The Remington 700 VTR was built for a specific kind of shooting: deliberate, accurate, and at distances where most standard deer rifles are already at their limit. The triangular barrel cross section is an engineering decision that increases stiffness while reducing weight compared to a bull barrel, and it means this rifle can hold a group at 400 yards that most hunting rifles cannot match at 250. The scope you put on it should be capable of using that precision, not limiting it.
The .308 Winchester in the VTR platform extends practical varmint accuracy to 500 yards on a calm day and 350 yards in a moderate crosswind. For deer, the cartridge is capable well past 400 yards, but the more important factor is that the VTR’s accuracy lets you call your shot with confidence rather than hoping. That level of precision requires at minimum 16x magnification, adjustable parallax, and a reticle that gives you precise hold points in the field.
The seven scopes below were selected for the VTR’s dual purpose nature: a rifle used for precision varmint work in the off season and big game hunting in the fall. Glass quality, magnification range, and reticle utility in field conditions drove every selection.
Top Picks at a Glance
- Vortex Viper HS 6-24×50 – Best Overall
- Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 – Best Premium Option
- Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24×50 – Best Budget Precision
- Leupold VX-3HD 6.5-20×50 – Best for Deer Hunting
- Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E 3-18×44 – Best Glass
- Primary Arms SLx 6-24×50 FFP – Best Value FFP
- Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×44 – Best Dual Purpose
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| Vortex Viper HS 6-24×50 | Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 | Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24×50 | Leupold VX-3HD 6.5-20×50 | Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E 3-18×44 | Primary Arms SLx 6-24×50 FFP | Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×44 | |
| Magnification | 6-24x | 5-20x | 6-24x | 6.5-20x | 3-18x | 6-24x | 4-16x |
| Objective | 50mm | 56mm | 50mm | 50mm | 44mm | 50mm | 44mm |
| Eye Relief | 3.6 in | 3.5 in | 3.5 in | 3.6 in | 3.7 in | 3.5 in | 3.5 in |
| Glass Tier | XD | Premium | Standard | HD | APO | MHD | Standard+ |
| Weight | 22.4 oz | 29.5 oz | 22.5 oz | 23.3 oz | 23.3 oz | 30.5 oz | 17.9 oz |
| Reticle | MOA / Dead-Hold | MIL-R | EBR-2C FFP | TMR / CDS | EBR-7C FFP | ACSS Athena FFP | G2H BDC |
| Parallax | Adjustable | Adjustable | Adjustable | Adjustable | Adjustable | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Warranty | VIP Lifetime | Limited | VIP Lifetime | Lifetime | VIP Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Low Light Rating | Excellent | Best | Adequate | Excellent | Best | Good | Adequate |
| Best Terrain | Open country | Open country | Open country | Open country | All terrain | Open country | Mixed |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
1. Vortex Viper HS 6-24×50 – Best Overall
The 6-24×50 Viper HS was designed for this class of rifle and this class of shooting. The 6x minimum is wide enough for a close deer shot in mixed terrain. The 24x maximum resolves a prairie dog at 400 yards and a mule deer buck at 500 yards enough to count tines and make a shot quality decision.
Adjustable parallax is essential on a precision scope and essential on the VTR, which will expose any parallax error at 24x at 300 yards in a way a standard hunting scope never will.
XD glass at 24x at 400 yards gives you a resolution level that shows the difference between a legal buck and a doe without the hesitation that standard glass creates. In September morning light in open country, the Viper HS is sharp from the first minute of legal shooting light.
The MOA reticle paired with 1/4 MOA turrets gives you a dialing system that is accurate enough to use the VTR’s mechanical precision. At 500 yards, a 1/4 MOA error is 1.3 inches. That is within the rifle’s capability and the scope keeps up.
At 24x, mirage is a factor on warm afternoons during varmint season. Experienced precision shooters dial back to 16x to 18x on warm days when mirage is bending the image. The Viper HS’s magnification range gives you enough room to manage that.
The Viper HS 6-24×50 is the correct scope for the Remington 700 VTR in .308 for most hunters. It matches the rifle’s mechanical precision without requiring a scope investment that exceeds the rifle’s price. For a hunter using the VTR for deer in fall and varmints in the off season, this scope handles both roles well. Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- XD glass outperforms standard tier in the low light windows that define hunting
- 6-24x range covers close shots at deer and extreme precision on varmints at distance
- Adjustable parallax holds clean at all hunting and varmint distances
- 1/4 MOA turrets match the VTR’s mechanical accuracy for precise field corrections
- 50mm objective maximizes light gathering for dawn and dusk shooting
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- 22.4 ounces adds meaningful weight on a rifle carried in the field
- At 24x on warm afternoons, mirage management requires dialing back from maximum power
2. Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 – Best Premium Option
The Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 is the most precise scope on this list, built to the tolerances that benchrest and long range hunting shooters demand. At 29.5 ounces it is the heaviest option and that weight reflects what is inside the tube: better glass, tighter turret tolerances, and more robust construction than any other scope here.
