Nikon prostaff 5 or vortex viper scope

[jmaglipay]

I'm trying to put a traditional scope set up on my M1A scout. I currently have a scout scope set and I can't get used to looking down the scope with both eyes open.

I narrowed it down to nikon prostaff 5 and vortex viper series. My only experience about this brand is that I have a nikon p22 rimfire scope on my 10 22 and a vortex diamondback on my cz 455. Comparing both of them the nikon is much clearer.

Anyone have any experience with any of these scopes?

[bman940]

For your scout set up will you have the scope mounted in front of the action? If so, you will need extra eye relief. You might want to check out Nikon's Force scopes, made for handguns but with 2.5-8 magnification. This scope has eye relief of 9-30 inches. Might be worth considering. I have used a couple of the PROSTAFF 5's and they are very clear,crisp and great light gathering. I think it would be hard to go wrong with any of them. Your M1A is certainly capable of reaching out a good distance, adding one fo these scope's should help you out considerably.

[jmaglipay]

I'm going to mount the scope on top of the receiver. What I like about my current nikon is the fast action turrets. What I like about the vortex is the customer service

[bman940]

Check out the PROSTAFF 5 2.5-10 BDC reticle. It will let you dial in at 100 then use Nikon's Spot On Ballistic Program to dial in the BDC reticle for longrange shooting. Trust me, you will be amazed how accurate the BDC reticle is when combined with Spot On.

[Interstateguns]

IMHO its a wash. I would pick based off of what reticle selection you like best. Both companies have BDC reticles that are supported by ballistic computers.

In terms of optical performance, I can't tell a difference between the two in the field.

[jmaglipay]

I tried the nikon bdc but the dots are a little large for long range shooting. Also the same for vortex. Anyone have any experience with nikon cs?

[bman940]

J., I guess it just depends on how small your target is, I have blown up soda cans and had a group of guy's inite 4 inch jars of Tannerite at 500 yards, that's some pretty good shooting with the BDC circles. But, att he end of the day it's all about what you are most comfortable using. Perhaps a Nikoplex reticle and a custom turret designed around your specific load?

[jmaglipay]

I don't load my own ammo. Most of my target shooting will be at Angeles range. Max distance there is 600-700 yards. I'm not looking for a precision shootw

[bman940]

6-700 yards is a poke and I'd definitely suggest the M-308 scope. You won't be using the M-308 base with your M1A so I would suggest a 20 MOA riser.
Spot On will let you enter the factory ammo you are shooting and get the corresponding distances for the BDC reticles, or give you the number of clicks of adjustment you need for the target distance. I haven't shot the M-308 further then 500 yards but some buddies took it to 725 in Utah shooting rifle golf. They had a great time and were very impressed, granted they were using AR10's too.

[jmaglipay]

6-700 yards is a poke and I'd definitely suggest the M-308 scope. You won't be using the M-308 base with your M1A so I would suggest a 20 MOA riser.
Spot On will let you enter the factory ammo you are shooting and get the corresponding distances for the BDC reticles, or give you the number of clicks of adjustment you need for the target distance. I haven't shot the M-308 further then 500 yards but some buddies took it to 725 in Utah shooting rifle golf. They had a great time and were very impressed, granted they were using AR10's too.

which reticle did you go with on your scope?

[bman940]

That is a BDC reticle. I like the BDC because it allows me to use Nikon's Spot On Ballistic Program to dial in my rifle,scope and ammo for maximum accuracy. Accurate enough to shoot soda cans at 500 yards.

Here's a pic of some of the data from Spot On, as with any program, the more accurate the data the more accurate the results.

[NorCalFocus]

Vortex uses the G7 ballistics calculator. I find it much better than the Nikon one.

[bman940]

Here are the 2 for you guy's to look at. I guess it comes down to what you think works the best for your needs and is the easiest to navigate. Nikon gives you the wind drift to the left of the BDC reticle which you can get in click's,inches or MOA. The ballistic numbers are pretty much the same as you would expect. Spot On is built around Nikon's BDC reticle. Again, I and other's have used this program to blow up soda cans and 4 inch jars of Tannerite at 500+ yards. Check them both out and pick the one you think will work the best for your needs.

[jmaglipay]

I pulled the trigger and bought the vortex. $500 at cabelas. to bad vortex doesnt have an app for the ballistic calculator

[sunborder]

Get strelok for your phone. $5 or so.