With a fine long distance sniper rifle like the Remington 700, it would be a shame not to have an excellent scope to complement the true potential of the gun.
Popular with both hunters and target shooters, the Remington 700 is a powerful and accurate rifle whose performance is further enhanced with a suitable scope.
Let’s check out the best scopes on the market for this gun and the top factors to keep in mind when shopping for a new scope.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Remington 700 Scopes
- OUR TOP PICK: Leupold Rifleman
- Nikon Buck Master II
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Bushnell Banner
Best Remington 700 Scopes Comparison Chart
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Is a Scope Needed on a Remington 700?
The Remington 700 is universally admired for its accuracy and has an effective range of 500-600 yards using factory ammo. The longest known shot made with a Remington 700 is 1250 yards, but shots of this specialty require customized parts and special ammo.
The true effective range will be dependent on the shooter’s capabilities and experience. However, hunting at a range of more than 300 yards is more challenging as your chances of wounding the target, and not making a clean kill, is dramatically increased. Given the conditions and the style in which you’re shooting, your effective range can certainly vary.
What is the Effective Range of Remington 700 Scope
The magnification of your scope will depend on your hunting and shooting requirements. Bigger is not always better. If you intend to take shots at targets around 500 yards away, then go for a more powerful scope that features 20x zoom. But for hunting in the woods or in a limited distance of around 150 yards, 1.5-5x magnification will do the job just fine.
What to Look For When Choosing a Scope
Here are the main qualities to look for in a scope.
Focal Planes
Let's start by learning about the various types of focal planes:
First Focal Plane (FFP)
There are two kinds of focal planes in rifle scopes. The first focal plane (FFP) reticles are increasing in popularity and many manufacturers are providing this option due to popular demand. FFP scopes have the reticle installed near the front of the erector tube, so the reticle increases in size when you zoom in on your target.
FFP reticle scopes are an excellent choice for tactical and long range shooters as they provide constant Mil/MOA values throughout the entire power range of the scope. This allows for more flexibility in different shooting situations and can serve as a great benefit.
Second Focal Plane (SFP)
The second option is the Second Focal Plane (SFP) scope. Unlike FFP reticles, the reticle size does not change with magnification. These are commonly known among shooters and recognized for being reliable and of high quality given the right brand.
Objective Lens
The objective lens gathers light and enhances vision under low-light conditions. The last number in the scope’s description indicates the objective size. For example, a scope with the designation of 5.5-22x56mm has a 56mm objective.
When it comes down to selecting an objective lens, you should choose the biggest objective you can afford. If possible, one that is at least 50mm is preferred. Do keep in mind that the size will affect your sight picture.
Reticle
Reticles are available in many options; however, we recommend keeping things simple. A standard duplex will work well at ranges under 300 yards, while a bullet drop compensator may be better suited when shooting at smaller ranges, given it’s used with proper ammo.
A mil-dot or MOA-dot reticle is also great under these conditions. Be sure to remember that illuminated reticles used in the dark can washout your target, diminishing your natural night vision.
Durability
The best scopes are built to last, hold up to rugged use, and will not damage easily compared to low-end models. A good scope should be able to handle heavy recoil without becoming damaged and be unaffected traveling on an airplane.
Some scopes can be damaged when put to the test against air pressure changes, ultimately altering the scope’s optics. If you’re looking for durability, go with a lighter, less complicated scope. As a good rule of thumb, the smaller and lighter the scope, the less force it’s subjected to.
Waterproof/Fog Proof
Modern scopes come with lens coatings and are designed to withstand tough weather conditions like rain, snow or fog. If you know you’ll be hunting or shooting in extreme weather conditions, this may be a top aspect to keep in mind while reviewing the scopes on our list.
Review of the Best Remington 700 Scopes
The following is a list of the five best Remington 700 scopes that are available on the market. While going through each one, please be sure to take note of any features and characteristics that might match the description of your ideal scope. Once you find one that is considered “close enough”, you can consider it a winning choice for yourself.
Here’s our round-up of the best scopes for the Remington 700, based on durability, optics, functionalities, and features. Additionally, we’ve outlined some basic pros and cons for each model. Here is the first Remington 700 scope we’ll be looking at:
Best Overall:
Nikon Prostaff
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
If there is one thing that new buyers of this product were quite happy with, it was the image quality. That is one of the things that Nikon scopes like this excel at. Buyers reported seeing excellent image quality along with a BDC reticle that allowed for quick target acquisition and the ability to hit numerous targets from 300 to 600 yards out. One user even said that this came through for him in the clutch during a recent deer hunting trip where he landed an 8 pointer.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This scope is known for being one of the best all-around scopes out there. It’s not only got excellent image picture quality, but it also has the ability to give you precise, accurate shooting each time you fire off your Remington 700 rifle. The adjustments it comes with are the usual windage and elevation adjustments that you can make on the fly if the shot seems a little off. Finally, the scope itself is made from high-quality aluminum that will protect it against shock, water, fog, and nasty weather.
