The Remington Model 700 is one of the most popular and versatile rifles ever made. There are 15 different models listed on the Remington website that you can customize based on your passion.
After selecting a Model 700 to suit your passion and hunting style, you need optics to get the most out of your Remington. There are a lot of optics to choose, but I have listed a few of my favorites.
What Magnification is Right for You?
Before we jump into the right scope for different Remington Model 700’s, let’s think about the average distance you shoot and the proper magnification for game at that distance. You don’t want to be under-scoped and miss the chance of a lifetime. You also don’t want to shell out the bucks to be over-scoped.
Magnification Basics
Professional hunters will tell you that you must match the scope to the game you’re after. For instance, big game may require more clarity at long distances, but small game may need more magnification at that same distance. It’s important that hunters choose a scope that suits the game they are after.
- Long Distance (Over 500 yards) Hunters that shoot these distances want a scope that allows them to take shots out to 1000 yards. If you’re going to shoot this far, I would not want anything less than a 9x to 12x magnification. Unless you are a competitive target shooter, anything more than this is not practical.
- Medium distance (250 to 500 yards) The 250-to-500-yard shot is where the Remington Model 700 shines. Most hunters practice at distances in the 250-to-500-yard range and are comfortable taking shots at these distances. I recommend a magnification from 5x to 9x for yardage in this range.
- Short distance (under 250 yards) Your average hunter will take more game at 250 yards or less than game over 250 yards. The sad truth is many hunters will miss at this range too. It’s an easy range to get cocky over, but you just cannot take these shots for granted. You will see recommendations at this distance for 1x to 4x, but I recommend the 4x.
Best Scope for Remington 700 Reviews
If you spent the time to match a Remington Model 700 with the right design, caliber, stock, and finish with the type of hunting you do, then you want to choose a scope that matches too. After all, the optics can be the difference between a great shot and missed shot.
I have paired a scope with several of the most popular Model 700’s, together they make a lethal combination to harvest some of the most popular game animals in North America. Let’s dive into the specifics of the combinations I have chosen.
1. Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15×42 – Best for Big Game
Specifications
- Magnification: 3x-15x
- Reticle Focal Plane: SFP
- Field of View: 35.3-7.0 ft/100 yds
- Eye Relief (inches): 3.8
- Elevation Adjustment: 80 MOA
- Main Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Length (inches): 13.3
- Weight (oz): 19.1
If big game is your passion and you have a Remington Model 700 built to hunt big game, then you need a scope that can handle the demands of big game hunting. This is especially true if you’re hunting with the Model 700 CDL SF chambered in the 7mm Mag.
I chose this combination for hunting big game like mule deer, elk or black bear. It seems like Vortex is everywhere, but there is a good reason for it, especially regarding the Vortex Razor HD LHT.
Glass Clarity, Field of Vision, and Reticle
The glass clarity, field of vision and reticle differentiate the Vortex Razor HD LHT from all the others. Leupold, Athlon, and Sig Sauer all have great glass and field of vision with edge-to-edge clarity and awesome coatings for low-light conditions. The LHT’s HSR-5i reticle gives it the edge over its competition.
The HSR-5i reticle works well for holdovers, windage adjustments, leading a moving target, and deciding on the distance to the target. A great reticle for those who know their ballistics.
Eye Relief and Eye Box
The eye relief of the Vortex Razor LHT is just at 3.8 inches, but it feels more like a solid 4 inches of eye relief. Like all Vortex scopes, the eye box is forgiving and lets you quickly be on target.
Elevation and Windage
The RevStop Zero System provides a solid return to zero if you need to adjust the turret. The elevation turret locks, preventing any unwanted adjustments but adjusts easily enough when needed.
The windage turret is capped. It’s not a problem, given most hunters don’t adjust for windage. When you do need to adjust your windage dial, it can be difficult to see due to the design.
Magnification and Parallax
The 3-15x magnification is great for most of the shooting that big game hunters find themselves in. At 15x, it is common for target shooters to hit targets at 1,000 yards with this scope. I would not consider a shot at 1,000 yards when hunting big game. The sweet spot for this scope is from 200 to 500 yards.
I haven’t noticed any issues regarding the parallax swimming or moving around, even when shooting at full magnification. I have not known this to be an issue with any Vortex scope I have used.
