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Viper PST Riflescope

Viper PST Riflescope

Though any scope can be used for any discipline, I find going to a dedicated build for the job in hand pays dividends. Let’s consider fullbore Practical or Service Rifle as examples. Here the advantages of easily dialable turrets, Mil-Rad or similar reticules and illumination is preferable to a plain Dual-X 3-9x40 for general hunting. With this in mind I have picked two models from Vortex’s Viper PST (precision shooting tactical) range that could suit the two aforementioned disciplines as well as others…

Since Riflecraft Ltd picked them up Vortex optics have exploded across our shooting scene. Though offering top end tactical/precision-type models, which are priced as you might expect they are still competitive by comparison to other brands. Their middle and lower ranges show innovation, exceptional build quality and good features - and are far from expensive. For example the 2.5-10x32 offers similar features to a comparable Night Force but is at least 50% less. Plus they all come with a ridiculously good no quibble guarantee!

VIPERS

On test are the 1-4x24 2nd focal plane (SFP) and the larger 2.5-10x32 1st focal plane (FFP), which is a tad more sophisticated. Mechanically both are similar in areas such as turrets, illumination and a zero stop facility. The build uses a one-piece, 30mm alloy body in a semi-matt black, hard-anodised finish with fast-focus and the rheostat set at 10 o’clock on the eyepiece bell. The magnification control differs slightly with the 1-4 showing a checked rubber ring and the 2.5-10 a slotted one. Both have Vortex’s MagView fibre optic indicator bar that allows you to see in low light what you have set and where you are.

Turrets offer uncapped, tactical-type drums with clearly marked, audible and firm clicks, elevation has the MagView bar but windage does not. Though the actual amount differed slightly over both models a minimum of 5 full rotations can be expected in both planes. Values differs too, the 1-4 is 0.2 Mil-Rad with 10 per turn, which equals 36” @ 100 yards. The 2.5-10 is 0.1 Mil-Rad with five per turn = 18”. In both cases horizontal stadia gives an indication of turret position.

Windage starts at 0 and offers identical markings either side for winding in lateral corrections from both directions. The 1-4 goes up to 5, whereas the 2.5-10 is 2.5. Drums are retained by three grub screws to set zero in both planes, an Allan key is included for set up.

CRS

Zero stop is a useful facility, if you get lost in elevation it allows you to quickly return to your base position and is now a feature on many scopes. Vortex has approached this slightly differently with their CRS (customisable rotational stop). Included are a set of brass, horseshoe-type shims. Once zeroed remove the elevation drum and slide the shims in the gap at the base of the rotary section of the turret. Once full this will stop further depression though they will compress a little but generally it will turn past the zero point by a small amount, which can be useful too. Not perhaps as sophisticated as Night Force, but it works!

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The rheostat is a drum-type with 10 setting and turn off positions inbetween, meaning you can set your desired level of illumination then click back one to turn it on/off as required. Power is by the usual, coin-type battery. Levels 1 – 5 on the 1-4 are low powered, doubtless for use with NV optics; 6 – 10 are normal daylight use. On the 2.5-10 it can be seen easily from 3 upwards.

FFP V SFP

Reticules differ even though they are both Mil-Rad types. The 1-4 uses a TMCQ, which consists of a simple cross out to 6 Mil in all directions, which is sub-divided into 0.5 Mil subtensions. Hash marks are used instead of dots, which I much prefer. There is no centre cross instead a free-floating (0.3 mil) dot. Around this are four, thick quadrants that give fast target acquisition and aiming by bracketing. Unsurprisingly this is based on a 223 Rem AR15-type rifle zeroed at 100 yards. For PR-type use out to 200/300 yards you just centre the reticule then factor in the bullet drop, which is minimal. Further out the cross comes into play for more precision use. Being SFP be aware that all subtensions will only be full value at maximum magnification (X4).

The 2.5-10 use the EBR-1, which is the more precision option, with three, thick outer bars and a thinner inner cross. Again with hash marks it goes out to 8 Mil on the 3, 9 and 12 o’clock arms and 8.5 at 6 o’clock. You get 0.5 Mil subtension out to 5 Mil then 0.2 out to 8 Mil, with the exception of the 6 o’clock with is 0.5 all the way out. The reticule is FFP so subtension values remain the same at any power. The one addition here is a well sized, side focus on the left of the saddle.

The downside with FFP in this magnification range is the cross looks thin at lower settings, so you can’t see the markings and might need it lit even in daylight. But enough in 223 for a 200 yard zero which will do you out to 300 yards with a bit of hold over for close/mid range use.

GOOD ALL-ROUND PACKAGE

With glass-etched reticules, nitrogen filling, XD glass to increase resolution and XR lens coatings images are sharp, bright and the build quality is good. In use I put the 2.5-10 on my Ruger Mini 14 and the 1-4 on a Czech Small Arms SA vs. 58 straight-pull. I also swapped the latter onto my S&W M&P 15-22. They are definitely horses for courses with the compact dimensions of the 1-4 really suiting the S&W and the more purist PR/Service shooters! The reticule is a bit small and busy at shorter ranges, but given the sort of use it will get and the fact at x1 it can be used with both eyes open and at any magnification the four quadrants and centre dot come into play for super fast target acquisition. Add in the brilliant FOV, then no real complaints! In fact I will probably get one for my Smith

Of the two the 2.5-10x32 is perhaps the better general choice as the reticule is far more user-friendly at hi mag and at low can be used for point and shoot easily enough. Range use aside I can see this one appealing to the more technical hunter. Though offering a medium spec this scope is still light and compact enough not to overwhelm even a light rifle. Prices are just amazing for what is on offer too, and don’t forget that guarantee!

If neither of these floats your boat, the PST range also offers 2.5-10x44, 4-16x50 and 6-24x50 in a choice of MOA or Mil-Rad reticules in both SFP and FFP. The 1-4x24 is only available in SFP. Vortex also offers a very nice reach forward/back Q/D mount, which you can see in the pictures, I will be looking at this in greater detail next issue.

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  • Viper PST Riflescope - image {image:count}

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  • Viper PST Riflescope - image {image:count}

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  • Viper PST Riflescope - image {image:count}

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  • Viper PST Riflescope - image {image:count}

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  • Viper PST Riflescope - image {image:count}

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  • Viper PST Riflescope - image {image:count}

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