Vortex Viper PST - Which rings/base?

[<IXOYE><]

Im looking for a decent scope to get me out to 600+ yrds. and I really dig both for the "tacticool" turrets. The illumination is like meh. This will be my first scope purchase the accommodate my newly purchased Rem 700-V. I have done lots a reading on these two scopes and have seen them in person. I like the Nikon but it doesnt come with a lens hood but instead come with a horrible kill flash attachment which is very hard to thread on. On the other hand, the PST does come with one...etc. The Nikon is a bit cheaper plus I already have a mount for 1" dia. and with Vortex at 30mm, I will have to buy new. I have a Nikon rimfire scope that I think is great and would be cool to keep it all in the family but I am really curious to try out the Viper.

My rifle is already heavy as heck so the difference in weight (minus mounting hardware) is not a big deal at 2.5oz difference. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Iloveguns]

Vortex hands down. Great warranty with the best CS and a great scope.

[freedom-lover]

I went with the Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 with MOA reticle.

[xjdesertfox]

I wouldnt get the 4-16.

The 4-16 PST is known for having lower quality glass than the 2.5-10x32 or the 6-24.

Nobody knows why it is, but the resolution of the 4-16 just kind of sucks compared to the other two.

Im also assuming youre getting an FFP model if youre getting the MIL reticle.

[freedom-lover]

I wouldnt get the 4-16.

The 4-16 PST is known for having lower quality glass than the 2.5-10x32 or the 6-24.

Nobody knows why it is, but the resolution of the 4-16 just kind of sucks compared to the other two.

Im also assuming youre getting an FFP model if youre getting the MIL reticle.

Any documentation on that?

[xjdesertfox]

http://www.sniperforums.com/forum/optics/35476-field-test-weaver-3-15-vs-vortex-pst-4-16-6-24-a.html

http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-rifle-scopes/145548-vortex-viper-pst-clarity.html

Theres plenty more on the hide, but a lot of it is lost into the abyss that is the old hide website.

[<IXOYE><]

Good info on the PST. I just think 6-24 is overkill...for my use anyway. Any other recommendations in the $700-$800 range?

[xjdesertfox]

Weaver tactical, bushnell elite tactical if you can stretch it a tiny bit. SWFA.

What exactly are you shooting at "600+"

On my LMT LM8, I have that viper pst 2.5-10 I mentioned and I can see out to 600 without an issue. But I only shoot steel at that range with that gun. If I was shooting paper I'd probably want a tad bit more magnification.

[ExtremeX]

Any documentation on that?

I don't know about any documentation but I agree with him 100%... Not sure why the 4-16x is the way it is, but my experience was the same.

Replaced it with the 6-24x, but my SWFA 5-20x is pretty much my main optic... Next deal that comes around ill get another SWFA HD scope in a heartbeat. Huge upgrade over the PST line.

[xjdesertfox]

I don't know about any documentation but I agree with him 100%... Not sure why the 4-16x is the way it is, but my experience was the same.

Replaced it with the 6-24x, but my SWFA 5-20x is pretty much my main optic... Next deal that comes around ill get another SWFA HD scope in a heartbeat. Huge upgrade over the PST line.

How does the PST 6-24 and the SWFA 5-20 compare? Im looking for an optic for my 300 win mag

[ExtremeX]

How does the PST 6-24 and the SWFA 5-20 compare? Im looking for an optic for my 300 win mag

I have the 6-24x50 FFP on my .223 Rem 700, and the 5-20x50 SWFA on my 308 Rem 700. Even with less magnification I can resolve more detail with the SWFA.

In less than ideal lighting its a noteworthy difference between the Vortex and SWFA. At higher magnification ranges the Vortex is noticeability dimmer.

Build quality and overall ruggedness goes to the SWFA scope.

Considering the cost difference between the two, both have their place, and are good for their price class, but if you can spend the coin of the SWFA I don't think its even a contest.

If you want to directly compare the SWFA to a Vortex scope, you compare it to the Vortex Razor 5-20.

The biggest noticeable difference between the two scopes is pure and simple quality of the glass... After owning SWFA HD scopes, I look forward to selling my Vortex PSTs and upgrading them once my budget allows it.

Glass aside, I haven't found a fault with either in the tracking department, and that's a good thing. For what I can afford, the SWFA scopes are a nice "affordable" luxury compared to other options in the same class.

The only dislike/complaint I have about my SWFA scopes is I find the magnification and side parallax adjustment knobs a bit stiff for my liking, but the turrets are great. Vortex really has done a fantastic job on the turrets/controls. Very smooth.

Between the two scopes, it’s just a different feel; personal preference may play a role here. Vortex is very positive clicky; but the SWFA is more granular and dampened. You get a lot more adjustment per rev on the SWFA turrets so I don’t expect the same feel.

[<IXOYE><]

Ok so after all the reviews on the 4-16, I have been looking at the 6-24 but the FFP is just too much $$ for me at this time. Since I dont have any experience with scopes I dont know that a FFP will benefit me over a SFP one. Do we know if the glass is the same on these two PST's?

[stryper]

Ok so after all the reviews on the 4-16, I have been looking at the 6-24 but the FFP is just too much $$ for me at this time. Since I dont have any experience with scopes I dont know that a FFP will benefit me over a SFP one. Do we know if the glass is the same on these two PST's?

I noticed the optics seem to clearer in the Vortex FFP models. That could be due to the design of the FFP system and not the glass. This is just my opinion, no data to back it up. I've owned Nikon scopes and they are good for the money but once I bought my first Vortex, haven't looked back. You're getting very close to the same quality as some of the super high dollar scopes out there for at least half the price. I run Vortex Viper PST FFP MRAD scopes on almost all of my rifles in different powers and have been nothing but pleased. I bought a used, older Vortex PST 4-16x50 SFP MRAD and noticed the glass wasn't as clear but on the newer production scopes, as good as the other Vortex Vipers. If you're interested in spending less, Vortex does offer other lines of scopes with less features for a lower cost but for an extra $100, why not have the better scope. When I was looking to buy my first long range optic I didn't want to spend that much either but the old saying is true: buy once, cry once. You won't regret it.

[Sticky]

Tagged... in the market for optics for my AR08 build and having shot a Nikon M223 on a 223 AR and used Vortex binocs for years, I like both but am leaning towards the PST 6-24...

[<IXOYE><]

Looks like OP is on backorder on this one. While I wait for it to come into stock, I can stack chips and cry for about a day