Vortex Viper PST Gen II with EBR-2C Reticle: Taking a Closer Look at PST Gen 2

Vortex Optics is known for creating quality products at every price level. The shooting community says the glass should match the gun you are using. Vortex Viper PST Gen II provides the perfect scope for those hunters and shooters who look for a high-quality scope at an economical price point. PST Gen II shadows Vortex Optics’ highest tier optics, Vortex HD Gen II.

In this blog, we will discuss the Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 riflescope line that comes with EBR-2C reticle.

Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 Riflescopes with EBR-2C Reticle: A Quick Look

Models Available

3 models of Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 are available with EBR 2C reticle:

Features

Whether you choose Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 or 5-25×50, this elite, top-tier tactical optics. These scopes provide you with 

• 5x optical system (3-15x or 5-25x magnification range)
• Bright and crisp images across the zoom range
• Impressive field-of-view (for quicker target acquisition) 
• First Focal Plane reticle (best for long-range shots as the reticle image increases or decreases in proportion to the change in magnification).
• EBR-2C hash-marked reticle comes with subtension lines (either MRAD or MOA) and floating wind hold dots for ranging, holdover, and windage corrections. 
• Exposed turrets (for easy adjustments and long-range shots) 

Integrated RZR zero stop (for getting back to zero every time you make elevation adjustments to hit long-range targets)

Choice: MOA or MRAD

Whether you’ll choose an MOA or MRAD scope will depend solely on your preference. Having said that, it needs special mention that most of the shooters in PRS matches prefer MRAD riflescopes over MOA ones.

In fact, at the US Army’s sniper course at Ft Benning and ARSOF (Army Special Operations Forces), mil/mil (MRAD/MRAD) scopes are preferred. Though practically both MOA and MRAD scopes are equally effective, they say MOA adjustments are slightly more precise technically.

Price

The best part of these rifle scopes is that they provide you with exceptional performance at a fraction of the cost. While a premium scope such as Vortex Razor HD Gen III or Gen II will cost you around $2000 (with an MSRP of above $2,500), you can get a high-quality Vortex Viper PST Gen II at a price below $1,000.

Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 Riflescopes with EBR-2C Reticle: Review

Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 Riflescope with EBR 2C reticle was launched in 2019 and it has become very popular among the tactical and hunting community. What are the reasons for this increasing popularity? Is it really an elite scope available at a below $1,000 price point?

We wanted to explore all these queries first-hand. That’s why we mounted Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 FFP Riflescope (EBR-2C MRAD reticle) on our Tikka T3x TAC A1 .308 Win 20″ Rifle JRTAC316 before going on a bear hunting trail back in August last year. We intentionally chose this scope on a bear hunting expedition because we wanted to check its ruggedness while bear hunting on the steep mountainous terrain. It is during this first-hand hunting trail, we came to know how tough the Vortex Viper PST Gen II riflescopes are.

In terms of optical clarity and price point, this Vortex Viper PST Gen II Rifle Scope (EBR 2C) is the second-highest tier among the riflescopes of Vortex Optics (highest tier being the Vortex Razor HD Gen III and Gen II scope line).

Vortex Viper PST Gen II has been manufactured as a shadow of Razor HD Gen II and contains almost all the features as the latter (doing away with the additional robust features found in Razor HD Gen 2). If you are a serious shooter, you’ll definitely be interested in Vortex Viper PST Gen II Rifle Scopes (EBR-2C MRAD or EBR-2C MOA) as you can experience the features and quality of an elite scope at an economical price range ($500-800).

EBR-2C Reticle & Focal Plane

Vortex Optics offers two different versions of EBR-2C reticles with Vortex Viper PST Gen II Riflescopes: EBR-2C (MOA) and EBR-2C (MRAD). Both the reticles come with the same design with red illumination. These two reticle versions are available in PST Gen II 3-15×44 FFP and PST Gen II 5-25×50 FFP scope models.

