The best scope for Remington 700 needs to match one of the most versatile bolt action platforms ever built, a rifle chambered in everything from compact short action cartridges to genuine magnum long range rounds, and produced in configurations ranging from a lightweight mountain hunting rifle to a dedicated tactical precision build.
That range means the right scope depends heavily on your specific 700 and how you use it, though most owners land somewhere between a solid general purpose hunting scope and a genuine long range optic.
Our top pick for most Remington 700 owners is the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×50, a proven general hunting scope with strong low light performance that suits both short and long action rifles across the majority of hunting scenarios.
Best Scopes for Remington 700 Comparison
| Image | Name | Key Features | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×50 | Illuminated FireDot reticle, strong low light performance | Check Price |
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Vortex Viper 6.5-20×50 | High magnification, well suited to long range plains hunting | Check Price |
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Vortex Diamondback 4-16×44 | First focal plane, MRAD etched reticle, precision adjustments | Check Price |
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Bushnell Elite Tactical 4.5-30×50 | Extreme long range capability, 33mm tube | Check Price |
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Leupold Rifleman 3-9×40 | Budget friendly, domestic manufacturing, genuine value | Check Price |
Each scope here fits a different Remington 700 configuration and use case, from general hunting through dedicated long range precision work. Here is what sets each one apart.
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×50 – Best Overall
The Leupold VX-Freedom earns the top spot for most 700 owners with a genuinely well rounded feature set, an illuminated FireDot reticle for fast, precise aiming in variable light, and strong low light performance from the 50mm objective that genuinely helps during the dawn and dusk hours prime hunting time typically happens. Aircraft grade aluminum construction and Leupold’s trusted reliability suit both short and long action Remington 700 configurations equally well.
The 3-9x magnification range covers the vast majority of realistic hunting distances a 700 owner actually encounters, making this a genuinely safe, versatile choice regardless of your specific rifle configuration.
Key Features
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 3-9x |
| Objective | 50mm |
| Reticle | Illuminated FireDot |
Pros
- Genuinely strong low light performance from the 50mm objective
- Illuminated FireDot reticle for fast, precise aiming
- Suits both short and long action 700 configurations
Cons
- 9x maximum magnification limits use for dedicated long range work
For most Remington 700 hunters this is the scope to check first.
2) Vortex Viper 6.5-20×50 – Best for Long Range Plains Hunting
The Vortex Viper suits a 700 owner running a long action rifle chambered in a genuine long range cartridge, with a 6.5-20x magnification range that reaches out considerably further than a standard hunting scope, well matched to open plains hunting where shots can present themselves at extended distance. The 30mm tube adds meaningful elevation adjustment range over a standard 1 inch tube design.
For a 700 chambered in something like .25-06 or a similar flat shooting long action cartridge used in open western terrain, this scope’s extended magnification genuinely earns its place.
Key Features
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 6.5-20x |
| Objective | 50mm |
| Tube diameter | 30mm |
Pros
- Genuinely strong extended range capability for open country hunting
- 30mm tube adds meaningful elevation adjustment
- Well matched to long action, flat shooting cartridges
Cons
- Second focal plane reticle reads accurately only at maximum magnification
Western and open country hunters running a long action 700 should check this scope out.
3) Vortex Diamondback 4-16×44 – Best for Tactical Precision Builds
The Vortex Diamondback brings genuine first focal plane accuracy and an MRAD etched reticle to a 700 owner running a tactical or precision configured rifle, keeping holdover references accurate at any magnification, a real requirement for dialed or held long range shots. The 30mm tube supports the precise adjustments extended range work demands.
For a 700 built out as a precision rifle rather than a traditional hunting build, this scope’s tactical feature set genuinely matches the platform’s intended use.
Key Features
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 4-16x |
| Tube diameter | 30mm |
| Reticle | First focal plane, MRAD etched |
Pros
- Genuinely accurate first focal plane holdover at any magnification
- Precise adjustments suit dialed long range shooting
- Strong value for a tactical style scope
Cons
- Less suited to a traditional lightweight hunting build
Read our full Vortex Diamondback Tactical review for a deeper look at this scope.