Mounts and Rings
Vortex Precision Matched Rings are made by a CNC mill of machine certified 7075 T6 billet aluminum to a tolerance of .0005. Then the Vortex rings are serialized, tumbled, bead blasted and finished with a Type III anodizing. They are made in the USA with a lifetime guarantee. MSRP is $259.99
Specs
- Base Clamp Screws = 45-50 in/lbs
- Ring Screws = 15-18 in/lbs
Scope Price and Warranty
You can find these scopes from $1,200 to $1,600 all day. It has a sunshade, lens covers, lens cloth, CR2032 battery, and a free custom ballistic strip coupon. If you are using a gunsmith to install your rings, mounts, scope and bore sighting, that will add to the total price as well.
This scope is covered by the Very Important Person (VIP) Warranty. The VIP Warranty is an unlimited lifetime warranty that fully transferable with no receipt needed. It does not cover loss, theft, deliberate damage, or cosmetic damage.
Summary
I prefer a light scope when hunting in the mountains for elk, and the LHT is light enough for me at 19.1 ounces. The four-inch eye relief is consistent, and the eye box is excellent. You should never have to worry about getting scoped.
My two favorite things about this scope are how quickly you acquire your target and that the reticle is perfect for hunters. The ease you have when acquiring your target is partly due to the great eye relief and an even better eye box.
The HSR-5i (MOA) reticle has an illuminated dot that is the perfect size. (0.35 MOA) It doesn’t blind you at low magnification but is plenty bright at long distances. It’s a great trade-off of low light visibility and precision aiming.
I know I am knit-picking, but that is a pet peeve of mine. If I could change anything, I would put a throw lever on the scope for magnification changes. It is a little stiff and doesn’t really seem to improve with use.
2. Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10×40 CDS-ZL Illuminated FireDot Twilight Hunter – Best for Deer Hunting
Specifications
- Magnification: 3x-10x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane
- Field of View: 29.0-11.0 ft/100 yds
- Eye Relief (inches): 4.4-3.6
- Elevation Adjustment: 75 MOA
- Main Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Length (inches): 12.7
- Weight (oz): 14.5
If deer hunting is your passion and you have a Remington Model 700 built to hunt deer, then you need a scope that can handle the demands of deer hunting. This is especially true if you’re hunting with the Model 700 Alpha I chambered in a .308.
I chose this combination for hunting both whitetail and mule deer. Features on the new Model 700 Alpha I like an Elite Hunter Timney trigger, fluted 5R barrel, threaded muzzle and tool-less takedown firing pin assembly, make the Alpha I is a game changer for deer hunters.
Glass Clarity, Field of Vision and Reticle
For years, the Leupold VX-3i was the gold standard for scopes in its class. With that said, you will notice to the naked eye the VX-3HD glass is better than the VX-3i. The VX-3HD’s low-light performance is made possible by the Leupold Elite Optical System (EOS).
When Leupold says “system,” they mean they have a new process to coat their lens. The EOS an advanced lens coating system specifically designed to enhance high-definition clarity.
Hydrophobic Guard-ion coatings protect the hardened lenses against moisture and dirt. It also provides an enhanced light transmission ability, ensuring tremendous low-light glass clarity.
The reticle design is what Leupold calls a FireDot Twilight Hunter illuminated reticle. Its design complements the extreme low-light glass of the VX-3HD with an extreme low-light capable reticle. It’s a combination of a thick line, a thin line and an illuminated dot that works well together.
The reticle is a second (rear) focal plane reticle that brings your eye immediately to the illuminated dot. After five minutes, the illuminated dot will turn off, and Leupold’s motion sensor technology will turn it back on if you decide to shoulder the rifle again. I would give a slight edge to the reticle of the Vortex Razor HD, but it would be 1A and 1B.
Eye Relief and Eye Box
The eye relief is excellent at both low and high magnification. Eye relief at low magnification is 4.4 inches, and at high magnification is 3.6 inches. You can mount this scope on a high-caliber rifle without fear of becoming a pirate.
The eye box is great, and you quickly have a full-sight picture, more so than scopes that cost a lot more. As good as it is, I would give the Vortex Razor HD a slight edge.
Elevation and Windage
Leupold’s Custom Dial System (CDS) means that the elevation turret is custom to your gun. Simply send Leupold the serial number, the load you’re using, environmental information, and zero data, then Leupold will send you a custom dial.
Just like that, you no longer need to figure out holdovers or bullet drop. You simply adjust your elevation turret to 4.5 for a 450-yard shot, and you are dead on.
If you travel to hunt, you may want to pay the $80 for an extra dial. You can then have dials that have compensated for things like angles of incline/decline and sea level/mountain elevations.
