6 Best Scopes For Savage 220

Savage 220 scopes

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The Savage 220, A Slug Gun That Lays The Smackdown

Here we have a slug gun, made to shoot 20 gauge sabot slugs from the ground up.

We will talk about the scope choices for this gun platform, but first, let us look a little at this gun.  The Savage 220 is designed to make the 200 yards or closer, and it is designed for optics, as there are no open iron sights on the gun.

This gun is a bolt action that shoots 2 3/4 and 3-inch sabot 20 gauge shells.  That equates to a short-range 50 caliber rifled round that weighs in at a full ounce, damn!

Red Dot style optic crop

The Savage 220 is a magazine-fed, rifled barrel that is 22 inches long.  The receiver is tapped and supplied with a solid rail from the factory.  The Savage 220 is also fitted with the Savage Accu-Trigger, a world-class option for any firearm.

This badass whitetail and turkey killer is one to take seriously.  Built from the ground up to take wild game at a short-range, and do it like it means it.

Now that we have learned a new need for this Savage 220 let us look at how to top it with the right optics.

PRODUCT

DETAILS

Products

Vortex Optics Ranger Riflescope

Vortex Optics Ranger

Vortex Optics Ranger Riflescope

  • Magnification:1 - 4 x
  • Eye Relief:4 in
  • Weight:16 oz

Athlon Optics Talos BTR Riflescope

Athlon Optics

Athlon Optics Talos BTR Riflescope 

  • Magnification:1-4x
  • Eye Relief:6.26-3.5 inches
  • Weight:19 oz

TruGlo Tru Brite Hunter 30 series

TRUGLO TRU-Brite (2)

TruGlo Tru Brite Hunter 30 series

  • Magnification: 1-6x
  • Color:Matte Black
  • Weight:1 Kilograms

Bushnell AR BTR-1 Riflescope

Bushnell AR Optics

Bushnell AR BTR-1 Riflescope

  • Magnification:1 - 4 x
  • Color:Black
  • Weight:(g)18.0 Oz / 510g

Monstrum G2 Riflescope

Monstrum G2 1-4x24

Monstrum G2 Riflescope

  • Magnification:1 - 4 x
  • Eye Relief:4 - 4.5 in
  • Weight: 1 lb

Primary Arms Classic Series

Primary-Arms-ACSS

Primary Arms Classic Series 

  • Magnification:1 - 4 x
  • Eye Relief:3.5 in
  • Weight:17 oz

Here are the things this scope for this platform, hunting this type of terrain will have to have to perform at the highest level:

  • Generous Eye Relief
  • Illuminated Reticle
  • 1-4 power
  • A Large main body tube
  • Fast focus eyepiece
  • Rugged built materials
  • Fog and Rainproof

OK, enough yammering along, let's get to it.

1. Vortex Optics Ranger 1-4x24

Vortex with flip caps crop

The Ranger line of Vortex optics is designed for flat-topped battle rifles, so the toughness is there without a doubt.  The Reticle is also very unique to the hunting world, and I do believe it is quite a value add to hunting in brush and heavily forested areas, more on this in a second.

Before we start into the specifics, I want to cover the VIP warranty.  If this scope is broken, Vortex will fix it or replace it, no questions asked.  Also, a word about the price tag, these buggars are somewhat pricy, but for this level of quality and performance, you will take a hit to the checkbook.

Let's talk about how it is made.  The scope is made of one piece of aircraft aluminum, has a 30mm tube, that is sealed and purged with nitrogen.  The nitrogen purge will handle all the fog and rain proofing needed for a hunting gun.

The turrets are a high tactical style, with audible clicks for adjusting the Reticle.  The adjustments in this 30mm tube are massive and will handle the amount of elevation dialing needed for the sabot slugs in-flight ballistics (more on this in its section below).  The scope weighs in at 16.4 ounces, so not too heavy, but the Savage 220 is not a lightweight gun in the first place, make sure your shoulder strap is up to the challenge.

The turrets do have an adjustable zero stop and use the CRS zero stop function of shims, fine-tuned with the zero bar or indexing mark.

The Reticle is located in the Second Focal Plane and etched on glass, and illuminated with ten settings of brightness.  The Reticle has hash marks for windage and bullet drop that you will need to test at the range before going to the field for the hunt to make sure you and that slug gun are speaking the same language.

The illuminated part of the Reticle is a four sectioned circle that will surround the center of the crosshairs, and stay out of the way of the exact center, but draw the shooters eye right to it, and aid in ranging.

Looking through this optic is easy on the eyes.  It has a reticle focus, a fast-focus ring, and true 1x magnification as well as perfect clarity at its 4x magnification.  The eye relief is four inches, making it sit nice and easy on the action.  You may want to use a cantilever mount.  The parallax is fixed at 100 yards.

All-in-all, as a scope designed for close engagements, this looks to be right at home on the Savage 220 slug gun.