4) Bushnell Elite Tactical 4.5-30×50 – Best for Extreme Long Range
The Bushnell Elite Tactical is built for a 700 owner genuinely pushing the rifle toward extreme long range work, past a mile according to its own sniper grade positioning, with a 33mm tube that provides substantially more elevation travel than a standard 30mm design and MRAD subtensions built for serious dialed precision. This is a scope for a dedicated tactical or specialized long range rifle build, not a general hunting setup.
The wide 4.5-30x magnification range and large 50mm objective support both the reach and light gathering this kind of extreme distance shooting requires.
Key Features
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 4.5-30x |
| Tube diameter | 33mm |
| Reticle | MRAD subtensions |
Pros
- Genuinely built for extreme long range precision work
- 33mm tube provides substantial elevation travel
- Wide magnification range suits serious distance shooting
Cons
- Overkill and unnecessarily heavy for a general hunting 700
Shooters building a dedicated long range 700 should give this scope serious consideration.
5) Leupold Rifleman 3-9×40 – Best Budget Pick
The Leupold Rifleman proves a genuinely trustworthy Leupold scope does not need to break the budget, delivering a simple duplex crosshair, capped turrets and domestic manufacturing at a price around $269, a fraction of the flagship VX lines. For a 700 owner equipping a second rifle or getting into hunting without a large optics budget, this scope removes glass quality as a real concern.
The straightforward 3-9×40 configuration works on essentially any Model 700 variant, from a compact youth model to a standard hunting build.
Key Features
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 3-9x |
| Objective | 40mm |
| Reticle | Duplex |
Pros
- Genuinely trustworthy Leupold quality at a budget price
- Domestic manufacturing
- Works on any Model 700 variant
Cons
- No illumination or advanced reticle features
Budget conscious 700 owners should give this scope a close look.
What to Look For in a Scope for Remington 700
Your specific 700 configuration matters more than any general rule here. A lightweight mountain or backcountry hunting rifle benefits from a compact, lower power scope that keeps overall rifle weight down, while a tactical or precision configured 700 rewards a first focal plane reticle and real elevation adjustment range for dialed long range shots.
Cartridge and action length also shape the right choice. A short action 700 in a moderate cartridge suits a standard 3-9x or 4-16x hunting scope well, while a long action 700 in a genuine long range cartridge benefits from higher magnification and the elevation travel to match.
Tube diameter affects both elevation range and weight. A standard 1 inch or 30mm tube suits most hunting applications, while a 34mm or 33mm tube adds meaningful elevation travel for dedicated long range work at the cost of additional weight and the need for correctly sized rings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best all around scope for a Remington 700?
A 3-9x scope with a 40mm to 50mm objective, like the Leupold VX-Freedom, suits the widest range of hunting scenarios across most 700 configurations and cartridges.
Do I need a first focal plane scope for my 700?
It matters most if you plan to dial or hold over at extended range past 500 or 600 yards. For general hunting inside typical ethical ranges, a second focal plane scope works just as well and often costs less.
What scope suits a long range 700 build best?
A scope with high magnification, a 30mm or larger tube for elevation range, and a first focal plane reticle, like the Vortex Diamondback or Bushnell Elite Tactical, suits a dedicated long range or tactical 700 configuration.
Can I use the same scope on any Remington 700 variant?
Most standard scopes work across 700 variants, though very heavy tactical scopes can feel disproportionate on a lightweight mountain rifle, and a compact hunting scope may leave capability on the table for a dedicated long range build.
Conclusion
The best scope for Remington 700 depends on which of this platform’s many configurations you actually own and how you use it.
The Leupold VX-Freedom earns our top recommendation as a genuinely versatile general hunting choice, the Vortex Viper suits open country long range hunting, the Vortex Diamondback fits a tactical precision build, the Bushnell Elite Tactical serves dedicated extreme long range work, and the Leupold Rifleman delivers trustworthy performance on a real budget.
Match your scope to your specific 700’s role rather than defaulting to the most expensive option.
See Also: 5 Best Scopes for AR-15
I’m Jake, a dedicated shooter and hunter who has spent years testing rifles, scopes, and gear in the field. I write from real experience, sharing what truly works, not what’s trendy. My goal is to give you honest, practical insights that help you make the right choices for your adventures and pursuits.