In both the riflescope lines, EBR-2C is located in the First Focal Plane (FFP). This means that the scale of reticle remains in the same proportion throughout the zooming range (3-15x or 5-25x). Therefore, the view of the object and reticle size both get enlarged as you increase the magnification.

This is distinctively different from that of the Second Focal Plane. In SFP scopes, only the size of the object you are viewing will enlarge with the increase in magnification and the reticle size will remain the same.

As the EBR-2C reticle is placed in the first focal plane in both PST Gen II 3-15×44 and PST Gen II 5-25×50 Scopes, your drop chart for bullet trajectory remains the same throughout the magnification range.

The hunters and shooters must note that first focal plane scopes are preferred mostly by the long-range shooters. One of the drawbacks of FFP scopes is that you may find it slightly difficult to view the reticle at low magnification. However, in the case of SFP scopes, on high magnification, the thickness of the reticle may cover the target at long-ranges.

EBR-2C Reticle Explained

Best For Use:

EBR in EBR-2C stands for Enhanced Battle Reticle. This reticle has been designed for maximizing long-distance shooting and ranging abilities. With EBR-2C reticle, hunters and shooters can effectively determine ranges, holdovers, windage corrections, and moving target leads.

Why Choose EBR-2C Reticle?

EBR-2C reticle comes with carefully chosen fine center crosshair subtensions that help in providing the optimum balance between precision aiming and low light visibility. This reticle also includes windage reference dots on drop lines.

The engineers at Vortex Optics have provided ultraprecision laser etching on the glass reticle, ensuring that the MOA/MRAD specifications are maintained to the tightest possible tolerances.

MRAD Subtensions

The EBR-2C (MRAD) reticle is based on milliradian, which is written as MRAD or Mil, in short.

MRAD measurement is based on the radian, which is the angle subtended at the center by an arc at the center of a circle. This arc is equal to the circle’s radius length. In a circle, there are 6.283 radians, which means that there are 6,283 milliradians (MRADs or Mils) in a circle.

At a distance of 100 yards, 1 MRAD will subtend 3.6 inches at a distance of 100 yards (equivalent to 10 cm at 100 meters). The rifle scopes coming with MRAD adjustments usually use .1 MRAD clicks that subtend .36 inches at 100 yards (equivalent to 1 cm at 100 meters).

MOA Subtensions

The EBR-2C (MOA) reticle is based on degrees and minutes. MOA stands for Minute of Angle. In a circle, there are 360 degrees. As a degree has 60 minutes, there are 21,600 Minutes in a circle. The hunters and shooters use these angular measurements for estimating range as well as correcting bullet trajectory drop in scopes.

At a distance of 100 yards, 1 MOA will subtend 1.05 inches at a distance of 100 yards (equivalent to 29.1 cm at 100 meters). The Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 rifle scopes coming with MOA adjustments usually use .25 MOA clicks that subtend .26 inches at 100 yards (equivalent to 7.3 mm at 100 meters), .52 inches at 200 yards (14.6 mm at 200 meters), .78 inches at 300 yards (21.9 at 300 meters), and so on.

EBR-2C Reticle with Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 FFP Riflescopes

EBR-2C Reticle with Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 FFP Riflescopes

No matter which version of EBR-2C reticle you choose, MOA or MRAD, it is very impressive and sharp (illuminated reticle).

Turrets & RZR Zero Stop

Whether you are using Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 or PST Gen II 5-25×50, both the FFP scopes come with tactical-style turrets. These exposed turrets are easy to read, click positive, and provides you the right amount of resistance during adjustment so that you can make the right adjustment (both elevation and windage) in the field with ease.

Vortex Optics has incorporated a very useful feature called the RZR Zero Stop mechanism. It prevents you from dialing below the sight-in distance. This feature is especially helpful when you are using the elevation dial for making adjustments for the longer shots. When you make elevation adjustments and dial the turret for taking longer shots, it is important for you to get back to the original sight in mark seamlessly.

