Best Scope for Savage 220: Scoping A Bolt Action Shotgun!
Optics matter. In fact, it’s accurate to say it’s a better idea to invest heavily in glass rather than the rifle it’s going on. Then worry about getting a higher-end precision rifle some other time. If you own a Savage 220 and you’re in the market for glass, whether new or as a replacement for existing optics, we’re here to help. Optics run the gamut from space age to budget friendly, and we’re going to consider which optics are the best for your Savage 220. Check out our list that includes a few tips along the way.
Types of scopes for the Savage 220
Yes, there’s more than one type of scope for the Savage 220. You can break down these types in many ways, including first focal plane, second focal plane, long-range, mid-range, and more (tactical, precision, etc). For this roundup, we’re going to discuss the types of scopes you’re most likely to want for your Savage 220. The Savage 220 is a bolt-action shotgun chambered in 20 gauge and is marketed by the gun maker as a slug gun, which is precisely what it is. That means optics choices are likely to be far different from what they would be on a bolt-action rifle. Your most likely categories for scopes on the Savage 220 include:
Hunting scopes: It’s highly likely the Savage 220 is being used for hunting applications and while many shooters do enjoy irons while hunting, a good scope can be fantastic. These scopes are going to be magnified but designed for close to mid-range shots, not long range.
Tactical scopes: The 20 gauge can be and often is used for defensive applications. That might mean it’s a truck gun or could mean it’s a gun for dedicated home defense use. Either way, you’re going to want an LPVO (low powered variable optic). These scopes are designed for closer engagement..
Red dot sights: While a red dot sight isn’t a scope, it is a common choice for the Savage 220. To be inclusive, we’re going to talk about the ideal red dot for your gun, whether it’s for hunting or self-defense use.
Gun University’s Choices of the Best Scopes for the Savage 220
Best Scopes for Savage 220
Best overall scope Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30 M1C3 FFP PR1-MOA |  |
| Buy on Amazon |
Best tactical scope Burris RT-6 1-6x24mm | |
| Buy on Amazon |
Best mid-range hunting scope Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x FFP | |
| Buy on Amazon |
Best red dot Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight | |
| Buy on Amazon |
Best hunting scope Bushnell Trophy Quick Acquisition 1-6x24mm | |
| Buy on Amazon |
Spec Comparison of the Best Scopes for Savage 220
Below is a table comparing the specifications for the scopes that are best for the Savage 220.
| Scope | Type | Magnification | Illuminated | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-range | 2-10x | No | 24 | |
| Burris RT-6 1-6x24mm | LPVO | 1-6x | Yes | 17.4 |
| Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x FFP | LPVO/Mid-range | 1-8x | Yes | 23.9 |
| Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight | Red dot | None | Yes | 1.4 |
| Bushnell Trophy Quick Acquisition 1-6x24mm | LPVO | 1-6x | Yes | 18 |
Best Products
Here is our list for the best products:
- Best overall scope: Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30
- Best tactical scope: Burris RT-6 1-6x24mm
- Best mid-range hunting scope: Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x FFP
- Best red dot: Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight
- Best hunting scope: Bushnell Trophy Quick Acquisition 1-6x24mm
Reviews of the best scopes for the Savage 220
Interested in learning more about the specific details of our picks for best scopes for the Savage 220? Read on.
1 Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30 : Best overall scope
Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30 M1C3 FFP PR1-MOA Specs
- Type Mid-range
- Magnification 2-10x
- Illuminated No
- Weight 24 oz
Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30 Review
The Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30 M1C3 FFP PR1-MOA scope is our pick for best overall because it’s exceptionally well made and provides a broad enough range of magnification to handle whatever you’re doing with your Savage 220. Leupold designs and manufactures some of the greatest quality optics on the market, and this model simply proves their worth. This is a mid-range optic that’s fantastic for close or mid-range engagements and can be adjusted quickly and accurately for the magnification you need while hunting.
This scope has a 2-10x magnification range. That’s a great range for the Savage 220 regarding the 20 gauge’s effective range of approximately 100 yards, a distance that can be extended with the correct ammunition. With this scope, the shooter can check out close targets while also identifying targets at greater distances. That’s especially handy if you’re waiting for a shooter buck or turkey to come into range and want to take advantage of the waiting time to get a closer look at them.