Eye relief at 3.5 inches is the shortest on this list. On a .308 that is manageable, but it requires consistent cheek weld discipline in field shooting positions.
Nightforce’s premium glass tier in the SHV is second only to the Razor HD Gen II-E on this list and ahead of everything else. At 20x at 400 yards, edge to edge sharpness and contrast in poor morning light is in a different category than standard or HP tier glass.
The MIL-R reticle with milling marks gives precise ranging and holdover for shooters who have put in the time to learn the mil system. At 500 yards with .308 Federal GMM, the Nightforce’s turret precision and reticle detail let you make corrections that other scopes on this list cannot execute with the same confidence.
The 56mm objective combined with premium glass gives the best dawn performance on this list outside the Razor HD.
The Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 is for the serious hunter who uses the VTR as a precision tool, has confirmed their loads at distance, and wants the turret precision and glass quality to execute shots that other hunters pass up. The weight penalty is real and the price is significant, but for a hunter shooting past 400 yards at deer in open country, no scope on this list gives more confidence in the data. Nightforce limited warranty.
Pros
- Most precise turrets on this list for long range dialing confidence
- 56mm objective with premium glass delivers the best low light performance except the Razor HD
- MIL-R reticle rewards hunters who have learned the mil system at distance
- Construction standards built for sustained precision use across seasons
- 5-20x range covers close shots through extreme precision applications
- Nightforce limited warranty
Cons
- 29.5 ounces is the heaviest option and limits practical field carry
- 3.5 inch eye relief is the shortest on this list requiring consistent shooting position
- Premium price is the highest on this list after the Razor HD
3. Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24×50 – Best Budget Precision
The Diamondback Tactical is the entry point for a precision hunting scope on the VTR that covers both varmint and deer hunting without a significant financial commitment. The 6-24x range and adjustable parallax are the two non-negotiable features for precision work on this rifle, and the Diamondback Tactical delivers both at a budget accessible price.
Weight at 22.5 ounces is comparable to the Viper HS. The 50mm objective clears the VTR’s barrel profile with medium rings.
Standard glass in the Diamondback Tactical is the honest limitation of this scope. In good light and moderate low light it is adequate for precision varmint and hunting work. At dawn and dusk at the distances the VTR is capable of, the image quality starts to become the limiting factor before the rifle’s mechanical accuracy does.
The EBR-2C FFP reticle is the standout feature at this price: a mil reticle with holdover and wind holds built in, scaling at any magnification. For a shooter learning to use a precision reticle on a field hunting rifle, this is a capable system at an accessible price.
1/4 MOA click adjustment is consistent and zero return is reliable across normal temperature ranges.
The Diamondback Tactical is the choice for a hunter who wants precision features: FFP reticle, adjustable parallax, and a 24x top end at a price that does not approach the rifle’s value. The glass limitation is real but honest: if your varmint and deer shooting happens before 3 PM in decent light, this scope will not hold you back. If you hunt the first and last 20 minutes of light at 400 yards, save for the Viper HS. Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- FFP EBR-2C reticle gives accurate holds at any magnification setting
- 6-24x with adjustable parallax covers both varmint and deer hunting applications
- Best price point for a genuine precision hunting scope on the VTR platform
- Consistent 1/4 MOA click adjustment with reliable zero return
- 50mm objective is adequate light gathering for good to moderate light hunting
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- Standard glass tier becomes a limiting factor before the rifle does in low light conditions
- Glass limitation is most apparent at 20x and above at dawn and dusk
4. Leupold VX-3HD 6.5-20×50 – Best for Deer Hunting
The Leupold VX-3HD 6.5-20×50 is the best scope on this list for a hunter who uses the VTR for deer and for varmints. The 6.5x minimum gives adequate field of view for a 200 yard shot at a deer in open timber.
The HD glass tier in the VX-3HD combined with the Twilight Max lens system gives the second best low light performance on this list after the Nightforce and Razor HD.
HD glass in this configuration is the sweet spot between price and performance for a deer hunter using the VTR as a precision hunting rifle rather than a varmint platform. At 10x to 16x in hunting conditions, the VX-3HD’s image quality is competitive with the Viper HS and ahead of the Diamondback Tactical.
The TMR reticle is a precise targeting reticle with milling marks suitable for ranging at distance. The CDS dial system allows you to set a custom elevation dial calibrated for your specific load, which eliminates dialing math in the field at hunting ranges.
