Trying to decide on the viper HS 2.5-10 (which is 300$) or the leupold VX-HD 3.5-10 (which is 400$)

[Zachthewack257]

Im trying to decide on the above choices i have 2 viper scopes i really like, though ive heard very good things about leupold and like that they’re made in the usa and how lightweight they are, But i have zero experience with leupold. I plan to put the scope on either my ruger hawkeye 30-06 or my savage 111 25-06. Im not really shooting past 550 yards or so

 

[Jsmalls273]

Most replies here will be someone doing everything they can to convince you that vortex and Leopold scopes are trash, just FYI if you have never looked on another scope thread...

Personally my 2 VX3's have done me pretty good and vortex I've had in the past did just fine. I prefer Leopold cause I think glass is better.

Sent from my SM-S921U using Tapatalk

 

[TN2shot07]

I agree with the post above, the glass in the vx3 seems better to me. The 2.5-8 is one of my favorite scopes.

That 2.5-10 viper is a sweet spot though, especially if you want the extra adjustment in that 30m tube. Where’d you find one for that price?

 

[ElPollo]

Im trying to decide on the above choices i have 2 viper scopes i really like, though ive heard very good things about leupold and like that they’re made in the usa and how lightweight they are, But i have zero experience with leupold. I plan to put the scope on either my ruger hawkeye 30-06 or my savage 111 25-06. Im not really shooting past 550 yards or so

There are lots of Leupolds and Vortex out there. So based on sheer numbers, there will always be people who say theirs work until they don’t. And they are totally correct. But people have a tendency to get attached to brands and get butthurt when others report bad things on the equipment they just spent their hard earned money on.

My experiences with both brands have been that most will not regularly hold zero from the vibration of riding in my truck on desert washboard roads and neither holds zero well if you have a side impact. And a friend’s vortex had the reticle break off. Your mileage may vary, but caveat emptor.

Best advice is to look at the drop test results in the sub forum at the top of the long range forum. No one is suggesting that you should throw your gun at anything. But if a scope or scopes of a given model survive those tests, similar scopes are more likely to do what you expect of them when shit goes sideways unexpectedly. But for the type of scopes you are looking at, I’d suggest Trijicon.

 

[Zachthewack257]

I agree with the post above, the glass in the vx3 seems better to me. The 2.5-8 is one of my favorite scopes.

That 2.5-10 viper is a sweet spot though, especially if you want the extra adjustment in that 30m tube. Where’d you find one for that price?

Its on midway

 

[LightFoot]

Im trying to decide on the above choices i have 2 viper scopes i really like, though ive heard very good things about leupold and like that they’re made in the usa and how lightweight they are, But i have zero experience with leupold. I plan to put the scope on either my ruger hawkeye 30-06 or my savage 111 25-06. Im not really shooting past 550 yards or so

Both those are good options in that price range but I would not say they are “beyond 400” kind of scopes. I’ve had good experience with Leupold and Vortex, but I’m more gentle with them than I am with my NF or Trijicon.

Between the two, I prefer the glass and CDS-ZL in the Leupold. I have one of those on my .308 and my Mother has one of the older versions on hers.

>>>——JAKE——>

 

[gr8fuldoug]

With the Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL - Duplex at only $399.99 you really can't go wrong with it

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Want a viper HS 4-16x44 plex? Got one new in the box I planned to sell. PM to chat if so.

My experience is it held up in the field, no specific intentional abuse but field hunting not blind hunting to the point I never missed hundreds of shots out to 700yds. (IE any zero drift was minimal on my sample). That isn't to say I would trust it for a once in a lifetime hunt or such, I always grabbed a different gun with a more known to be reliable scope on it. However at home one day I turned the zoom and heard a pop, the reticle came loose and would turn with the magnification adjustment. It went back in for repair and they fixed it but the reticle was canted and wasn't plumb to the scope body. They opted to replace the scope when I contacted them about that issue. Being I now prefer first focal plane scopes and this is new in box I plan to sell it.

Just being transparent on my experience. The scope is decent for the budget but these days I prefer scopes with a stronger track record for reliability, neither of which in this thread fulfill imho.

 

[RifleDisciple]

If I had both in front of me, I would take the Leupold. The VX3 glass is excellent for the price. entry level Vortex seem to be more hit-or-miss than the VX3. I don't have experience with the Viper HS, but really liked my VX3 glass and light gathering.

 

[jjwise97]

I have a Viper PST 2.5-10 on a 280AI, Viper HS on a 7mag, and a VX3 2.5-8 on a 308. IMO, the Leupold has a little better clarity and light transmission. If you’re planning to dial for range, the Leupold VX3 also has zero stop and zero lock, unlike my Viper scopes, but I like the taller turrets on the Viper. I’d say it comes down to personal preference, if I had to pick only one I’d stick with my Leupold for the brightness and weight savings.

 

[outlawjwales]

I had the Vortex scope before I sold it. Good scope and lightweight. Held up just fine for me, no issues. But if I were to do it again, I would get the VX3 just for the better glass