If you are looking for the more scope options for slug guns, then check out our guide on best slug gun scopes

Vortex Optics Ranger

Vortex Optics Ranger Riflescope

The price of Vortex Optics Ranger Riflescope varies, so check the latest price at

2. Athlon Optics Talos BTR 1-4x24

Athlon Optics

Here is a newcomer to my world, and I must say, Vortex better pay attention to these guys.  The number one most outstanding aspect of Athlon is the price tag for the quality, something to think about.

Here is a look at how the Talos BTR is built.  They start with Heat Treated Aircraft Aluminum, so right off the bat, this thing can handle hunting in any way, shape, or form.  Measures at 9.2 inches long and weighs in at 18 ounces, heavy for ist size, but it is illuminated, and that's what you get.

The tube is 30mm and purged with nitrogen to accomplish the rain and fog proof attributes.  Now here is a thing I don't see much on sub 200 dollar scopes, it is also waterproof to include submersion, not a diving scope by any means, but if you drop it in the stream or a swampy area, the scope will keep on, keeping on.

The Reticle is available in either MOA or MilDot.  Just choose your poison when you order it.  The Reticle is glass etched, illuminated, and located in the Second Focal Plane.  The Reticle is a type of duplex to oversimplify it, it is like four arrows pointing towards the hash-marked, for windage and elevation holdover, crosshair, and the center "hairs" are the only part that lights up.

Talk about shockproof.  This thing is tested to 1000g for 1000 times.  All of the optics are tested before they ship, like the lab does not like them, so you can be assured they can take it.

The turrets are exposed, and mid-rise, the fast-focus eyepiece gets that Reticle tuned to your eyeballs for perfect sight picture.  Parallax is fixed at 100 yeards.

A bit more on Athlon, they offer reticle instructions that are downloadable from their webpage.  Athlon offers its gold medal lifetime warranty.  If you use it for a hammer, they won't fix it.  If damage from regular scope use, they will repair or replace it, no receipt or registration, send it in and get it back new or good as new.

For an up-close super hunter scope, how can you go wrong, no matter what you are hunting, and I will leave that right there.

Athlon Optics

Athlon Optics Talos BTR Riflescope

The price of Athlon Optics Talos BTR Riflescope varies, so check the latest price at

3. TruGlo Tru Brite Hunter 30 series

TRUGLO TRU-Brite

TruGlo is one of my favorite scopes makers for short or mid-range optics.  The TruGlo brand is always pushing the envelope, and more times than not, they make it happen.

The Hunter 30 is the highest magnification available in this article at 1x – 6x magnification.  The six power magnification, in my opinion, will be more than the Savage 220 slug shooter can reach and make an ethical shot.  If you have hankerin' for a 50 caliber rifle of sorts and want to hear a gong strike, how cool would that be?

The tube size is 30mm so that the scope will have a vast field of view for a "stubby" scope, which is perfect for stalking hunters, maybe even better for stand hunters as the target acquisition will need to be quick or the shot will be missed.

With a true 1x magnification, both eyes open shooting is available, so if this scope is chosen for a tactical application, it will be right on the money.  The Reticle is glass etched, can be used with or without the red and green illumination.  The Reticle is my favorite style for fast target acquisition.  It is the Circle and Duplex style.  It will draw the shooter's eye right to the center and then a tight focus on the crosshairs and send the shot downrange.

The body is made from Forged Aircraft Aluminum all one piece and finished in matte black.  The main body is nitrogen purged, so fog and rain are no bothering to it.  The shock resistance is remarkable, rated to 1000g.

The turrets are locked in with leaf springs to make audible and tactile clicks very solid, and recoil or other shocks will not result in changed reticle adjustments.

The lenses are fully multicoated for clear vision, and the Hunter 30 has 3.75 inches of eye relief.  The hunter 30 is an average size at 12 inches long, but heavy at 2.2 pounds or one kilo, going to make you strong packing this platform around.  TruGlo also sends along a set of Weaver-style rings to mount it to your Savage 220.

TRUGLO TRU-Brite (2)

TruGlo Tru Brite Hunter 30 series

The price of TruGlo Tru Brite Hunter 30 series varies, so check the latest price at

4. Bushnell AR BTR-1 1-4x24

Bushnell AR Optics

This scope from Bushnell is specifically made for the AR platform, so why is it here?  That is a good question.  The ballistics are not even in the same hemisphere, but the quality is good, and the Reticle is excellent for quick target acquisition and a clear sight picture.  Hell, is there a 1-4x scope that is not made for the AR platform?  I will stop right there and get back to writing.

OK, I started all this by bringing up the Reticle, so let us begin there.  The Reticle is the BTR-1.  What is that it is fantastic in a short description.  The BTR-1 Reticle is a circle or hoop over a post style reticle.  The BTR-1 is illuminated, so hunting in the deep brush, thick forest, or swampy areas are not an issue.  The illuminated Reticle is not a tiny little dot that will wash out in the sunshine, either.

This Reticle is more of a tactical flavor, but how effectively does all that sound to get on target and takedown that massive whitetail, or end the field ruining career of a 600 lbs boar.  So someone is asking, will the BDC work with a 20 gauge sabot slug – no.  The Reticle is located in the First Focal Plane and is measured in MOA.

