Rifle Scopes Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 or 3-15x44

Both the Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 EBR-2D and the Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44 EBR-2D are on sale for $700. Basically the same scope different magnification. I'm trying to determine,
1) if this is a good deal
2) which one is best for me
3) if they are an improvement in glass over my 3.5-14x40 Prostaff 5.
This is for my Tikka 223 Varmint that I mostly shoot paper with to 200yds. I really want to shoot steel, woodchucks and prairie dogs as far as I can. I already have out to 315 already and looking to go further. When I retire and relocate to more open spaces I'll get a real caliber. I want to start with this for now.
Well having had a Nikon ProStaff 3-9 and shot the PST Gen II 5-25 you are definitely getting an upgrade.
PST Gen II 5-25x50 EBR 4 is on sale at Midway today for $550 with rings.

Nice find. War Eagle.
 
Are the Vortex Viper PST Gen 11 5-25x50 and the Viper Gen 11 3-15x44 for $700 first or second focal plane? The cross hairs on the 3-15 appear to be much better defined than that of the 5-25. Has anyone experienced a problem with the eye relief on either scope? I'm looking at both of these scopes in the hopes of upgrading from my current Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44. I have a real problem with the eye box/relief on the Strike Eagle.
 
I called Vortex today and I told them I didn't notice any improvement in the glass between my current 3.5-14x40 Prostaff 5 and the 6-24x50 HS-T I just got. He asked if I was viewing them at the same power. I told him I was but I expected the glass to stay reasonably as clear as the Nikon through the magnification range since it's 3 times the price. I then asked him if the PST Gen2 had better glass than HS-T. He said, it did but if I didn't notice the improvement between my Nikon and the HS-T, I wouldn't notice the improvement between the HS-T and the PST Gen2. I don't know if he was trying to save me money or slap me in the face.
 
Sounds like the 3-15x44 would normally be the way for me to go. I'm going to be booking a Prarie dog shoot where shots over 300yd are common and opportunities out to 500 are there. I'm wondering if 15x is going to be enough for that. Anyone here have experience with this type of hunting?
Should I post that as a new thread?
25 mag is not too much even for a 300-yard prairie dog those things are the size of a pop can and you never see it the whole prairie dog at that distance
 
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I intentionally passed on dealing with MIdway on this and instead sent a PM over to LO yesterday and yet to get a reply, really would have liked to got in on that pricing, still would!
That's strange. Usually he has always gotten back to me the same day. I'd call him and leave a message. That's been the quickest way for me.