The Best Scopes for Remington 700 in 2022

One of the most famous long-range rifles today is the Remington 700. Used by the Marine’s from the 60s, this rifle continues to become popular when the army adopted it in the middle of the 1980s. It is popular among police forces and civilian long-range marksmen. In case you are one of them then consider combining your solid rifle with the best scope for Remington 700.

With a good scope, you will become an expert in hitting your target. As a shooter, your goal is to find a rifle and combine it with a scope that offers a hundred percent accuracy all the time. Fortunately, you can achieve that by investing in the Remington 700 and pairing it with the correct scope.

It allows you to shoot straight and in a more accurate manner. Most hunters and shooters even say that by investing in the correct scope for this popular rifle, they can hit everything they are targeting. You can use our buyer’s guide and find the scope that is right for you through our top picks.

Best Scopes for Remington 700 in 2022

Nikon ProStaff 4-12×40 Black Matte Riflescope

In particular, I love the multi-coated optical system of this Nikon riflescope as it promotes up to 98 percent light transmission. I think this capability is the reason behind the clear and crisp pictures of your target that the scope delivers no matter what the prevalent lighting conditions are.

This promotes even more convenience when a hunter tries to shoot his target during cloudy weather or at dawn and dusk. It boasts its 4-12x magnification, which offers an assurance that there are highly accurate shots when used to shoot targets in a medium to long range.

With its 40-mm lens diameter, I can also guarantee a minimum of 7.3 feet field of view (FOV) when used at a distance of 100 yards. It features a BDC reticle, which helps you in locking at your target even at far distances. Another reason why I really love this scope is that it boasts of an O-ring sealed and nitrogen-filled construction.

This makes the scope truly tough as it promotes complete waterproofing while preventing fog from accumulating inside. It also increases your possibility of using it even in humid or wet weather without worrying about potential damage.

However, this riflescope is prone to parallax distortion because it lacks parallax control.

Based on its many positive reviews and benefits, I can say that the Nikon ProStaff 4-12×40 is an amazing riflescope, which can fulfill its promise of giving a pleasant experience to users, especially when used on long-range distances.

Primary Arms 4-14x44mm FFP Riflescope

It makes use of a reticle, which remains through all throughout the whole magnification range. This makes it possible to suit the different needs of competitors, marksman, shooters, and hunters. With that, the versatility or flexibility of this Remington 700 scope is undeniable.

It features an illuminated horseshoe as well as a center chevron – both of which make it possible to promote a remarkably and decently quick close-in target engagement. It boasts of its first focal plane (FFP) mil-dot reticle, which is also combined with turret adjustments.

This combination promotes ease to set your target and detect your holdover without the need to use a BDC system that is specific to a certain caliber. This is also a great choice if you are a shooter who wishes to use a trusted reticle, which gained the widespread acceptance of the military.

Constructed using the heavy-duty, aircraft-grade aluminum also makes the body of this scope as sturdy and strong as possible. It is shockproof, fog-resistant, and waterproof, adding to the stability and ruggedness of its overall structure.  Another thing that I enjoy about this scope is its side-adjustable parallax.

It also guarantees the delivering of a crisp and clear view of your target through the scope’s fast-focus eyepiece.

However, the only flaw I detected is that it lacks the scope caps that some users need.

Despite that flaw, I still agree with the majority of the users of this Remington 700 scope who conclude that this is an amazing piece of equipment that delivers what it promises and gets its intended job done without hassle.

Nikon Buckmasters II 4-12x40mm Riflescope

I am impressed with this Nikon riflescope’s hand-turn click adjustments as these are useful if you intend to focus on your target and dial in your sights. It also boasts of a tough and strong structure considering how effective its shock-proof, fog-proof, and waterproof structure is.

It uses the bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticle combined with an extra sunshade to improve your accuracy and vision significantly the entire day. Another amazing advantage is it is made to be capable of shooting well in both light and dark surroundings and environments.

The fully multicoated design used in this scope’s optical system is also the reason behind its up to 98% light transmission. Furthermore, it guarantees the low contrast and low light depending on your present hunting situation.

I love the extra sunshade features built into this scope as aside from being adaptable, they also work in boosting one’s vision and accuracy. This increases the possibility of excellently and clearly shooting your intended target. It also simplifies the adjustments in the field through its built-in zero-reset turret.

All it takes is lifting the adjustment knob loaded by a spring and rotating it to zero as a means of re-engaging a certain position. Moreover, it boasts of really good eye relief.

