Vortex Viper PST vs Nightforce SHV?

[TheNavyBoy]

This discussion is great, I am also in the market for a glass in the $1000 range and thought I had it narrowed down to the Vortex Viper HS-T or Nikon X1000. I wasn't so sure about which magnification to get either. It is for a Tikka T3x CTR used mainly for Precision target Shooting around 500 yards (with room to grow as I get better). Initially I was thinking 6-24 but after reading this, am I better of with a Nightforce SHV 4-14 (maybe illuminated ?) for a bit more ? Lots of opinions out there but I'm mostly hearing shooters would prefer a high end 4-14 over a mid range 6-24 magnification even when pushing out towards that 1000 yards.

 

[Lead hammer]

This discussion is great, I am also in the market for a glass in the $1000 range and thought I had it narrowed down to the Vortex Viper HS-T or Nikon X1000. I wasn't so sure about which magnification to get either. It is for a Tikka T3x CTR used mainly for Precision target Shooting around 500 yards (with room to grow as I get better). Initially I was thinking 6-24 but after reading this, am I better of with a Nightforce SHV 4-14 (maybe illuminated ?) for a bit more ? Lots of opinions out there but I'm mostly hearing shooters would prefer a high end 4-14 over a mid range 6-24 magnification even when pushing out towards that 1000 yards.

For me, if i choose the ffp version, I will need illumination as I believe it would help for close range work in the early or late hunting hours, since the reticle gets thinner at low power.