Bushnell Match Pro vs Vortex Viper - Thanks

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Waterdownredneck

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Hi folks, I have a CZ 457 Varmint with a Leupold 18x but I find the cross hairs way too thin and it’s difficult to see the target. I have the newer 18x Freedom line on my other hunting rifles and really like them but wanted a bit more power for 100yrs with my .22. I can’t afford to get a higher magnification than 18x in the Leupold line up and I’m never shooting in bad weather as our club has a roof so fog and waterproofness is not an issue. With a $1000 budget I’m looking at the Bushnell Match Pro ED (5-30x56) or the Vortex Viper. 6.5-20X50. Both have pretty good write ups but the Vortex clearly has the better warranty. From what I have read it seems that the Bushnell has marginally better glass.

Just looking for members opinions on these two different scopes please. My needs are pretty simple as I shoot 100yr and the very odd time 200yrd but 95% of my shooting is 50/100yrd, I don’t compete, it’s just for fun and I shoot about once per month. The only thing I know is with the Vortex I’ll need to get an adapter rail from MDT. Thanks for any thoughts or experiences.
 
Bushnell match pro ED user here. I am happy with what I got for my money. Hopefully I never need to use the warranty, if its in fact as challenging as they say it is.
 
Having to use Vortex warrenty 4 times id never own one again. Great warrenty but it leads to the question of how cheap the scopes are when their business model just keeps replacing their products
Only issue ive had with a bushnell was the one I fell on and bent the tube. Also bent the weaver cross pins to so I hit hard right on the rifle. Called bushnell told them what happened and was given $100 mail on rebate on any new scope. The model i bent was discontinued years before and was a cheaper model.
I have elite 4500s and forge now as well as some engages and like them. The forge is 97% as clear as my nightforce
 
brybenn said:
Having to use Vortex warrenty 4 times id never own one again. Great warrenty but it leads to the question of how cheap the scopes are when their business model just keeps replacing their products
Only issue ive had with a bushnell was the one I fell on and bent the tube. Also bent the weaver cross pins to so I hit hard right on the rifle. Called bushnell told them what happened and was given $100 mail on rebate on any new scope. The model i bent was discontinued years before and was a cheaper model.
I have elite 4500s and forge now as well as some engages and like them. The forge is 97% as clear as my nightforce
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Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.
 
optical quality is better on the Bushnell. Like really better.
but
some people on this forum have had issues with the warranty
I used the Bushnell warranty this year and did not have any issues.
 
I have 3 of the Vortex Viper 6.5x20x50 BDC on 3 different big game rifles. The first one I got as a promo from a friend who is a dealer and wanted to get some of them out in the field when they first came into the Canadian Market. I'm not certain what year that was but it was a long time ago maybe 2003. The second one was from the same gun shop and was only a year later. The third one I got from Prophet River Dec 22,2025.
I have had zero problems with any Vortex Viper series scopes that I own; and wouldn't hesitate to buy another Viper 6.5x20x50 BDC if I needed one.
 
possum said:
I have 3 of the Vortex Viper 6.5x20x50 BDC on 3 different big game rifles. The first one I got as a promo from a friend who is a dealer and wanted to get some of them out in the field when they first came into the Canadian Market. I'm not certain what year that was but it was a long time ago maybe 2003. The second one was from the same gun shop and was only a year later. The third one I got from Prophet River Dec 22,2025.
I have had zero problems with any Vortex Viper series scopes that I own; and wouldn't hesitate to buy another Viper 6.5x20x50 BDC if I needed one.
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Thanks so much Possum, you are the first to have any positive comments about the Viper, that makes me feel better.
 
legi0n said:
optical quality is better on the Bushnell. Like really better.
but
some people on this forum have had issues with the warranty
I used the Bushnell warranty this year and did not have any issues.
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Thanks for your reply, yes I have read that the warranty process can be questionable and hopefully I’ll never have to use it. I have had Leupolds for 30+yrs and never an issue so I’m hoping for the same thing from whatever I choose.
 
The viper 6.5-20 is more of of a hunting scope. You should look at the pst gen II 5-25, it is more comparable to the match in the viper line up. The viper is a good scope, It's been popular in PRS. It has been around 2017 so it's starting to show its age.

I'd personally take the Bushnell, it's a good scope for the price.
 
There is also the recently released Arken 5-25 Gen2 with TOR reticle and Falcon 30si at CGN vendors. Tough choices, all have their compromises and good points. Realistically you probably can't go wrong with any of options people have listed.
 
I confess that i have needed vortex’s warranty twice. Both optics were used and i cannot comment on what the previous user did to them. Their warranty interaction was polite, punctual…perfect.
I needed bushnell’s warranty once. I was the original owner with no abuse. Their warranty interaction was very disappointing and was never resolved.

I cannot argue against proven performance from other CGN members but I definitely vote for vortex here.
 
No experience with the Bushnell…I really regret not picking one up when they had them at 30% off…they seem like a really good scope.
I do have a PST II 5-25x50 and a EP5 Gen1 5-25x56.
With my eyes I can’t see what the extra money is buying me on the Vortex other than a more forgiving eye box and better illumination but if the reviews are true the EP5 Gen2 addressed these issues and should comes in cheaper than either you are looking at when they land…or get the 7-35 now…
 
Can't really compare apples to apples for you but I have the ED Matchpro and a Vortex Venom 3x15.
I use them for different things and I'm happy with both of them.
The Matchpro is over a CZ457 24" Varmint on an ACC Chassis and the Venom is on a Kidd Supergrade "gopher gun." I paid $700 for the Venom and got in on the rebate program for the Matchpro last year and paid about the same for that. I feel I really got my money's worth on the Matchpro.
The glass is pretty good on both of them but the Matchpro is better without question. The eyebox on the Matchpro is really tight and the Venom is a little more forgiving. But if you're only shooting off a bench, the eyebox thing really isn't an issue.
I find the "controls" on the Venom to be quite stiff and I'm hoping they'll get a little more responsive with more use.
If I was in the market for another scope (and really, who isn't?) I think I would, as others have suggested, take a look at the Arken 5-25 Gen2. If it stops raining, I might go look at one again this afternoon. LOL

Art
 
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