Rifle Scopes Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

[SigsauerP229]

This is a project on hold as I'm putting together a TRG with a USO and I need to finish paying for that but after that's done I need to figure out what to scope my Rem 700 in .300WM with.

I have a couple Leupy's and I like them just fine but I have played with the Viper PST and I was pretty impressed. Plus I'd save a few bucks on the Viper.

What I'd really appreciate though is an opinion from those who have field experience with both. How is the clarity in the field and how sturdy are the PST's? The exact scopes I'm considering are:

Leupold 8.5-25X50 Mark 4 LR/T M5 knobs with illuminated TMR reticule.

The Vortex is:

Viper PST 6-24X50 EBR-1 MRAD

Any help deciding would be greatly appreciated. Basically I'd like to know if most think the Leupy is worth the extra cost as I'm willing to wait till I can get it. I want a scope that I will be happy with for a long time. I know there are other options but I have access to getting both these scopes at a great cost, where as I don't with NF or USO. The USO I'm getting is basically for my ultimate one time purchase and I can't afford to do that with every rifle I have.

Thanks

 

[42769vette]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

if they were the same price id go with the vortex.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

I have a PST 4-16, and a Leupold 8.5-25, I think the Leupold has a little better image, But not enought to justify the much higher price tag.

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

Why don't you get the Aadland scope rings. They have a 1/2 moa garrentee when switching between platforms. So you ensure you buy the same brand base for all your rifles, move optic from rifle to rifle and spend the money on 5rds to zero and use the same optic. That's what im doing and it works great.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[BCP]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

I would get the PST or maybe the weaver 3-15 FFP and put some $$$$ in your pocket. Leupold is 1700 retail? That is used Razor HD territory...

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 42769vette</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if they were the same price id go with the vortex.</div></div>

May I ask why you feel this way?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mwroseberry</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why don't you get the Aadland scope rings. They have a 1/2 moa garrentee when switching between platforms. </div></div>

I thought about this but these are for long range rigs and I wouldn't want to re-zero everytime. My family and friends also shoot with me so I don't want to be bouncing the scope from one rig to another.

The price is a few hundred different for me, so I'm not worried about that as much. I would like to save the money but I'm curious why people would choose one over the other without factoring in the cost.

The other question I had was seeing some post where several people had to send scopes back to Vortex. Everone was happy with thier CS, but I want the scope that will be sturdier. I know every company has issues but are there a lot of Vortex scopes going back? Can anyone tell me if they have some long time use on thier PST models preferably on heavy recoiling guns?

Thanks

 

[42769vette]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

i feel this way because leupold customer service has screwed me over in the past and im in no hurry to do any sort of business with them again. vortex is a honest company with quality service after the purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SigsauerP229</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 42769vette</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if they were the same price id go with the vortex.</div></div>

May I ask why you feel this way?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mwroseberry</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why don't you get the Aadland scope rings. They have a 1/2 moa garrentee when switching between platforms. </div></div>

I thought about this but these are for long range rigs and I wouldn't want to re-zero everytime. My family and friends also shoot with me so I don't want to be bouncing the scope from one rig to another.

The price is a few hundred different for me, so I'm not worried about that as much. I would like to save the money but I'm curious why people would choose one over the other without factoring in the cost.

The other question I had was seeing some post where several people had to send scopes back to Vortex. Everone was happy with thier CS, but I want the scope that will be sturdier. I know every company has issues but are there a lot of Vortex scopes going back? Can anyone tell me if they have some long time use on thier PST models preferably on heavy recoiling guns?

Thanks </div></div>

 

[bignada]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mwroseberry</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why don't you get the Aadland scope rings. They have a 1/2 moa garrentee when switching between platforms. So you ensure you buy the same brand base for all your rifles, move optic from rifle to rifle and spend the money on 5rds to zero and use the same optic. That's what im doing and it works great.

Good luck,
Merritt </div></div>


Not to be argumentative, but....

