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Nikon Pro Staff 5 or Vortex HS for Antelope Hunt

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Rifle Scopes
Forum Description: Centerfire long gun scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=44212
Printed Date: March/29/2024 at 05:09
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Topic: Nikon Pro Staff 5 or Vortex HS for Antelope Hunt
Posted By: Whale
Subject: Nikon Pro Staff 5 or Vortex HS for Antelope Hunt
Date Posted: June/24/2017 at 18:45
Nephew needs a scope for his 25-06. Wanted me to purchase two Vortex Razor HD LH scopes. I purchased one for me. Told him maybe a Nikon Pro Staff 5 3.5-14x40 or a Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 would be good. What does our esteemed panel say?



Replies:
Posted By: Snack_Attack
Date Posted: June/25/2017 at 12:11
For me, it would be the Viper HS. I like the reticle much more. I also tend to think you get a little more for the money with Vortex. Nothing wrong with the Nikon, but the Vortex would be my choice 10/10 times.

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We've become a nation of wolves ruled by sheep, owned by swine, over fed, and put to sleep.

-Otep


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: June/25/2017 at 12:33
Both are pretty decent and roughly comparable.

Pick the one with the reticle you prefer.  Also, Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14x42 should probably be added to this list as well.

If you prefer a BDC reticle, I like Vortex's a little more.  Nikon's BDC is not my thing.  Generally, BDC reticles in SFP scopes are not my thing, but Vortex' version is workable.

If you like a plex reticle, then you need to do a little digging.  Nikon, in their infinite wisdom, wants their customers to use their Spot On ballistic calculator and does not list the actual dimensions of the reticle anywhere I can find (unless I am missing something).  There seems to be a prevalent theme among many sport optics manufacturers that their customers are all functionally retarded and can not be trusted with actual information.  They all started offering their "solvers" and I have yet to see one worth using. 

With that rant out of the way.

Vortex's V-plex is a pretty decent design with thick lines getting pretty close to the center, but from my vague recollection of the Nikoplex, it is somewhat similar.

I would have taken a good #4 over either one of these, but those are not offered.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: June/25/2017 at 14:15
I will ask my nephew to check out the vortex at the local gun store. If not I will have one mailed to him. He can return it if he doesn't like it. Thank you everyone.



Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: June/25/2017 at 20:12
Purchased the Vortex HS with the V-Plex reticle this afternoon for my nephew. Thank you everyone for your input. It is always appreciated.
Charles




Posted By: cheaptrick
Date Posted: June/29/2017 at 17:40
Good shooting and do please report back. 

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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.


Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: July/11/2017 at 15:27
Nephew returned the scope to me. He was not happy with the quality and it shouldn't adorn the top of his rifle. He wants a Leica ER5 or Swarovski Z5.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: July/11/2017 at 17:04
While it is none of my business, I think it would be worthwhile for him to pay for the ER5 or Z5 out of his own pocket.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: July/11/2017 at 17:05
Oh, that having been said, I am testing the 2-10x50 ER5 and it is a pretty decent scope.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: July/11/2017 at 19:52
Nikons tend to be not as much internal adjustment as similar other scopes I say go with the Viper, but since he didn't like that I'm thinking Tasco.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: July/11/2017 at 20:58
Originally posted by Whale Whale wrote:

Nephew returned the scope to me. He was not happy with the quality and it shouldn't adorn the top of his rifle. He wants a Leica ER5 or Swarovski Z5.

Wow, I bet you were profoundly moved by his gratitude!

No good deed goes unpunished, eh?


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Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: Peddler
Date Posted: July/12/2017 at 04:30
I'm putting myself up for adoption.

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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.


Posted By: Sparky
Date Posted: July/12/2017 at 14:05
Originally posted by Whale Whale wrote:

Nephew returned the scope to me. He was not happy with the quality and it shouldn't adorn the top of his rifle. He wants a Leica ER5 or Swarovski Z5.

So what rifle does he have that needs a Leica or a Swarovski?


Posted By: Boomholzer
Date Posted: July/12/2017 at 19:31
Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

Nikons tend to be not as much internal adjustment as similar other scopes I say go with the Viper, but since he didn't like that I'm thinking Tasco.


I still use two Tascos allot.. I think Barscavettas or Bvarcaskis are higher end.


Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: July/16/2017 at 14:53
As I am still on vacation, I haven't decided on the scope or how much he will pay. He did learn a small lesson when he purchased the gun off of Gunbroker. Things are always as described. Also, read all the small print and see if there is an inspection period or return policy. He did informed me before the auction that it needed a new barrel and I agreed to rebarrel the gun. The end result was a Remington 700 action blueprinted/trued, McMillan stock, Bartlein barrel, Timney trigger and all metal parts have a melonite finish.


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: July/16/2017 at 18:14
McM, Bartlein, Timney, Melonited...very nice!!! I hope the kid learns to appreciate what a kind, generous uncle he has!!!

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Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: July/30/2017 at 19:59
Rifledude,
You are correct. No good deed goes unpunished. I made a mistake. The rifle has a Jewell trigger.


Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: July/30/2017 at 20:02
Ilya,
I still don't know which scope to purchase. However, I think that he will have to pay at least 50% to 75% of the price.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: July/31/2017 at 10:52
Originally posted by Whale Whale wrote:

Ilya,
I still don't know which scope to purchase. However, I think that he will have to pay at least 50% to 75% of the price.

