Versatile Value: Vortex Viper HD 5-25×50 FFP Rifle Scope

The more time I spend hunting, the more I realize just how important versatility is in gear. Sure, there is room for specialty items, but in the grand scheme of things, we only have so much room in our packs, so our gear needs to be efficient. Rifle scopes are no exception to this. I prefer a scope that can be used in a wide variety of situations. You never know what you’re going to get hunting. And there is no room for subpar.

The Vortex Viper HD rifle scope hits on all fronts and then some. Not to mention, it does it at an affordable price for the everyday hunter.

In short: For the dedicated hunter looking into getting a solid do-it-all rifle scope, the 5-25×50 Viper HD FFP fits the bill. If you’re OK with a busy reticle, this scope can handle just about any hunt you throw at it.

Vortex Viper HD 5-25×50 FFP Rifle Scope Review

Overview

New for 2024, Vortex Optics has introduced the revamped Viper HD line of rifle scopes. A few bigger differences between the revamped line and the original line are the exposed locking turret and illuminated reticle. We’ll get into those later, though. The new Viper HD line comes in 2-10×42, 3-15×44, and 5-25×50. I went with the 5-25×50, so that’s what we’ll be focusing on today.

The 5-25×50 Viper HD rifle scope is the only option that comes in both first focal plane and second focal plane versions. We’ll get into that more later, but I chose the FFP. Vortex also gives the option of an MOA reticle or MRAD reticle on the Viper HD. Both options are built on the VMR-4 reticle.

Like most modern-day rifle scopes, you’ll have a ¼-inch MOA adjustment graduation. As for tube size, you’ll sit at 30 mm, which provides lots of real estate for dialing elevation. And when you need to dial back down to zero, there is no worry of losing said zero, thanks to the RevStop Zero Ring that Vortex includes with your rifle scope.

In terms of layout, the 5-25×50 Viper HD has an exposed elevation turret on top, capped windage adjustment on one side, and a parallax setting on the other side that is adjustable from 20 yards to infinity. It is 15.2 inches long and weighs 25 ounces. Inside the box, you’ll find a neoprene cover, sunshade, RevStop Zero Ring, custom turret tool, CR2032 battery, and lens cloth.

Warranty

You’ll get that sweet peace of mind knowing your Viper HD scope is covered by the Lifetime Unlimited Vortex VIP Warranty. Honestly, it really is one of the best warranty programs in the business.

Features

Exposed Locking Elevation Turret

The horror stories are many. Tales of hunters accidentally bumping the elevation turret on their scope, it getting accidentally turned while being packed on a horse, etc. You don’t need to worry about that stuff with the 5-25×50 Viper HD because it has an exposed locking elevation turret.

When you want to dial, simply pull up on the turret, dial, and push it back down to lock the turret in place. And, again, because of the RevStop Zero Ring, you don’t have to worry about losing your zero after doing this. This only allows you to dial a few clicks past the point of zero.

FFP (First Focal Plane)

The Viper HD 5-25×50 FFP is a First Focal Plane rifle scope. This means a few things. One, the yardage value for each hashmark on the reticle is valid no matter what magnification you’re on. That is the biggest selling point to me for having an FFP scope.

Two, the reticle changes in size throughout dialing magnification. So, at the lowest magnification, the reticle is pretty small, and it will get bigger and bigger the more you crank up the magnification. This could be considered a con, due to the fact that the reticle is harder to read the smaller it is.

Illuminated Reticle

You may have caught above that this rifle scope actually takes a battery. That battery is for the illuminated reticle feature — a super-nifty addition that will no doubt come in handy for hunters. By pressing a button located on the side of the scope, you can illuminate the reticle to a red color. Whether it’s low light or, more specifically, you’re trying to aim a black reticle at a black bear, this illuminated reticle is going to work wonders.

My Experience

I’ve been a long-time user and fan of Vortex Optics rifle scopes. I’ve put them through the wringer time and time again and have always come out smiling. Needless to say, when I heard this Viper HD 5-25×50 was coming out, I just couldn’t wait to get one mounted up and in the field.

Just the packaging of the rifle scope was impressive. And when I did get around to holding the scope, I could tell it was very well made. All of the adjustment points were consistent with one another. What I mean by that is that the tensions of knobs were consistent, easy to adjust, and felt strong in their own right. Only time will tell how this thing will do after some booms, though. The mounting process was seamless.

Sighting in the Viper HD was painless, and sooner than later, I was setting my zero. Of course, I installed the RevStop Zero Ring on the elevation. This was a very familiar process.

What wasn’t familiar, though, was zeroing the windage. Vortex has now designed this, so you don’t need a tool to zero the windage. All you do is pull the windage knob away from the scope, turn it to zero, and drop it back down.

Keep pressure away from the scope when turning. If you don’t, you’ll actually be adjusting the windage on accident, which is something I’m guilty of on my first try. You shouldn’t feel any clicking when zeroing the knob.

After spending a healthy amount of time at the range with zero hiccups from the Viper HD, I did get to take it on one backcountry bear hunt. It got bumped every which way from Sunday. It still held its zero throughout doing so. I’ve got no complaints thus far. Well, except one …

What’s Wrong?

The only thing I can think of that could be considered a downside of this rifle scope is the reticle. It’s a busy Christmas tree-style reticle and takes up a fair amount of space in your view. Some might not like that, and I get it.

In the same breath, though, I believe this to also be a strength because all of that scribble in the reticle can be used to your advantage while shooting. These markings can be used for holdovers and windage calls and even come in handy when sighting in your scope. That’s a different article, though.

Final Thoughts on the Vortex Viper HD Scopes

I mounted the 5-25×50 Viper HD on a 6.5 Creedmoor. My goal was to create a versatile setup that I could bring with me on backpack hunts. Also, though, one that was also fun and easy to shoot, especially for long-range.

In my opinion, this scope was the perfect addition, and I’m super happy with the setup. If you’re looking for a new rifle scope that can do it all, take a gander at the 5-25×50 Viper HD FFP. I’m sure glad I did.