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Glass quality of Vortex Viper

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mlgs00 View Drop Down
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    Posted: April/17/2010 at 20:13
I am considering a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 or 6.5-20x50 for my new .308.  This will be used for shooting at targets from a benchrest at ranges of 100 to 400 yards.  What is the quality of the glass?   Are these well made scopes?  Would there be a better alternative in the $400 - $450 price range with similar magnification?  Thanks for any insight you can provide.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote neilbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/17/2010 at 21:04

Vortex makes a good scope. I think you'll be very happy with the Viper. I've got 2 diamondbacks and really like them. Glass quality is very good on the diamondback and that's a step below what you're looking at.


What type of .308?

If God didn't want me to play with it, he'd of made my arms shorter.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mlgs00 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 17:09
Originally posted by neilbilly neilbilly wrote:

What type of .308?

It is an Armalite AR-30 bolt action rifle in .308 Winchester.  It will allow me to reach out a lot farther than I have ever shot before.  I had considered putting my Super Sniper 20x on it, but I already have to deal with mirage issues at 100 yards in mild weather.  I want to be able to dial it back some when mirage is an issue.  I also considered a Nikon Monarch, but it doesn't have as much elevation adjustment as the Vortex and it is $150 to $200 more expensive. 
 
Have any of you used these two scopes before.  I have heard great things about Nikon's clarity, brightness and sharpness.  Is the Vortex in the same range or will I be stepping down in quality?
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Mike McDonald View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike McDonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 17:26
I use the viper 6.5-20x on my F-class rifle.  I think this is the 3rd Vortex I've purchased thus far.  Love it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 17:52
i cant tell you anything about the scope you want, but i have a vortex viper 2x7x32 on my .375H&H and like mike, i too love mine. they make a very nice scope. and there staff are all excellent to deal with. they will bend over backwards and give you the shirt off their kids back if you want it.
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mlgs00 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mlgs00 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 18:02
Is it worth the extra $100 to get the 50mm objective rather than the 44mm? 
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neilbilly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote neilbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 18:50

I have one of each of these. 

http://swfa.com/Nikon-45-14x40-Buckmaster-Riflescope-P42208.aspx

http://swfa.com/Vortex-4-12x40-Diamondback-Rifle-Scope-P10825.aspx


The Vortex is just as good and over $100 less

I have the Nikon on my daughters Sako .243 and the Vortex on my old Winchester model 100 .308  

If I had bought the Vortex first I'd have 2 Vortex's and an extra $100 laying around. Big Smile


I haven't used a Monarch or Viper so I can't side by side compare, but if I were picking one I'd go with the Viper. The extra adjustment might come in handy and the trade off in glass quality "if there is any at all" is small enough to not make any difference. 


Post a pic once you get it all buttoned up, sounds like a nice rig.

If God didn't want me to play with it, he'd of made my arms shorter.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 20:33
Originally posted by mlgs00 mlgs00 wrote:

Is it worth the extra $100 to get the 50mm objective rather than the 44mm? 

as long as your just going to use it during normal daylight hours, probably not. if you plan on doing some early morning or late afternoon shooting then i would consider it.
They call me "Boots"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mlgs00 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 21:14
I decided last night to order the 44mm objective with the BDC reticle and save some money.  Unfortunately, I got an e-mail this morning saying it was out of stock.  I called to see if the mil-dot reticle was in stock, but alas, no such luck.  The gentleman on the phone told me the BDC reticle was available on the 50mm version and it was in stock.  I said "Yeah, but it costs $100 more.  Can you cut me a deal on it?"  He did.  It shipped today.  I can't wait to try it out.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scott_at_Vortex Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2010 at 09:38
Let us know what you think of it once you get it mounted up.


Scott
www.vortextactical.com

www.vortexoptics.com
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mlgs00 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/02/2010 at 21:46
Originally posted by neilbilly neilbilly wrote:

Post a pic once you get it all buttoned up, sounds like a nice rig.

Here it is.
 
Armalite AR-30M 308 Winchester
Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50mm scope
Burris P.E.P.R. scope mount
Harris Bipod
 
I'm really glad I chose this scope.  It is clear, sharp and bright.  I let a couple of people at the range shoot the rifle.  Both loved the rifle and the scope.  This rig gets a lot of attention.  At least 10 people asked about the rifle and 5 others asked what scope I had on it.  One of the guys who shot it liked the scope so well that he said he plans to buy a Vortex Viper.
 
Once I was done with break in procedure, I got a 3/4" ragged hole with 5 rounds at 100 yards using Fiocchi 168gr Sierra Matchking.  This rifle is really going to be fun to shoot.  I can't wait to try it at some longer distances.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tulie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/04/2010 at 11:06
Very nice setup and you will be pleased with that Vortex.  I have both the 50 and 44 mm's on different F class setups and they work great.  They replaced a couple of Black Diamonds and I've not wished for them back yet.  Some day I may go to a "better" scope but just have not found the need to yet nor convinced the wallet to open up that much either!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Smileydawg1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/01/2010 at 23:59
Nice Rifle! how high is the eye box from the stock?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 09:22
Way to high.  Bucky
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/05/2010 at 09:21
Is a tad talk isn't it!  Still a very nice rig.  If he shot 3/4MOA with Fiocchi ammo he was doing very well!!!  I bought 1000 Fiocchi Amax in 223 and over 40% of the brass have off center primer holes!!!  Ticks me off cause I bought them to reload!  They shoot alright but are prone to throw flyers and it is hard to get a good 5 shot grouping!
 
BTW I have a 6-20X44 Viper on that 223 and love it!!!!
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2012 at 06:10
Welcome to the OT milahenner!
 
By the way that thread is from 2010 but that's OK Bud is still trying to get the primmer pockets straightened out Thanks for reminding us Big Grin
 
Bud,did you get any of the snow yesterday ?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2012 at 08:23
Naw, Ernie just a little bit of hail...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FALex Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2012 at 20:18
I had a Viper 6.5-20x44 on a .308.  I loved that scope.  I did get it used for 300.00, and for that price, I considered it an absolute steal.  At their retail price, they are a great scope. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2012 at 20:49
Yea Vortex! On Wisconsin! Great Optics!
Old Mil ftw
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2012 at 20:55
Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

Way to high.  Bucky
Yea I think low rings would be more the ticket but whatever works for you.

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