That really depends on the budget.  Besides, I am not sure that anything I would recommend can really match your nephew's lofty standards.

If you want something better than the Vortex HS/Nikon ProStaff/Burris FFII, etc, you should be jumping up to something along the lines of Vortex Razor HD LH.  The 3-15x42 is a very nice design (didn't you get one of these?) and for applications like this it has sorta become my default recommendation.

If you want the most optical quality for the money and are OK with lower magnification, try Meopta MeoPro 3-9x40.

As a general rule in the sub-$1k range, my hunting scope recommendations seem to really go one of four ways:

-If you want a general purpose hunting scope that can do everything in a pinch in a compact package, get one of the Vortex HD LH scopes (I have all three, so just pick whichever magnification range strikes your fancy).  There is some holdover in the reticle, knobs are low, but track well and the basic quality is just superb.

-If you want to get the most optics for the money in a durable package, get Meopta MeoPro 3-9x40.  It is a very basic scope and it has all the fundamentals worked out very nicely.  It stays zeroed, stays together and has a properly sized reticle for almost any light conditions

-If you really spend a lot of time holding over with the reticle and really prefer a FFP design, Burris Veracity should be on your list.

-If you like FFP, use the reticle for basic ranging, and insist on dialing shots (or if you simply like practicing a bit further out and need proper turrets), get SWFA SS 3-9x42. 

That does not mean there are no other good scope out there.  There are quite a few, but these are the ones I have enough time with to be confident in my recommendations.

If you really need an illuminated reticle on a budget, consider Leupold VX-R.

If you want excellent optics and you are willing to pay name recognition, get Swarovski Z3.

Whichever way you go, make you nephew pay for it.

ILya



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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: July/31/2017 at 15:49

https://samplelist.com/catalog/product/view/id/139655/ - https://samplelist.com/catalog/product/view/id/139655/


https://samplelist.com/catalog/product/view/id/139196/ - https://samplelist.com/catalog/product/view/id/139196/


https://samplelist.com/catalog/product/view/id/139106/ - https://samplelist.com/catalog/product/view/id/139106/



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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: August/03/2017 at 11:22
Ilya,
I was thinking about giving my Vortex HD LH 3-15x42 to my nephew on a payment plan. I was looking to get the HD LH 2-10x40 or the Meopta MeoPro 3-9x40 for my Tikka T3 in 8mm mauser. I want to use the rifle this fall in Tecas on a hog hunt. I am also going to hunt ducks while I am down there. I will start a new post on scopes for hog hunting. I did like the MeoPro that I purchased for my nephew's Winchester model 70 in .243. Yes, he is the same nephew that just received the 25-06. He wanted something a little bit more powerful, but not a lot of recoil. I thought he would get a .308. Maybe a .270 or 30-06. Oh well.


Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: August/03/2017 at 11:51
Ilya,
Yes, he had lofty standards. It is easy when someone else is paying the bills. Have you finished your review of the new Leupold VX-5HD? Thanks.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: August/03/2017 at 14:27
If you ever decide to adopt another nephew, I am available. 

I have not looked at VX5 HD yet, but I really like the VX6 HD.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Peddler
Date Posted: August/03/2017 at 16:13
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

If you ever decide to adopt another nephew, I am available. 

I have not looked at VX5 HD yet, but I really like the VX6 HD.

ILya


😂 I put myself up for adoption on July 12th.

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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: August/03/2017 at 17:35
I recently got a VX5HD 2-10x.  I also have a VX6 but not the HD version.  I have not compared a lot yet, but optically the VX5 is just as good.  They are both excellent scopes.

I am really liking the new Leupold lines.  The VX5 has the double turn zero lock turret, and on my creedmoor I can dial to 1100 yards.  On my ZX6 it is a single turn but will get my .308 to 600 yards.  That feature on those scopes is one of my biggest likes, for my uses it makes them a better fit than many of the other hunting scopes out there these days.

Then you add the flip up Alumina caps they just become awesome scopes.   


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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: August/05/2017 at 10:32
Supertool73,
Thank you for the feedback. It seems Leupold addressed customer comments about their turrets. I also purchased the older VX-6 model when it went on sale to make room for the newer VX-6HD. I would like to compare the Leica, Vortex and Leupold in 2-10.


Posted By: Whale
Date Posted: February/08/2018 at 21:03
Finally received the last check from my nephew. He also informed me that working sucks and working hard for a little amount of money really sucks. Welcome to the real world kid. BTW, the Vortex with the HD glass is great. Thanks Ilya.


Posted By: Remus Redbone
Date Posted: February/14/2018 at 20:36
I just received my new Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50 last Friday 2/9/18, mounted it on Saturday 2/10, went to shoot Sunday 2/11, and sent the scope back to Vortex Tuesday 2/13. I couldn't get a sharp focus at 100 yards. When I adjusted the scope for the sharpest image I could get (which was still not clear by no means), the parallax was horrendous. I could shift my head slightly and get a 3-4 inch shift of the crosshairs at 100 yards. When I adjusted for the least parallax, the image was super blurry.

Consider the Nikon. Wish I would have. I guess I'll see how good the Vortex warranty really is....


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: February/15/2018 at 07:43

Everyone makes a lemon occasionally.... The vortex is still a better scope and you will be happy with their CS.  I dare say if you had gotten a lemon with Nikon you'd not have such an easy road ahead with the warranty.



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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln



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