Vortex Viper on a .17

[TurtlePhish]

Would a 6.5-20 Viper be too much scope for a .17HMR Savage? Gonna start saving up for my first quality scope and I've heard great things about Vortex. I'm thinking either the Viper or a 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest, though the Zeiss optics don't have adjustable objectives until you get to the $800-range-or-higher scopes.

 

[r3825]

I've got a Mueller apv on mine and I love it, it was highly recommended over on rimfirecentral.

 

[rcmodel]

AO isn't necessary until you get above 10x, or shoot at very close ranges.
Like 10 meter air-rifle.

Whether a 6.5-20 is too much depends on what the intended use of the rifle is.

For most varmint hunting within the range of the .17 Hummer, I'd say it is too much.
200 yards divided by 20x is 10 yards.
You can probably spit a peach seed that far with a favorable wind.

20x times your heartbeat is bumping your cross-hairs off both sides of a 50 yard gopher.

On the other hand, 20x would be good for benchrest target shooting.
Flies wouldn't stand a chance if they land on your 100 yard target!

rc

 

[TurtlePhish]

So for paper punching and potential future hunting, would you say the Zeiss is the more flexible option? Also, are there any noticeable differences in quality of glass- clarity, contrast, etc.- and durability between the two? Another big thing is repeatability of tracking; I'd like to be able to make adjustments for range without having to re-zero afterwards.

 

[JimStC]

Leupold VX-2 3-9x33 Rimfire EFR is a very nice scope. I have it on my Weatherby Mark XXII .17 HMR. $375+/-

 

[dubbleA]

I have several 17 HMR's and 3 of them wear Zeiss 6.5x20 scopes. They have parallax and external knobs, though won't adjust for under 50 yards. With that said they are good scopes and don't feel that they are over powered for what I use them for. Would definitely look at the Zeiss over a Vortex.

 

[TurtlePhish]

I have several 17 HMR's and 3 of them wear Zeiss 6.5x20 scopes. They have parallax and external knobs, though won't adjust for under 50 yards. With that said they are good scopes and don't feel that they are over powered for what I use them for. Would definitely look at the Zeiss over a Vortex.

The Zeiss models with external knobs and AO are exactly what I want, but a little out of my price range at the moment. I saw the Vortex as a sort of compromise.

 

[Olympus]

You won't be disappointed with the Viper 6.5-20. I have the same scope with the discontinued target dot reticle on a .25-06 and it's AMAZING! I have been looking for a new scope for my AR and I actually contacted Vortex about special ordering another Viper with the target dot reticle. They were prompt in answering my email, but they don't do special orders. Their no-BS warranty is top notch. I've had a lot of different scopes in the same price range and the Viper is much better in terms of quality and clarity. Hands down my favorite scope!

 

[Zen Archery]

I've been running a 4x16x40 shot out to 300 yards last week and it was more then plenty. Soon as my land dries out I'm gonna push 400. For most general .HMR use I believe a 3x9 would be plenty. Just my .02

 

[TurtlePhish]

How well do Vipers track? Like, say, box test?

 

[smokey262]

The Vortex website says 50 yd minimum distance. If you are going to shoot closer than that it would probably lead to some inaccuracy due to parallax. For shooting between 50 yds and say 150-175 yards that would be a great scope for the rifle. Much further than this and wind will cause more inaccuracy than aiming error.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Vortex makes several different grades of rifle scopes with prices to match. I have a Viper PA, 6.5-20X50. Nice glass for the $400+/- price. IMHO 6.5-20 is bit over kill for a .17. I have two Mueller 4.5-14X40's, a APV and a APT. The Mueller well have Parallax adjustment down to 10yds, nice for rimfire matches. The newer APT has a 30mm tube and mil-dot.

 

[Beentown]

Hard to beat a Vortex. Price, function, options, quality, weight, performance and warranty. They have it all.

I was a big Leupold fan and a skeptic of Vortex because of their price to feature ratio. Usually when a scope has a bunch of features for a cheap price I think...BSA. I bought one of the cheaper Crossfires to hold me over until I could afford a Leupy Mark III or better. Pfft. That Crossfire was so good for $99 dollars I tried a Viper for $400. Best $400 scope I have ever seen. Unless something changes all my rifles will have Vortex on top of them from now on.

 

[Olympus]

Hard to beat a Vortex. Price, function, options, quality, weight, performance and warranty. They have it all.

I was a big Leupold fan and a skeptic of Vortex because of their price to feature ratio. Usually when a scope has a bunch of features for a cheap price I think...BSA. I bought one of the cheaper Crossfires to hold me over until I could afford a Leupy Mark III or better. Pfft. That Crossfire was so good for $99 dollars I tried a Viper for $400. Best $400 scope I have ever seen. Unless something changes all my rifles will have Vortex on top of them from now on.

+1!

 

[TurtlePhish]

Now I'm stuck between a Vortex and an SWFA Super Sniper... Does anyone have any firsthand info on how repeatable the adjustments are?