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Even with a 7mm Rem Mag, some fiddling with elevation is likely, unless he's using a ballistically matched reticle.

There are a couple recommendations I'd make:

1. Option one is a Leopold VX-2 3-9x40 CDS.

The VX2 optics are quite good and the 3-9x power range is well suited to his intended purposes and ranges.

The "CDS" refers to a Custom Dial System (CDS), where Leopold will precisely match the elevation turret to the ballistics of his particular rifle and cartridge. In this case, you adjust the windage turret to match the range and hold dead on target.  There is some fiddling with the turret, but it's as simple as dialing in the desired range.

You can also get the scope with the  windplex reticle that gives 10 MOA of windage hash marks on either side of the crosshair.

Finally, the price falls under his $500 limit at around $440.  


2. Option two is a regular Leopold VX-2 3-9x40 with the long range duplex reticle.

The same comments apply to the optics and power range and the price is the same at $439.

The LR duplex reticle is intended to provide hold marks for 300, 400 and 500 yards.

With a 200 yard zero using a bullet like the 160 gr Nosler Partition at 2950 fps and a sight height of 1.7", the first dot  is pretty much right on at 300 yards (2.19 MOA versus 2.1 MOA), the second dot is once again pretty much right on at 400 yards (4.8 MOA versus 4.7 MOA) and the picket is very close at 500 yards (7.82 versus 7.6 MOA).

Given that the point blank range (no more than 5" above or below the line of sight) for that load is 305 yards, you could go with a 300 yard zero where the two dots and picket in the LR duplex reticle would then be on at 380 yards, 480 yards and 575 yards respectively.

Either approach works it's just a matter of preference.

Quoted:
Leupold FX-II
4x33 or 6x33
Both well under $500 and will have better optical quality/use ability than a comparably priced variable.

Simple to use
Rugged as hell
Relatively compact
Easier to use and often more effective as you learn to 'range' and calculate BD better with fixed power.

So many today become enamored with variables in spite of the fact that in most cases, for most shooters, they are actually a handicap.

Quoted:
So my coworker won a 7mm Mag bolt gun in a raffle. He's not a huge gun nut like I am so he asks me for suggestions on glass. Admittedly, I'm not much of a hunter so I'm at a bit of a loss for what to tell him. He hails originally from Colorado and says the furthest he'll shoot is 500-600 yards. Budget, he would like to keep it under $500. He doesn't want to fiddle with turrets. Any suggestions? Thanks

Quoted:

I have fixed power scopes on some of my rifles, mostly 2.5x for rapid shooting and wide field of view and a few 4x scopes, mostly on lever guns of .30-30 power range or 45-70 with limited range.

But, this is a 7mm Rem Magnum to be used by someone in Colorado where open country long shots are possible if not likely.   This is where the medium power variable especially shines to complement the flat trajectory and down range retained energy of the long projectile.

I would think that a 2.5-10x40 to 45mm scope (or classing 3-9x40mm) at a minimum and perhaps a 4-14x50mm would be a better choice unless walking long distances in the mountains in prime elk or mulie territory means weight concerns.  Then I would go down to a 2-7x35mm type scope.  

Note that I am suggesting larger objectives sizes in relation to magnification.  This is because hunting is usually best when game is most active and that is in low light conditions, like right after dawn and just before dusk.  The scope stays by default down on the lowest power for wider field of view, and is cranked up for longer shots when circumstances warrant.

Leupold VX-2 in one of these power ranges would be an excellent choice and meet the budget.

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We are Marines, we make 500 yard shots every year

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We are Marines, we make 500 yard shots every year

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  That's my thinking behind getting him a mil dot scope of some kind and a rangefinder. Not the biggest fan of BDCs for hunting. But like any typical Marine he's stubborn and doesn't want to have something to fiddle with in the heat of the moment.

Quoted:

If the animal is close just take the shot.  Your variable scope is, by default, going to be down at the bottom of its power range.  
I've seen many in the field struggle to quickly readjust their variable and take a shot.
No such issue with fixed

If the animal is beyond your point blank zero, usually about 300-335 yards with the 7 Rem Mag, you are not going to be fiddling with intermediate power settings, you will be at max power
Ive seen flubbed shots where the shooter thought they were at max power....but weren't.
No such issue with fixed

and your ranging subtensions or holdovers and reference to visual ranging cues will always be the same.
Unless of course you are not at max....then they will not be.
But they ALWAYS will be with fixed

A variable gives you both wide field of view and long range capability.  
Only after fiddling and not falling short (as I've seen happen), then only after paying a higher price (for comparable), losing brightness, gaining complexity, and losing ruggedness. On our ranch our rifles are working guns that see daily use, not pampered toys that see daylight once or twice a year, variables simply do not hold up as well on a working gun.

While fewer internal lenses with fixed power scopes mean less internal light transmission losses, the high quality of better scopes glass and lens coatings have rendered the differences to almost immeasurable, since per lens pass through now exceeds 99% and closer to 99.7% with the best.
Immeasurable? Nonsense, especially when comparables are used. 'The best' often costs more than 3x over a fixed power just to get in the same ballpark of 'seeing'.


My favorite scope is a Kahles Helia CL 2-7x36 with a German 4A reticle.  I would put its low light performance up against any of those fixed power scopes mentioned.  To be fair, it is not inexpensive.
Yea I would say 4-5 times the price to get in the same ballpark is a bargain

In some things you get what you pay for, and good hunting glass is one of them.  
That plays into the OPs stated budget how exactly?
How is paying 4-5 times the price, just to get comparable optical performance, with a scope that isn't as light or rugged, and more prone to human error, worth said price?

Good variables just have too many advantages and fixed power scopes too few benefits to overcome their limitations.
Less rugged
More complex
Comparably heavier
Prone to user mistakes
More difficult to learn cues
Poorer 'seeing' at similar price point

Just to gain a wider field of view at close range, something that is easily overcome with the repeatability of learning your optic and knowing your terrain. A competent Hunter knows his or her terrain and can pick a fixed power that matches it, imaginary problem solved. And in the off chance of an aberration, the FOV aspect is quickly found to be a nonissue. Just ask myself, anyone in my family, or any of our hands how many 'missed opportunities' they have had because they had to use a 4x or 6x at 50 yards......none

Just one point of view, but it is the predominant one with most hunters.
'Most hunters' also spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on gear that doesn't make them better hunters, it just makes them feel like they are better hunters. In my experience 'most hunters' have never even tried a fixed power scope, let alone spent a day or week in the field hunting with one. In my experience most of those that we guide on our ranch are surprised to see us toting 'inexpensive' fixed glass on our working guns (some of which are over half a century old), and of those, most are quickly humbled by the shots we take compared to their 'boutique' glass added shots. Many have returned over the years with rigs that emulate ours.

I also note that some manufacturers have been bringing back and even expanding their fixed power lines in recent years, this in response to an increase in requests for them (their words). Some have even brought back legacy fixed scope designs using modern tech and glass, an interesting trend considering what 'most hunters' use. But hopefully you enjoy your $1500 scope.
That's my POV