Differences between different Vortex Viper Riflescopes? Need help!

simpy16

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I am looking to build up a new Tikka Superlight .270 and thinking about getting a Vortex Scope on it. I am fairly dumb as it pertains to all the different models of scopes and what all the values mean. I usually just sight in my basic scope and then kill whatever is in my crosshairs out to 400 yards. That is not intended to be a brag but I am just oblivious to what else somebody needs.

I am looking at something in the 4-16x44 range and their are three Vortex models that are are close together:

Vortex HS
Vortex HS LR
Vortex HS-T

Can somebody help me understand what the difference is on these or what I would be gaining/giving up by going with one over another. I probably have a max at 500 yards and that would be in desperation rather than goal of shooting that far. Weight is a little bit of a factor but these all seem close to each other within a few ounces. Are some of these more than I would really need? Would something like the HS LR be a good middle ground of the three?

Any help and education would really help me in making the best decision. I currently have no rifle with a turret but could be open to learning. Lastly this will designed for a hunting rifle and not just a range rifle.
 
The only thing that I know for sure is that the HS LR has a different elevation value (1/2 MOA/MIL instead of 1/4 MOA/MIL) that allows for more elevation per revolution. I think the HS-T is probably the one you would want though.

Ryan Avery and Sam Millard are in the process of testing and will be reviewing the HS fairly soon. I generally follow their advice on scopes along with Bitteroot Bulls who seems to have a really good grasp on optics of all kinds along with the guys who sell them like Elk Nut and nycameraland. I picked up a Razor HD spotting scope yesterday from Paul the elknut and the price is right and he is very easy to deal with.
 
The HS model has capped turrets.
The HS LR has a exposed elevation turret with more reticle options and a zero stop.
The HS-T has exposed elevation turret, little better reticle option for long range and a zero stop.

All have wire reticles
 
The HS model has capped turrets.
The HS LR has a exposed elevation turret with more reticle options and a zero stop.
The HS-T has exposed elevation turret, little better reticle option for long range and a zero stop.

All have wire reticles

Ryan,

Thanks for the response. I was able to gather most of that information from their site but maybe I can rephrase what I was asking in this way:

Why kinda of application or skill level would be ideal for each of those scopes?

All of my scopes right now are just capped turrets. If I has something like a HS-T what would I gain in terms of shooting out to 500 yards with it compared to the basic HS model?

Also what is zero stop? what are the differences between MOA and MRADs?
 
With the hst you have uncapped turrets that you can dial in the elevation without having to remove a cap to adjust it. HST has a holdover type reticle that can be used to hold windage. Zero stop allows you to adjust your elevation without worrying about remembering how many turns you make. As you dial it down it will stop at your zero setting. All of these options are a big advantage at longer distances that will require a lot of cranking on turrets.
 
always liked external turrets for elevation when shooting prairie dogs. once you get your cheat sheet made you know which number on the turret corresponds with any given yardage. never used it for windage tho as was shooting all degrees of the circle in relatively short time and the fickle winds of the prairie make it useless.
 
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