At 20x the HD glass maintains better edge to edge sharpness than XD glass at 24x in some lighting conditions, which is a counterintuitive advantage of the 20x ceiling: you are using less of the glass’s limits.
The VX-3HD 6.5-20×50 is the right scope for a deer hunter who uses the VTR at ranges past 300 yards and values glass quality over maximum magnification. The HD tier and Twilight Max system give you a meaningful low light advantage over standard glass options, and the CDS dial makes field holdover more reliable than memorizing chart values. For a dedicated open country deer hunter, this is the most hunting specific option on the list. Leupold lifetime warranty.
Pros
- HD glass with Twilight Max gives the second best low light performance on this list (excluding premium options)
- CDS custom dial eliminates in-field elevation math for a specific hunting load
- TMR reticle provides precise ranging marks at field hunting distances
- 20x ceiling avoids the glass limitation that appears in standard tier scopes at 24x
- 6.5-20x range covers all realistic deer hunting scenarios from 150 to 450 yards
- Leupold lifetime warranty
Cons
- 6.5x minimum is the narrowest low end on this list for close shots in broken terrain
- 20x ceiling leaves less margin for precision varmint shooting where 24x adds genuine resolution
5. Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E 3-18×44 – Best Glass
The Razor HD Gen II-E brings APO glass to the VTR platform and delivers a level of optical performance that is different from every other scope on this list. At 18x and with APO glass, you are not just looking at a deer at 400 yards, you are looking at it with the clarity that requires spending twice as much on a European optic.
At 23.3 ounces it is field carry weight despite its optical quality. The 44mm objective is the smallest here but APO glass recovers what the smaller diameter appears to give up.
APO glass controls chromatic aberration across the full magnification range. At 18x at last light, a deer at 400 yards has sharp, color accurate edges instead of the fringing and softness that standard or HP glass produces in those conditions. That clarity at last light changes shot decisions.
The EBR-7C FFP reticle scales at every magnification and provides Christmas tree holdover marks for wind at distance. For a hunter who has confirmed their .308 load’s wind drift at 400 and 500 yards, the wind holds in the reticle translate to field use.
The illuminated center dot is aggressive enough to show against a bright sky background, which the EBR-2B in the Diamondback Tactical is not always able to match.
The Razor HD Gen II-E is the scope for a hunter who uses the VTR to make the shots that other hunters cannot attempt with their equipment. The glass quality extends your effective shooting window at both ends of the day, and the FFP reticle makes precision corrections intuitive at any power setting. If the VTR is your tool for serious open country shooting, the Razor HD gives you glass that matches the rifle’s mechanical capability. Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- APO glass is the best optical quality on this list, competing with European optics
- FFP EBR-7C reticle accurate at any magnification with wind hold marks for field use
- 3-18x covers close transitional shots through precision distance work
- Illuminated center dot is visible on bright sky backgrounds
- APO glass recovers light at last light that smaller objectives with standard glass cannot match
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- 18x ceiling is lower than 6-24x options for maximum varmint magnification
- Premium price is the highest on this list
6. Primary Arms SLx 6-24×50 FFP – Best Value FFP
The Primary Arms SLx 6-24×50 FFP is the heaviest scope on this list at 30.5 ounces, which is a significant number for a field carry rifle. On a benchrest setup or a rifle that does not move much, that weight is not relevant.
The 6-24×50 FFP configuration matches the Diamondback Tactical’s capability on paper.
The 50mm objective in MHD glass is a step above standard tier in coating quality, which shows in moderate low light more than in good conditions.
MHD glass is the Primary Arms designation for their mid-tier coating system. It performs above standard tier in transmission at moderate light levels. At dawn and dusk at magnification above 16x it shows limits compared to XD or HD glass but outperforms standard tier options.
The ACSS Athena reticle is purpose built for field precision hunting use. Wind holds at 10 and 15 MPH are built in at standard .308 velocities, and ranging marks allow quick distance estimation on deer at field distances. For a hunter who has studied the reticle, it is more information per second than any BDC on this list.
Turret feel is positive and adjustment is consistent across normal field use conditions.
The SLx 6-24×50 FFP is for the precision hunter who wants first focal plane functionality and a hunting specific precision reticle at a price below the Viper HS. The glass quality is honest about its limitations at extreme low light but performs well in the conditions most hunters encounter. The weight is the most honest limitation: 30.5 ounces changes how you carry a rifle for a full day. Primary Arms lifetime warranty.
