The Remington Model 700 is the most popular bolt action rifle to ever roll off a factory assembly line. Although engineered as a low-cost option for everyday Americans, the 700 is dependable and deadly accurate, especially when topped with a quality riflescope.
The Remington 700 is available in a wide range of caliber options, including long-range performers like .300 Win Mag and 6.5 Creedmoor. It is also available chambered for traditional hunting cartridges like the .30-06 Springfield and .270 WInchester, as well as more modern configurations like the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical, which comes chambered for the popular subsonic superstar, .300 Blackout.
With such a wide array of cartridge options, there is no one-size-fits-all scope for this iconic bolt-action rifle. The best Remington 700 scope will differ from shooter to shooter, depending on what they’re shooting and what they’re shooting at. Finding an optic suitable for a specific use will ensure your Model 700 is capable of doing exactly what you need it to do.
Here are a few key things to keep in mind when shopping for a new scope for your Model 700.
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for the details, here are our best picks for Remington 700 Scope:
- Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56
- NightForce NXS 5.5-22×50
- Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44
- Trijicon Huron 3-9×40
- Monstrum G2 6-24×50
Table of Contents
How to Choose Scope for Remington 700?
Magnification
It’s tempting to purchase a scope with a massive magnification range. However, in the world of riflescopes, bigger doesn’t always equal better. While higher magnification (more than 10x) can be useful when shooting extreme ranges (such as benchrest shooting, long-range target shooting, and some military and law enforcement applications), it can add unnecessary bulk and weight to your rifle.
Hunters typically need a set-up that is easy to carry and maneuver in the woods. Since most shot opportunities occur within 300 yards, a 3-9x scope is a practical option for your hunting rifle.
Glass Quality
Glass quality may be more important in a long-range scope than magnification. While magnification can make distant targets appear closer, if your scope has subpar glass, all the magnification in the world won’t help you see important target details.
Poor optical quality can cause a fisheye effect, resulting in a blurry outer edge to your sight picture. Aberrations in your sight picture tend to get worse at higher magnification levels.
To ensure a crisp, bright sight picture, look for a scope with high-density or extra low dispersion glass and fully multi-coated lenses.
Reticle
The Remington Model 700, when loaded with high-performance ammo, is capable of impressive feats of accuracy at extreme ranges. However, the average shooter doesn’t attempt many 1000-yard shots.
The type of reticle you need mostly depends on how you’ll be using your Model 700. For precision, long-range shooting, a mil dot or BDC reticle can help you make on-the-fly windage and holdover adjustments. However, these reticle designs can be complicated and may take some getting used to. Many BDC reticles are also calibrated for specific cartridges, so you’ll need to match the reticle to your preferred loads.
Many hunters prefer a simple duplex reticle over more detailed BDC designs. The uncomplicated design of a duplex or crosshair reticle allows shooters to get on target faster. Simple reticles also cover less of your target, which can be an asset for hunters who need to see muscle detail to ensure a fatal hit to an animal’s vitals.
Best Remington 700 Scope on the Market Reviews
Here are just a few of the scopes we think pair well with the popular Remington Model 700.
1 Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56
The Leupold Mark 5HD is perfect for long-range action. This top-notch optic is waterproof and fogproof, providing reliable performance even in the wettest shooting conditions.
The Mark 5HD is built from sturdy 6061-T6 aluminum. The ample 35mm tube provides plenty of room for windage and elevation adjustments, and the exposed turrets offer 1/4 MOA adjustments with three revolutions of travel. Long-range shooters will also appreciate the push-button zero lock function and the easy-to-read revolution indicator.
Perhaps the most notable feature of the Mark 5HD is Leupold’s exclusive Twilight Max HD Light Management System. This system of glass and lens coatings reduces glare and maximizes light transmission. The result is excellent brightness and clarity even in low light. The company claims the system can extend available hunting light by up to 30 minutes at dawn and dusk, when game are more likely to be on the move.
Is it Worth It?
Although the Leupold Mark 5HD makes an ideal benchrest scope, its incredible low light performance will be most appreciated by big game hunters. However, the scope is a bit bulky for backcountry hunting trips.
Here are the features we love:
- Fogproof and waterproof.
- Fast focus eyepiece.
- Side parallax adjustment.
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System provides excellent low light clarity.
- Premium target turrets.
- Zero lock function.
- Revolution indicator.
Mounting and Accessories
The Leupold Mark 5HD comes with a cover and lens shade. For extra protection, we recommend adding the Leupold Alumina Flip Back Lens Cover. Made from durable 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum, this tough lens cover is held closed by strong neodymium magnets and is triple o-ring sealed to keep out water, dust, and debris.
2 NightForce NXS 5.5-22×50
The NXS 5.5-22×50 is part of the NightForce Long-Range Tactical line-up. This scope is a popular choice for law enforcement and military snipers. It combines rugged toughness, innovative features, and repeatable performance.
Perfect for Remington 700 shooters who need to hit targets at extreme ranges, the NXS can reach 1000-yards and beyond with the right shooter behind it.
NightForce achieves jaw-dropping optical quality by using a proprietary broadband multi-coating on all air-to-glass surfaces.
The main housing of the NXS riflescope is milled from a solid bar of 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. Made three times thicker than the tubes on most other scopes, the NXS has greater thermal stability and can endure more impact stress, ensuring a consistent zero in all conditions.
Is it Worth It?
