Any one have any experience of thoughts on these? I wanna get this for the wife's hunting rifle. The whole "looks right" for a hunting rifle doesn't bother me. More interested in terms of functionality, clarity and reliablity.

http://swfa.com/Vortex-4-16x44-Viper-HS-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P48286.aspx

Spend a little more money and get a Viper PST. Could save some and go second focal plane.

Would be the difference that would be be worth $140?
Also, would and equivalent PST be better than a Bushnell Elite 6500?

I got the PST version, it's nice. Turrets are better, reticle is better, and
it's illuminated but weighs the same. I also got it for $430 shipped since
it was a demo unit.

The Viper PST comes with a nice Mil based reticle. BDC type reticles suck.

The Elite 6500 is not in the same class as the Viper PST as far as features, you would have to get into a different line of Bushnell. I don't know about glass quality comparisons between the 6500 and the Viper PST. Also, Vortex has a great tract record of customer service when repairs are needed. Bushnell, not so much.

What will ya'lls longest shot be while hunting KR?

If your going to zero at 200, then calculate say the first hash mark, say around 300y depending
on the caliber. You can get away with that scope as a great hunter and never have to touch the
turrets out at 300y and less. If the animal is past 200y, make sure the scope is at 10x if
she plans on using the hash mark.

You could save a hair more by going with the HST which is essentially the PST sans illuminated reticle.

And sans a Mil reticle and exposed turrets. Instead it has a BDC type reticle and those are crap.

Well the woman likes BDC type systems. I generally let her decide these types of things. She doesn't like to make it too complicated. I just give here the calculated range for each line at a given magnification. Then she deals with it in a way that makes sense to her.

Is it true that the hs-t would have the same glass clarity as the PST? That really should have been my first question.

Not to throw another into the mix but now I'm leaning toward a Ziess Conquest HD5 3-15x42 with the rapid z 600 reticle.

FJG you need to check your Viper models again. I believe you're confusing the HST with the HS. HST has everything the PST has, including your prized MRAD reticle. Just no illumination. HS is the hunter style scope with the BDC reticle.

Korean Redneck, as for the glass... that's a question for Vortex. However I'd be willing to bet that they're internally exactly the same... just no red light.

Need to be clear on what we're talking about though as the subject is HS-T, but your link was for the HS. Completely different animals.

Yes, evidently I was speaking of the HS.

BDC is still a joke, so avoid it.

Definitely asking about the HS-T models. My bad about the link.

I got the 4-16x50 HS LR with elevation exposed elevation turret but the wind age turret is capped with the dead hold bdc. The glass is phenomenal to me for the price. Got it from Doug at cameraland on eBay for a pretty good price.

The HS-T is a great little scope. I use one on my AR since I often shoot it at 200 yards and less. It will do great. Glass is good and clarity is good and will grow if she wants to learn the the MIL system to get better at adjusting her distances on the fly for making longer shots.

This but I would spend the money on a FFP. Once you start using FFP you will never go back...

Thanks to all for the input but unfortunately it's all for knot.

She has decided she wants the Conquest HD5 3-15x42 with the rapid z 600 reticle. That's what she wants so that's what she'll get.