Loving my Viper PST 4-16X50 right now. The reticle getting too big at 16X with FFP models like others were saying, is not even close to an issue in my opinion. Very solid optic for the money
Rifle Scopes Bushnell elite tactical 6-24 vs vortex viper 6-24 ffp
- Thread starter 308sniper147
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- vortex bushnell 6-24
I've used both Sightron SIII 6-24x50 LRMOA & Vortex Viper 6-24x50 PST(EBR-1) on various rifles in practical matches, out to 1400yds. Rifles include three custom M700s in McM A5s (223 AI, 260 Imp, 284), and a DTA SRS with Bartlein bbls in 6x47Lapua & 284. No issues with accuracy of tracking or return to zero with any of these scopes, though I've managed to loose track of elevation zero a couple of times with the SIII on the M700/284, and ran out of elevation while dialing up from 1300 to 1400yds with one of the PSTs on the 223 AI, shooting Berger 90VLDs (got hits on both 1300 & 1400yd targets with the little 223AI - just had to use the EBR reticle for a 5 MOA hold-over to get to the 1400yd target).
Optics quality with either scope is sufficiently good out to 1400, though I've never shot this match on a day with heavy overcast/low light conditions. I think the SIII's optics are slightly better than the PST's, though it's a close call. I'm basing my opinion on results while shooting steel IPSC targets at 600, which were in the shadows of trees on the west side of my backstop. As long as the targets are in the clear, 6mm hits are easy to resolve with either scope on 24x. It's only when the sun gets low enough to cast shadows on these targets that the SIII's better optical quality begins to show up.
I like the PST's knobs better than the SIII's - no worries about accidentally moving them while removing/replacing the M700s in/out of their drag bags. I'm always checking the knobs on a SIII to make sure I didn't get them twirled off zero after removing a rifle from the bag, and lack of a zero stop on these scopes makes it imperative to know which line on the turret base represents the 100yd elevation zero. Even the PST's crude mechanical elevation zero stop is far better than nothing. I finally machined out some black delrin rings to serve as zero stops on the SIIIs - again, better than nothing, but not nearly as precise as the stops on upper-end scopes. The fiber optic zero line on the top of the PST elev. knob is also a nice touch.
The only time I start thinking about going to a ffp scope is when we're shooting movers (generally at 400-500yds). I like to dial in the lead, which works fine until the wind kicks up. Then my little pea-brain starts to get confused, especially since one of the match directors placed a 6" steel plate right beside the start point for the movers, and required us to engage it before going to the mover.
So now that the shooting season is pretty much over until spring, I've started thinking about a scope upgrade. I initially went with several of the SIIIs, since in addition to the DTA SRS, I've built myself the three M700s. No way - at least unless/until I hit a powerball jackpot or an oil well - am I going to be able to spring for scopes like the 5-20 Razor HD for each rifle. But I'm seriously looking at trying one of the Bushnell ET35215GZAs (that's the FDE model with G2DMR reticle), or if I could find a deal on a Razor HD 5-20, I'd consider that. Then the hard part would be deciding which rifle to try it on - but at least I'd get some experience with a more advanced scope, and would have an idea whether it'd be worth it to buy another when funds permit. Hate to admit it, but at age 62, I'm starting to realize that I need all the help I can get out of my optics, and that a high-end scope will offer not only better optical quality, but more importantly, FFP reticle and better knobs/zero stop.
Optics quality with either scope is sufficiently good out to 1400, though I've never shot this match on a day with heavy overcast/low light conditions. I think the SIII's optics are slightly better than the PST's, though it's a close call. I'm basing my opinion on results while shooting steel IPSC targets at 600, which were in the shadows of trees on the west side of my backstop. As long as the targets are in the clear, 6mm hits are easy to resolve with either scope on 24x. It's only when the sun gets low enough to cast shadows on these targets that the SIII's better optical quality begins to show up.
I like the PST's knobs better than the SIII's - no worries about accidentally moving them while removing/replacing the M700s in/out of their drag bags. I'm always checking the knobs on a SIII to make sure I didn't get them twirled off zero after removing a rifle from the bag, and lack of a zero stop on these scopes makes it imperative to know which line on the turret base represents the 100yd elevation zero. Even the PST's crude mechanical elevation zero stop is far better than nothing. I finally machined out some black delrin rings to serve as zero stops on the SIIIs - again, better than nothing, but not nearly as precise as the stops on upper-end scopes. The fiber optic zero line on the top of the PST elev. knob is also a nice touch.
The only time I start thinking about going to a ffp scope is when we're shooting movers (generally at 400-500yds). I like to dial in the lead, which works fine until the wind kicks up. Then my little pea-brain starts to get confused, especially since one of the match directors placed a 6" steel plate right beside the start point for the movers, and required us to engage it before going to the mover.
So now that the shooting season is pretty much over until spring, I've started thinking about a scope upgrade. I initially went with several of the SIIIs, since in addition to the DTA SRS, I've built myself the three M700s. No way - at least unless/until I hit a powerball jackpot or an oil well - am I going to be able to spring for scopes like the 5-20 Razor HD for each rifle. But I'm seriously looking at trying one of the Bushnell ET35215GZAs (that's the FDE model with G2DMR reticle), or if I could find a deal on a Razor HD 5-20, I'd consider that. Then the hard part would be deciding which rifle to try it on - but at least I'd get some experience with a more advanced scope, and would have an idea whether it'd be worth it to buy another when funds permit. Hate to admit it, but at age 62, I'm starting to realize that I need all the help I can get out of my optics, and that a high-end scope will offer not only better optical quality, but more importantly, FFP reticle and better knobs/zero stop.
Thanks to those who provided feedback, summaries, and comparisons in this thread. I'm trying to decide which scope to get for a hunting/ELR play rifle. (Remington 700 VSSF 7mm RM).
I'm toying with the idea of trying one of the ffp scopes for around 1K (use sfp scope in competition), and have been looking at most of the ones that have been mentioned, Bushnell, Sightron, Vortex, and SS. Guess I need to get some sale stuff listed in the Px so I can start building/increasing my scope fund.
I'm toying with the idea of trying one of the ffp scopes for around 1K (use sfp scope in competition), and have been looking at most of the ones that have been mentioned, Bushnell, Sightron, Vortex, and SS. Guess I need to get some sale stuff listed in the Px so I can start building/increasing my scope fund.
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