Anyone have one?

Looking at the PST and HS

After this weekend's results - missing my best whitetail ever - due to low light and a 1" tube I want to try a 30mm tune and maybe a larger objective as well

I've been pleased with my vortex binocs and rangefinder so vortex is my top contender for now.

I've gone the Leica/Swarovski route in the past and looking to save some coin. I'm betting on 30mm being a vast improvement over 1" and enough to avoid pricey glass

TIA!

Love my Viper PST 6-24x50 MOA/MOA FFP. Best scope I own. Clear and awesome adjustments.

Now that's a solid rec

I have viper 10x42 binocs and they compare favorably head to head with $1k+ euro glass.

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Love my Viper PST 6-24x50 MOA/MOA FFP. Best scope I own. Clear and awesome adjustments.

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I have the same scope, and would second Tx4guns comments on it.

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Love my Viper PST 6-24x50 MOA/MOA FFP. Best scope I own. Clear and awesome adjustments.

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I have the same scope, and would second Tx4guns comments on it.

MasterAggie has the MIL MIL version, as well, on his 6.8. Talked to him over the weekend, and he loves his, as well.

Thanks guys

So I'm between the PST and HS; I like the HS dead hold reticle over the PST reticles as it is less busy and similar to my TDS reticle on my Kahles

Anyone know if they do custom reticles like Leupold?

And is there a big difference in performance between the two? Are you paying for the same glass on both models, ie, similar image quality in low light or is the PST better there as well?

I don't mind paying the extra $ and getting used to the MOA reticle if I'm getting a better scope for low light conditions

Again, TIA!

I just put a 4-16x50 PST FFP MIL/MIL on my FN PBR, since the Falcon i had on it crapped out. Like it so far. Optics and clarity are definitely better. Got it from Brownells for about $840.

1 thing that hasn't been mentioned yet- 30mm tube gives you no more light transmission than 1" tube. Google is your friend.

Vortex makes a great scope, but what rifle are you putting this on? That thing weighs a ton. Guess if its just a deer stand rifle, then go for it. But I would not want it on a carry rifle. Just some food for thought.



[This message has been edited by PFG (edited 11/20/2012 6:31a).]

Go with the PST and get the FFP option. I know it is more but it is a very very handy feature to have. Get scope caps and right your drops on a small piece of paper and tape them to the inside of the cap. Now you can actually use the reticle as intended and have your true drops not a BDC. This setup has been proven in the competition world. A lot of guys are running them on some very highend rifle.

Just do not expect it to preform head to head with a NightForce, but I would venture to say that for the average user there is no difference.

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I'm betting on 30mm being a vast improvement over 1" and enough to avoid pricey glass

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Like PFG mentioned - no difference between a 1" and a 30mm tube for light transmission. The 30mm tube will give you a fair amount more elevation and windage adjustment though.

If light transmission is such a huge factor, you need to look at your objective. 50mm or 56mm is what you need over the 40mm.

Thanks guys.

This is going on my do-all Kimber .300WSM, which is a very light rifle to begin with. I do carry it a lot; I usually prefer spot and stalk and don't do much stand hunting.

Specifically, I'm trying to overcome the deficiencies of my current scope for 300-400 yard shots at low light.

I've had big honking 56mm Swarovski on it in the past but I sold it

I'm definitely moving to the 50mm range though

The ranch manager/outfitter we hunted with this weekend said the 30mm tube gave better light transmission than 1", so I guess we both need to learn a little google.

He's a guy I trust and hunted with him for years, so I assumed he knew his stuff.

I'll do a little google research....



[This message has been edited by texrover91 (edited 11/20/2012 8:53a).]

That scope would be a bull humping a house cat on that svelt Kimber. But it sounds like you've had a telescope (huge Swarovski) on it before.

My opinion: no scope is going to get you great light on high magnification at long distance at last light. Doesn't exist.

2 options: get closer, or back off the magnification. Heck - on that Kimber, get a fixed 6 power. Use a big spotter to ID the buck, then your scope to hit it. Just my 2 cents.

I hear you PFG.

I back down and always shoot 3-6 power; obviously lower the better.

We saw him at 150, and he was spooked but keeping close to some does. There was no cover we could get to for a closer shot without blowing the does out (and him).

He eventually ended up out @ 400. My primary problem was re-acquiring him on the way out to 400 with two stops in between; my thought was a little more light transmission (it was about 5.45) and I could get the x-hairs on him quicker.

But I would also introduce a FOV issue with the bigger objective (things were happening fast) that might just outweigh the light issue.

My Kahles is 7 years old, so I've got the itch to try something different

30mm unnecessary to those distances.

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Heck - on that Kimber, get a fixed 6 power

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Great idea. I just put a FXII 6x36 with the LRD reticle on my Kimber 260. Love it. Leupold makes a FX3 6x42 w/ LRD that can be had for $430. Would be perfect for the 8400/300WSM and has better glass than the FXII.

Quick research turns up:
FXII 6x36 = 10 oz
FX3 6x42 = 13.6 oz
Viper 4-16 = 22 oz
Viper 6-24 = 23 oz
I've heard good things about Vortex. Want Viper HD binos...but no way I'd put those big scopes on a Kimber walkin/killin rifle.

[This message has been edited by slip sinker 04 (edited 11/20/2012 11:00a).]

Kimber of mine with a trim 2-7x33 Leupold. Another great light, slim option if you don't like the fixed power idea. Just some options to think about.

Veddy nice. Chambering? Mine is Talleys too.
Is it just me or is that 2-7 missing a power ring?

.223

Oops. That's when I had the FXII 6x36 with LRD on it. Recently changed to the 2-7 with CDS dials. Fun the dial up and hit the gong at 600 with the 223. Shoots the 69 Matchking into nice little groups.

I just put a 4-16x50 PST FFP MIL/MIL on my FN PBR, since the Falcon i had on it crapped out. Like it so far. Optics and clarity are definitely better. Got it from Brownells for about $840.

I'm about to put that same scope on my PBR...

Now way in hell would I put a fixed 6 on a rifle he wants to shoot deer at 400 yards!! If you do start counting on shooting the wrong deer. Sure you can take the time to setup a spotter and have a buddy range and ID for you while you are looking through the scope but I don't see you being able to tell the diference between two mature bucks at 6 power at 400 yards. You guys that have the setup would know better than me but I I would rather pack 2 more pounds and have the best scope for the job than save the weight. The weight difference would be neglible while packing. Get flush cups on the stock and use a biathlon sling and you won't know the difference.

In the price range of the PST, it can't be beat. If you are used to kahles and swaros it won't stack up. If you don't mind spending NF F1 would get my vote.

I would call Jay at Sportoptics and talk to him. He is a great guy and knows and carries great scopes.

I have the Viper HS 2.5-10x and absolutely love it. I did not want to drop the cash on a PST but they are great too. They all have a transferable lifetime warranty as well. I have the BDC reticle on mine. The BDC was calibrated off the 10x so you have to keep that in mind if you want to use the hash marks to account for windage and elevation. They also make a duplex reticle with this one as well.