Swapping Scopes..suggestions?

[Caleb777]

Hello all,
I've been hunting for the past few years with a Christen Arms Mesa in 300WM. On top it's wearing a seekins precision 20 MOA base and matched seekins precision 30mm rings with built in recoil lugs. The optic is a Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 FFP EBRC-7 MOA.

After my elk hunt in CO, I realized I want to cut some weight off this rifle. I absolutely love the scope and magnification level. But realistically I don't need the tactical turrets and reticle travel I have right now to shoot to 1k yards+. Real world for me, I might shoot 500 yards on rare occasion at game. I'm honestly not sure what I should be looking at right now. I'm going to sell my current scope to fund the new scope. Keeping that in mind, here are a few things I appreciated about this scope that is like to keep:
-30mm tube
-Illuminated reticle
-50mm objective
-5-25 zoom is cool but I think to cut weight I'll need to go 4-16 range.

Should I be entertaining the Viper HST line of scopes? I've looked at plenty of scopes. Trying to budget within roughly what I'd sell this current scope for and have a little left over since I'm downgrading optics. Any comments/concerns/suggestions welcomed!

 

[brcfo_outdoors]

After being used to the Viper PST, I think you will be disappointed with the HST. Dropping weight in this category is tough as you really start losing features, with a few stand outs like the Razor HD LHT. This is going to sound like a shameless self promotion, but I do have one I am trying to sell on here. The trade off being you would give up the FFP (same as HST) and at least my example is in MRAD as opposed to MOA. If you are wanting an MOA example, you might be able to find another one on here used for about $800 which I am assuming is roughly what your PST is worth. That doesn't, however, give you the extra money left over.

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/vortex-razor-hd-lht-3-15x50-hsr-5i-mrad.293883/

If you are looking for a downgrade, the Element Optics Helix 4-16x44 is a great value for the money. Like the HST, you are giving up the illumination, but also going to a smaller lens to save weight. It does come in FFP, so you would not be giving that up.

https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...d788-0139-8c9b-00163ecd2826?variation=3013583

Leupolds are typically known to be on the lighter weight side as well, but once you get down into this budget you are losing reticle options and FFP.

 

[7.62 Gunner]

The vx5hd should work well for your scenario, I'm not a Leupold fan boy but mine has surpassed my expectations so far in the tracking department

 

[lancetkenyon]

Since I didn't see a budget....

Tangent Theta TT315M
3-15×50
30mm tube
Illuminated reticle
27oz
Best glass around
Amazing turrets
Repeatable
I will take a crystal clear 3-15 over a hazy 5-25 all day long.

I shoot mine out to 1500+ all the time.

 

[BEEMAN]

I would recommend a March in a similar magnification of 2.5-25x52. Or possibly a vx6hd. The vx6hd is nice, but the turrets don't Compare to the March.

 

[Huntsman66]

I have had nothing but good experiences with the Leupold VX5HD on my hunting rifles. that being said there are lots of other fine options for almost every scenario.

 

[brcfo_outdoors]

You guys are killing me. OP says he wants to downgrade from a Vortex Viper PST and have a little money left over and the responses are Tangent Theta, March, and Leupold VX5-HD.

Let me downgrade my Honda Civic so I can buy that Ferrari lol.

 

[Wedgy]

I think your current scope weighs ~31oz, how much are you looking to save ? Are you going to get rid of the rail and go with direct mount rings ?

 

[Mike D Texas]

You guys are killing me. OP says he wants to downgrade from a Vortex Viper PST and have a little money left over and the responses are Tangent Theta, March, and Leupold VX5-HD.

Let me downgrade my Honda Civic so I can buy that Ferrari lol.

I wouldn't consider the VX5 a Ferrari but the others, yeah.

 

[brcfo_outdoors]

I wouldn't consider the VX5 a Ferrari but the others, yeah.

Me neither, but I was trying to make a point.

 

[Mark37082]

What is most important to you? If it is weight, then the Leupold is probably the way to go. You can probably find a used VX5HD in your price range.

 

[dmj]

Possibly a leupold in the vx3?

 

[bballard]

+1 on the Leopold vx5hd....

 

[JKB57]

Caleb777 text me at 307-880-9018 if you are interested in a trade I may have what you are looking for