Vortex PST or Leupold VX-3

[Sharpshooter243]

I'm in the market for a high power rifle scope to put on my XP-100R.
I'm looking at the PST and VX-3
Here is the PST I'm looking at:
Vortex Viper PST Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 6-24x 50mm Side Focus Illuminated EBR-1 Reticle Matte - MidwayUSA
and here is the Leupold I'm looking at:
Leupold VX-3 Long Range Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 6.5-20x 40mm Side Focus Fine Duplex Reticle Matte - MidwayUSA

The Leupold has alot more adjustment and options(i.e. different turrets and reticules) but the PST has pretty much all the options I want but I'm not sure about the limited amount of adjustment. Any help would be appreciated

 

[davewilson]

how far and what are you planning to shoot?

 

[Sharpshooter243]

550 to 1000 is the goal

 

[Lapua guy]

Between those two, it really is a toss up. Are you hunting in a state where IR aren't allowed? If so, then buy the Leupold.

The Vortex I really like is the FFP Viper. It is more expensive though then the model you want.

You can't go wrong with either scope though in my opinion. Vortex has really come a long way with their scopes in a fast manner. Seems they fixed their problems they had earlier with their vipers. Leupold, well, it is the most tried and true brand I own.

 

[Jon A]

Here is the PST I'm looking at:
and here is the Leupold I'm looking at:

Between those two it's really no contest. The PST has better reticle, better knobs, matching knobs and reticle, zero stop, illumination, better eye relief, hysteresis free parallax knob, will beat the Leupold optically on the big end while still having a bigger FOV on the low end and is available in FFP, SFP, Mil or MOA all in your price range. That's a mouthful.

On the downside, you might need to wait a week or two depending upon the model you want. And it doesn't have huge amounts of elevation travel--mine has about 53.5 MOA of "up" left after zero on a 20 MOA mount which might not be enough for some applications (though it's more than enough for the ranges you're talking about).

 

[Lapua guy]

Between those two it's really no contest. The PST has better reticle, better knobs, matching knobs and reticle, zero stop, illumination, better eye relief, hysteresis free parallax knob, will beat the Leupold optically on the big end while still having a bigger FOV on the low end and is available in FFP, SFP, Mil or MOA all in your price range. That's a mouthful.

On the downside, you might need to wait a week or two depending upon the model you want. And it doesn't have huge amounts of elevation travel--mine has about 53.5 MOA of "up" left after zero on a 20 MOA mount which might not be enough for some applications (though it's more than enough for the ranges you're talking about).

Optically it doesn't beat the Leupold. By the numbers Leupold has better light transmission. But it is just a 40mm. Leupold has the best reticle in the VH and B&C for holdover, but he is comparing the FD, and the Viper blows that out of the water

I agree, the Viper is a better buy, unless you can't use the IR. You are getting a better scope for the money if the IR is something you can use.

 

[Jon A]

Optically it doesn't beat the Leupold. By the numbers Leupold has better light transmission.

"By the numbers?" What numbers? Out of a catalog somewhere? I suggest comparing scopes out in the real world--even if the Leupold comes close to matching the PST with them both on 20X (which none I've seen would), when you crank up the PST to 24X it really will be no contest. The 8.5-25X50 Leupold will come closer on the top end, but you had better hope nothing jumps out at close range.

Leupold has the best reticle in the VH and B&C for holdover,

Those are nice for holdover but I didn't see where he said he was planning to do that.

 

[Lapua guy]

Say what you want. Light transmission is an objective number. 98% versus 90% is a difference.

Subjectively, ones opinion is just that.

I said that the Viper is the better choice, unless of course he can't use the IR. You can try and pick a fight or you can just quit being a know-it-all and let someone have their own opinion for once. I agreed with you, leave it at that.

 

[retiredcpo]

I would go with the Leupold but i would get a varmit hunters reticle
but I am real fond of my leupolds
for the money I would get a ziess from camera land
retirecpo

 

[Lapua guy]

I would go with the Leupold but i would get a varmit hunters reticle
but I am real fond of my leupolds
for the money I would get a ziess from camera land
retirecpo

Great choice Chief. It sounds like the OP was comparing the fine duplex ret. though.

 

[retiredcpo]

I would go with a leupold
However
the scope you are looking at has no reticle or turrets
no way you are getting to 1000 yards
Turret Mod costs about $85 each(I would go with the M1)
and the reticle costs around 150

750 scope
160 turrets
150 reticle
$1050 roughly but it would be a great scope(I have one)
You will also probally need a moa base to get out to 1000 yards

The viper only has 65 Moa of travel
the leupold has 90 moa
I

 

[Sharpshooter243]

I don't plan to hunt with it since i can't use a rifle where i live so the IR feature would never get used.
The Leupold would be sent in one for M1 knobs and TMR upgrade but that wouldn't have to be done right away

 

[Lapua guy]

I don't plan to hunt with it since i can't use a rifle where i live so the IR feature would never get used.
The Leupold would be sent in one for M1 knobs and TMR upgrade but that wouldn't have to be done right away

If you don't plan to hunt, then the PST is a great option. So is the Leupold, but Jon is correct (obtusely so, yet correct) that you get more scope for the money with the Vortex PST.

 

[Jon A]

Say what you want. Light transmission is an objective number. 98% versus 90% is a difference.

It is when they come from objective third party tests under a specific set of parameters. It is not when it comes from a catalog, where even if they are telling the truth they can fudge the parameters (such as the frequency of light measured) to get the number they think will sell scopes. This makes light transmission percentage advertisements meaningless.

Look! BSA and Leatherwood are vastly optically superior to Hensoldt .

That's what the numbers say. Don't believe the numbers. Get your nose out of the catalogs and actually look through some scopes.