The only flaw I spotted in this scope is its lack of adjustable parallax.

Despite that, Nikon Buckmasters II 4-12x40mm Riflescope still holds most of the qualities and features that a great Remington 700 scope needs to have

Vortex Optics Viper PST 6-24×50 EBR-1 (MOA) Riflescope

The PST in the name of this scope is actually an acronym for Precision Shooting Tactical. This tag indicates that the scope holds the best in terms of internal mechanism, construction, the design of the reticle, and glass. I think one major highlight of this riflescope is its generous 6-24x magnification range.

It also utilizes the EBR first focal plane reticle, which aside from being illuminated, also suits low-light encounters. The first focal plane used also gets rid of all the complexities involves when estimating the holdover and range. Another impressive benefit delivered by this scope is it prevents light from bouncing away due to its fully multi-coated lens.

The lens also takes pride in its low-dispersion glass material, which guarantees the optimal quality of its images. You can also take full advantage of the scope’s 50-mm objective lens diameter, which promotes a good exit pupil even when using it at high magnifications.

I also love the 10 illumination intensities or settings included in this scope. These settings provide choices in making adjustments on the illumination of the reticle, so it can suit your specific requirements based on the light condition. The fast focus eyepiece in this scope also ensures users that there is speedy target acquisition.

I am also satisfied with the ArmorTek coating added into the exterior lens because it offers protection against oil, dirt, and scratches.

However, it has a problem, which is the lack of a lens cap or cover.

The excellent quality of Vortex Optics Viper PST proves that it is a perfect match for your Remington 700 whether you are planning to use it for target shooting, hunting, or sniping.

Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12x40mm SFP Riflescope

It makes use of a dead-hold reticle, which is really good in terms of shooting at various lengths and ranges – from 250 yards or 300 yards to an even farther distance. I am fond of its fully multi-coated internals, maximizing the transmission of light, especially if you pair it with its 40-mm objective lens, which is already large enough.

The single-piece tube body of this riflescope speaks of sturdiness, being waterproof, and strength. I like the fog-proof nature of this scope, too, because I realized how effective it is in keeping the quality of the images and interior components well-protected. I also like how light this riflescope is without losing its sturdiness.

It has the balance of both qualities due to the aircraft-grade aluminum utilized in constructing it. Aside from being lightweight, the compact size of the riflescope also promotes convenience in maneuvering and managing it. Another satisfying advantage offered by this riflescope is that it lets shooters focus rapidly and easily.

It is due to the built-in fast-focus eyepiece, which helps in reaching even the fastest-running targets. The O-ring seals added to this scope also works in preventing moisture, debris, and dust from interfering in your adventure, especially when the weather condition is harsh.

It also comes with capped reset turrets that promote utmost external protection.

However, I noticed that these capped turrets are quite time-consuming to adjust.

Overall, I can vouch for the great quality, clarity, and extreme durability of Vortex Optics Diamondback, making it one of the perfect Remington 700 scopes for the money.

Bushnell Trophy Xtreme X30 6-24×50 Riflescope

I am satisfied with the incredible sight picture that it delivers through the combined 6-24x magnification and completely multi-coated optics. I also like the side parallax focus turret specifically because it makes it possible for you to dial to your intended target at a long range.

This Bushnell riflescope also boasts of its solid and strong structure, which is also 100 percent shockproof, fog-proof, and waterproof. It has a housing or casing, which is constructed in a way that it never loses its sturdiness. The built-in single-piece main tube guarantees enhanced recoil resistance.

Such is made possible without compromising the lightness of the riflescope. I like the included fast-focus eyepiece that also features knurled rings as this combination makes it more efficient and slip-free to focus. I also have nothing to say about its wide 50-mm objective lens because it works in delivering clear and bright pictures.

It does so even when targeting it on low-light conditions, such as when it is dusk or dawn. The external lens is also permanently coated with the water-repellent RAINGUARD HD coating, which keeps the riflescope fully protected from sleet, snow, and water.

Moreover, it has a 3.6-inch eye relief, which provides adequate space in obtaining a more convenient aim while preventing injuries related to recoil.

One issue, though, is that its crosshairs are thicker than what the majority of users prefer.

All in all, this scope continues to satisfy the majority of its users because apart from being affordable, it has plenty of amazing features that work well for a number of hunters.

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope

This budget-friendly riflescope from Bushnell features a variable magnification ranging from 4-12x, giving an assurance that it fits a variety of shooting distances. The variable magnification promised by this riflescope also makes it possible for the user to deliver unmatched flexibility when trying to hit your target.

