I am looking for a scope suggestion for my newly acquired Remington Model 7.

The requirement list is compact, lightweight, 1" tube size, sub 40MM objective lens and not break the bank costly.
I'm drawn immediately to the Leupold VX3i line. I have a VX3i 3.5-10X40 on my Tikka that has been good.

Will something like this be bright enough for Alabama low'ish light hunting or is it best kept on dangerous game guns/AR15s?
https://tssoutfitters.com/shop/leup...t-100-yds-fov-1-tube-black-matte-duplex/

Also have been looking at the 2.5-8X36 version which is about the same price. It is 2oz heavier and 2" longer than the 1.5-5 variant.

I bought a 30mm tube vxr 3x9x40 from midway for 350$ a while back, imho at that price it is a good scope for the money. And i really like the fire dot.

I use a VX3I 3.5-10x40 and a 4.5-14x40 on my Model Sevens. They sit in Talley lightweight rings/bases.

Look at the Leuplod 1.75-6 , perfect power and size for a "mountain rifle" woods scope.

Look at the Leupold VXR line. I have a 1.25x4 VXR that I’m a huge fan of. So much so, I’ll likely never buy another standard scope. The illuminated dot isn’t any better than any other scope, but it’s more of operation is.

I’ve tried different rigs on model sevens and I think a good 2-7x33 is great.

I’m not knocking the VX3i because I have some but the Freedoms are better in some respects to me.

Find a used Swarovski AV or Z3 , 3-9-36 or 3.5-10x42. 12/12.7 oz. Probably pick one up for about $500. Great scopes; hold their resale value

Zeiss also makes a great 3 x 9 x 36. Several on ebay right now.

leupold or weaver classic fixed 4x32 with talley lightweights ...

Sig Sauer Whiskey3.They make a 32mm objective model,but I'd get the 40mm.Illuminated reticle,tracks well,and the glass compares to a vx2 maybe better.If you look around you can find one under $250

The 2.5-8x36 is hard to beat for the money. You might could do better with a used Zeiss or Swaro but the Leupold is more than adequate for a scope in this role. We have to consider what we are asking the scope to do and given the compact nature this is never going to be a 56mm for late food plot hunting. Of all the stuff I have at my disposal what rides on my favorite gun? This very scope. It is what I hunt with probably 75% of the time riding on my .358. Great scope in it's intended role.

Kahles made some really nice scopes in this power range and given the chance I would pick up one of those. But again, they cost about 2x what this Leupold cost. I have bought 2-3 of these 2.5-8 for under $350 through the years.

Leupold straight 4X with heavy duplex would be a dandy.

They are good scopes but my biggest issue with Leupold has always been the fine reticles. I can't see the reticle in low light which is why I have always preferred the Zeiss #20 or a Swarovski #4. Swarovski has finally made the plex reticle heavier in the current Z6 models. I finally bought a Z6 last weekend at Simmons because of the new reticle and they made a deal that was too good to let pass.

Heavy duplex.

You have to send a 2.5x8 back to Leupold for the heavy duplex, and they charge a lot more than they used to for the swap. Just pay a little more and buy a Swarovski 3x9 and have a better scope without the hassle.

I would look at the Trjicon 3-9x40 or the razor LH as options.

I have two that have been sent back and had heavies installed. You can get them to build you one with them in it for $60 more. I simply don't understand why they don't offer them in the 2.5-8. I've never looked through a Swarovski I thought had cross hairs heavy enough for my likin'.

The 2.5-8X36 would be right near $300+/-.
Seems like that would be the sweet spot price wise, below that might be skimping on performance, above that law of diminishing returns comes into play.