratches, maintaining an unobstructed view.
Within a 50-yard range, parallax concerns fade away, making it a sought-after option for close-range targeting, adding versatility to its repertoire. However, a minor drawback arises from the scope rings’ soft metal screws, which are susceptible to deformation upon impact, albeit a slight inconvenience.
The ruggedness of its construction resonates with its ability to endure harsh outdoor elements, ensuring reliability in adverse weather conditions. Precision is a hallmark attribute owing to the crosshair reticle and click adjustments, providing shooters with the confidence to hit their mark consistently.
Moreover, the inclusion of accessories like scope caps, ⅜-inch dovetail rings, and a lens cloth elevates its value proposition, catering to practical needs right out of the box. This comprehensive package embodies the Barska AC10380 Plinker-22 Scope’s commitment to affordability without compromising on quality and functionality.
6. Konus 7249 Shotgun Black Powder Rifle scope
The Konus 7249 Shotgun Black Powder Riflescope distinguishes itself through various standout features—such as its expansive field of view, extended eye relief, AimPro reticle design, superior optics, user-friendly turret adjustments, and parallax correction capabilities—that collectively elevate shooting experiences. Nonetheless, there’s room for enhancement in the scope covers to align with the overall quality of the product.
Its generous field of view and extended eye relief are pivotal for heightened situational awareness and precise shooting accuracy while ensuring user safety remains a priority throughout usage.
Crafted with premium materials, the scope integrates unbreakable glass and an engraved AimPro reticle featuring an inner diamond design, doubling as a rangefinder. This innovative reticle design ensures precise aiming, facilitating accurate targeting regardless of the size or distance of the target.
The incorporation of multicoated lenses significantly improves light transmission, elevating clarity and visibility through enhanced optics, ensuring a crisp and clear view of the target.
Functionality is paramount, evident in the design of the easy-to-adjust turrets. Their user-friendly nature allows for seamless adjustments, even when wearing gloves, ensuring convenience and efficiency during use.
Furthermore, the scope’s parallax correction capability extends up to 75 yards, a crucial feature for achieving accuracy at varying distances, enhancing the scope’s versatility.
However, while the overall quality and functionality stand out, slight improvements in the scope covers would better match the high standards set by the scope’s other exceptional features. These enhancements could contribute to a more cohesive and comprehensive user experience, further solidifying the Konus 7249 Shotgun Black Powder Riflescope’s position as a top-tier choice for shooting enthusiasts.
7. Athlon Optics Talos BTR 1-4×24
The Athlon Talos BTR Scope holds its ground in the optics realm, blending affordability with top-tier attributes that encompass durability, precision, and extensive warranty coverage, rendering it a versatile choice for diverse hunting needs.
Its standout quality-to-price ratio is a testament to its exceptional value proposition, offering remarkable quality without breaking the bank, setting a benchmark in its category.
Crafted from heat treated aircraft aluminum, this scope is engineered to endure varied hunting conditions, boasting a length of 9.2 inches and a weight of 18 ounces, slightly increased by its illuminating feature.
Optical superiority is assured with its 30mm tube and nitrogen-purged for rain- and fog-proof capabilities, showcasing waterproof resilience even under submersion—an uncommon trait in scopes within this price range.
The availability of MOA or MilDot reticle options, glass-etched and illuminated in the Second Focal Plane, features a duplex-style design that aids in windage/elevation holdover, catering to different preferences and shooting styles.
Built to withstand rugged usage, the scope is shockproof, enduring 1000g for 1000 times, ensuring reliability in demanding scenarios, and pre-tested optics offer an added layer of quality assurance.
Turret configuration features exposed mid-rise turrets, coupled with a fast-focus eyepiece and fixed parallax set at 100 yards, ensure a consistently clear sight picture and facilitate swift adjustments during hunts.
Furthermore, Athlon provides downloadable reticle instructions on its webpage, while the lifetime warranty safeguards against damage incurred during regular scope use, highlighting the manufacturer’s commitment to customer satisfaction and product excellence.
8. Primary Arms Classic Series 1-4×24
The Primary Arms PA14X Scope captivates with its superb craftsmanship, illuminated reticle, adaptable magnification range, and enduring build—all at a wallet-friendly price, catering to hunters seeking dependable performance without straining their budget.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, each component—be it the chassis, tube, glass, or turrets—exudes robustness, ensuring unwavering durability and reliability across varied hunting conditions.
Part of the budget-friendly Classic series, this scope comes backed by a one-year warranty, offering quality assurance within its class, a testament to its value proposition.
The 1x to 4x magnification range paired with a 24mm objective lens delivers versatility for close to mid-range hunting pursuits, ensuring a crisp and clear sight picture for accurate targeting.
Maintaining standard dimensions at 11 inches in length and weighing 16.7 ounces, this scope strikes a balance between size and weight, making it manageable and practical in the field.