The elevation and windage range is 55 MOA, and each revolution of either dial spans 15 MOA. The elevation and windage adjusts at ¼ MOA per click.
The VX-3HD has a locking turret to save you from accidental adjustments and a Zero Lock (ZL) that prevent you from making a complete revolution in the wrong direction. I would give the CDS-ZL of the Leupold an edge over the Vortex Razor HD.
Magnification and Parallax
You can expect a field of view at high magnification (10x) to be 2.1 degrees or 11 feet. The field of view low magnification is 29 feet or 5.5 degrees.
The fixed parallax-free distance is 150 yards. Don’t forget this is a second-focal-plane reticle with a 3:1 zoom. The 3-10x magnification is great for most of the situations that deer hunters find themselves in.
At 10x, it is common for target shooters to hit targets at 1,000 yards with this scope. I would not consider that when deer hunting. The sweet spot for this scope is from 200 to 500 yards. This scope is as clear at low magnification as it is at high magnification.
Mounts and Rings
There are many ring and mount options to choose from. Leupold has made it easy with the Mount Finder on their website. Simply select the correct manufacturer and type of firearm along with the series and type of scope you are buying, and the tool will give you mount and ring options.
I really like the Leupold Backcountry aluminum scope mounts; they are durable and light. Leupold has an insider podcast that discuses mounts, rings, and BLT’s.
Scope Price and Warranty
You can find these scopes from $699.99 and up. Keep in mind mounts and rings will add to that. If you are using a gunsmith to install your rings, mounts, scope and bore sighting, that will also add to the price.
Leupold is built in the USA and has a lifetime transferable warranty. They do not warranty scopes that have been misused, modified, damaged by accident, or misapplication.
Summary
Of course, you can never go wrong with a Leupold scope, but the VX-3HD 3.5-10×40 CDS-ZL from Leupold with the illuminated FireDot reticle will blow your mind. Its low light performance is incredible and will no doubt give hunters a clear sight picture during those precious 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after situations.
A Leupold is a Leupold, but VX-3HD scopes have a decided advantage over other models in low light. Leupold is using the VX-3HD line to replace other models, mainly to introduce the advancements they made in glass coatings. These improvements will drastically improve low-light performance. From edge to edge, your field of view will pop even in low light.
It may seem like a small thing, but I really like the detachable zoom lever. The lever makes it easy to change zoom in or out, even when you wear gloves. The process is smooth and easy, I am not twisting around trying to get a grip on my zoom. My entire zoom is only a quarter turn, so the lever is never in the way when I cycle my bolt action.
There is not much I would change about this scope. Leupold has been making scopes for a long time and has never settled for “good enough.” I am confident with this scope that the only thing preventing me from harvesting the buck of a lifetime is me.
3. Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 – Best scope for Varmint Hunting
Specifications
- Magnification: 5x-20x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (F2/SFP)
- Field of View: 17.9-5.0 ft/100 yds
- Eye Relief (inches): 3.5
- Elevation Adjustment: 80 MOA
- Main Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Length (inches): 15.2
- Weight (oz): 29.1
If varmint hunting at long range is your passion and you have a Remington Model 700 built to hunt coyotes, then you need a scope that can handle the demands of long-range varmint hunting. This is especially true if you’re hunting with the Model 700 SPS Varmint chambered in 22-250.
I chose the Model 700 SPS Varmint rifle and Nightforce SHV combination for hunting varmints like coyotes, bobcats, and raccoons, out to 500 yards. The rifle is designed with varmints in mind, and the Nightforce SHV (Shooter, Hunter, Varminter) does as well.
For many target shooters, 500 yards is not considered long-range. For many hunters, it is considered long-range. I tend to do more hunting than target shooting, so this review is for my hunting brethren.
One thing long-range target shooters and coyote hunters can agree on is that long-range shooting has a lot to do with optics. Good optics can make an average hunter a good shot. With that in mind, we have a great setup with the Modell 700 SPS and Nightforce SHV.
Glass Clarity, Field of Vision, and Reticle
The Nightforce SHV glass clarity exceeds expectations. Even out to 2,000 yards, I am blown away at how clear the glass is. It is almost unfair to dial this in on a coyote at 400 yards. You can almost pick the hair you want to put your crosshairs on.
The field of vision is not bad considering the 33mm tube, but at 100 yards, low magnification is 17.9 feet, and high magnification is just five feet. My expectation for Nightforce was higher than this, but it is about average when compared to comparable scopes.
