Vortex Viper 4-12X40 vs Viper 6.5-20X50 PA

[Bmcox86]

Trying to decide on which scope to buy, I'm still new to these things so sorry if I ask dumb questions. I'm not looking to shoot super long distance. But 300 yards with some accuracy would be nice, maybe hit 500 at the range.

I'm looking at
Vortex Viper 4-12X40 vs Viper 6.5-20X50 PA

I know the 50 will gather more light but will it make that much of a difference? I will also have to get bigger rings for the 50

It's going on a tikka 300 win mag

Thanks

[coop2424]

The 4-12x40 is the route I would go if I was you.  I have the  6.5-20x50 with the 30mm tube and it is a heavy scope and is on a rifle I don't pack much.  It really is a scope made for longer ranges than 500. 

[Elknut1]

Either scope will work for your situation & intended use you mention. Yes, the 4-12X40 is lighter & uses 1" rings & the 50mm or 44mm needs 30mm rings. Either scope will effectively shoot 500 - 600yds & more or at close shots such as 20yds & focus in no problem. I have the 6.5-20X44 mounted on a .308 Remington Bolt & have no issues with this setup packing it for miles on end on Antelope & Muley hunts, it would be a reasonable compromise between the 40mm & 50mm objective lenses. The 44mm Scope is 3.5oz heavier than the 40mm Scope. The weights between the two really are not noticeable & I like the having the option to dial up magnification on those 400-600 yard shots when dialing in at the range, I rarely get over 16X though.

  As far as having a close shot or long shot either will do the job as long as a solid rest is available for longer ones, on shorter shots you can get on running critters fairly easy with either even if not an accomplished shooter. I took a muley buck this year with the 44mm Scope on 6.5X (its lowest setting)  at 45yards, he was on a dead run & I had no issue with getting on him instantly as he exploded out of a brush pile & put a round through his front shoulder. I mention this because I hardly ever shoot this gun & scope as I'm mostly an archery hunter but love bringing out the rifle once a year for Muleys! (grin) At any rate either Scope will work fine just get used to shooting it through practice & you'll bond with it. Good Luck!

  ElkNut1   

[Come Get Some]

For the slight difference in weight, the added magnification is a no brainer. You may only get one chance. Make it count. Remember 20 power is twice that of your 10x binos. If you want a good look at something turn it up.

[jackelope]

For the slight difference in weight, the added magnification is a no brainer. You may only get one chance. Make it count. Remember 20 power is twice that of your 10x binos. If you want a good look at something turn it up.

If you want a good look at something, use your spotting scope, not your rifle scope.

 

[Jonathan_S]

If you're going to put on a scope that can only go down to 6.5X and will go to 20x, I just hope you know what shooting at 16x-20x is like.  It is darn shaky.

12x magnification is sufficient for me to shoot coyotes at 400-500 yards so I can be sure it's good for deer and elk at 600.

Unless you're wanting to go Matthew Quigley on them, I'd be wary of the 6.5-20x

[jackelope]

I personally think 6.5-20 is overkill and you'll never use it on the rifle you intend to put it on.  I think it'll have a bigger negative than positive impact with that big powered scope.

 

[2_Savages]

I have the 4-12x40 and rarely use the higher power unless at the range. I am usually in the 4-6 power and can see all I need to in real hunting situations. You don't need to be able to count hairs to split 'em.

[Elknut1]

It's true a 6.5to 20X is not for everyone on their Rifles, of course having the 20X does not mean you will be using it all the time, it just means you have the luxury to do so if the occasion arises. You can use it at 10X, 12X, 14X, 16X or whatever you'd like too, I've used my higher power while deer hunting when I couldn't tell a particular bucks size at lower magnifications. Many here probably don't know this that out of all the thousands of riflescopes Vortex sells in all categories the 6.5-20X Scope is the # 1 seller, no it's not for everyone but it's for more hunters than you'd think! I used 4X for many years & jumped up to the 6.5X & really could tell no difference in getting on target quickly, to each his own I guess. 

  ElkNut1

[thinkingman]

6.5-20x gives up too much field of view at the lower end.
The ideal scope is the Bushnell Elite 2.5-16.
I am looking at Nikon Monarch in 3-12 power.
Elk in the dark timber need lower power and light gathering.
50mm objectives are too big for most hunting rifles.
I have a 6.5-20 Nikon if you want to look through it.