The illuminated reticle, featuring a centre dot within duplex crosshairs, offers 12 brightness levels, facilitating precise aiming in various hunting scenarios, especially in low-light conditions.
Configured with MOA adjustments for both reticle and turrets in the second focal plane, the scope boasts capped finger-adjustable turrets, ensuring reliability and ease of use during hunting expeditions.
Optical excellence is assured with its 30mm tube, nitrogen purged for fog and waterproofing, complemented by a comfortable eye relief ranging from 3.5 to 4.9 inches, varying with the selected magnification.
Moreover, this scope’s competitive price tag delivers exceptional value, marrying sturdy construction with performance, affirming its status as a reliable and cost-effective option for hunters seeking quality optics.
Buyer’s Guide for Savage 220 Slug Gun Optics:
When you’re in the market for optics that complement your Savage 220 Slug Gun, the magnification range becomes a pivotal factor to consider. Opting for a 2-7x magnification not only provides a suitable range but also ensures optimal performance within the gun’s effective distance of 100 yards. This selection becomes essential to hone in on targets with precision and clarity, enhancing your hunting experience significantly.
The choice between fixed and variable magnification scopes is a critical decision to make. Fixed scopes, although cost-effective, might restrict adaptability in different hunting scenarios. Conversely, variable magnification scopes offer flexibility, enabling adjustments that cater to various shooting situations, ultimately amplifying your hunting capabilities.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the realm of optical adjustments. Scopes equipped with windage and elevation adjustments offer a remarkable advantage. They facilitate precise aiming and zeroing, ensuring that your shots hit the mark consistently. However, it’s equally important to consider the accessibility and ease of adjustment knobs; their ergonomic design can make a noticeable difference, especially during extended hunting sessions.
Weather resistance stands as a non-negotiable aspect when it comes to selecting the right scope. Scopes sealed with O-rings and nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging and water infiltration guarantee unwavering reliability in a multitude of weather conditions. This weatherproof quality ensures that your vision remains crystal clear, regardless of the elements you encounter during your hunting expeditions.
Let’s pay attention to the significance of lens coating. Multicoated lenses are a game-changer, significantly enhancing light transmission and image sharpness. This feature becomes particularly advantageous during low-light hunting scenarios, where optimal visual clarity can make the difference between a successful hunt and a missed opportunity.
Durability is an absolute must-have trait in any rifle scope. Look for scopes crafted from robust materials like aircraft-grade aluminium. This ensures that your scope can withstand the Savage 220’s recoil without compromising performance or structural integrity, providing you with a reliable tool for your hunting endeavours.
For those considering a battery-operated scope, assessing battery life becomes crucial. Ensuring an extended battery lifespan is vital for uninterrupted usage, especially during those critical low-light hunting conditions where precise aiming is imperative.
The reticle serves as your guiding point. Choose a reticle style that aligns with your hunting preferences—a duplex or BDC reticle, for instance—based on your target and shooting style. The right reticle can significantly enhance your accuracy and target acquisition.
Safety and comfort are paramount, and eye relief plays a pivotal role in maintaining both. Aim for 3 to 4 inches of eye relief to prevent any recoil-related eye strain, ensuring a clear sight picture and a comfortable hunting experience.
Understanding the concept of exit pupil size is fundamental. An optimal exit pupil size contributes to better visual clarity without overwhelming your eyes, ensuring a comfortable and focused sight picture for your hunting expeditions.
Mastering these features equips you with the knowledge to make an informed choice, selecting the ideal scope for your Savage 220 Slug Gun. This informed decision will undoubtedly enhance your accuracy, target acquisition, and overall performance across a myriad of hunting scenarios, setting the stage for successful and fulfilling hunts time and time again.
Conclusion
Selecting the optimal scope for your Savage 220 isn’t just a choice; it’s a strategic decision that can significantly impact your shooting experience. By carefully evaluating and understanding the specific features that align with your shooting requirements, ensuring compatibility with your firearm, and acknowledging the maintenance essentials, you’re not just enhancing its performance but also prolonging its durability.
The beauty of the Savage 220 lies not just in its inherent capabilities but also in the potential it holds when paired with the right scope. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or an enthusiastic shooter, the quest for the perfect scope involves considering various aspects such as magnification range, reticle style, durability, and weather resistance.
Each feature contributes uniquely to the overall efficiency and accuracy of your firearm. The marriage of a top-quality scope with your Savage 220 isn’t just about precision; it’s about unlocking its true potential.
In the end, it’s not merely about finding a scope but finding the right scope—one that resonates with your shooting style meets your expectations, and complements the prowess of your Savage 220. A well-chosen scope becomes an extension of your firearm, elevating your shooting experience to new heights.
So, whether you’re venturing into the woods for a hunt or honing your marksmanship skills at the range, remember that the right scope isn’t just an accessory; it’s an invaluable partner in enhancing your shooting precision and enjoyment.
