Viper PST FFP

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Freebird63

New Member
Oct 23, 2012
5
0
Boise, Idaho
I am considering buying a new scope for my 280AI, I am looking at the vortex viper pst 6-24X50 FFP.
Anyone on here have one of these and what do they think of them?? I would love to be able to afford a leupold mark 8 3.5-25.......but not for $3,200
 
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Bugling Bull

New Member
Nov 14, 2012
14
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Oklahoma
Freebird63, i just recently purchased a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 and although its not the same scope you are looking at i can give you my feedback on a similiar product. i purchased the scope to go on my 270 weatherby mag and used it during Elk hunting in October in Wy. the scope is fantastic during daylight hours but when the sun goes down or before it comes up it does not perform like i thought it would. I originally had a Zeiss 3-9 that was on this rifle for 21 years and moved it to my 243 for my son since i wanted a more powerful scope. This scope messed me up on two occasions which both occurred after sunset. Cloudy image, fustrating since my Zeiss was clear at the same time. if you are interested in a hunting scope and rely on it for low light conditions probably would shy away from this one, but if its for target shooting good scope.
 
Bitterroot Bulls

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
Freebird,

A couple of points:

The Viper Bugling Bull is referring to is a completely different optical design than the PST series.

The "cloudy" lack of contrast or dim image in low light likely has to do with the small exit pupil a high-magnification scope like a 6-24 scopes has. The 3-9 scope comparison isn't really apples to apples because the 3-9 (even if it had a small objective like 32mm) would have an exit pupil that ranges from 10.6mm to 3.5mm, while the exit pupil of the 6-24X50 would range from 8.3mm to a tiny 2mm. If the 3-9 was a 40mm objective, the advantage would be even greater.


I have the SFP 4-16X50 PST scope, and I think it offers a nice overall package with good optical performance, but I really like scopes in the 3.5-10X42 and 3-9X42 class for hunting rigs.

Perhaps you can give us your uses and budget and we can give you some suggestions. Many people "over-scope" their hunting rifles with high-magnification scopes without realizing the costs of all that magnification.
 
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Bugling Bull

New Member
Nov 14, 2012
14
0
Oklahoma
Bitterroot Bulls,
Your are correct when you say over scope. I believe that's exactly what I did and failed to do enough research. I'm going to sell the vortex scope, any suggestions on a scope? I was thinking of the Swarovski z3 4-12x 50. Any input would be appreciated. Budget range $600-$1,000.
 
Bitterroot Bulls

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
Other good options in that price range include the Zeiss Conquest and Trijicon Accupoint.

The Meopta Meopro line is a great value and compares quite well to the Zeiss Conquest line.

The Leupold VX-6 would be worth a look as well, but I haven't really evaluated one yet.

I don't care for the variable eye relief of the VX-3 series.
 
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Bugling Bull

New Member
Nov 14, 2012
14
0
Oklahoma
Bitterroot Bulls,
Thanks fir the info and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. When trying to decide on a scope what are couple of important things to look for? I only want to purchase one more scope that I can keep and be fully satisfied with. I do not do any long range shooting, just do some range shooting to keep my trigger finger in shape. This is the scope that will be used for big game hunting and I always sight my gun in for 300 yards as zero. 450-500 yards would be the absolute longest shot I would attempt and only in great shooting conditions. I try to keep my shots under 400 yards, that's where my comfort level is and I want a scope that suits my hunting. Very important to me to have a scope that performs excellent in low light conditions. I have a pair of Swarovski EL 10x50 bino's and not afraid of investing in quality optics that I know perform if you know what I mean. Any guidance would be appreciated.
 
Bitterroot Bulls

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
Bugling Bull,

Happy Turkey Day to you and yours also. Things I look for in a rifle scope: 1. Durability. 2. Reliable adjustments. 3. Useful reticle. 4. Optical quality. Light weight.

You can see that big, complicated, heavy high mag scopes don't exactly fit my criteria.

While I love my 4-12 z3, The 3-10 version may be an even better choice for your uses. It is lighter (the 4-12 is already really light) and can be mounted lower with its smaller 42mm objective. In my experience, 10x is plenty of magnification for game sized targets at 500 yards. The BRH reticle is just heavy enough to be usefull in low light and offers good aiming points for shooting past your zero distance, which would allow you to zero at a closer distance like 200 yards, which I prefer.
 
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Bugling Bull

New Member
Nov 14, 2012
14
0
Oklahoma
Bitterroot Bulls,

Thanks, great information. That is what I am hung up on. Whether to go with the 3x-10 or to step up a little to 4x-12. I don't think I could go wrong with either, both great scopes ( Swarovski z3 ) I think it will come down to personal preference, would you agree ?
 
Colorado Cowboy

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
8,322
4,699
83
Dolores, Colorado
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. The one thing that you really have to be careful of (no matter which brand scope you end up with) is to remember to reset the magnification that you are hunting with, after you have cranked it up to max power to look over something. I had a 6x20 Leupold VXlll on my 25-06 and cranked it up to 20x to look over a buck at about 600 yds and forgot to reset it to 6 (which is what I like to leave it at when I'm hunting). Eased up to him at about 75 yds and could not pick him up fast enough as it was still at 20x! By the time I could reset it, he was long gone. For me my 4x14 is perfect for my 25-05. I put the 6x20 on my custom .220 Ackley Swift that I use for prairie dogs.
 
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Bugling Bull

New Member
Nov 14, 2012
14
0
Oklahoma
Bitterroot Bulls,
I found the Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x50 AO MC on line at Camera Land for $550. ( demo model ), sounds like a good buy for a good scope. Whats your opinion?
 
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