Vortex Viper Hs vs Vortex Viper Hd

[mo0se]

Hey guys

Im looking to get an sub 1000 dollar optic for my new ruger 308 build. My experience has mostly been with leupold but after 2 bad experiences in the last few years im thinking about a change. I've been recommended the Vortex Viper 2-10. I've see the Vortex Viper hs 2.5-10x44mm and the Vortex Viper hd 2-10x42mm. The person who recommended them said either was a good scope.
I see the hd has a zero stop and an illuminated reticle when the hs does not. Is there other differences? Is the higher cost of the hd worth it if I'm not super worried about the illumination and zero stop?
Has anyone used both and could compare them?

Im planning on using this rifle in northern MN/WI for whitetail and maybe bear in the next few years. Most of the shots we take are 200 yards or less. More commonly we have shots from 15/20 up to 80/100 yards. Id say probably 2/3rds are less than 75 because the woods are pretty thick.

Any help or recommendations would be super awesome!

Thanks for your time!

 

[DangerRanger]

They are not well loved around here, so good luck on that front.

I’d be looking for a trijicon credo 2.5-15x42 or a maven rs1.2 used on here

I’ve had and enjoyed both

 

[Kyguy]

Hey guys

Im looking to get an sub 1000 dollar optic for my new ruger 308 build. My experience has mostly been with leupold but after 2 bad experiences in the last few years im thinking about a change. I've been recommended the Vortex Viper 2-10. I've see the Vortex Viper hs 2.5-10x44mm and the Vortex Viper hd 2-10x42mm. The person who recommended them said either was a good scope.
I see the hd has a zero stop and an illuminated reticle when the hs does not. Is there other differences? Is the higher cost of the hd worth it if I'm not super worried about the illumination and zero stop?
Has anyone used both and could compare them?

Im planning on using this rifle in northern MN/WI for whitetail and maybe bear in the next few years. Most of the shots we take are 200 yards or less. More commonly we have shots from 15/20 up to 80/100 yards. Id say probably 2/3rds are less than 75 because the woods are pretty thick.

Any help or recommendations would be super awesome!

Thanks for your time!

Neither of those 10x Viper scopes have a zero stop. Only certain 3-15 and 5-25 Viper HD scopes have a zero stop. The HD is a marked improvement over the HS, optically. The HS seems to have a bit better eye relief and you can still get custom turrets from Kenton Industries if you want. I've had both. I like the controls on the HS and the optics of the HD. So I sold them all and bought Trijicon Huron 3-9's. LOL.

 

[mo0se]

They are not well loved around here, so good luck on that front.

I’d be looking for a trijicon credo 2.5-15x42 or a maven rs1.2 used on here

I’ve had and enjoyed both

I've seen the maven stuff. Is it pretty good stuff? I've had trijicon iron sights and red dots on pistols and been super happy with it. I'll check both of those out.

 

[JLH3]

I’ve had a HD 3x9 for several years. It’s been on everything from a .270 to. 300Wby. It’s never lost zero.

 

[DangerRanger]

I've seen the maven stuff. Is it pretty good stuff? I've had trijicon iron sights and red dots on pistols and been super happy with it. I'll check both of those out.

My rs1.2 is a very nice scope imo i haven’t messed with their other rifle scopes. As far as I know this specific model is the only maven to pass the rokslide field evaluation

 

[Kbhillhunter]

Would strongly encourage you to take a hard look at the trijicon scopes as well. I've used the credo 3-9 and 2.5-15, and the huron / ascent 3-9 and 3-12. The quality is on another level and they can be found for very reasonable prices.

 

[EdP]

I have Leupold, Vortex, and Trijicon scopes on my hunting rifles and have never had problems with any of them. For the application you describe I would buy a Trijicon Huron or Credo in 2-10x or 3-9x. The Huron is specifically designed for deer hunting but you also mentioned bear. The Vortex reticles are very fine which is great for shooting targets or hunting in good light, but I wouldn't want to use one shooting a black bear at last light in dark timber. Also, for that specific application, an illuminated reticle is a great idea.

 

[06 SB]

IF you have to choose between those two scopes, I would go with the HD version. It is newer model and has better glass IMO.

Look real hard at the Steiner Predator4 2.5-10x42 with illuminated E3 reticle. It has way better glass, no exposed turrets and the illumination will help in your thick woods at dawn and dusk. The E3 reticle will be good to 300yds with your 308's trajectory if you decide to hunt something from a longer distance. You do not need all the fancy schmancy knobs, parallax adjustment etc for 200yds. You need good glass that will stay zero'd. The Vortex are neither.

 

[Kyguy]

I’ve had a HD 3x9 for several years. It’s been on everything from a .270 to. 300Wby. It’s never lost zero.

HD what? There's no Vortex Viper HD 3-9. There's no Viper HS 3-9. There WAS a Viper 3-9 before the HS line came out many years ago. It's a now a very limited (if any) distribution model that was replaced by the Dakota 3-9 this past year as a limited distribution model.