Perfect for Remington 700 shooters who need to hit targets at extreme ranges, the NightForce NXS is a serious performer. This one is built tough and can easily handle harder-hitting cartridges like 7mm Rem Mag.
Our favorite features include:
- Broad magnification range.
- 4 inches of eye relief.
- Large FOV.
- Crisp, clear optical quality.
- Milled from a solid bar of tough aluminum alloy.
- Holds a consistent zero.
- Illuminated SFP reticle.
- Premium target turrets.
- Zero Stop function.
Mounting and Accessories
To mount the NightForce NXS, you’ll need a set of sturdy 30mm rings. We recommend the NightForce ULTRALITE 30mm Titanium/Alloy Ring Set. The rings have a CNC machined 7075-T6 hard anodized aluminum body and a titanium beta series cross bolt, nut and jaw. This combination provides incredible strength in a lightweight package.
3 Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44
If you’re a serious long-range shooter, but don’t have a ton of cash to invest in a high-end optic, the Viper PST from Vortex Optics is a nice compromise. Although you can pick up this optic for under $1000, it performs well beyond its price point.
The Viper PST is equipped with an FFP illuminated reticle for precision aiming, even in low light. The scope also features extra low dispersion (ED) glass to increase image resolution, provide excellent color fidelity, and help shooters differentiate between animals and background vegetation.
Built for durability, the Viper PST features a tough housing crafted from aircraft grade aluminum with a hard anodized finish. The glass is also protected with an ArmorTek scratch-resistant coating.
Long-range shooters will appreciate the scope’s ample field of view (8.6 – 41.2 feet at 100 yards), quality laser-etched target turrets, and fiber optic magnification indicator. Other notable features include adjustable parallax and a RZR zero stop function.
Is it Worth It?
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II is perfect for both tactical and hunting applications. This one has a ton of top-notch features wrapped up in a reasonably priced package.
- ED glass.
- Illuminated FFP reticle.
- ArmorTek scratch-resistant lens coating.
- Wide FOV.
- Fiber optic magnification indicator.
- Quality laser-etched turrets.
- Adjustable parallax.
- Zero stop.
Mounting and Accessories
The Vortex Viper PST comes with a 3-inch sunshade to minimize glare, especially in bright sunlight.
Serious shooters should also consider adding the Vortex Lo Pro Bubblevel. This slim, low-profile level mounts easily to your scope. Plus, you can see the level without losing your sight picture.
4 Trijicon Huron 3-9×40
Although Trijicon has a reputation for designing top-of-the-line tactical optics, the Huron 3-9×40 is absolutely perfect for the everyday deer hunter. The scope is ultra lightweight, yet ultra rugged.
The Trijicon Huron is made with top-quality, fully multi-coated glass that provides impeccable edge-to-edge clarity. The scope also provides an extra wide FOV (33.8 to 11.3 feet at 100 yards), so you can easily track moving game.
Unlike most of the scopes on our list, the Trijicon Huron comes with capped windage and elevation turrets. This protects the optic from accidental adjustments while transporting your rifle to and from your favorite deer stand.
Hunters will also enjoy the simple, uncluttered reticle that lets you line up crosshairs quickly and easily, so you don’t miss that once-in-a-lifetime shot.
Is it Worth It?
This is a serious optic for serious hunters. Here’s what to expect from the Trijicon Huron:
- Impeccable image quality.
- Lightweight, rugged design.
- Easy focus eyepiece.
- Extra wide FOV.
- Simple, uncluttered SFP reticle.
- Practical magnification range.
Mounting and Accessories
You’ll need a set of Trijicon AccuPoint One-inch Rings to properly mount the Huron riflescope to your Remington 700.
5 Monstrum G2 6-24×50
If you’re looking for a budget option for your Remington 700, the Monstrum G2 definitely fits the bill. Most long-range, FFP scopes come with 4-figure price tags, but somehow Monstrum gets the job done for under $200.
The Monstrum G2 features a high-quality, illuminated rangefinder reticle. Etched on the scope’s first focal plane, this BDC reticle has multiple brightness settings. Shooters can also choose between red and green illumination, ensuring superb visibility in any lighting condition.
The G2 also has an adjustable objective for clear focusing and parallax adjustment. Built for rough use, the G2 is made from a tough aluminum alloy and is o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for reliable fogproof, waterproof, shockproof performance.
Is it Worth It?
For serious long-range shooting, we usually recommend spending at least half the amount you invested in your rifle on a quality optic. In the world of scopes, usually the more you can spend, the better the optic performs. Every once in a while, there is an exception to the rule. Although the Monstrum G2 definitely isn’t a premium riflescope, it is surprisingly reliable. This is an acceptable scope for anyone on a tight, shoestring budget.
Here is what the Monstrum G2 has to offer:
- FFP ranging reticle.
- Red or green illumination.
- Multiple brightness settings.
- 4 to 4 ½ inches of eye relief.
- Adjustable objective.
- Sturdy construction.
Mounting and Accessories
The Monstrum G2 riflescope comes with everything you need, including a set of Picatinny scope rings, a detachable honeycomb filter sunshade, flip-up lens covers, and a CR2032 3V battery.
Summing It Up
First introduced in 1962, the Remington Model 700 continues to be an incredibly popular rifle for hunting, target shooting, and military and law enforcement applications. A quality optic will help you take full advantage of the weapon’s long-range capabilities. However, even the best scope for Remington 700 can’t work miracles. The best way to improve your long-range shooting is to practice the fundamentals, no matter which scope you choose to mount on your rifle.
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