Rifle Scopes Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

[Cproflow]

I'm quite new to the tactical scope world, but I've been learning much here and elsewhere.

I'm looking to get my 1st .308 soon, and I think I'm down to these 2 scopes for what I can afford to spend...now.

For now, the use will be almost all range work. I need to practice fundamentals at 100 yds...then I'll be going outside and working on increasing from there. I don't know how to use the mildot system yet...but that is something I look forward to rectifying soon!

Between these 2...I think I've found the 'sweet spot' between solid quality, affordability, and a great platform to learn upon. I'm generally a fan of the 'buy once, cry once' school--but frankly, I don't deserve a top optic just yet. I need to learn, and I don't want to be hampered by equipment..just by me!

If you were in my shoes, which one would you choose? I'm also open to other recommendations--of course--but these really seemed to have quite the following, and I'm certain it is for a reason.

Also...what rings would you recommend for these? It seems TPS has a good price to performance ratio.

One day I hope to not be such a noob...but until then I am all ears!

Thanks guys....

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

vortex for the same price has illumination, and parralax adjustability plus it comes with a better reticle no brainer for me. for the record my buddy has a pst so i am talking from real experience.

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

Not exactly the same class of scope, but Id take the PST no brainer also. Variable power, excellent reticle, customer service (although Im sure SWFA is no slouch either).

 

[vlcruz2001]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

I would recommend the SS10x42HD now. The performance has been proven. It is durable, repeatable, and great optics. However, the features and price point of the PST is hard to beat. But it's performance hasn't been extensively proven yet because it hasn't been available on a large scale yet. It is difficult to compare the two since the PST is still not available to compare the optics, repeatability, or durability. The PST may eventually prove to be the better scope. But until then I can't recommend it over the SS10x42HD.

 

[KillShot]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

If you have $800 to spend, I'd save a little more and get yourself a Nightforce. You can find them for sale on pretty much a weekly basis, here in the <span style="font-weight: bold">Sniper's Post Exchange</span>.

 

[snipedogg]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

I'm also gonna go with the PST on this one. Variable power and better reticle options are my biggest concerns when looking into a scope. I've used quite a few reticles and I like having a mil reticle with half mil hashes the best. For range work it will really help with holdovers once you start shooting at longer distances.

 

[RobertB]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KillShot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you have $800 to spend, I'd save a little more and get yourself a Nightforce. You can find them for sale on pretty much a weekly basis, here in the <span style="font-weight: bold">Sniper's Post Exchange</span>. </div></div> Exactamundo

 

[OFIS]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

While I dont generally agree with the 'deserving' of top optics, I think its important to learn what you NEED in an optic.

So, as a way to get your feet wet and learn your way around a full featured scope, I would suggest the Vortex despite owning a SS and loving it.

 

[catt_tracker]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

I really like my ss hd. The glass is great and the knobs perfect for me. I haven't seen a viper yet so I can compare. I can say the glass in my ss hd is better than the glass in my Vortex razor binos. I think you would probably be happy with either as a starter scope. I started with a bushnell 3200 and worked up and at my skill level the ss does everything I need. I shoot from 100 to 1200 and have no problems what so ever with my ss hd returning to zero. Goodluck with whatever you end up with.

 

[catt_tracker]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

.

 

[tacshooter223]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

Viper FTW

 

[rksimple]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

After spending over 3 hours at the Vortex booth these last couple days, I'd go with the PST. The scope and the company are impressing.

 

[MALLARD]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

if your talking that kind of money i would get a sightron SIII 6-24 mil dot , thats allot of scope for the money , around 600-700.

But honestly, i wouldn't recommend that scope for you , i would get you a bushnell 3200 10x40 mil dot ,they can be bought for around 175-220 depending where you buy. That scope is more capable then you are at this point , no offense

I would forget about the 308 as well, i would get you a .223 , AR or bolt gun (get a savage). 24in barrel with a 1:9-1:7 twist is ideal. Use that and the bushnell 10x40. Reload your own ammo.


That setup won't backfire , its a sure way to get you acquainted with shooting. Thats what i would recommend for a newbie shooter. Hard to go wrong with that setup. If you reload using good dies, it will be easily capable of 1 moa groups and i think its a fun setup. Offhand , rapids , its a good setup.

hold off on high dollar scopes until you understand what is it you want. Get the bushnell 3200 , i doubt you'll regret it.

 

[RobG]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

Vortex, much more versatile than a straight 10x. I have a set of TPS rings and while not as nice as my Seekins, they are pretty nice for the price.

Some suggested the Bushnell 10x. I have one of those in the TPS rings. Nice glass, nice turrets, clear reticle. Midway has the mil/mil version if you are leaning toward learning that system. I am so it was a cheap way to get started.

 

[Kells81]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

If I was needing another optic and budget was $800, I would cruise the PX for a used Leup MK4 in the price Range.

 

[cooper623]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

I would say viper pst all the way. I dont have mine in hand yet but its on backorder and hopefully coming soon. Everyone who has gotten the new re-released viper pst has been very happy. Many people have done reviews if you search it including texgal338 who did a nice one. Also, i found a link comparing the vortex viper pst 4-16x50 ffp to a nightforce and a leupold mark 4 which i pasted at the bottom of this post so you can check it out yourself. IMO, the PST was every bit as good as the leupold if not a little bit better. The nightforce did win by a little bit but the PST was surprisingly very very competitive and for less then half the price, sounds good to me. Also, as for durability in the PST, while they are still untested, you cant beat vortex's "we dont care what happened or who's fault it is we'll take care of you" warranty, you cant go wrong. Chances are, if they are willing to have this relaxed of a warranty, they are very confident in their products durability and ablilty to withstand even abusive treatment from all sorts of users.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f18/vortex-viper-pst-ffp-1-10mil-4-16x-review-58400/

 

[matchking]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

Of those two, I would get the Viper simply because I find little use in a fixed 10x scope.

 

[Notso]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

Another one to consider in that price range is the Bushnell 4200 FFP tactical. I looked at it at SHOT and I was impressed with the optical quality ( much as you can tell indoors) and with the knobs, other features, etc. I also looked through the Vortex PST and thought they were comparable in glass quality. I liked the PST reticle slightly better even though it was pretty thick at full power.

The advantage is the Bushnell is available now whereas the PST is at best months away as they fill out all the backorders. In fact, Midway is having a sale right now and ends on the 25th. $699 for the 6-24

Midway sale

 

[Cproflow]

Re: Best at~$800? SS 10x42 HD or Viper PST 4-16x FFP?

Thanks for the input...this is some great info to consider.

MALLARD: you brought up a great point in going .223 prior to getting the .308. I have thought on that as well, as I think it is cheap to shoot (I also reload), and is a little less 'punchy', which would help with fundamental development.

Basically, I'm pining for an AR--as I like the platform, but I just guess I never considered them to be exceptionally accurate...which is what I want to work on. For me, the AR is a different project.
Now, as to getting a Savage...what would you recommend? I was looking at their site and it seems them have about 100 models. Are there any 'standards' that define their line?
What other manufacturers are worth taking a look? I seem to be partial to those Tikkas, as they seem like a lot of value for the money.

Thanks again all!