06-16-2011, 01:50 PM
LRRPF52 Wrote:+ 10 on the Vortex.
If you have not purchased a purpose-built optic for precision shooting before, I can't recommend the Vortex Viper series enough. Even if you have experience with a ton of higher-end optics, you still need to take a look at Vortex. For the price, you are getting way more scope, really.
That first Sightron you listed has a 1" tube, so that would be a no-go for my personal selection criteria, but I don't know exactly what you're doing with your rifle either. The second Sightron you listed also has capped knobs, another major no-go for long-range shooting per most people's preferences as well. Since you stated it's going on a 24" bull-barreled rifle, I'm assuming that you're leaning more to seeing what your Grendel can do at distance.
For that length and weight of rifle, I personally would get the Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50. I'm not sure what your budget is, but you definitely want to make the best choices...to include secure mounting with MOA cant if necessary. If the 4-16x50 is too pricey, get the 2.5-10x44 Viper PST, I've been using one on my .260 Rem AR10, and it's and excellent little piece of glass. I have to say that they are very comparable to NightForce in glass quality, features, reliability, and click quality.
Don't mess with scopes that will not give you enough elevation and windage to reach out, have only 1" tube diameters if you are shooting past 400 and 500 yds, have capped knobs, have cheap gears that break, foggy glass, or mushy turrets. There are only a few companies that make optics worthy of serious use, especially when it comes to spending serious money on ammo and range time. Don't cheat yourself by going with something that will cost you the money you could have invested even a good mount, and a savings plan installment on an appropriate optic.
Vortex somehow broke the affordability mold, and offers all the high-end features normally found on other scopes, to include actual quality and a great overall optic. I normally have bought scopes that cost well over $1-$2k, otherwise I don't take them seriously. I gave Vortex a try, and have been very impressed with several of their products already, and I abuse them to see if they'll fail, and let my friends run them through extreme conditions to see what they'll do. So far, they track dead-on through severe temperature tests on semi-autos, to include the Grendel.
LRRPF52
interesting. i had a viper 4-16x44 and it was comparable to the nikon monarch that i still have. are you saying the the viper PST's are better than the sightrons?
i understand your point about the 1in tube vs the 30mm sightron does make a 30mm version as well found here - http://sightron.com/index.php?action=vie..._id=6&id=4
the issue is that where i am at when you look for something good they point you to either nikon/burris/bushnell for "medium priced" or Leopold/ziess for "higher priced" nobody has anything else in stock. i took a chance with the first viper and it wasnt bad, but IMO the glass was better on the sightrons.
the covered turret is just a protector, if i take the cap off on mine theres a target style turret underneath it.
besides the illuminated reticle, what are the features the SIII sightron doesnt have the viper does? the sightron 6-24 has 100 windage & elevation travel vs the 65 of the viper