I know that you can/could put scopes on them.
Py old "Pet Loads" by Ken Waters shows photos of two Sporters with scopes - his 23 B in 25-20 appears to have a side mount that mounts on the left side approximately where the action opening is, his 23 C (32-20) has a more normal looking mount - one base on the front "ring" and one on the rear. The caption on this one describes it as a "Weaver top mount".
I have a 23 C and the screws you describe look like they could be for one of a pair of bases - you would have to drill and tap for another one. Brownell's shows Weaver Top Mounts (front and rear) for the Savage 23.
My 32-20 has a Lyman receiver sight and that is good enough for the ranges I shoot it at.
I do like the 25-20 - fun cartridge even if it is not super useful.
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