Rifle Scopes Help me make sure I'm not forgetting a scope

[Youngbuck]

I don't post a bunch on this forum, but read quite a bit, I'm looking for a scope for my new AR. It will mainly be a hunting rifle up to 400yds on varmints. I want to make sure I'm not forgetting a scope before I make a purchase. I suppose I'm a glass whore. I'd like the best clarity for the money. I have several high end scopes from various manufactures. I just don't want to spend that much on this project. Here is a wish list of what I need.

around 3x on the low end, 15x on the high end
MOA/MOA (everything I own is MOA, I'm not going to go MIL)
Reliable tracking
I don't need FFP or an illuminated reticle.

I'm leaning, right now, towards a Vortex Viper HST 4-16x44 MOA (supposed to be available soon). If the glass is the same I don't see the point in paying extra for the PST for FFP and an illuminated reticle. It would be nice if the HST was a little less magnification on the low end. I want to make sure I'm getting the best optical clarity for my money. I have a 6-24 FFP PST so I am familiar with the turrets and glass quality. I looked at the SWFA 3-15, but MIL only. I've never had, or looked through a Sightron SIII, but nothing in the size I'm looking at. I don't want a huge heavy scope, so the smaller size , the better. I like the Leupold Mark 6 3-18, but that puts me in and over Premier, USO, and S$B prices. I've had bad luck with IOR, and don't want to spend that much. I would consider a used NF 3-15, but a MOA/MOA is difficult to find used and I don't realy want to spend tha much again. Any suggestions? I saw the guy's post from Australia below me and looked at suggestions, but the MOA/MRAD changes the options considerably.

 

[Crosshair]

I think you're on the right track with the HS-T, they look to be really high value. Another one that fits in the same ballpark you're looking at is: Vortex 4-16x50 Viper HS 30mm Rifle Scope
If going with an moa-based reticle I think Vortex's XLR is one of the most overlooked and cool reticles out there. FFP can only help too, IMO. I like the 24 moa per revolution and 50mm objective a little more for varminting.
If you were to stumble onto a used Nightforce nxs 3-15 in moa for a good deal, that would be hard to pass up though.

 

[BoilerUP]

PST and HST reportedly have the same glass, though the HST reticle is wire and the PST is etched.

 

[roggom]

There are a few MOA NF in the sale thread, having owned an Vortex HS and NF, there is no doubt I would choose the NF. The optical quality of the NF is just leaps and bounds above, also durability.

 

[Youngbuck]

Thanks for the suggestions, the 1/2moa clicks is a bust for me on the HS. I haven't seen too many 3-15 w/ a MOAR reticle, I would prefer that as I have one I'm am used to already.

 

[scatterbrains]

I think the 1/2moa is perfect for a varmint scope I am very happy with my hs lr vortex I'm running both a 4-16 with bdc reticle and the 6-24 has with Xlr ffp. I love the 6-24 with xlr

 

[sawman556]

Thanks for the suggestions, the 1/2moa clicks is a bust for me on the HS. I haven't seen too many 3-15 w/ a MOAR reticle, I would prefer that as I have one I'm am used to already.

There are plenty NXS w/MOAR ret. I had the 5.5-22x50 w/ MOAR. Was an excellent scope. The 4-16x PST would also serve you well. If you swing the NF, get it. If not, the PST.

 

[Youngbuck]

I wouldn't be so against the 1/2 moa increments, but I have several scopes set up on rifles that are all 1/4moa. I want to keep them all similar. I guess I miss spoke. I'm having a hard time finding a USED 3-15 NF w/ MOAR reticle. I know what NF scopes can do. I have a 5.5-22x56 on my 338lm. In all reality, there are better scopes for clarity. My Swaro on my muzzle loader is better optically than my NF, IMO. If I could find a used SFP NF 3-15 w/ moar for around 1k i would be all over it. I would be happy with everything on the HST at the price point, I just want to be sure there isn't something better for the money. I know there are several better scopes, I just don't want to spend 2k on a scope for this set up.