Vortex Optics Viper HS-T Review: Versatile Long Range Rifle Scope

Clarity: Premium Quality Optics

Clarity of the optics is always one of the fundamental traits of good scope for a rifle regardless of the kind of rifle or the purpose. Hence, this should be one of the first factors to consider. Luckily, this Vortex scope has premium-quality optics that will deliver an excellent image quality.

These fully multicoated and extra-low dispersion lenses will ensure that you will not only get bright and clear enough images but also the best-detailed ones. These images will have excellent color fidelity and resolution to make them as detailed as possible.

Also, the glass used on this scope will have XR coatings, which are meant to improve the light gathering capability for a superior sight picture even in low light conditions. And there are also Armotek coatings that will help protect the lenses from scratches and other damages for enhanced durability.

The 4-16x magnification range will give you increased zoom versatility to allow you to use the scope for a wide variety of situations. The 4x magnification is good enough for short to medium ranges, while the 16x magnification will be perfect for the long-range shorts.

Better yet, this scope is also available in a 6-24x magnification option, which will be an even better choice for those looking for a scope that will be highly useful for hunting big game from long ranges using more high powered rifles.

And you can be confident that you will have a parallax-free view when lining up for your shot as this scope will include a 50-yard to infinity parallax setting. There is also a side focus parallax adjustment that will help you remove parallax and for image focus.

Primary Use: Highly Versatile Long Range Scope

With the more powerful magnification, the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T is a perfect scope for anyone looking for reliable optics for long-range shots. And despite this being a simpler scope, it is still quite versatile as you can use it for hunting, target shooting, and tactical applications.

While this is not an illuminated scope, the lenses are still very effective at maximizing light gathering, which means that you should still be able to get a clear enough sight picture for effective shots in the low light conditions at dusk and dawn.

But, unless you make some modification or add some form of night vision on your rifle. This scope will not be useful for shooting at night. Hence, this is a more appropriate scope for hunting during the day.

This rifle scope will also come equipped with the VMR-1 MRAD reticle that has a hashmark-based second focal plane that will make it perfect for delivering accurate holds even at long ranges. With this reticle, this scope will be very useful for moving target leads.

Construction & Build Quality: Built to Be Almost Indestructible

By machining this scope from a single piece of aluminum, Vortex aims to give it super strength and make it one of the toughest out there. This single-piece design also helps maximize the alignment for enhanced accuracy and superior visual performance, and it also ensures more waterproofness.

The tube is 30mm, which is large enough to allow this scope to accommodate larger internal adjustment range, which makes this scope better suited for long-range shooting and hunting.

With the hard-anodized finish, this scope will not only have a more pleasant overall appearance but will also have minimal glare. Hunters will also love that this finish can be very useful at camouflaging their position when preparing to shoot.

And this scope is also built to be water, shock, and fog proof. Besides the solid one-piece construction, it will also include O-ring seals that make it hard for water seep in, the seals also keep debris and dirt out to make this an ideal scope for use in different environments.

To make it completely fog proof, Vortex uses argon purging that will help ensure the lenses never fog no matter the temperature, which makes this scope ideal for use in different seasons. And with the rugged overall build, this scope can withstand heavier recoil and vibrations.

Adjustments & Set-up: Consistently Precise Adjustments

With a pair of some high-quality mount rings that fit the scope and your rifle perfectly and a few tools like wrenches, you should have an easy time mounting this scope and lining it up perfectly on the rifle.

Vortex does not provide the rings on the package but they have a wide variety of them for different rifles on their sight for a few extra bucks. Better yet, they also provide good setup instructions and also have some very useful videos that will make mounting this scope a breeze.

But, in case you have some issues with the mounting or are not sure you can hack it, the right idea will be to take it to the gun shop and have it mounted by a professional for just a few bucks.

When it comes to adjustments, you can also be sure that you will have an equally easy time. Any hunter or target shooter that has used scopes in the past will find this model one of the easiest to adjust thanks to the exposed target-style turrets.

Theses capped turrets are designed to deliver easy, precise, and repeatable finger adjustments with audible clicks. They will include a windage adjustment knob in the side, elevation adjustment knob at the top, and the side focus knob on the other side, which are also clearly marked and with a firm gripping surface for easy adjustment.

There is also an equally easy to use and precise reticle focus ring. And for the magnification adjustment, you get a nice power ring. Also, the changing the power is guaranteed to be smooth and precise thanks to the precision-glide erector system. This system will allow the components in the zoom lens mechanism to glide smoothly across all magnification ranges.

Price: Good Price for a High-End Scope

For a high-end scope like the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T that has a lot to offer from a solid built to some premium quality lenses and a fantastic reticle, the price is just right for this one and you can be sure you will be getting a good deal.

However, for a top model scope like this one, many potential users would expect to get a few extra with their purchase. The package will include a 4-inch sunshade, protective lens caps, CRS shims, and lens cloth.

These extras still provide good value as you will not need to buy them separately, but at that price tag, the inclusion of the mount rings would have made this scope an even better deal. All in all, what you get for an under $1,000 premium scope, is still quite okay.

Verdict

Premium quality rifle scope that uses some high-quality lenses to deliver an amazing sight picture and will be a fantastic choice for long-range shooting.

Vortex never disappoints when it comes to rifle scopes, and their Vortex Optics Viper HS-T shows why as it will be the fantastic choice for making long-range shots when hunting or target shooting. This scope offers fully multicoated optics with superior quality coatings, VMR-1 MRAD reticle, solid-one-piece aluminum build, and highly precise adjustments.