Features of the Leupold Mark 5HD include a lightweight aluminum housing, MOA based grid, and M1C3 elevation type. This scope has ¼ MOA per click adjustments and an MOA elevation adjustment range of 165. It does have a ZeroLock feature to ensure it will remain zeroed even if it’s bumped. While this model isn’t illuminated, it does offer spectacular light gathering capabilities, and that’s what you really need for hunting (which is likely what you’re doing with your Savage 220). At 24 ounces, this scope is heavier than some on this list, but it’s not so hefty as to make a major difference.
Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30 Pros and Cons
- ZeroLock protects zero
- Superior light gathering
- Greater magnification for better visualization and identification
- High price point
2 Burris RT-6 1-6x24mm : Best tactical scope
Burris RT-6 1-6x24mm Specs
- Type LPVO
- Magnification 1-6x
- Illuminated Yes
- Weight 17.4 oz
Burris RT-6 1-6x24mm Review
An LPVO (low powered variable optic) is typically your best option for a tactical scope for the Savage 220. The Burris RT-6 1-5x24mm is an LPVO that’s made to perform in a variety of situations. This is a race-inspired optic, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used for self-defense purposes. The fact that it’s designed for rapid target acquisition is a huge bonus for defensive use. The Burris RT-6 is also made so open-eye engagement is more feasible, which comes in useful if you’re forced to defend yourself from a credible threat.
The Burris RT-6 is 10.13 inches long and weighs 17.4 ounces, making it a bit shorter than many scopes of similar purpose. That’s great news for tactical needs and means slightly reduced risk of snagging or bumping. Per-click value of the RT-6 is ½ MOA and total elevation and windage adjustment are each 80 MOA. This is an illuminated scope that’s powered by a single CR2023 battery. The tube on the RT-6 is 30mm, making it compatible with a wide variety of rings and mounts.
If tactical applications are your preference with your Savage 220 or you simply prefer a tactical-inspired scope, the Burris RT-6 might be perfect for you. A rotary dial controls illumination and there are 11 brightness settings, so it can be adjusted according to your specific needs at that moment in time. Turrets are capped to reduce risk of zero being affected by the expected bumps of serious use.
Burris RT-6 1-6x24mm Pros and Cons
- Rapid target acquisition
- Illuminated
- Compact design
- 80 MOA adjustment range
3 Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x FFP : Best mid-range hunting scope
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x FFP Specs
- Type LPVO/Mid-range
- Magnification 1-8x
- Illuminated Yes
- Weight 23.9
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x FFP Review
Want the ability to stretch out your hunting range a bit? The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x FFP gives hunters the ability to magnify at greater distances while retaining that 1x up-close option. Even better, its first focal plane design allows the shooter to make adjustments with accurate holdovers at whatever magnification is needed. Magnification is 1-8x, and the reticle is an EBR-8 MOA style.
Features of the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x FFP include capped turrets, ¼ MOA per-click adjustments, and an aircraft grade aluminum housing. ArmorTek provides an ultra-hard, scratch resistant coating for lenses, which are fully multi-coated. The EBR-8 reticle is glass-etched and illuminated with a design meant to make it possible to shoot quickly and accurately out to 600 yards, which is far beyond anything you’re going to do with your Savage 220. This scope does have a throw lever for fast adjustments, which is pretty useful in the field. It’s powered by one CR2032 battery.
This scope has an objective lens diameter of 24mm, a 125 yard parallax setting, and maximum windage and elevation adjustments of 145 MOA. Its overall length is 10.4 inches, and it weighs 23.9 ounces. Eye relief is 3.9 inches. The scope ships with a throw lever, flip caps, a lens cloth, sunshade, one CR2032 battery, and a 2mm hex wrench. With this scope you can easily take your Savage 220 from turkey season to deer season and expect it to handle whatever the elements throw at it, too.
