The 700 has always been a favorite of hunters. With some great features and a non-jamming chamber, the 700 is an easy choice to everyone who wants to start hunting professionally or as a hobby.
While you can do many upgrades to your Remington 700, some of those upgrades have more importance than others. One of them is the scope. Without a scope, you lose most of the potential of this gun. Your iron sight can only take you so far.
And this is where most folks become a bit confused. After all, this long-range rifle can complement most scopes out there. Finding one best among them is a bit hard to ask. Don’t worry, I’m here to help you with that problem. With that said, let’s find out some of the best scopes for the Remington 700 the market has to offer.
How Do You Choose A Scope For Remington 700?
I know what you are thinking. This guy just made me even more confused than I already was! Well, what can I say, I’m known for creating a bit of chaos. Jokes aside, the decision making won’t be as hard as your brain is making it. Here, let me help you out on that.
You can categorize the decision making with a couple of steps. The first step is choosing the magnification. You will need to decide on how much magnification you want from the scope and do you even need that much magnification or not.
The second step will be finding out your passion. Whether you are a hunter or a tactical shooter or just shoot for fun. If you are a hunter, then go for a scope that caters to your needs. But if you are casual, then go for the ones that float your boat.
The last step is the crucial one in my opinion. The budget. You will need to find out how much you are willing to spend on the scope. A couple of hundred? Done. A couple of thousand? Also done. You just need to make a mental bracket of how much you are willing to spend. And go according to that limit.
1. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope
When it comes to making the best bang for the buck, Leupold is one of the best in the business. Their VX-Freedom series are some of the best budget scopes on the market. This one, here the Mark 5 HD is a flagship offering from them. It’s not cheap by any means, but it’s one of those few expensive scopes that you can say is worth it.
The scope is constructed from high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum. It’s the same type of aluminum Zeiss uses in their Conquest series. It’s light, durable, and extremely rigid. The inside of the tube is purged with chemicals to make it immune to all kinds of moisture attacks.
The lenses are sealed with O-rings as well. Making the scope completely waterproof.
Speaking of lenses, the lenses here are fully multi-coated. When you add in the Leupold Twilight light management system, this thing is invincible! The low-light performance of this scope is in a different league.
On top of that, if you pick the Illuminated reticle, you are set for big-game hunting even. The reticle is also in the first focal plane with a 3:1 zoom ratio. Overall, the performance alone of this scope seals the deal for me.
What kind of mounting ring do I need for it?
You would require a pair of 35mm scope rings. The main tube diameter of this scope is 35mm. You can opt for the Mark 4 35mm rings made by Leupold themselves.
Is this made for sports or hunting?
Why not both? It’s suited for both of these shooting styles. Whether you just want a powerful scope or you want to hunt with it as well, that’s up to you to decide.
Is there any warranty included in the package?
Yes, there is. Leupold offers lifetime guarantees with their products. The Mark 5HD is no different. It is also equipped with the same warranty.
2. NIGHTFORCE SHV 5-20x56mm Zeroset .250 MOA Scope
This is not a night vision scope. I know right? Imagine my shock when I found out a brand named Nightforce with night in their name, didn’t make night vision! Jokes aside, Nightforce is not a new company. They have been operating in the USA since 1992.
While this scope is not as expensive as the ATACR, this is not a cheap offering either. But with a build quality like this, it definitely earned its place in that price bracket. The scope is made through CNC machining with a billet of aircraft-grade aluminum. The aluminum used here is expensive and durable. Two things that can raise the price off the roof.
The lenses involved in this optics are processed through several layers of chemicals. Making it fully multi-coated and crystal clear at day time. Even during the dusk, you will have plenty of light to work with.
As the scope is shockproof, the turrets don’t move around. They stay firm and keep your adjustment in place. I would highly recommend you to get the illuminated reticle. It doesn’t have light bleed and definitely helps in a poorly lit environment.
Does it come with any mounting accessories?
No, it doesn’t. But it has a standard 30mm tube. Even Warne Scope Rings will work fine on this.
Where was this scope made?
Just like all the other Nightforce scopes, this one was also made in the USA. No, Nightforce is not made in China. They already debunked that rumor.
What kind of warranty will I get with this scope?
The SHV series is under a limited lifetime transferable warranty. Doesn’t matter if you are the first or the second owner, you will get a warranty within that limited period.
3. Vortex Optics Viper PST 5-25×50 Gen II FFP Riflescope
I always had a soft spot for the Viper series. It’s one of those scopes that knocks a flagship punch for a not so flagship pricing. The scope is available with tons of different reticles and magnification. Obviously, depending on what magnification you opt for, you will need to pay more.
The scope is made out of extremely high-quality aluminum. The aluminum tube is 30mm. The inside of the tube is purged with argon. Argon purging has a similar effect as nitrogen purging. Both of their tasks are to eliminate internal moisture from the machining and make it impossible for the internal mechanism to be clouded with fog.
Vortex makes some of the best lenses on the planet. Their lenses are so good, that even other brands take glass and coated lenses from them.
The lenses are, of course, fully multi-coated. While they are not scratch proof, they are quite resistant to regular nail scratches and the like. With an FFP reticle and maximum of 25x magnification, it’s one of the best big-game hunting rifle scopes for the money.
What kind of rings do I need for it?
You would need a pair of 30mm mounting rings. Depending on how much you want to spend, I would suggest you go based on that. My recommendation would be to go with the Vortex Pro Series Ring.
Where is this scope made?
The Viper PST Gen II is made in the Philippines. A lot of Vortex scopes are made in the Philippines. QC is top tier, don’t worry about that.