The Reticle is in MOA, but the turrets are in MIlDot, so you will need to make yourself aware of dealing with that if you plan on doing much turret twisting.  The turrets are exposed and non-locking.  The fast-focus eyepiece has an adjustable throw arm that makes it easy to use with gloved hands.  The parallax is fixed at 100 yeards.

The BTR-1 has an eye relief of 3.5 inches, with fully multicoated lenses anywhere there is air to glass contact.  The scope is IPX7 waterproof, rain, and fog proof.  Compact in size at 9.4 inches long, and weigh in at 18 ounces.

Bushnell offers their Ironclad Warranty, transferable, and does not require registration to effect coverage.

Bushnell AR Optics

Bushnell AR BTR-1 Riflescope

The price of Bushnell AR BTR-1 Riflescope varies, so check the latest price at

5. Monstrum G2 1-4x24

Monstrum G2 1-4x24

Now, we have a Monstrum Tactical option to look at closely.  This scope comes with a massive package of precisely what is needed for the Savage 220 slug gun.  The only reason it does not rank higher, they do have some quality issues from the factory at times, so you will need to order this optic way before hunting season and make sure it is good to go, with enough time to have a replacement shipped to you if required.

With that exclaimer out of the way, let us dig into this little beauty.  A 30mm tube made from 6061 Aircraft Aluminum, sealed and filled with nitrogen, this thing is going to make a huge splash.

The Reticle is an illuminated CQB-BDC style. It's a duplex with the illuminated circle type, quick to find the target.  The illumination operates with a dial for intensity and a push-button on the left side knob.  The Reticle has a glass etched red or green rangefinder in MOA, and the turrets are also in MOA, nice!

Speaking about turrets, they are MOA, as I said, and resettable and locking (with a hex key).  The optic has a Reticle focus eyering, with multicoated lens glass.  The kit comes with a supplied honeycomb sunshade to reduce glare and reflection to keep your location secure.

The G2 1-4x24 is small in size at 9.6 inches long and weighs in at 16 ounces.

What a long list.   Just-right options for a slug gun.  This scope is one to consider.  Use the link and look at the price tag.  That may help you make up your mind a bit faster.

Monstrum G2 1-4x24

Monstrum G2 Riflescope

The price of Monstrum G2 Riflescope varies, so check the latest price at

6. Primary Arms Classic Series 1-4x24

Primary Arms 1-4x24mm

All of the Primary Arms optics have a very well-built chassis, tube, glass, turrets, you name a part made on this scope, and it is of the highest quality.

The Classic series offered by Primary Arms is a budget-friendly option, and with that classification, they offer a one year warranty, so take that as you will.

The owner's manual is very sparse on information, it covers what you will need to know, but you may need to do a bit of research to get a bigger picture if this is your first scope mounting onto a rifle or a shotgun, for that matter.   Do not let these statements turn you away from this scope.  It is a quality optic, but we deal from the top of the deck here at huntingmark.com, and that is what I found.

Magnification of 1x to 4x is an excellent choice for an in close to the mid-range scope, and an objective lens of 24mm will make a great sight picture to take the game you have stalked all day.

The PA14X is 11 inches long and weighs in at 16.7 ounces, so it is a standard size and weight scope.

The Reticle is an illuminated center dot in duplex crosshairs, with 12 brightness levels, great for taking game.  It will work very well to put that dot on a gobbler's head and make it into supper.  The Reticle and turrets match as MOA configuration, and it is located in the second focal plane.

The turrets are capped finger adjustable, so great for a hunting scope, the sights will stay where you put them, and the illumination adjustment is on the left side knob.

A 30mm tube, nitrogen purged, so the fog and water are not an issue when in the field, a very comfortable Eye Relief of 3.5 to 4.9 inches (depends on the magnification you plan to use), and the ocular has an adjustment for those of us that cuss the aging eye syndrome.

One of the most significant points to make regarding the PA14X is the price tag.  Super affordable for this tough of scope, how can you beat it, and if you do happen to place it against a tree branch rather briskly, it will not do more than scratch the paint.

Primary Arms SFP

Primary Arms Classic Series

The price of Primary Arms Classic Series varies, so check the latest price at

Parting Shots

The Hunter Safety Instructor in me must have a say about hunters' ethics and stretching the 20 gauge sabot round too far out, so here it goes.  (Any arguments are welcome in the comments).

A shot with this set up over 200 yards may be pushing the limits of ethical hunting.  Click the hyperlink, and look at the ballistics of this round.  I want you to think hard about your ability to compensate for drop at a distance over 200 yards.  Also, think about and consider the loss of velocity over 200 yards.

So … Should you get one – Yes!

Do not hesitate to get into this platform.  The Savage 220 with a 1-4 magnification optic will take many types of game, and what an excellent offering for just flat out fun on the range.  In this time of ammo shortages and high ammo prices, 20 gauge is about the same price pre-freakout buying and available nearly everywhere.

And for the hog hunters, can you think of much better?  This platform will put down everything in a close range, and it will not get back up.  So for a dangerous game like a huge pissed off boar, this will make things a lot safer.

Good Hunting

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