Vortex Viper - lots of parallax?

[bgary]

I finally mounted my Vortex scope to work up some loads, and noticed that I was dealing with a lot more parallax than I'm used to seeing. The side-focus adjustment helped some, but... I found I really had to nail a consistent cheek weld in order to put the rounds where I thought they should go.

This is the Viper PST HD 4-16x FFP scope... not a cheapo... and it was a little surprising.

Is this... normal, for this scope? Or should I be sending it back for replacement?

[twodownzero]

Cheek weld is not optional, and no scope is going to make that difference. It is a fundamental of marksmanship. No equipment can make up for a lack of fundamentals.

[Graham Smith]

With a scope in that power range, there will always be a fair amount of parallax to adjust for. The higher the magnification the more critical the adjustment is.

I'm not sure what kind of shooting you are doing but that's basically a long range scope. It's the magnification I'm using for 800-1000yd shots with a bolt action.

As Tim says, cheek weld is not optional - particularly at distance. You don't say what kind of rifle, ammo, distance, etc. But you may need some kind of cheek pad to give you a better cheek weld.

Edited July 7, 2012 by Graham Smith

[bgary]

Thanks

I'm working up loads for a "distance" gas-gun (.260), shooting groups at 200, and I'm familiar with the need for a consistent cheek weld.

My usual go-to scope for interesting distances is a Leupy 4-14, and rather than buying another one of those for this rifle I thought I'd try Vortex 4-16. I'm seeing far more parallax with the Vortex (even at lower powers) than I'm used to seeing with my Leupolds. I haven't done a side-by-side yet, but... rough observation, at 10x there's more than enough parallax to pull the reticle off a 2-MOA target at 200 yards if I don't nail my position.

[mscott]

I'd give Vortex a call. They have a good reputation of taking care of customers.

[Graham Smith]

Exactly which model do you have? There is not a 4-16x Viper but there is a Viper HS and a Viper PST. I have a 4-16x50 FFP PST and do not have the same issue with parallax you are having.

What power are you using?

When you say you are seeing more parallax, exactly what are you seeing?

Edited July 8, 2012 by Graham Smith

[AlamoShooter]

That scope is covered by the VIP Warranty. IF you actually have a parallax problem Vortex will fix it.

I have the viper 6-24 in FFP and it has been very good to me. keep in mind that its my only Viper grade scope = all my other scopes are the Razor line.

And you are using good rings -Rite-?

The only common problem I can think of is the +0- at the eye piece. It takes some time to get just the rite set your eye and it can move too easy so I mark my best setting when I get it the way I like it the most.

over the years 75% of what I see with scope problems is at the rings or mount its self

But What I will do is test my viper next chance I get by placing the center of the reticle off to the edges and let you know how it works out at 200 yards

I don't know much about calling Vortex with probelems as I have not had any to call about. Maybe I should test that too?

[bgary]

It's a 4-16 FFP PST, in a JP one-piece mount, rings and base appropriately torqued and solid.

this one: http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-viper-pst-4-16x50-ffp-rifle-scope.html

For grins, I did some "testing" in my kitchen.... I know (!) this isn't definitive, but for sake of example:

-- I mounted a Leupold 4.5-15x50 LR/T (SFP) on the rifle, set it to 4.5x, set the focus (+0-) so the reticle was sharp, and centered the reticle on a wall switch on the other side of the room (7 yards, if it matters). I then moved my head all the way to the left until the image corona'd out, and to the right until it corona'd out the other way. The reticle moved from one side of the switch to the other. A little less than 1/2" difference at 7 yards, works out to a little under 6 MOA of reticle movement when I move my eye behind the scope. Tried it all settings of the side focus adjustment, no major difference

-- did the same thing with a Horus 4-16x50 FFP from another rifle. Same setup, same result.

-- did the same thing with the Vortex. When I moved my eye from side to side, the reticle moved all the way off the wall plate - not just the switch, the *plate*. More than 3-1/2" of difference at 7 yards Rough math says that's about 50 MOA of reticle movement based on the position of my eye - 10x as much as the other scopes.

I think I'll be calling Vortex in the morning.

[AlamoShooter]

yes thats not rite at all, 7 yards is the catch that voids the test for a long range scope. But you proved your at the top of the list on knowing what parallax is. Vortex will make it rite

[bgary]

Called Vortex this morning, they seemed to be focused on the fact that the side parallax adjustment doesn't seem to be doing much. The tech said that it should noticeably change the focus on the target; it doesn't.

So they're sending me a shipping label to send it in for a check-up. Can't beat that!

[Graham Smith]

The tech said that it should noticeably change the focus on the target; it doesn't.

Aha!!! I was going to ask just how much change you saw in the focus when adjusting the parallax and it completely slipped my mind. I've got to stop letting work interfere with my internet time.

[bgary]

Quick update.... I just got a notification saying that Vortex has shipped the scope back my way.

No word on whether they did anything or not ... will be very interested to find out what's different, if anything.

[AlamoShooter]

Quick update.... I just got a notification saying that Vortex has shipped the scope back my way.

No word on whether they did anything or not ... will be very interested to find out what's different, if anything.

on the small 2% chance that your not happy = Vortex will make you happy . I am very Happy to have Vortex as a sponsor because product satisfaction is important to them.