Vortex Viper PST Gen II 2-10x32 FFP vs 3-15x44 FFP for precision 5.56 AR advice

[crosseyedshooter]

I recently ordered a Viper PST Gen II 3-15x FFP for my excruciatingly slow MWS build. I was eyeing an ATACR 4-16x but frugalness prevailed as I'm just a civilian doing shooting-sports. For the money I "saved", I started thinking about getting a matching scope for a precision 5.56 AR. The classic "SPR" magnification range would point to the Viper PST Gen II 2-10x32 FFP.

Now, I found both scopes for basically the same price and they have the same turrets/functionality. The 3-15x is about 1.5" longer and 2 ounces heavier, but has the higher mag range and a Christmas tree reticle. Would I be better off going with the 3-15x on the 5.56 gun same as on the 308? I'm worried I'll be missing out on the Christmas tree and the slightly different sub-tensions (.2, .3, .5 vs .1, .2, .4, .6 mrad) causing me some confusion when switching guns. What are the advantages of going with the 2-10x on a 5.56?

Also, the furthest I've shot is 200 yards but I'm planning to drive out more regularly to a 600-yard range, with steel targets, and take some long distance shooting clinics. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Eurodriver]

Go with the 15x. The weight penalty is nothing and the 5x of mag will be appreciated at 600.

Also, don’t worry about length of a scope. It doesn’t really matter in practice.

Good luck in your quest for a good optic to look through, cross eyed shooter.

[ceshooter]

I just finished up making a decision on this very same debate. I ended up going with the 3-15 to have the greater magnification and with the added bonus of it being cheaper than the 2-10 version. The only thing of note is that I went with the EBR-2D reticle as I like the numbers being out at the end of the ranging dots.

[joedirt199]

Depends on how much close up shooting you will do. 2-10 has almost 60' field of view on the low end. Put a 2-10 on my 20" AR that I plan on running in a 50-600 yards run and gun I regularly go to.

2-10 looks better and is less bulky. I have shot torso steel out to 600 with a 1-4 swfa so magnification is not everything. Now if you are shooting tiny targets the more top end would help.

[glockshooter]

FFP scopes are nearly useless at low power. The reticle gets so small at 2 or 3 power that you will have a hard time seeing it. So with everything else being equal I’d go with the 3-15 for the added magnification.

[irondude]

I would go with the 2-10. For 600 yards it is plenty of magnification and the 2X power works well enough at closer ranges. I think you will be happy either way.

[crosseyedshooter]

I decided to go with 3-15 so that I have the same reticle on both guns. I suppose that’ll help my learning curve as well. I found the 3-15 on closeout with the EBR 2D reticle. It’s a “short run” that Vortex did where the Christmas tree numbers are moved outboard and center crosshair is closed instead of open.

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