Super Sniper 3-15 FFP or Vortex Viper PST 4-16?

[Tim K]

The application is a precision AR. Ranges out to 750, though it will primarily be used at the PD matches as a loaner or second rifle.

The SS has a great reputation and decent glass. It's only available mil/mil which is not my preference, and the is no illuminated reticle or zero stop.

The Vortex has an MOA option, illuminated reticle, and a version of a zero stop. From a features perspective, the Vortex is an easy decision.

It also has a reputation for a sometimes blurry view at max power. I don't know if this is real or if it's just users who don't know the purpose of that knob on the side.

I like the idea of an illuminated reticle, but I'm not sure why. Every other scope I own has one and I've never once turned one on except to verify it works out of the box.

Just the presence of the zero stop makes the Vortex hard to choose against...unless there really is a problem with the glass.

The cost difference is irrelevant to me. I'm trying to keep it under a grand, and the couple hundred difference isn't matter to me.

So, who has the Vortex here and can confirm or deny the blurry image business?

[Fentonite]

I had a Vortex 5-20. It was a good optic, zero complaints. Their lifetime warranty is second to none. I now have a fixed power Super Sniper on a loaner rifle. I haven't used it much, but it seems ok too. Between the two, I'd pick the Vortex in a heartbeat.

[Delfuego]

I have a 4-16 PST FFP. I think it gets slightly darker from 15x-16x, so i usually just back it off a touch. No biggie to me seem like most scopes do this a little (it may be an eyebox thing for me). I have a SWFA 5-20x HD & 10x Fixed. The glass is much much nicer in the HD models, but the 10x has been a great scope and is built in the same factory as the 3-15x. I think they are really both very comparable. The PST 6-24 seem to have a little nicer glass.

Kinda 6 of 1, half dozen of the other in my opinion. I know your not close to me but I'm happy to loan you either, as they are both on QD's.

[Zach O]

You can borrow my Vortex to play with.

[Tim K]

You can borrow my Vortex to play with.

I should probably look at it again. I ruled out your scope due to the increased length, but maybe it's not a big deal.

At least you have one piece of equipment longer than mine...

[jmg8550]

I own a 4-16pst, the image on mine at 16x is just fine.

[Marine24]

I've owned the Vortex PST and currently have the SWFA 3-15. In bright sunlight, both will do you fine but I would give the SWFA the nod for better glass. Crispness of the image, edge to edge clarity and color contrast on the SWFA are better to my eye, but difference isn't huge.

For some reason, just couldn't connect with the 4-16 PST. As Delfuego stated, the 6-24x PST is a better scope from a glass perspective than its 4-16x brother.

[XC700116]

Tim, I'll have my gas gun at the Prairie dog match this saturday that's outfitted with a 4-16 Viper PST and you can test drive it a bit if you'd like. It's the Mil/Mil version but it's more than enough to get the idea of the scope itself.

[Blowby]

1,150 yards to the cars. No problem with the sight but it does darken up top but the image below shows the fault. Looks good to me!

35137

35139

[Tim K]

Tim, I'll have my gas gun at the Prairie dog match this saturday that's outfitted with a 4-16 Viper PST and you can test drive it a bit if you'd like. It's the Mil/Mil version but it's more than enough to get the idea of the scope itself.

Perfect!

[Tim K]

In the end, I did neither. Once I realized I was buying a scope just for load development and for PD match use, I decided on a fixed 20X Super Sniper. I put it in a Bobro mount so I can easily swap it around on different uppers. I had other glass to buy and figured the money I saved was better spent on the other optics.

I haven't shot it yet, but the knobs feel good and the glass seems decent. For $300, it was worth a try.

[Marine24]

Good call. Glass quality on the 20X is the same as what is on the 3-15x. That said, I like the 3-15x. I put it along side a Weaver Tactical 4-20X and clarity and contrast was slightly better on the SWFA. Surprisingly, I preferred the picture at 15X compared to the Weaver at 20X.