Remington 700 stainless .308 optics?

[SteelheadTed]

After watching the classified ads for almost year and making a few offers I finally bought a Remington 700 stainless in .308 with a composite stock - I'm stoked.  This is my first rifle after borrowing since I took up hunting two seasons ago.  So, next step is to outfit this rig with a scope.  I'm hoping to get into some rings and scope for $500 or less.  I'll be hunting primarily in Western Washington for deer and elk which means I won't be shooting far most of the time.  I'm comfortable up to 300 yards.

I'm looking at the Vortex line of scopes but am open to looking at whatever makes sense.  Any suggestions?  Anything else I should look at doing with this rifle?  It is a stock trigger, is it worth looking at trigger upgrades?

Thanks ya'll.

[DRobnsn]

It's hard to go wrong with a leupold 3-9x40 or 3-9x50 if you don't mind a bit bigger bell size to help gather light. If you go for the 40mm bell maybe consider a 30mm tube to help gather light. I prefer 30mm tube and 50mm bell for the most light possible. However if your trying to keep the gun light weight you may want to look at the weight differences in those models. I'd be looking at the VX1 and above models for a 308 hunting gun.

I prefer a quality trigger, even for a Westside brush gun. If it's the old style Remington 700 trigger that came on the bdl and cdl models it can be adjusted to lower weights reliably.  If it's the "upgraded recall" trigger I'd swap it out to a higher quality unit. They really don't cost much to get your hands on.

I can't comment on the Remington Xmark triggers, never had one.

[NWShooter]

Sniff around the classifieds a bit and find yourself a good deal on a Leupold 3x9 or 3.5-10. Maybe a 4.5-14? For hunting I prefer a 50mm objective but it's not a must, everyone has their preferences.

The 24hourcampfire classified forum is a excellent place to score good deals on good optics.

[700xcr]

Leupold VX3 or VX3i 2.5-8x36mm with Talley low lightweight scope rings.Low enough power for close quarter hunting and enough power for clear cuts.Good in low light situations and will make a lightweight package to carry. Can't beat their guaranty and close enough if you ever have to send scope in for warranty sense Leupold is based out of Beaverton Oregon. As for as the trigger goes a good gunsmith can hone trigger sear and adjust trigger to the weight of pull you would like. While ttigger job is done I would free float the barrel and bed the action.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1362141511/leupold-vx-3i-rifle-scope-25-8x-36mm-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1781129972/talley-lightweight-2-piece-scope-mounts-with-integral-rings-remington-700-howa-matte

[JDHasty]

Leupold VX3 or VX3i 2.5-8x36mm with Talley low lightweight scope rings.Low enough power for close quarter hunting and enough power for clear cuts.Good in low light situations and will make a lightweight package to carry. Can't beat their guaranty and close enough if you have to send scope in for warranty sense Leupold is based out of Beaverton Oregon.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1362141511/leupold-vx-3i-rifle-scope-25-8x-36mm-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1781129972/talley-lightweight-2-piece-scope-mounts-with-integral-rings-remington-700-howa-matte

VX3 2.5-8 is what you want.   Used thy are ultimately affordable too. 

[jasnt]

My absolute favorite hunting scope in your price range is a vortex viper hd 2.5x10x44. 30 mm tube. 

[jdb]

Like everyone else has said leupold. I personally can't stand 50mm obj. I much prefer getting the scope as low as possible, but to each their own. Other than that any of there variables with 3 or 4 in the bottom end will serve you the rest of your life.

[700xcr]

Like everyone else has said leupold. I personally can't stand 50mm obj. I much prefer getting the scope as low as possible, but to each their own. Other than that any of there variables with 3 or 4 in the bottom end will serve you the rest of your life.

I agree with you 100% on getting scope as low as possible to get a good cheek weld on the stock. That is why I went with a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36mm for my 375 Ruger. Comes up fast like a shotgun on flushing birds.

[bobcat]

Like everyone else has said leupold. I personally can't stand 50mm obj. I much prefer getting the scope as low as possible, but to each their own. Other than that any of there variables with 3 or 4 in the bottom end will serve you the rest of your life.

It depends on the rifle but with most rifles a 50mm objective will be too high. My main big game rifle has a 23 year old Leupold 3.5-10x40. Great scope and the newer Leupolds are even better.

[SteelheadTed]

Thanks guys, that really helps.  Is bedding the action and free floating the barrel that critical?  The perfectionist in me likes the idea of mods to make it better but the pragmatist in me wonders whether that will really change the percentage of animals down?  Are both of these tasks worth tackling myself?  I'm pretty handy around tools but a newb around rifle mechanics.  I was just reading an article on brownells about bedding, seems doable if tedious.

[700xcr]

I try to make my rifles as accurate as possible. I have my barrels free floated and actions bedded.Seal the wood stock well so moisture does't swell up the wood to put pressure on the barrel. On composite stocks you don't have to worry about sealing it. Bedding keeps the action from shifting in the stock. Kinda like a well fit glove. I am lucky I have a gunsmith that does the work to make shooting friends instead of making money. He does an excellent work. For example  on my 375 Ruger Guide gun had him do the following:
1.Free float barrel and seal the laminate stock.
2.Hone bolt rails, trigger sear and adjust trigger to a crisp 2 pounds with no creep. 3.Disassemble the bolt and cleaned firing pin.
All this for $45.00