I greatly appreciate its 40-mm objective lens since it creates clear and bright images that any user will find valuable. What is even more distinctive about this riflescope is that the objective lens is made to be adjustable, making it possible to do parallax correction. This leads to deadly accurate shots.

It has a pretty good eye relief of around 3.3 inches. This eye relief makes the riflescope appropriate for high-powered rifles, like the Remington 700. It even fits shotguns. Regardless of where you decide to pair this scope with, you will enjoy a good eye relief that prevents you from encountering injuries during your hunt.

Adjusting the elevation and windage is also easy with the included adjustment knobs. This Bushnell riflescope is also both fog-proof and waterproof, so you can rest assured knowing that you can use it whether it rains or shines.

However, it is quite heavy, which is its flaw.

You do not have to worry, though, because the weight of this scope does not make it unmanageable in any way. In fact, it has a build, which gives you a more convenient time using it for your hunting adventures while providing you with all the capabilities and features you most likely need.

Nikon M-308 SF 4-16x42mm Riflescope

Just like me, most of its users are greatly satisfied with its performance mainly because it is capable of delivering an enhanced light transmission. I can also vouch for the clarity and brightness of its images. Another pleasing benefit about this riflescope that I would like to share is that it guarantees speed and ease when it comes to focusing on your target.

It is due to the built-in eyepiece, which gives you the chance to focus it in your target within just a few seconds while still enjoying a long-range accuracy. I am also happy that the Nikon M-308 has the ability to remain zeroed in even during those instances when there is a heavy recoil.

It is sealed with an O-ring, too, which assures effective resistance against fog, moisture, and water, leading to clear visibility no matter what weather condition is. I am also one hundred percent content with the built-in multi-coated lens as it delivers clear and bright images through the enhanced light transmission.

I also find the adjustable side focus knob awesome because it simplifies the process of acquiring a sharp image of my target rapidly. Furthermore, it makes use of the famous Nikoplex duplex reticle, which supports the quick adjustment of elevation depending on the specific range to your intended target.

Mounting the scope is also very easy.

One possible problem, though, is that it is not that portable because you can’t disassemble it so you can store it economically while on transit.

Despite that, buying the Nikon M-308 is still an intelligent decision because it is constructed in a way that it can maximize the performance of your Remington 700 and .308 rifles.

What Makes a Great Remington 700 Scope?

The Remington Model 700 is chambered for a lot of different caliber ammunitions, like the .300 Win Mag, 7mm Remington Mag, .308 Winchester, and others. Officially, the maximum effective range of this rifle is 875 yards but there have been record shots taken from almost 1,000 yards away. You will need good long range scopes to make the most use of this sniper rifle.

If you are looking for the best scope for Remington 700, you must first take into consideration what you will be using it for. If you are thinking of using the Remington 700 as a hunting rifle, then you will need a hunting scope that has a variable magnification level of 4-14x. This will give you an excellent shot from medium range while still allowing long range shooting if needed.

If you will be using the rifle mainly for competition shooting or if you are adamant about beating the long distance record in your local shooting range, then you will need to use tactical scopes for 308 rifles. These kinds of scopes have magnifications of 6-24x and 50mm objective lenses, or bigger, and bullet drop compensation reticles that allow you to take shots well beyond 800 yards.

Whatever use you have in mind for your Remington 700, you can be sure that there are plenty of scopes on the market that you can choose from. If you are having trouble choosing, this buying guide will help you find the one that is the perfect fit for your needs.

What Magnification Do You Need?

The Remington 700 is primarily a sniper rifle, so you will need high-powered scopes to fully appreciate what it can do. However, the amount of magnification that you will need will still depend on what you will be using the rifle for.

For hunting, you will need a scope that is waterproof and fog-proof and has good light transmission. Basically, you will need a scope that can handle all weather conditions and has variable magnification of at least 4-14x. This will allow you to stalk your prey from a good distance and still get a kill shot. The 14x zoom will also allow you to take long range shots in case your target notices you and starts to flee.

If you will be taking your Remington 700 mostly down to your local firing range to work on your long distance shots, then tactical optics with a magnification of at least 6-14x will do you good.

If you are in the military or in the police force, a tactical scope with a magnification of 6-14x will also fit your needs nicely although 4-14x magnification can also work well since it will be quicker at getting a good sight picture.

There is no one best scope for the Remington model 700. There is just the best one for your particular needs, so take note of the characteristics you are looking for in an optical system and look for a scope that has all of the things that you need.

