The Vortex Viper HS LR is a beast in long-range shooting and large game hunting. In fact, because of the 12 MOA turret, sharp reticle, and crystal clear glass, spotting at long distances was substantially simpler and faster than with any other scope I’ve tested.
This specific type of rifle sight was chosen for a review because it has shown its worth among real-world hunters. The added internal scope adjustments, the BDC and SFP reticle, and outstanding HS LR capabilities have earned its rave ratings across the board.
It was a tight choice between this and the Viper 4-16X50 HS LR FFP with the XLR MOA reticle. Unfortunately, the model has recently been discontinued. But don’t give up hope. There are almost 80 comments on the Vortex website concerning this Viper HS LR rifle sight. Will you be one of them?
Differences Between Vortex Viper HST vs hS LR:
The Viper HS’s limited elevation turret makes it an unsuitable choice for a long-range shooter or hunter who has to swiftly and accurately dial in their drop at a distance. Even if someone ran that turret uncapped on the HS, it restricts the overall allowable elevation travel.
On the other hand, the HS LR eliminates all of those issues by employing a tall, exposed turret for height adjustments. It does make the turret more susceptible to being bumped in the field, but we’ve seldom seen that be a major issue for most long-range hunters and shooters, and they’re generally the type of folks who interact with and check their turrets frequently.
Though many people use this sight for hunting, it is often found on the range shooting steel. The elevation and windage turrets are now visible since the issue of potentially hitting the turrets in dense bush or heavy wood from the shooting mat or bench is no longer a concern.
The reticles in this scope are only SFP, but they employ our VMR-1 reticle, which can be ordered in either MOA or MRAD to match the turrets and contains accurate hash marks for milling targets, spotting shots, and elevation/windage holding over.
Glass clarity is without a doubt the essential aspect of a good rifle sight. What is the point of having everything else work on your artwork if you can’t see anything through the glass? The Viper HS-T has a fully multi-coated lens for improved light gathering capability and a clear, bright image. The multiple lens coatings also provide extra-low light dispersion, improving your vision’s sharpness and color accuracy.
The Viper HS-T comes fitted with the VMR-1 reticle. A straightforward hashmark-based reticle with a secondary focus plane. The VMR-1 excels at moving targets, leads, and wind. The effectiveness, however, varies depending on the magnification setting. This is a simple, straightforward reticle that provides accurate holds at long ranges.
The Viper HS-T does not have lighting. However, it does have a reflecting property that improves visibility. Thе еxtеrnаl соре аdutmеnt, thе D аnd F rеtсlе, аnd uреr LR сараbltе whаt’ gvеn t mghtу rеvеw асrо thе bоаrd What precisely does that mean?
BDC is a ballistics reticle that stands for bullet drop compensation. These reticles can provide shooters with a correct point of aim at a specified distance, compensating for bullet drop. The vortex viper scope features cutting-edge optical technology.
The second focal point (SFP) – The reticle of a riflescope is positioned in either the first or second focal plane (FFP) (SFP). The critical distinction is that an SFP reticle appears the same size regardless of magnification. Vortex scopes’ XD glass produces a picture that is crisp and clear from edge to edge. The Vortex Viper HS’s XR multi-coated lenses capture the maximum light from sunrise to twilight. The 4x magnification brings you closer to the object.
Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant Armortek coatings protect the Viper scope’s external lenses. The Vortex long-range scopes include exposed target-style elevation turrets for tuning elevation at long ranges. The CRS zero stop enables you to return to reference zero after numerous rotations on the turret. The Vortex Viper scope is purged with argon and sealed to prevent Ar (argon) loss due to pressure or temperature fluctuations.
Vortex Viper HST vs. Vortex Viper HS LR: overall performance
With its dead-hold BDC reticle and several useful features, the Vortex Viper HS LR riflescope is considered an evolutionary advance among shooters and hunters.
The rifle’s 4 X zoom capability makes it an extremely user-friendly eye box, allowing shooters to get on target fast and efficiently. The time it takes to shoot the 20-pointer is measured in fractions of seconds. The Vortex Viper HS LR 4 1650 rifles cope is constructed from a single piece of ultra-strong 30mm machined aluminum tubing.
Windage and elevation adjustments are optimized with the Vortex optics. Its waterproof and fog-proof qualities make it a must-have all-weather rifle sight. The famed VIP warranty is included with every Vortex Optic purchase your scope becomes damaged or malfunctioning, Vortex will repair or replace it. There is no fee to you, no receipt, and the Vortex scope comes with an unlimited lifetime guarantee that passes to any subsequent owner.
The Viper HS-robust T’s structure is immediately apparent as you take it up. It has a solid, substantial feel in your hands, indicating quality. This might be because it is made of a solid block of aircraft-grade aluminum, which provides considerable strength and stiffness.
Pros and Cons of Vortex Viper HST:
Pros:
- VMR 1 or VMR 2 reticle options
- The eye box of the Vortex Viper HS-T 4-16 is forgiving.
- The turrets on the Viper HST are tactical.
- Excellent for hunting guns.
Cons:
- The SFP reticle is found on the Viper HST.
- Not suitable for close-range shooting.
- The VMR 1 Reticle is challenging to operate.
Pros and Cons of Vortex Viper HS LR:
Pros:
- Body of 30 mm tube
- Turret with zero resets
- Radius bar for fiber optics
- Fast-focus
- Side focus parallax
Cons:
- Heavy
Final Verdict
The only thing I know for sure is that the HS LR has a different elevation value (1/2 MOA/MIL rather than 1/4 MOA/MIL), which allows for higher elevation each rotation.
However, I believe the HS-T is the one you want.
Get a Vortex Viper HST if you want a robust multipurpose rifle scope that will serve you well in hunting, target shooting, and specific tactical circumstances.
However, keep in mind that the VIP warranty never expires, even if the scope is sold or gifted to someone else. If the price is too high, you may try purchasing a secondhand one. You may save money while still having the assurance that if anything goes wrong with your Viper HS-T, you can contact the firm to have it repaired.
Hey, This is Ebert Alberts. I’m the sole writer and creator of all the content you’ll find on this site. I’ve been passionate about shooting with scopes, red dot sights, and all kinds of gun optics for years now. And during that time, I’ve learned a lot – often the hard way. I’ve wasted thousands of dollars on scopes that turned out to be duds, and I’ve also found some real gems along the way.