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x FFP Pros and Cons
- Good magnification range
- Illuminated reticle
- First focal plane
- Clarity is not quite as sharp
4 Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight : Best red dot sight
Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight Specs
- Type Red dot sight
- Magnification No
- Illuminated Yes
- Weight 1.4 oz
Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight Review
Red dot sights are popular for shotguns, even bolt-action shotguns like the Savage 220. The Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight is a fantastically versatile option that’s well-made and capable of doing whatever you need (within red dot reason). This red dot sight has a 4 MOA dot with 10 brightness settings. According to Bushnell, its battery life is around 50,000 hours when set to the middle for brightness. The RXS-250 has a durable aircraft grade aluminum housing and can handle the rigors of serious use.
This sight is IP-67 rated for water and dust, which is the highest protection level against solids such as dirt and dust. The water part of the rating means it can handle being out in the rain. Bushnell lists it as impact rated according to MIL-STD-810H standards. Thanks to the design of its hood reflector and lens geometry, the RXS-20 offers a great field of view. The hood is also chamfered for glare reduction and made with curved edges to reduce snagging. It’s fully multi-coated and designed for excellent light transmission.
Adjustment for the Bushnell RXS-250 is 1 MOA per click with a 100+ MOA range. The dot is red and the sight itself has an overall weight of 1.4 ounces, making this the lightest possible addition to your Savage 220 on the entire list. It’s direct mountable to the Delta Point Pro standard and ships with a Weaver style mount as well. The RXS-250 does have an auto-shutoff feature to save battery life. This is also a versatile enough red dot sight that you can mount it on your Savage 220 and then switch it to a handgun when it’s not needed on the shotgun (and vice versa).
Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight Pros and Cons
- Super lightweight
- Straightforward operation
- Auto shutoff
- No magnification
5 Bushnell Trophy Quick Acquisition 1-6x24mm : Best hunting scope
Bushnell Trophy Quick Acquisition 1-6x24mm Specs
- Type LPVO
- Magnification 1-6x
- Illuminated Yes
- Weight 18 oz
Bushnell Trophy Quick Acquisition 1-6x24mm Review
Hunting success requires clarity and rapid target acquisition with optics. That’s why the Bushnell Trophy Quick Acquisition 1-6x24mm is our choice for the best hunting scope overall. This scope features an illuminated floating dot and is ideal for close- to mid-range hunting. This is what makes it great for the Savage 220 and its 20 gauge chambering. With its 1-6x magnification and overall size, it falls into the LPVO category.
The Bushnell Trophy Quick Acquisition 1-6x24mm is lightweight, compact, and made to perform. Its illuminated dot reticle includes a ½ MOA red dot at its center and 10 hash mark drop points on the vertical crosshair. There are six illumination settings and they designed the scope for superior light gathering and clarity in a broad range of levels of light. Controls and turrets on this scope are low-profile to reduce bulk and risk of snagging. Capped turrets protect zero in the field.
This scope is IPX7 rated and made with a rugged one-piece body. This is a second focal plane scope with a fixed parallax with a minimum distance of 100 yards. Lenses are fully multi-coated and the housing is sealed. The scope has a 30mm tube, meaning it’s compatible with many rings and mounts, and it has an 18 ounce weight. Elevation and windage adjustment range is 140 MOA. The diopter is designed for fast focus. This is a great hunting scope for the Savage 220 and a fantastic model in general, that’s bound to exceed your expectations.
Bushnell Trophy Quick Acquisition 1-6x24mm Pros and Cons
- Lower price point
- LPVO
- Good clarity
- Not for longer-range shots
Summary
Normally we’d say picking a scope is task specific, and to a point, it is. But with the Savage 220 being chambered in 20 gauge, your engagement range is limited, and that means sticking to lower magnifications. The LPVO makes the ideal scope type for the Savage 220 with a little wiggle room left for slightly greater levels of magnification for target identification at longer distances. Of course, red dot sights also make sense, so it’s up to you whether you want a basic dot or some magnification options.
What’s your go-to scope for the Savage 220? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
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About Kat Ainsworth-Stevens
Kat is a respected author and dedicated student of the gun. To date, she has published three books and written thousands of articles on firearms and self-defense in print and online.
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