Get a Bushnell 74-3333 boresight/collimator, or another one with a grid reference and observe that NO SCOPE RING MAKER CAN GUARANTEE ANY HOLD OF ZERO. Too many differences between the picatinny and other scope rails.

Most precise system for interchanging scopes is the Leupold QR system, but no elevated +moa bases for these unless you shim.

Have to keep a log book of your zero and have the colimator to reset.

Very Much Impossible to guarantee anyone that scope rings will hold a zero unless you use a proprietary base setup for those rings.

 

[Jon A]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

Uhm, would you like to try a pair and see for yourself? While not proprietary, a quality picatinny rail provides all you need for a pair of rings to attach precisely the same way every time if they’re designed well (and yes, there are many different ways to skin that cat which several manufacturers do well).

They will be more repeatable than a boresighter will. The ½ MOA is really a worst case scenario, if you’re half way careful about it and use a torque wrench it’s rare to have to adjust a scope more than a single click after re-mounting, most of the time not even that.

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

Gents,

I'm not talking anything bad about the mount, it's just not what I'm looking for. I have no prior use with this mount but I do use a QD system scope on my AR style rifles for testing that works great.

I just don't desire this system for my bolt guns because I like my system to be set up the same all the time and ready to go. I also like to shoot with my family next to me. I can't very well do this if I have to move the scope from one gun to another.

Just looking for advice on the listed scopes as I already no what mount I'm using. I'm sure the mount you mention is great though and if I hurt someones feelings it was not my intention by saying it wasn't what I wanted to use on this set up.

Vette,

Thanks for the reply. I had never heard anything bad about people experiences with Leupold's CS, but it's something I'll keep in mind knowing it happened to you.

 

[Jon A]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

No worries; I realize that's not what you want to do. I just wanted to state for the record that for those who do quality rings on a picatinny rail can be very repeatable.

To help with scope choice--it's my opinion that the PST 6-24 is a lot more scope for the money and it would be my choice by a decent margin.

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

The glass in my Mark 4 ERT M5 is better than my buddies nightforce. I took it out to 600 meters a few weeks ago and could see vapor trails through the scope. The clicks are crisp and the scope tracks great. I love my Leupold. All of my buddies shoot leupolds on their bench guns. Any customer service issues have been handled quickly and without hassles. Hell, one guy even had 3 of his scopes damaged in a flood. he sent them back and had them fixed under warranty no questions asked.

 

[42769vette]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SigsauerP229</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gents,

Vette,

Thanks for the reply. I had never heard anything bad about people experiences with Leupold's CS, but it's something I'll keep in mind knowing it happened to you. </div></div>

its been 10 years and it still get my blood boiling.

 

[Wardy]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

I've had several Leupy's and have a 6-24 PST and hands down would buy another PST over Leupold. Glass is excellent, scope is well built and lots of features. I am really impressed with mine.

 

[2Shots]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

Wow, hate to be a kill joy, but I have two pst's and several leupys and would pick the leupold products, especially the mark 4 series. Better yet in that price range is the SS 5-20, great glass, nice reticle and price is in line. You can probably find a left over group buy illuminated on here for 1200 to 1300.

 

[Jon A]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

Are either of your PST's the 6-24? They're a cut above in my opinion.

Anyway I agree with the preference of the 5-20 SS HD, but it is a fair amount more money than the PST if bought new now.

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

Thank you.

Seems to be almost split down the middle with what everyone thinks is the better of the two. I'm going to see how long and how much for the PST and if it's reasonable I might go that route. Otherwise I know I can get the Leupy right away.

I appreciate the info.

 

[2Shots]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

I do have one of the 6-24 pst's. Still like the leupold mark 4's or an ss over the pst.

 

[rdmega]

Re: Vortex PST 6-24X50 or Leupold Mk4 8.5-25X50

I agree, I have posted before the PST is a decent scope but I am not overly excited about it. Then again I am one who thinks the Leupold is over priced too. Optically the Mk4 is a little more consistant to me. PST has some amazing features though, of course I have the 4-16 and the 6-24 seems to be brighter glass.