Factors to Consider when Buying a Scope for Remington 700

Because the Remington 700 is a long range sniper rifle, you will need a scope that is up to the challenge. To find a scope that will let you make full use of this rifle, here are the factors that you need to take into consideration:

Magnification

For a Remington 700, a magnification of 6-14x is already the most that you will ever need. In fact, even the military only uses scopes with a fixed 10 power on the M24 and M40 (the military editions of the Remington 700).

If you are looking to break the world record for the longest sniper shot using the Remington 700, which is 1,250 meters, do keep in mind that at that distance, the bullet dropped by more than 35 feet from the center of the crosshair. Unless you are a professional sniper, setting up for shots like that, which is basically aiming your rifle like you would a mortar shell, will be quite frustrating.

Scope Image

The most important part that contributes to a sharper scope image is the objective lens. Larger objective lenses will mean there will be additional light that gets into the scope, which then makes the image a whole lot sharper and more vivid. For the Remington 700, an objective lens size of at least 44mm is ideal.

The last ingredient of a good scope image is the lens coating. Lens coatings prevent glare by making the lenses less reflective but still allow a lot of light transmission.

There are four types of lens coating that you can get: coated (single external lens coated with one layer of film), fully coated (both external lenses coated with one layer of film), multi-coated (single external lens coated with multiple layers of film), and fully multi-coated (both external lenses are coated with multiple coats of film).

Of these, the best option is the fully multi-coated lenses. You can actually find scopes that let you see well even in low lighting conditions, which is great for when you will use your Remington 700 for hunting. Do not mistake this for night vision. These scopes just make the most use of the limited amount of ambient light to give a better view of the target.

Ruggedness and Durability – If you are using your rifle for hunting, then you need to pick scopes for the Remington 700 rifle that can work well in a variety of weather conditions and environments. The scope you get should be able to handle anything that Mother Nature can throw at it. It must be tough enough that it can take a couple of bumps and dings and yet still work as intended.

Your scope may be a precision tool but that does not mean you have to be delicate with it. The one that you get should at least be waterproof and fog-proof (the inside of the tube should be nitrogen filled and sealed using beefy O-rings) so that you can at least use it in the rain or during foggy mornings.

Mounts

The Remington 700, just like other bolt action rifles, can have a bit of a kick, so you need to mount your scope on a solid base that will not shift every time you take a shot, or else you will find yourself constantly zeroing in your scope after every shot.

If you are going to spend upwards of a hundred dollars on a scope, why would you want to stick it into a 5-dollar mount and ring? Do not be cheap with your scope mounts. Even when you change scopes, you will still be using the same mount anyway, so invest in a good scope mount and rings then you will not have any regrets later.

The scope rings that you get, whether these will be part of the mount base or separate pieces, should be made of high-quality materials. It is recommended that you go with steel but there are also high-strength aluminum options that are much lighter and almost as strong as steel.

For the scope base, the only real option here is steel. Bases made of aluminum tend to deform easily. It does not matter if you get a Weaver, a Picatinny, or any other base. As long as it fits your rifle and your scope then it is fine.

Reticle

All long range scopes will make use of reticles for long range shooting. These reticles are called BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) reticles. These range from the MRAD system used by the military and the police, the MOA reticle which is the choice of professional marksmen, to a variety of different reticles made by different companies. It is highly suggested that you try out as many of them as you can and stick with the one that you are most comfortable using.

Turrets

The turrets on top of the scope allows the user to make adjustments according to bullet drop and windage. There are many scopes that have fixed turrets, meaning you have to unscrew the caps and use a screwdriver to make adjustments. Tactical turrets allow you to make quick adjustments on the fly. You can also create charts of the amount of bullet drop you get according to range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What scope rings should I use for Remington 700?

You can use any brand of scope ring that you want when mounting a scope on your Remington 700 rifle. Just make sure that it can hold your scope securely and it fits on the scope base. In addition, you should check if your scope rings actually fit the scope and holds it tight even after firing a dozen or more shots.

It is recommended that you choose steel rings instead of aluminum ones as the latter tend to shake loose after several shots. If possible, get a single piece scope mount as it is a lot more rigid and will have a much lower profile than a separate scope ring and base setup.

How to mount a scope on a Remington 700?

Assuming you already purchased a scope, the next thing that you need to buy is a good scope base. Examine the receiver on your Remington 700. There should be holes that are already pre-drilled to accept a scope base. The scope base you buy should have holes that align perfectly with the ones on the receiver.

