Rifle Scopes Tried the scope calibration as shown in SH video

[Lumpybrass]

After watching the video, I set up a calibration rig for my new Vortex 5 -25.
Not having a mounting rig, I used a tripod base with a machinist's vise clamped on top.
It was solid. Drew up a target at a 100 yds and went to it. Scope tracked dead on with no windage error.
Pleased with the whole deal.

 

[Bender]

Good deal. I wish I could make and leave one at our private range, but I’m sure some mouthbreather would just shoot it.

 

[AIAW]

Oh you know it would. Friggin' savages!

 

[cummins cowboy]

I tested 2 of the SFP 3-15 PST 2 scopes about 18 months ago and both had canted reticles, showing 3/4 MOA right reticle shift at 20 MOA. the amount of the clicks and return to zero were spot on. These are Philippine made scopes. I still do not trust them over japanese made optics. vortex optics have a reputation for these sorts of problems. They count on people not shooting their guns very much or not noticing. They batch QC scope warranty issues as part of doing business. a certain number of scopes will be returned for issues. so be it. I don't own any votex optics. They do a terrible job at maintaining brand value. 5 years from now they will blow out the PST 2 scopes at half price and you will be left with a scope that is of little resale value. I tried giving the PST 2 a chance even knowing resale value would suck. Sorry but nightforce still gets my money when I have to twist the turrets.

 

[koshkin]

I tested two PST Gen 2 scopes, both FFP. One 3-15x44 and one 5-25x50. Both tracked well both with and without recoil.

ILya

 

[cummins cowboy]

I tested two PST Gen 2 scopes, both FFP. One 3-15x44 and one 5-25x50. Both tracked well both with and without recoil.

ILya

I am glad for you, mine did not and you can see the lengths I went to to check, 99.99% of people will never check a scope in the manner that I did. I hope your scope works great. until something changes I will not be buying vortex.

 

[Fig]

Sorry you had a bad experience, but they seem to do good job of making things right when they aren’t? Did they tell you to go pound sand?
The sell a lot of them...to competitotors who WOULD notice. I have a PST GII on my .300WM and routinely get first round hits at 1000 yds. I bought it here for $1,800 and couldn’t be happier with it. I wasn’t aware that was unusual.

 

[cummins cowboy]

I needed to get ready for a hunt that was 2 weeks away. that is why I tested 2 scopes. I returned the first one and got another one and checked it before putting it on the gun. Same exact issue. returned the second one and bought a nightforce. I have to little time, spend too much on gas and time away from my business to dink with scopes that don't work. the nightforce I replaced it with I checked with no issues. I also tested a huskemaw the same way and it came out great in the test.

 

[supercorndogs]

Sorry you had a bad experience, but they seem to do good job of making things right when they aren’t? Did they tell you to go pound sand?
The sell a lot of them...to competitotors who WOULD notice. I have a PST GII on my .300WM and routinely get first round hits at 1000 yds. I bought it here for $1,800 and couldn’t be happier with it. I wasn’t aware that was unusual.

I think you mean Razor. PSTII is about 1k.

 

[Lumpybrass]

I tested 2 of the SFP 3-15 PST 2 scopes about 18 months ago and both had canted reticles, showing 3/4 MOA right reticle shift at 20 MOA. the amount of the clicks and return to zero were spot on. These are Philippine made scopes. I still do not trust them over japanese made optics. vortex optics have a reputation for these sorts of problems. They count on people not shooting their guns very much or not noticing. They batch QC scope warranty issues as part of doing business. a certain number of scopes will be returned for issues. so be it. I don't own any votex optics. They do a terrible job at maintaining brand value. 5 years from now they will blow out the PST 2 scopes at half price and you will be left with a scope that is of little resale value. I tried giving the PST 2 a chance even knowing resale value would suck. Sorry but nightforce still gets my money when I have to twist the turrets.

A few things I noticed; The target does not seem easily adjusted for vertical plumb (hope it was).
Nice mount on the pole (clean, simple) but it too looks hard to adjust to the aim point.
I hope those things didn't contribute to the error you experienced.
My guess is you got some stick eye looks at a playground with a mounted scope. LOL Some places you would draw time.

 

[cummins cowboy]

the tall target has a sting with a weight on it, I adjust it for plum by hitting one of the stakes in the ground more than the other. its pretty easy to tap one side or the other to get the string straight up and down. I actually tested it twice and the results I got were exactly repeated on the first vortex PST 2/ As for the fixture on the pole, I can move it up and down with the clamps only the rear of the pic rail is secured and front of the pic rail has another c clamp to hold it. That gives me windage adjustment. it looks a tad more complicated than it is. I would say setup on target is accomplished in less than 5 minutes. I also leave the scope rings a little loose that way I can get the reticle vertical. then torque them down as the last step. The silver piece of angle iron is too light, I welded corner gussets to beef it up. Still the next time I check a scope I am going to do it with a scrap piece of 3/16" inch angle iron to get rid of the flex. The flex isn't a huge problem because its repeatable.

I also tape off the distance to exactly 100 yards with a long distance tape measure. buy vortex at your own peril.

 

[richthe1]

When doing a tracking test, how do you ensure that the scope and target are perfectly square to each other? I talked with SWFA when I had a tracking issue and they said that they don’t recommend conducting a tracking test outside of a lab setting. For instance, if the target is angled backwards (even just couple of degrees, according to SWFA) if will show that you have a tracking error.

Any advice?