Nightforce has several reticles for you to choose from. They do offer several tactical-type reticles, but I prefer a reticle more suited to hunting. I choose the Forceplex illuminated reticle. I can’t really say it blows me away, but it does the job.
The Nightforce SHV does have a second focal plane reticle. The Forceplex illuminated reticle is a precise .0125 MOA thick center crosshair. That is nice on small targets at long range. I must admit that the Vortex and Leupold hunting reticles are much better.
Eye Relief and Eye Box
As crazy good as the clarity and magnification are on the SHV, the eye relief and the eye box are average at best. The eye relief is just over three inches. That’s a little close if you are shooting a large caliber magnum.
The eye box is also a little tight, especially at full magnification. It can be irritating until you get used to it. I have had scopes with a worse eye box, but I expected it to be a little better with a Nightforce scope.
Elevation and Windage
The elevation and windage dials are tactical and easy to read. They are a .25 MOA, and the total internal elevation range is 80 MOA. The SHV does have a ZeroSet feature that allows you to set the zero of the turrets, but it does not have a zero stop.
The windage turret is a little smaller than the elevation turret. Even so, both turrets have .25 MOA increments with a total of 10 MOA per revolution. The total internal windage adjustment is 50 MOA.
Overall, the turrets are easy to use and easy to read. They are solid and what you would expect from tactical-style elevation and windage dials.
Magnification and Parallax
Magnification is where the Nightforce SHV shines. At full magnification, the sight picture and reticle are about as clear as it gets. You just don’t get that performance in a scope at this price range.
The field of view at a hundred yards is 17.9 feet at low magnification and 5 feet at high magnification. That is about average for similar scopes, but I hoped for a little better at high magnification.
Opposite the windage adjustment side is the parallax and illumination dial. You don’t have to get the illuminated reticle, but I have grown to love them. There are 11 brightness levels for the center reticle. That is a big help and prevents a blinding light at low magnification and dim light at high magnification.
The parallax dial is adjustable from 25 yards and on to 500 yards, then to infinity. The side focus is combined with the illumination adjustment. It’s not something you always adjust, but something you need to practice occasionally. Many scopes do that anymore, so most of us are used to it.
Mounts and Rings
There are many choices on the Nightforce website. A favorite combination for the Model 700 is the X-Treme Direct Mounts that are specially designed for the Remington Model 700. Make sure you get at least the medium-height rings for this scope.
Scope Price and Warranty
You can find these scopes from $1,200 and up. Keep in mind mounts and rings will add to that. If you are using a gunsmith to install your rings, mounts, scope and bore sighting, that will add to the total price as well.
Nightforce scopes have a transferable limited lifetime warranty that covers mechanical defects in materials and workmanship. They do not warranty intentional, accidental damage, abuse, modifications or improper mounting.
Summary
Nightforce has taken the shooting world by storm when it comes to long-range shooting. Known by all, including the military, to also be an incredibly durable scope. The SHV has all the features and options you need for varmint hunting.
There are a lot of SHV scopes out there, and it seems no two are alike. There are a lot of options to choose from. Many options were not available on older Nightforce SHV’s, but as the product matured more options were added. For the Remington SPS Varmint Model 700, I chose the Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 with the Center Illuminated Forceplex reticle.
The first thing I notice is the clarity of the glass at full magnification. You would have never thought a coyote standing at 500 yards could seem so close. We all know to aim small miss small, but many scopes at 500 yards make a small spot on a coyote blurry. Not so with the SHV.
The elevation is easy to adjust and tracks true. As you adjust magnification out to 500 to 600 yards, you will notice how smooth and easy it is to adjust. I am a little disappointed in the field of view at 20x, five feet at full magnification is a little small. Also, the eye box is not what I would expect and is a little tight for this price point.
To Sum It Up
As you can see, the Remington Model 700 is a gun for hunters of all types. If your passion is big game hunting, they have an option for that. If your passion is deer hunting, they have an option for that. If you want to shoot varmints at long range, they have an option for that.
Things get interesting when you match your scope to the hunting you are passionate about. Modern hunting scopes have taken the advancements of the competitive long-range shooting and the tactical world and used them to make better scopes for hunting.
You really can’t go wrong with any combination we have listed. In fact, you can probably mix and match depending on availability, price and your style of hunting. For me, the Model 700 CDL SF/Vortex Razor HD for big game, Model 700 Alpha I/Leupold VX-3HD for deer hunting and Model 700 SPS Varmint/Nightforce SHV for coyotes are as good as it gets.