The Nikon brand is well-known for their high quality optics. The Prostaff scope series comes with a sunshade, adaptable eyepiece, zero-reset turrets, and is nitrogen filled and O-ring sealed. The lenses are waterproof and fog-proof, and feature multi-coated optics.
This scope offers users several control options, including hand-turn reticle adjustments and a quick focus eyepiece.
Who Will Use This Most
Hunters will likely benefit from this scope, especially when they are in search of superior accuracy and excellent all-around quality. You won’t have a problem with this if you want a long-lasting scope that will give you mindblowing image quality each time you look through it. If that’s what you’re looking for, that’s what you’ll get and more.
Bottom Line
The Nikon Prostaff will probably be the go-to scope for many Remington 700 users that hunt. Whether you are hunting small game or large game, this scope will definitely be the best hunting buddy you’ll have for its superior accuracy and its ability to deliver top-notch quality images.
Runner-up:
Leupold Rifleman
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most new buyers were seriously impressed with the overall durability of this scope. They were able to install it and zero it in quite quickly. For most shooters, they were using this for the purpose of target shooting and hunting. One user said that he attached this on his rifle for the purpose of testing it out for another rifle, but decided to keep it on his Remington 700 after being able to hit the bullseye and near it from about 400 yards out.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Leupold brand is known for making one of the most durable scopes in the business. Though they are considered a higher-end brand, they live up to (or even exceed) user expectations in what they look for in a scope. Aside from the durability, this Leupold scope also boasts top-notch reliability, making it a really useful scope in the applications that matter most. So if you want to land a whitetail deer in nasty weather, you will likely pull off a good clean kill shot without the environmental elements hindering your scope’s vision.
Leupold makes some of the finest scopes on the market and their Rifleman series is reliable and rugged. Made from 6061-T6 Aircraft Quality Aluminum, this nitrogen-filled scope has both Classic and Standard lockable eyepieces and a Ballistic aiming system. The scope has a micro friction ½ MOA reticle and a standard power selector. The lens is fully coated and the scope is constructed with a 3:1 zoom ratio.
Who Will Use This Most
This scope will be a great general purpose scope. In other words, it will be useful for pretty much any application that makes a Remington 700 scope usable. If durability and reliability are your top two needs, this scope will easily meet them. Plus, it has the potential to last you years or even decades. If you’re looking for the last scope you’ll ever buy for a while, this could very well be it.
Bottom Line
This Leupold scope (or any truly high-quality scope for that matter) doesn’t come cheap. But if you want to pay a good amount of money for a scope that works, this Leupold Rifleman scope just might fit the bill. It’s rugged, provides excellent image quality, and makes your shooting ability a lot sharper.
Best for the Money:
Nikon Buck Master II
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, a lot of new users were blown away by the image quality provided by this scope. Aside from that, they were also seriously impressed with the quick target acquisition they were able to get out of this. Most users were hunters that typically were out and about from dawn until dusk. Those who were hunting in low-light conditions said they were able to see through this scope with ease and recognize their targets even with just enough light in their surrounding environment.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Nikon Buckmaster scope has a large objective that can cover a good amount of land. Once you look through it, you’ll notice that the image size is probably a lot larger than some of the scopes you’ve looked through in the past. You can definitely give this bad boy a long time of faithful service if you are in the market for a hunting scope that will be great in quality while delivering accurate and dependable shooting from well over 100 yards or more away.
The Nikon Buckmaster is a trusted and renowned rifle scope among hunters. The Buckmaster II comes with an extremely bright sight system and a fully coated optical system.
The generous eye relief and 100-yard parallax setting make this scope an excellent option for deer hunting. It uses hand-turn click adjustments for focusing on your target and dialing in your sights. This scope is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be the perfect deer hunting scope for those who use their Remington 700 scope for that very purpose. You’d be hard-pressed to find a scope that has such excellent image quality, while also featuring superior precision, incredible accuracy, and easy adjustments to ensure that every shot you fire is on point. If you want to make every hunting trip a success, you’ll need a scope that won’t disappoint you when you head out to the field. This Nikon scope will exactly be what you’ll need if you hold a high importance to accuracy, reliability, and high quality.
Bottom Line
The Nikon Buckmaster II will probably be the go-to scope of choice for scores of deer hunters. And make no mistake about it, this scope is the real deal. It’s durable, crystal clear, and can deliver sharp shooting like nothing else on the market. If you want a hunting scope that will not disappoint, this Nikon Buckmaster will certainly exceed your expectations.
