Maverick351 Report post Posted January 13, 2016 Ok so I'm ordering a Vortex scope for the wife's new gun. I am set on a vortex as I get a crazy discount on it. Gun will be 7mm-08 and never plan on shooting past 600yrds for paper and less for hunting situation. I am considering a Viper 6.5-20x44 or maybe 50 or the Viper HS 6.5-24x50. I know little to nothing about scopes but with the discount I get I wanna get the best for my money. For all you technical guys out there which one of these would be the best for my wife? Thank you for your time and help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CJ Long range Report post Posted January 13, 2016 I have the 6.5-20x50 vplex and it's done me well out to 500 yards so far. That being said the vortex diamondback 4-12x44 bdc is pretty good too I've hit targets out to 650 with a 308 with it. My dad has the vortex hs 2.5-10x50 bdc on his 270 and that gun killed a yote in October at 500 with a head shot... So any of those would probably do what you want. If it was me I'd get the 6.5-20x44 bdc and a 100 yard zero, then your good out to 500 on the reticle. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZ_SAWBUCK Report post Posted January 13, 2016 I have the Vortex Viper HS LR 4-16 X 50 FFP. Comes with an MOA Target Turret for elevation (no windage). I absolutely love it. If you plan on shooting past a couple hundred yards weather its at an animal or a target get a scope with an adjustable turret. They are actually really simple to use if you make a drop chart for your round or get a custom dial made. The advantage I like the most about shooting an adjustable turret is taking the variable of holding over out of the equation. Much more accurate at longer ranges. From past experience I have found that shooting with a BDC Reticle you must shoot with it at the highest setting in order for the hold over ticks to be accurate, they are great don't get me wrong just have other variables to deal with. Just my $.02! Cant go wrong with Vortex! JS 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cactusjack Report post Posted January 13, 2016 How much scope time does she have? More magnification isnt always better, the 6.5x on close or moving stuff can be hard to locate your target. the 4-16 or some scopes are now 6 times, 3-18 are really good hunting magnification levels. When I have my kids on the gun, I zoom it all the way out, have them find the target then zoom it closer for them at first. then they figure it out. but I always carry my gun on its lowest setting, until I set up. I have the Viper PST 4-16 and the 6-24 both FFP. great scopes. I also have a Viper HS 6-24 FFP and Viper 4-16 on other rifles. Good optics. Great service. Great price point. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AverageJoe Report post Posted January 13, 2016 The viper hs has more eye relief which makes it more comfortable to shoot. I would either get that or the new diamondback hp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick351 Report post Posted January 13, 2016 She has no scope time. This is her first rifle and she is looking to buy something affordable that she won't need to replace soon or upgrade. She has chosen the Ruger American Rifle in 7mm-08 and we are planning on having plenty of time to practice and get her comfortable and dialed in. I do know to start off with lower magnification then zoom in. I have a buddy who is a gun guy that suggested these two rifle scopes so I thought I'd ask on here as well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cactusjack Report post Posted January 13, 2016 Look at the weight and size of the objective. The bigger scopes tend to be heavy and need taller rings. Building up a cheek rest might be necessary too. as to the zoom in, 6.5 can be too much. 3 or 4 times gives a huge FOV Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rcdinaz Report post Posted January 13, 2016 My $0.02! Both scopes are 21 oz so there is no weight difference by going smaller and the HS will hold its value better. I had my daughter using the PST on her rifle and she was great with it. If it were me I would get adjustable turret as suggested, you don't have to use it but will want to and it will hold its value better. If you are doing any brush busting that is the only reason to go down to 4x, 6x is a PITA if you are in close like everyone mentioned. extra free advice... lots of practice on the trigger is more important than a lot of range time. My girls sit or lie in the house on the floor and practice picking up very small items in the back yard and then releasing the trigger. Sitting, prone, etc. disclaimer: check the gun 10 times, start with no bolt in the chamber, don't point it at any critters 2 or 4 legged, etc. My girls were blessed to go on a guided hunt and the guides said they were better than most of their clients. Easily found the target, new exactly what to expect when we were working with them to adjust focus and elevation and were very comfortable behind the rifle. Both of them got their deer and loved the adventure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted January 14, 2016 600 yards or less? I would go with the 4-16x50 Viper HS or HS-T, even the PST, which is what I will be putting on my 7RM I have down at Phoenix Custom Rifles being built as we speak. I plan on shooting out to 1K, and hunting out to 800 or so if the need/opportunity arises. I have shot my .223 at 850 yards with a 4-16x50 very easily. Plenty of scope for that distance, and the 4X gives a much wider FOV for quick target acquisition when hunting and something jumps up close. I also shot a coyote at 1327 with another Viper HS 4-16x50 on a .250 Ackley. While the target was not huge in the scope, it was big enough to put a bullet in him where it counted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C. Cordova Report post Posted January 14, 2016 I just checked out the Vortex website...looks like they have a new scope called Razor HD LH. Simple design, capped turrets, no parallax adjustment, and extreme light weight. They offer a 2-10, and 3-15 weighing in at 15.4 and 16.5 respectively. I would go for the 2-10 for engagements inside 600 yards. I assume its second focal plane so you will need to be on max magnification for the BDC to work. The cool thing is the BDC is actually MOA hash marks with 2 MOA spacing. Zero the rifle at 200 yards, then make a drop chart out to 600 and use 10X for anything past 200. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss50 Report post Posted January 14, 2016 I would buy as much scope as you think you need. I am probably going to go with the 4x16x50 Viper HS LR scope for my 257 Weatherby soon. I plan to use it kind of how you are talking, not really shooting past 600 yards or so. I have a Redfield Revolution in 3x9x40 on my rifle now and I like it a lot but it is not enough scope for me at 500 yards. I have hit steel at 500 yards with no problems with this rifle an scope, but the target is just to small for my liking even on 9x. More magnification is not always better. I don't honestly think I want a 24x scope scope on my rifle to shoot 500-600. If I was working on shooting 1000+ I think that is a good choice. Those are just my opinions though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted January 14, 2016 You have to think of minimum magnification power for close or moving shots too. I have hit running jackrabbits at 30 yards on 4X, and standing coyotes at 1327 on 16X. About as varied or ranges as it gets. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