Pros
- ACSS Athena FFP reticle is purpose designed for field precision hunting at distance
- Built in wind holds at 10 and 15 MPH translate to .308 field shooting
- 6-24x with adjustable parallax covers varmint and deer applications for the VTR
- MHD glass step above standard tier in moderate low light conditions
- First focal plane design accurate at any magnification setting
- Primary Arms lifetime warranty
Cons
- 30.5 ounces is the heaviest scope on this list and a meaningful consideration for a carry rifle
- MHD glass shows limits compared to XD or HD tier in extreme low light above 16x
7. Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×44 – Best Dual Purpose
The Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×44 is the dual purpose option on this list: a scope that serves the VTR in both a hunting role and a precision varmint role without committing to either. At 4x minimum it is the widest low end setting here alongside the Razor HD, which adds versatility in mixed terrain conditions.
Eye relief at 3.5 inches is the same as the Nightforce and Diamondback Tactical, requiring consistent position discipline.
Standard plus glass in the Elite 4500 performs above entry tier Bushnell options. The multi-coated lens system is adequate in good light and acceptable at moderate low light. At the distances the VTR is capable of at 16x, the glass tier becomes a limiting factor before the mechanical accuracy does in poor light conditions.
The G2H BDC reticle is calibrated for standard .308 factory ammunition velocities with holdover circles at 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards. For a hunter who uses factory ammunition and does not want to dial, the BDC gives practical field holds without requiring prior distance confirmation. Confirmed at the range, those circles are accurate for a typical 150 grain .308 load.
Adjustable parallax is present and functional across hunting and varmint distances.
The Elite 4500 4-16×44 is the right scope for a hunter who wants the VTR to serve two purposes: deer hunting in October and varmint shooting in March, without requiring a scope change between seasons. The 4-16x range and lighter weight make it more versatile as a field carry scope than high magnification options, and the BDC is practical for a hunter using factory .308 ammunition. For a shooter pushing past 400 yards at varmints, the 16x ceiling and standard glass are limitations. Bushnell lifetime warranty.
Pros
- 17.9 ounces is the lightest option on this list for a carried hunting rifle
- 4x minimum gives the widest low end for transitional shots in mixed terrain
- G2H BDC reticle calibrated for standard .308 factory loads gives no-dial field holds
- Adjustable parallax covers both hunting and precision varmint distances
- 4-16x range serves dual purpose deer and varmint use without compromise
- Bushnell lifetime warranty
Cons
- 16x ceiling leaves less resolution than 20x or 24x options for precision varmint shooting
- Standard plus glass shows limits at dawn and dusk at the distances the VTR is capable of
Scope to Terrain Match
| Scope | Open Prairie | Timbered Hills | Ridgeline | Canyon / Basin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Viper HS 6-24×50 | Best fit | Adequate | Best fit | Best fit |
| Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 | Best fit | Adequate | Best fit | Best fit |
| Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24×50 | Good | Adequate | Good | Good |
| Leupold VX-3HD 6.5-20×50 | Best fit | Good | Best fit | Best fit |
| Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E 3-18×44 | Good | Good | Best fit | Best fit |
| Primary Arms SLx 6-24×50 FFP | Good | Adequate | Good | Good |
| Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×44 | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Field Notes: Remington 700 VTR .308 Scope Selection
The VTR’s accuracy invites shots that reveal your optics’ limits
A Remington 700 VTR in .308 with quality ammunition will hold half MOA at 100 yards under normal hunting conditions. That mechanical precision is irrelevant if your scope’s glass cannot resolve the target at 400 yards at dawn. Standard tier glass becomes the accuracy limiting factor on this rifle at distance in poor light before the barrel does. Choose at minimum XD or HD glass if you intend to use the platform to its potential.
Adjustable parallax is not optional on a precision scope
At 20x to 24x magnification, parallax error at 300 yards is visible as apparent target movement when your eye shifts behind the scope. A fixed parallax scope set at 100 yards introduces meaningful error at 300 and beyond. Every scope on this list has adjustable parallax, and every scope recommended for the VTR should.
FFP versus SFP on a dual purpose rifle
If you use the VTR for both varmint and deer hunting at varying distances with a precision reticle, first focal plane is the correct choice. The holds are accurate at any power setting, which matter when you dial from 24x for ranging to 16x for shooting. If you set magnification before the shot and leave it there, SFP with a conventional turret system is functional and often simpler.
Final Thoughts
The Vortex Viper HS 6-24×50 is the right scope for most hunters putting quality glass on the Remington 700 VTR in .308: the XD glass earns its place at dawn and dusk in open country. Hunters making shots past 400 yards on a regular basis should look at the Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 for the turret precision and glass quality that demanding long range shots require. For a hunter whose shots happen in good light and who wants precision features at an honest price, the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24×50 delivers FFP functionality without the commitment. When glass quality matter above everything else, the Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E 3-18×44 gives the VTR the optics its mechanical precision deserves. Go into the field with a scope that can see as far as the rifle can shoot.