Good on you for trying a new discipline, I’ve gone down this very road recently with the same dilemma.
Lots of great recommendations by guys here on how to spend $5000+/- on a scope...
Their arguments aren’t wrong, just their perspective.
I wanted to play (not compete at the highest level) with the long range idea and some of the optic features not normally included with the mainstay scopes (mil/mil/FFP).
I don’t know the priorities or budgets of these guys; maybe they’re loaded, maybe they live with an empty fridge...I don’t know but I do better than okay and I can’t afford some of the kit they stand behind.
I definitely can’t afford multiple purchases of these high end optics to compare what’s best between them, that’s just not a reality in my world...And I’m not in debt and make good money (great by most), even the cost of comparing multiple mid level scopes would come at a significant cost to the household as a few of these add up the dollars quickly.
I quickly narrowed the field down as you did.
I trust the VX3’s on my hunting rifles without question. I’ve never needed a warranty and they always perform perfectly.
The Vortex offers a fantastic warranty and includes lots of features at a more reasonable price point. As for quality I had a Vortex Strike Eagle before on an AR and it worked excellent.
For me the Vortex was a better price point, offered illumination, has a manufacturer who backs it up (as does Leupold) and generally is considered a quality optic, plus it’s easy to sell if/when I want to remortgage the house to upgrade.
So I bought the Vortex Viper PST II 5-25x50 FFP in MIL.
Unfortunately due to COVID I haven’t had the opportunity to use it yet but so far I still think it was the right decision for me.