4. Bushnell Banner
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Many new buyers were satisfied with this scope. One of their favorite things about it was its ability to gather in so much light that they could see through it even when there was little daylight to work with. One user said that when he looked through it at dawn, he was able to see the treelines and some small animals roam around. Most of the users were using this scope with the intent to knock down targets that were situated 100 yards away or more.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Bushnell is a great brand for those who want reliability and accuracy in their scopes. And that’s exactly what they’ll get. Especially for those who want a scope that can be useful and allow clear image quality in both low-light and in broad daylight conditions. This scope in particular proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that it can work to give you better shot opportunities and quicker target acquisition, regardless of how much light you’re working with.
Banner scopes have Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) and multi-coated lenses, which give great clarity in low light conditions. This feature offers great value during dawn and dusk when vision is limited. All Banner scopes are 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shock resistant.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be an excellent scope for deer hunters and even the shooters who like to spend time at the range (or alternatively a dirt pit in the woods) and shoot targets, glass bottles, cans, and what have you. It’s a scope that will hold itself to a higher standard when it comes to overall reliability. If you want a scope that will make your targets visible regardless of how much light you have to work with, this scope might just be your cup of coffee.
Bottom Line
The Bushnell Banner will definitely give other scopes a run for their money when it comes to reliability. It will certainly be a favorite among hunters and target shooters alike. It can help you deliver the accurate, precise shots you want from your Remington 700 rifle. No other scope can match the reliability of this Bushnell scope.
5. Vortex Viper PST
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers expressed satisfaction with the overall quality of this scope. They said that it was solid and able to protect their zero settings from shock associated with recoil. Furthermore, they were able to hit their shots accurately from 200 to 300 yards out without any issues. One user said that he uses this as a multi-purpose scope, with his primary application being hunting. Overall, the adjustments were easy and can be done on the fly when needed.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Vortex Optics is a brand that has stood out as one of the best in terms of durability. If you cannot afford a Leupold scope, don’t despair. This scope in particular is not only one of the most durable, thanks to the high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum, but it’s also got pretty clear image quality that just might give Nikon a run for its money. The solid reticle will make sure that every target within your scope's line of sight will be locked down for the kill shot. This scope is a hunter’s dream, and you really don’t want to settle for anything less than this.
The Viper PST Gen II scope is made from anodized aluminum, and has a glass-etched reticle with detailed holdover points. The max magnification is 25, while the minimum magnification is 5, and the objective size is 50mm.
Laser etched elevation and windage adjustment graduations are easy to read, and the illumination adjustment dial is integrated into the side focus knob for easy access and smooth performance.
The matte-black SFP scope has 10 illumination levels, an EBR-4 MOA reticle, and weighs in at 31.20 oz. Users can easily calibrate the scope with 70 MOA elevation, 35 MOA windage adjustments, and a patented RZR zero stop to return the calibration to zero.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for the perfect multi-purpose scope that will get the job done when it comes to hunting or target shooting, this scope will be a worthy candidate for your choosing. If durability and reliability are your top two priorities, then there is no need to think any further. The Vortex Optics Viper is indeed one of the total package deals that you can get in a scope.
Bottom Line
The Vortex Optics Viper is one of the most durable and reliable scopes on the market for many applications. As you long as you take good care of your rifle, this scope will certainly give you a good amount of loyal and faithful service, no matter what you use it for. No amounts of shock, bad weather, or fog will slow this scope down.
Benefits of Investing in a Quality Scope For a Remington 700
A scope for your Remington 700 definitely a must. In fact, we recommend that you get one for any given application. Here are a few benefits that you’ll get to enjoy should you choose a scope of your own:
Better Accuracy
Of course, this is one of the chief reasons why a scope is important. You want something that can go the distance in any given application. So, it would be obvious if you went with a scope that will allow you to reach out and touch something that is situated from certain distances. It can be as far out as 300 to even 900 yards. Either way, the ball is definitely in your court.
Better Hit Probability
Want to hit more bullseyes? Are you looking to get more quick and easy kill shots? If you answered yes to either question or both, then it’s clearly obvious that you need a scope. You’ll know for a fact that such scopes will be able to give you a good chance at hitting your targets with pinpoint accuracy. Almost any reticle will have crosshairs that will allow you to make your shooting as sharp and precise as possible. If you know where to point, your shots will go there.
You Can Reach Just About Any Good Distance
As mentioned, you can reach significant distances with a good scope. You can hit a target from 300 yards out or go out much farther (with a potential maximum of 900 yards). So ideally, you get to choose any scope that will serve you for the long run provided you know how far out you really want to go with it. Be sure to pay attention to the customer reviews and take note of how far those users were able to go with the scope they chose.
Conclusion
Whether you’re sniping, hunting, or target shooting, there is a scope out there to perfectly match your Remington 700. To get the most out of your scope, consider the magnification, reticles, durability, and coatings of the scope.
Also, keep in mind that the more features the scope offers, the more delicate it is in terms of recoil impact. So in the case of robust scopes, less is more!
Looking for more? Read our Remington 700 Scope Mount buyers guide here!
