Need help between these scopes.

[peter95]

Hey guys, after much research, I have narrowed down my choices.

Budget is $550

Scope used for shooting up to about 500 yards.
Currently have the Primary Arms 4-16x, but the eye box is so short, I have a hard time keeping picture after a shot. Takes a lot of moving around before I find the perfect view to fire the shot.

I havent used many scopes out there, but I can imagine that these will be much clearer than the PA scope I have.

These are the ones I am considering.

Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 . $549
Vortex Viper 4-12x40 . $399
Bushnell Elite tactical 5-15x40 . $449


Now, if you guys have another recommendation, please let me know. I've been doing research for the past month, but cant seem to make a choice.

Thanks guys!

[LCU1670]

SWFA SS

I like my SWFA SS.

In my precision rifle class at FS, 1/3rd of the shooters had SWFA scopes. The other 2/3rds had Leupold, Schmit and Bender, and Nightforce (the big bucks!!).

[peter95]

Wow swfa is pretty prucy also. How's the eye box in this? Is it long enough to stay on target???

[FMJBT]

By "eye box", do you mean the spot you have to hold your eye in to view through the scope, or the edge to edge field of vision through the scope? To fix the former, look for a scope with a larger exit pupil at max magnification. To fix a limited field of view, the easiest fix is to use a scope with less magnification. For shooting within 500 yards, I'd suggest something like a 2.5-10X or 3-9X magnification range.

The SWFA SS 3-9X42 FFP is only slightly above your budget, as well as the Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10X44.

[NytWolf]

Of the three OP listed, I say the Bushnell is the better buy. I haven't used any SuperSniper scopes, so I can't comment on it.

[HK Dave]

For shooting out to 500 yards I'd go SWFA 3-9 over any of your choices. Well that's if you don't need illumination.

[PrimaryArms]

Viper HS

Dimitri

[peter95]

what is the big difference between the viper and the hs viper series?

Is it just the reticles?

[LCU1670]

Of the three OP listed, I say the Bushnell is the better buy. I haven't used any SuperSniper scopes, so I can't comment on it.

We had one Bushnell in the class. For some reason his would not hold zero and he dropped the class the first day.

[NytWolf]

what is the big difference between the viper and the hs viper series?

Is it just the reticles?

I'm sure someone will have a better answer, but ... here goes. In addition to the reticles, here are my observations.

1) The plain Jane "Viper" comes in either 1" or 30mm tube.
2) The "HS" is a hunting series 30mm tube with capped turrets.
3) The "PST" comes in only 30mm tubes with exposed tactical turrets. The reticle is illuminated.

Supposedly, they are all the same glass, but I had a plain Jane and the edges blur at the higher magnifications so I exchanged it for the "HS". It still blurs at the edge, but not so much. That doesn't happen with the PST.

We had one Bushnell in the class. For some reason his would not hold zero and he dropped the class the first day.

Fluke. Bushnell, from the Elite series on up, are pretty good scopes for the money.

[Divernhunter]

None of those. Leupold 3X9X40 or if wanting to save money get a Redfield.

The only SS scopes I have used/seen were junk but that was a few years back. They were suppose to be good on a 50BMG. Never lasted more than 50 rounds.

[HK Dave]

I'm telling you, take a look at the SWFA 3-9x42mm... I had a difficult time differentiating is with my Nightforce 2.5-10x32mm in terms of glass and tracking.

[FMJBT]

I'm telling you, take a look at the SWFA 3-9x42mm... I had a difficult time differentiating is with my Nightforce 2.5-10x32mm in terms of glass and tracking.

As much as I want to turn my nose up at anything called "Super Sniper", it's hard to discount the number of positive reviews the 3-9X42 has received. Sites like Snipers Hide and Optics Talk are full of glowing reviews on this scope, and those forums are home to some of the biggest optics snobs on the planet.

[NytWolf]

None of those. Leupold 3X9X40 or if wanting to save money get a Redfield.

For the same money, the Vipers are a better buy. The Leupold lacks color contrast, which is one of my pet peeves. Overall, I think the Leupolds are overrated. Also, lately Leupold scopes have a bad habit of breaking from hard recoiling rifles. BTW, Redfield is now owned and made by Leupold. They do not come close to the Redfields of yesteryear. I think of Redfield as the sister-Leupold for the price-conscious.

[peter95]

So after much research, I ended up ordering the Viper Vortex HS 5-15x44 last night.

It seems to be a very good scope so we'll see how this one goes.