Rifle Scopes Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

[dagwood]

I am having a difficult time making a choice between the Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 or a Sightron SIII 6-24x50.
Right now I'll be shooting out to 450 yards, but in the future, a 1000 or more, just shooting paper and steel. The occasional golf ball does get shot at times. I am only a casual shooter, so it is hard to justify a USO or anything else in that price range.
If it makes a difference, it will be mounted on an SSG 3000 with a US Optics 20 moa rail.
I had a Mark 4 4.5-14x50 on it, but life raised its ugly head and had to sell it.
The price difference is not the question, it is getting the best scope for the $$$$$$$$$$
Any input will help.

Steve

 

[m1k3]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

Not sure if this helps or not but my Viper 6.5-20x50mm Mildot has been great. Tracks great and the optics are nice.

I too looked at the Sightrons lately but still haven't pulled the trigger on one. In my research I couldn't find anything at all negative about the Sightron. I've read that the Sightrons had amazing glass and excellent tracking. They both have fantastic customer service records and seem to hold their value well. Really can't go wrong with either one.

Give Scott at Liberty optics a call, he sells both for a great price.

Good Luck!
Mike

 

[cuffm4615]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

If your just shooting paper you may want to look at at the Viper 6.5-20x50(target dot) that CSTACTICAL is selling for $279. It's a $400+ scope for that price do to it being discontinued. That is if you can live with the target dot. I picked one up to hold me over til the PST's arrive and I'm extremely happy for the price I got and the scope works GREAT !!!

 

[hunter223]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

I've had both, and I would say go Vortex because of the price. The Sightron's glass IMO is marginally better(if even that) and the Viper is close to half the price of Sightron SIII plus you can support a company that supports The Hide.

 

[westopecos]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

328 - they are both excellent, and very, very close to each other optically. In my eyes they are equal in optical performance. Some people see an advantage to the SIII. Money-wise there is obviously an advantage to the Vortex. Both companies have excellent warranties. They are both US companies manufacturing offshore. You will be happy either way.

If I were you I would look at other physical aspects to choose what fits best my use, such as weight, MOAs, turrets/knobs etc. Good luck!

Edit on 12/18/10: I have played more with the SIII - I now find it superior to the Viper, although the Viper is no slouch.

 

[slowr1der]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

Viper due to price would be my choice also. However, both are great scopes.

 

[KClark]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

I have both and maybe my Viper is a bad one because the SIII glass is waaay better. That's the biggest difference I see. If the optics were closer matched I could be happy with either.

 

[dlxcupid]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

For the money, you can't beat $249 from CSTactical for the Vortex Viper. I myself had this same dilemma last year but it wasn't on sale so I went with Sightron. The S3's glass are often compared with Nightforce and some would say that it's better. Talk with Brady from SWFA or Scott from Liberty. Find the lowest advertised price and show it to SWFA and you take an additional 10% off the difference.

http://www.snipercentral.com/s3sightron.htm
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1448390

There's more reviews out there but these 2 are pretty good.

P.S. I emailed Scott @ Liberty the exact same question last year, and he was a firm believer with the Sightron S3 so that helped me make my decision.

 

[Jeepin_Lawyer]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

IMHO the Sightron is still the best scope for the money out there.

 

[Longshot38]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

Both are good pieces of kit. I've owned a Sightron and it was a really solid scope. The glass is great and the tracking was spot on. I don't have any experience with Vortex but I hear good things. Were it me making the decision I'd go back to Sightron.

 

[danska]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KClark</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have both and maybe my Viper is a bad one because the SIII glass is waaay better. That's the biggest difference I see. If the optics were closer matched I could be happy with either. </div></div>

I'd agree with this as I've also owned both. The SIII is a much nicer scope all in all. It compares to the MK4 in glass quality. I paid $250 more for it though ($400 for the Vortex, got the SIII used).

If the extra money is in your budget I would definitely step up to the SIII, I was amazed at the quality of the optics at higher magnification.

edit: One other thing that the SIII has that is really nice is the near 100 MOA of internal elevation adjustment, I can stretch out beyond the range of my rifle without much difficulty and a 0 MOA base.

 

[dagwood]

Re: Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII

Thanks everyone for all of the good info. If the budget allows the SIII is the choice, if $$$ falls a little short, the Viper should work just fine.

thanks again

Steve