Will I get any warranty on this?
Yes, you will. Vortex believes in customer service over everything. They are offering an unconditional lifetime warranty with no questions asked policy. Don’t worry, Vortex got your back for a very long time.
4. Swarovski Z3 4-12×50 BT Rifle Scope
When it comes to hunting scopes, Swarovski will always be one of the first choices among hunters. That includes newbies and veterans alike. Swarovski was founded in 1949 in Absam, Austria. It’s been over 70 years since the company first started. When it comes to performance, Swarovski tries their best to provide the best value.
The scope is made from aircraft-grade aluminum. The aluminum is also purged and it comes with ¼” click turrets. The turrets are placed in such a manner that makes sure it doesn’t move from recoil and mess up your adjustments.
Even if you take out the scope from the gun and then place it after a couple of months, the adjustments will be the same as you left it.
The lenses on this optic are extremely clear. They are on par and in some cases better than most competition in the same price bracket.
As this scope was made for hunters, they kept the low-light performance in mind and made sure the scope didn’t struggle to hunt during dusk. So, you have a weapon that can hunt and a scope that can hunt the entire day, you can see my point.
Is the reticle too hard to understand?
No, it’s not hard at all. The reticle is a standard Plex that you might have seen in some other scopes already. It won’t take more than a day to get adjusted to.
Is there any turret deviation present on this scope?
No, there is not. It’s a zero stop turret that will keep its configured adjustment for as long as you want it to.
Is this scope made in Austria?
Yes, it is. All of the Swarovski scopes are made in Austria. Yes, I’m aware of resellers saying the origin country is the USA, but the scope isn’t manufactured here. It’s sold here.
5. Trijicon Huron 3-12×40 Hunting Riflescope
The Huron series from Trijicon is a lineup of scopes with tons of different reticles to choose from. On top of that, you also have the option to choose among multiple magnifications. As always, I will highly encourage you to go with the maximum magnification for the Remington 700. The gun is capable of utilizing 12x magnification with ease.
The scope is made out of high-quality aluminum. The density of the aluminum is thick enough to prevent any sort of destruction to the internals. And a great part of that is the scope is not even that heavy.
Even if you add in an expensive pair of rings with pretty heft among them, the weight of the package will be very minimal. As for the internals, it’s purged with nitrogen to make it immune to any kind of fogging.
The lenses are fully multi-coated to provide clarity throughout the lens. They are great for light transmission. That includes low-light performance as well. The 40mm objective lens is a huge getaway to hoard a lot of sunlight and work around it. Throughout the day, you will not face any issues regarding light management or glare from the light.
Which reticle is the best for this scope?
Well, my friend, that I can’t say. I’ve always left the reticle decision to the user and I always will do the same. Consider the reticle like a pair of shoes, I like Nike, but that doesn’t mean you will too. So, stick with the reticle that caters to your needs.
What kind of rings will be the best for this?
As it’s a standard 30mm scope tube, you can easily find tons of different rings for it. You can try the Vortex Pro Series Ring. They are fabulous for the money.
What kind of warranty does Trijicon offer?
To quote Trijicon themselves, “If a product has the Trijicon logo on it, then it’s built to work flawlessly”. But if your unit has some unforeseeable issues, then Trijicon will take care of you for a lifetime. You are in good hands.
6. Monstrum G2 6-24×50 FFP Rifle Scope
I can understand if the name Monstrum seems foreign to you, cause they are not the most popular among hunters like Burris for example. But they have gained their fair share of the crowd over the years. All deserving of it as well. The G2 is an FFP reticle scope made for hunters that hunt mostly long-range.
With a maximum magnification of 24x, this behemoth of scope already comes with a pair of mounting rings included as a gift from Monstrum. Don’t worry, they are not some cheap rings that won’t hold zero. Once you set it up, it’s not going anywhere.
The lenses on this scope are fully multi-coated. They are crystal clear throughout the entire day. The low-light performance could have been slightly better, but the illuminated reticle makes it more than favorable in a low-light environment.
Overall, the hunting experience with the FFP reticle on this scope is on a league of its own.
Are the included rings any good?
Yes, they are. They are rated to be shock-resistant and they can and will hold zero of your scope for a long time.
Is this a good scope for airsoft rifles?
It can work with an airsoft rifle, yes. And you will have a great time with it as well. But it’s main purpose is hunting.
Where is this scope made?
While Monstrum itself is from the USA, they manufacture their scopes in China and then import them to the USA for QC inspection. So, the scope is made in China.
7. UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope
Last but not least, dirt cheap scopes for all the beginners out there. When you are just starting out and got your hands on a Remington 700, it’s understandable that you don’t want to spend too much money on a scope. What do you do then? You buy the UTG scope. UTG is a sub-brand of Leapers. And you all know how good Leapers is in the industry.
The scope is not made out of plastic. It’s made out of durable aluminum. As the name suggests, the tube of the scope is 30mm. The standard size tube.
On top of that, the scope comes with a pair of medium-height scope rings. While they are not the best rings on the market, they certainly get the job done.
The lenses of this scope are emerald coated. And it was coated multiple times with layers of chemicals. Making the scope lens durable, scratch-resistant, and clearer. The clarity of this lens for the price is unmatched. You cannot do nighttime shooting with it, but you can hunt during the dusk.
Where is this scope made?
Leapers scopes are made in the USA. The UTG banner of Leapers is also from the USA and overseas. This one is from overseas. It arrives in the USA from China.
Conclusion
Leapers scopes are made in the USA. The UTG banner of Leapers is also from the USA and overseas. This one is from overseas. It arrives in the USA from China.