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Best Scope for Savage 110 — Top 5 Scopes for Precision and Reliability

When it comes to extracting the most accuracy and performance from a classic American bolt-action rifle, nothing enhances its capability quite like the best scope for Savage 110. Whether you’re dialing in at 100 yards for whitetail hunting or stretching out to 800 yards on steel, the right optic transforms the Savage 110 into a long-range tack driver. Over the years, I’ve mounted and tested countless scopes on my Savage 110 chambered in .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor—so this guide distills my real-world experience to help you choose the perfect match for your rifle.

Top Product List

Here’s a quick rundown of my top picks before we dive into detailed reviews:
– Best all-around scope for hunting versatility
– Lightweight, rugged, and ultra-clear optics
– Best precision scope for long-range shooting
– Affordable FFP scope with serious tracking performance
– Classic reliability and value-packed performance

Detailed Reviews

1. Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (Dead-Hold BDC)

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The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 is a benchmark for hunters who want dependable optics at an affordable price. Its Dead-Hold BDC reticle simplifies holdovers, making it ideal for versatile shooting distances—perfect for a Savage 110 chambered in .308 or .30-06.

Specs

Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 40mm
Tube Diameter: 1 inch
Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC (SFP)
Eye Relief: 3.8 inches
Adjustment Click Value: ¼ MOA
Weight: 15 oz
Waterproof & Fogproof: Yes

Pros

Exceptional clarity for its price
Reliable zero retention
Excellent eye relief
Fully multi-coated lenses

Cons

Slightly heavy for a 1-inch tube
Turrets lack tactile click feel

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The Crossfire II’s glass clarity surprised me for its price bracket. I tested it at dusk and dawn in varying light, and it maintained crisp visuals with minimal chromatic aberration. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle provides clear aiming points for drop compensation, ideal for mid-range hunting.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

With over 3.8 inches of eye relief, I could comfortably shoot my Savage 110 in .308 without worrying about scope bite. The eye box is forgiving, allowing for quick target acquisition during dynamic field shots.

Durability

The aluminum single-piece tube is rugged and nitrogen purged, performing flawlessly through a rain-soaked hunt in Colorado. After 300 rounds, the zero remained rock-solid.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The ¼ MOA clicks are audible but slightly mushy. I ran a simple “box test” at 100 yards, and the scope tracked reliably—returning precisely to zero.

Magnification & Parallax

The 3–9x range is ideal for big game hunting out to 400 yards. There’s no adjustable parallax, but for hunting distances, it’s not a limitation.

Mounting & Accessories

I used Vortex 1-inch medium-height rings on a 20 MOA rail—installation was straightforward and secure.

Personal Experience

After mounting this on my Savage 110 .308, I zeroed it in just six shots. From then, the rifle consistently grouped under 1 MOA at 100 yards. It’s been my go-to setup for whitetail hunts for years.

Online Feedback

On Reddit and hunting forums, users consistently praise the Crossfire II’s reliability for the price, though many note it’s better suited for hunting than precision shooting.

Verdict

If you’re looking for dependable optics for under $200, the Crossfire II is unbeatable for the Savage 110.

2. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40

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Leupold’s VX-Freedom embodies American craftsmanship—lightweight, compact, and built to handle any environment. For a Savage 110 rifle, it’s the definition of a perfect hunting companion.

Specs

Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 40mm
Reticle: Duplex
Eye Relief: 4.2 inches
Weight: 12.2 oz
Tube: 1 inch aircraft-grade aluminum
Warranty: Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee

Pros

Outstanding optical clarity
Lightweight, easy to balance
Long, forgiving eye relief
Lifetime warranty

Cons

No parallax adjustment
Limited features for long-range shooting

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Leupold’s glass is famously bright. The VX-Freedom has exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness and contrast. The Duplex reticle remains simple but intuitive for fast aiming.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

At over 4 inches, the generous eye relief made it perfect for .30-06 recoil. The eye box is forgiving, enabling fast target re-acquisition.

Durability

After multiple hunts through wet Oregon forests, it never fogged or lost zero. It’s shockproof, fogproof, and waterproof as claimed.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The finger-click turrets feel crisp and repeatable. I tested turret tracking to 400 yards with consistent accuracy.

Magnification & Parallax

3–9x is ideal for most hunting use cases. While it lacks side parallax adjustment, the focus is factory set at 150 yards—perfect for mid-range work.

Mounting & Accessories

I used Leupold medium rings on a 0 MOA base. Perfect fit and lightweight balance on the Savage 110.

Personal Experience

Zeroing took only five shots with Federal 165-grain soft points. This scope maintained sub-MOA groups for an entire hunting season.

Online Feedback

Hunters on Leupold forums and Reddit universally praise its optical brightness and reliability.

Verdict

For hunters wanting an ultra-light, dependable optic with crisp glass, the VX-Freedom is a premium match for Savage 110.

3. Arken Optics EP5 5-25x56 FFP

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If precision is your goal, the Arken EP5 5-25x56 FFP turns your Savage 110 into a true long-range machine. With a 34mm tube and first focal plane reticle, it’s built for advanced shooters who demand perfect tracking and clarity.

Specs

Magnification: 5–25x
Objective Lens: 56mm
Tube: 34mm
Reticle: VPR MIL FFP
Click Value: 0.1 MIL
Eye Relief: 3.4 inches
Weight: 37 oz
Zero Stop: Yes

Pros

Crisp, high-resolution glass
Reliable zero stop system
34mm tube provides excellent elevation travel
Exceptional build quality

Cons

Heavier than hunting scopes
Not ideal for snap shooting

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The EP5’s clarity competes with scopes twice its price. The VPR MIL FFP reticle scales with magnification perfectly, providing accurate holdovers at any range.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

At 3.4 inches, eye relief is sufficient. The eye box tightens at max magnification but remains manageable.

Durability

I tested this scope on my Savage 110 in 6.5 Creedmoor with 400+ rounds; it held zero perfectly. The anodized finish resists scratches and weather impacts.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The turrets have a distinct, positive click feel. Each click tracked accurately in my 100-yard box test. The zero stop was easy to configure.

Magnification & Parallax

The wide 5–25x range, combined with side parallax adjustment (10 yards to infinity), is perfect for precision shooters.

Mounting & Accessories

I used Arken’s 34mm one-piece mount. Zeroing at 100 yards took about eight shots with 140gr Hornady ELD-M rounds.

Personal Experience

This setup gave me sub-0.5 MOA groups at 200 yards—hands down the most accurate configuration I’ve run on a Savage 110.

Online Feedback

Reddit long-range communities consistently rank the EP5 among the best sub-$700 FFP optics for precision rifles.

Verdict

If long-range precision and turret tracking matter most, the Arken EP5 is unbeatable for the Savage 110.

4. Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 6-24x50 FFP

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The Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 6-24x50 is one of the most affordable ways to get a first focal plane reticle with crisp glass and dependable tracking.

Specs

Magnification: 6–24x
Objective Lens: 50mm
Reticle: APMR MIL FFP IR
Tube: 30mm
Eye Relief: 3.3 inches
Parallax Adjustment: 10 yards–infinity
Weight: 30.3 oz

Pros

Illuminated reticle for low-light use
Excellent tracking accuracy
Great value for price
Smooth magnification ring

Cons

Slight color fringing at max zoom
Reticle illumination not bright in daylight
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