Some receivers also have grooves milled at the side where the scope mount can slide into it, thus making it more secure. Clean the rifle and the scope base thoroughly. After that, apply a bit of mineral oil on the receiver and the scope base. Doing this will prevent rust from forming in between these two pieces. If you do not have any mineral oil, you can use other kinds of light oils, even cooking oil, to prevent rust.

It is best to have a solid base to work on, so get your workbench vise. Put a clean rag in it and then clamp down your rifle. You can mount the scope without the vise and just hold it in your hands, but then again, using a vise will allow you to work with both of your hands.

Make sure that the holes in the scope base and the receiver are lined up perfectly. Before screwing down the base onto the receiver, place a drop of Loctite into each hole and then insert and tighten the screws. Doing this extra step will ensure that the scope will not get loose.

If the scope base and rings are in one piece, you can just take off the top of the rings and cradle the scope on the bottom part. If the rings are separate, attach the bottom parts of the rings onto the base and then tighten them down securely using screws and Loctite before placing the scope.

Before placing the top part of the rings, make sure that the reticle of the scope is aligned correctly. The vertical line of the reticle should be perpendicular to the barrel of the rifle. It is actually better if you first leveled the rifle on the vise beforehand so that you can just

Before you tighten the tops of the rings, you need to adjust the eye relief of the scope. The eyepiece should be as far away from your eye so that when the gun recoils, the scope will not hit your eye. Most riflescopes have eye reliefs of around 3-1/2” to 4”. The farther away the eye relief is, the safer it is to use.

Once you are happy with the orientation of the reticle, carefully replace the top part of the rings and slowly screw them in place gradually. Check the reticle from time to time to make sure that it does not go out of alignment.

Congratulations! You have just successfully mounted your first scope onto your Remington 700 rifle. Now, you can start zeroing in your scope to make it as accurate as you can make it.

Vortex Viper PST vs. HST

The Viper PST and HST are two very similar scopes from vortex. Aside from the price (the PST is a bit more expensive), the PST is intended for more precise long range shooting; hence, the name (Precision Shooting/Tactical). On the other hand, the HST is geared more towards hunting (Hunting Scope). This means that the PST has a wider range for adjusting parallax, windage and elevation. The HST also has larger adjustment stops, making the PST more accurate.

If you are planning on using your rifle primarily for hunting, then you just need to get the Vortex Viper HS-T. It will have all the functionality that you will need in a hunting scope and it is much more affordable than the PST. On the other hand, if you are thinking of joining the competitive target shooting scene, then the Vortex PST will be a worthwhile investment.

Simmons 8-Point 4-12x40mm Riflescope vs. Nikon Buckmasters II 4-12x40mm Riflescope

These two rifle scopes are very identical to each other. Both scopes provide bright sight pictures and have identical magnification ratios. However, the Simmons has fully coated lenses while the Nikon has fully multi-coated lenses, making it marginally better.

In terms of cost, the Simmons is a bit more expensive than the Nikon. However, Simmons is an American-owned and operated company, and their scopes are all made in the USA, which is why they have a more premium price tag.

Leupold Rifleman 4-12x 40mm Riflescope vs. Nikon ProStaff 4-12x 40mm Black Matte Riflescope

These two riflescopes are actually pretty identical when it comes to performance and features. Both scopes have excellent light transmission capabilities. The two also have excellent waterproofing and fog-proofing properties while being shock-proof, too.

However, these two are not completely identical. The Buckmasters II uses Nikon’s patented BDC reticle, which makes it easier to compute for bullet drop over long distances. The downside of this reticle is that it is not that easy to use for medium to close range as the circles use up a lot of space.

The Leupold, on the other hand, uses a tactical reticle, which is just a basic crosshair design but it is a design that has been tried and tested for many years. In addition, the tactical reticle is much easier to get used to and master.

In addition, Leupold is an entirely American company. The main headquarters and factory of the company is in the United States of America, which is a testament to its high-quality build and its premium price tag. However, that does not mean that the Nikon optics are cheaply made. In fact, they are just as tough. If you have money to spend, you can get the Leupold and support the American workers.

Conclusion

The Remington Model 700 is the most popular bolt action rifle ever since it came out in 1962. This rifle is also one of the most accurate long range rifles that you can get commercially. To get the most use of the rifle, you need to install the best scope for Remington 700 to go with it.

Sure, you can use the iron sights that already come preinstalled in the rifle. However, that is only accurate up to 100 yards or so. If you want to make shots beyond 500 yards then you need to use a good rifle scope so you can actually see what you are shooting at.

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