Vortex PST or HST?? Need some input!

[woodtick]

I've just finished building a rifle for my wife for her birthday.
Rem 700 SA blueprinted, Timney Trigger, Lilja #5 contour 1-11 twist 3 groove, HS BDL W/cheekplate Red Spider on Black.
I'm hoping bitterrootbulls has some input on this and some of you other guys I see talking about Vortex, the only reason why I'm hesitant is I had two of the original Vipers and had nothing but problems with them, I got them that exact year they came out and I wasn't overly impressed and said I'd never buy another one of their scopes as long as I lived.

I've always installed Leupold Mark 4's on my custom builds, I'm not sure she'll use it as much as I would like and I'm starting to look at alternatives now. My question to those of you that have the Vortex models listed above, is how would they compare in optic quality, ruggedness, dependability, tracking etc to that of a Leupold MK4, I'm looking at the MOA models not the MRAD so any input would be helpful. I don't need a front focal plane scope, and I'm looking at the HST in a 4x14-44mm or the PST 4x16-50mm. I'm leaning more towards the HST due to weight that I can save and the fact I'd have to spend another $40 to get the right ring height for the 50mm. Or should I just dump the extra $200 and get the 4.5x14-50 MK4 with M1 turrets.
Thanks guys

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

woodtick,

I have had the 4-16X50 PST for a few years and it is one of my favorite scopes. Glass is good, tracking is awesome, and the reticle is outstanding.

An accomplished LR shooter and Nightforce aficionado on another site recently evaluated the HST quite favorably. The only reason to go with the PST is if you need illumination or prefer the PST reticles (I do).

the only reason why I'm hesitant is I had two of the original Vipers and had nothing but problems with them

That is interesting, I have used a number of original Vipers (maybe 10 or more), and never had an issue with them at all. I still have the little 2-7X32 on my 7-08, and it is tickin' right along. Love that little scope.

What were the models and issues you had? How did Vortex do taking care of it?

I used to run Mark 4's myself, but no longer do. I really prefer the constant eye relief of the Vortex scopes. Also the Vortex scopes have their adjustments and reticles subtended in matching units (MOA or MILs).

The short answer is, I would probably look at the HST first, given your stated needs and preferences.

 

[woodtick]

It was the 6.5x20-50 with the DH BDC. The point of impact was shifting with a change in power and I'm not pulling your leg either. Both scopes did it they sent me a refund check for both of them. I remember I had to preorder them, so I'm assuming they was some of the very first batch ever produced. My good friend had the exact same thing happen. I'm leaning heavily towards the HST, no need for illumination!
Thanks BB

 

[woodtick]

Got HST this morning, time to mount it up and run it through some tracking tests and compare it to my MK4's and VX's for contrast and resolution. This thing already has impressed me!!

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Look forward to the results

 

[woodtick]

Well the HST is going back to VORTEX!!!! Pulled the scope out of the box this afternoon and set it in the rings, had my action leveled and locked into a vise. I sat the top half of the rings on and set the eye relief. Then I set my level on top of the turret and made sure it was perfect, torqued the rings down to spec and pulled the gun out of the vise and went to look through the scope and low and behold the crosshair is severely canted not just a touch but butt load out of whack. It looks like one of the idiots from our local sporting good stores put it on after he downed a 30 pack of stones!! I shoulda learned my lesson from straying away from what has been tried and true. Looks like I get to test out their customer service department again.

 

[Cobbhunts]

Ughhh.....that stinks man. I love my Vortex binos. And my brother is just about ready to buy this scope. He probably still will, but hate to hear this for sure.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[Cobbhunts]

30 pack of stones.... been a while since I've heard that one haha.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[woodtick]

Ughhh.....that stinks man. I love my Vortex binos. And my brother is just about ready to buy this scope. He probably still will, but hate to hear this for sure.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

I think they make good stuff I've just got this bad karma when it comes to using their stuff!! I'm besides myself right now!! I love the layout of this scope, awesome turrets and amazing clarity and resolution. I'm glad they've got the warranty that they do.

 

[Cobbhunts]

I hate that for ya.....I'm also 100% sure they will take care of ya too. From all I've read they are the best in CS. Good luck!

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[woodtick]

Got ahold of Vortex today. The tech tried to tell me that over torqued rings will cause the crosshairs to twist or cant. Their torque settings for their scopes is 15 in/lbs the Leupold rings I use calls for 28 in/lbs. So I split the difference and did 20in/lbs and hand lapped the rings prior.

So my question is, How would what I have done caused the reticle to cant?? I'm almost baffled!

 

[hardstalk]

Either way if there blown, there blown. And vortex will replace the scope. Could have been you. Could have been them. But this is the second time it happened to you? I heard a saying once. "You've been married 5 times, hell it might be you!"

 

[woodtick]

Either way if there blown, there blown. And vortex will replace the scope. Could have been you. Could have been them. But this is the second time it happened to you? I heard a saying once. "You've been married 5 times, hell it might be you!"

The first one was on a one piece rail with Vortex rings, but the crosshair was good it was the fact that when you changed the power setting the point of impact would shift. I double checked the other night and I've lapped and mounted over 26 Leupolds, 6 NF's and 1 Swaro and never had any of them that were crooked. I did send a scope back to Leupold to have the reticle swapped and when I got it back before I even mounted it I could tell the crosshair was canted in it, so everyone has their faults, I'm just hesitant about Vortex scopes of the time being. I really want to give Vortex full credit and my experience so far with the customer service is great and if the scope is repaired and tracks like it should I won't have problem recommending them to any one.

 

[woodtick]

Got the scope back a couple days ago, everything looks good and its mounted up and I ran it through a few tracking tests(Nightforce protocol) and they hold a true to MOA standards. I give tracking an A+, the glass is pretty good up to about 12-14x but at full power(16x) you lose some resolution but over all I'd give it a B+ for the money. I'm gonna try and shoot this weekend and see how it performs in an actual field setting!

 

[Cobbhunts]

That's great. Keep us posted!

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[Retterath]

I got on the thread too late, I was going to tell u to spend the 200 more and get the leupold MK 4, I run those on all my custom hunting rifles and love them. Vortex has good scopes I'm sure you will get the new one and it will be just fine. Also night force has a new one that came out for hunting and it's under a $1k it's the shv.

 

[woodtick]

I have access to government pricing on Leupold and I coulda got the MK4 I was looking at for about $890(Normally about $1100) but this is my wife's gun and she nor I wanted to spend a bunch. I found this Vortex for $490 shipped, it'll be interesting to see how it holds up thats for sure. I'm still extremely leery of it. I understand completely what your saying Rett, I run a couple NXS and several MK4's and it's hard to part from them!

 

[Retterath]

I totally understand on trying one out, that never hurts and for 450$ Might as well give it a shot. Yeah I run that nightforce F1 on my tactical gun and absoluty love it. I would put them on my hunting guns but just don't want to carry around the extra weight. That is a smokin deal on the MK 4.

 

[woodtick]

That is a smokin deal on the MK 4.

Yes it is, 4.5-14x50 M1 turrets Mil-dot non-illuminated. Probably regret not doing it!

 

[Retterath]

Never know that scope might be perfect for your wife and perform great.