The turret graduations are either .1 MRAD or ¼ MOA depending upon the model you are choosing. To ensure maximum repeatability and ease of adjustment, Vortex has incorporated Precision-Force Spring System, which includes premium components in the erector-spring system.

Glass

Clarity of vision is the first and most important thing that you’ll notice in the case of Vortex Viper PST Gen II Riflescopes. They come with extra-low dispersion (XD) glass, providing you with an excellent resolution, color fidelity, and crisp/sharp vision downrange.

Vortex’s own proprietary multi-coat coatings (known as XR) are used on lens, ensuring increased light transmission. With the addition of multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces, Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 or PST Gen II 5-25×50 Riflescopes (with EBR-2C MRAD or EBR-2C MOA reticles) provide you with an optical clarity that exceeds the price-point of the scope.

One of the best aspects that you’ll notice while using the scope is the image sharpness even around the edge of the lens. PST Gen 2 is neither a premium-priced scope nor a budget one. With a below $1,000 price point, you can call it an economical scope but with features and clarity that are expected from a $2,000 scope.

Vortex Optics has provided generous eye relief throughout the entire magnification range. This helps a shooter/hunter in handling powerful, flat-shooting calibers more comfortably with the least loss of image during recoil.

Construction

Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 Rifle Scopes come with a single-piece, 30mm main tube, made up of aircraft-grade aluminum. It helps the scope to maximize lens alignment for optimal accuracy and visual performance, thereby contributing to the overall strength and waterproofing of the scope. To prevent internal fogging, the main tube has been Argon purged.

While using the PST Gen II scopes (both 3-15×44 or 5-25×50), you will get the advantage of the rugged and shockproof features of the scope, helping it to withstand the rigors involved not only in tactical applications and hunting but also of military applications. Even while using it for culling activities in western Queensland, it didn’t malfunction. No evidence of wear and tear was noticed too.

The hard anodizing feature on the body with an attractive matte black finish and Armortek coating on the external lens surface for scratching/oils/solvent/dirt resistance make the PST Gen II work like a tank. The lifetime warranty on all Vortex products makes the deal sweeter.

Specifications

Should you Buy Vortex Viper PST Gen II (EBR-2C Reticle)?

The riflescope market for both target/competition shooters and hunters has a wide array of rich options. While making the buying decision, it sometimes becomes a difficult task to know which one is the best. That’s why to make the final decision, it is very important to compare the features and titrate them with the requirements of the particular hunter or shooter.

When you are making the choice, you have to consider the warranty that comes with the scope, value for money, and the matching of features with your requirements. Some of the features that you should check and compare while buying a riflescope are optical clarity, low-light performance, availability of a ranging reticle, and positive turret adjustments, to name a few.

When it comes to choosing a tactical/target scope, Vortex Viper PST Gen II scopes (both 3-15×44 or 5-25×50) with EBR-2C (MRAD or MOA) reticle, ticks all the boxes. The best thing is that it is an absolute value for money, providing you with the capabilities and features that are usually found in $2,000 scopes. PST Gen II scopes come at a price below $1,000.

If you are a long-range shooter, you’ll enjoy the first focal plane (FFP) reticle placement, EBR-2C reticle (having illuminated tactical crosshair design for ranging and windage), a generous viewing box, broad dioptre adjustment, and excellent eye relief. Therefore, you can range and target quickly from all positions (including prone and seated ones).

Whether you are buying Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 3-15×44 or 5-25×50 Scope, you’ll enjoy the toughness of this scope. You can use it in all conditions (including rugged ones) and still continue using it without any fault. If you (as a hunter or target shooter) are searching for a great FFP riflescope, choose either Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 or Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 scopes to get an experience of a premium riflescope at a price point below $1,000.

Both the quality and features of Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 scopes (EBR-2C) are well done. These scopes are highly durable, track properly while dialing for range and windage, and are available at a price range of $800-1,000. We highly recommend them.