Vortex Optics VIPER HS-T 6-24X50 RIFLESCOPE User Manual

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RIFLESCOPE

rIFLESCOPE mANUAL

Second Focal Plane | MOA

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RIFLESCOPE

The VorTex®Viper®hS-TTm rifleScope

Specifically designed for the tactical, law enforcement and committed

TM

precision shooting communities, the Vortex®Viper®HS-T

offers the highest levels of performance and reliability. With features

such as matched turret/reticle subtensions, CRS zero stop mechanisms

and precision ranging reticles, the Viper HS-T is ready for any situation.

Fast Focus Eyepiece

Reticle Focus Ring

Magnification
Adjustment Ring

Windage Adjustment Knob

MagView

Radius Bar

Elevation Adjustment Knob

Side Focus Knob

riflescope

Dual Use: Shooting Tactical / Hunting
US Patent 7,937,879

Objective
Lens

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reTicle opTionS

The Focal Plane

All riflescope reticles can be termed either first focal plane (FFP) or

second focal plane (SFP), depending upon their internal location within

the riflescope. This model features the second focal plane design.

Second Focal Plane Reticles

Second focal plane (SFP) reticles are located near the scope’s eyepiece

behind the image erecting and magnifying lenses. This style of reticle

does not visually change in size when you change the magnification.

The advantage of an SFP reticle is that it always maintains the same

ideally-sized appearance when shooting with this SFP scope. Be aware

that the listed reticle subtensions used for estimating range, holdover,

and wind drift correction are only accurate at the highest magnification.

Warning

Looking directly at the sun through a riflescope, or any optical instrument,

can cause severe and permanent damage to your eyesight.

rifleScope AdjuSTmenTS

Reticle Focus

The Viper HS-T riflescope uses a fast focus eyepiece designed to quickly

and easily adjust the focus on the riflescope’s reticle.

To adjust the reticle focus:

1. Look through the riflescope

at a blank white wall or up at

the sky.

2. Turn the eyepiece focus knob

in or out until the reticle image

is as crisp as possible.

Note: Try to make this particular adjustment quickly, as the eye will try to

compensate for an out-of-focus reticle.

Once this adjustment is complete, it will not be necessary to re-focus

every time you use the riflescope. However, because your eyesight may

change over time, you should re-check this adjustment periodically.

Variable Power Adjustments

To change the magnification,

turn the magnification ring to the

desired level. The Vortex fiber

optic magnification indicator will

provide a low light reference for

magnification level.

Adjust the reticle focus

Magnification
Scale

MagView
Indicator

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Windage and Elevation Adjustments

The Viper HS-T riflescope incorporates precision finger adjustable elevation

and windage dials with audible clicks.

To make adjustments:

1. Turn the adjustment knob in the

appropriate direction: Up/Down or

Left/Right as indicated by the

arrows.

2. Following the directional arrows,

turn the knobs in the direction you

wish the bullet’s point-of-impact to

go to.

MOA Adjustments

This Viper HS-T riflescope uses finger-adjustable elevation and windage

turrets with scales measured in minutes of angle (MOA). MOAs are unit

of arc measurements which equal 1.05 inch for each 100 yards. Examples:

2.1 inches @ 200 yards, 3.15 inches @ 300 yards, etc.

Each click of the turret moves the point-of-impact .25 MOA for each 100

yards. For example, .25 MOA equals .26 inches at 100 yards, .52 inches at

200 yards, .78 inches at 300 yards, and so on.

Elevation
Knob

Windage Knob

Image Focus and Parallax Correction

The Viper HS-T riflescope features a side focus knob which should be used

to fine-tune the image focus. When the

image is sharply focused, parallax error

will also be eliminated.

Using the Side Focus

1. Be sure the reticle is correctly
focused (see Reticle Focus section on

page 5).

2. Turn the side focus knob until the

target image is as sharp as possible.

The yardage numbers referenced on knob should closely match the

actual yardage to the target.

3. Check for parallax error by moving your head back and forth

while looking through the scope. The focus is correct if there is no

apparent shift of the reticle on the target. If you notice any shift,

adjust the focus knob slightly until all shift is eliminated.

Parallax is a phenomenon that results when the target image
does not quite fall on the same optical plane as the reticle within
the scope. This can cause an apparent movement of the reticle
in relation to the target if the shooter’s eye is off-centered.
Correctly focusing the target image will allow it to fall on the
same optical plane as the reticle within the riflescope.

Turn Side Focus Knob

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Turret Rotation

The Viper HS-T riflescope incorporates Vortex’s patented Radius Bar

to visually assist in keeping track of turret rotations. The Radius Bar

provides a quick visual

reference that allows the

shooter to confirm:

• Knob orientation is

correct and has not shifted

Turret Cap
Retaining
Screw

as a result of accidental

contact.

• Knob orientation is at

the zero point when using

the CRS feature.

• By watching the position

of the bar while making elevation adjustments, the shooter is able to

quickly track full, half and quarter rotations.

To get these benefits from the Radius Bar, the “0” mark on the turret
must be indexed with the zero reference line on turret post (see Setting
the CRS Stop and Indexing Elevation Knob section on page 14).

Radius Bar

Zero Reference Lines

Customizable Rotational Stop (CRS)

Viper HS-T riflescope elevation turrets incorporate the unique CRS

rotation stop feature. After the rifle is sighted in, the design of the

CRS allows a shooter to quickly and easily return to an original zero

point when using the elevation turret to dial-in temporary bullet drop

corrections.

The CRS feature is particularly useful when dialing large multi-

revolution elevation corrections. Without this feature, the shooter

must pay very careful attention when dialing these large corrections.

If the shooter loses track of the number of revolutions, the original

zero point may become lost when returning the adjustment. The

CRS allows the elevation dial to be quickly spun back to original zero

without having to carefully count revolutions or clicks.

Once the CRS shims are installed after sight-in, the elevation dial will

stop turning shortly past the original zero point when being returned

(turning clockwise direction) from a temporary elevation adjustment.

The shooter can then turn the elevation knob a partial turn in a

counter-clockwise direction until the zero reference and radius bar are

correctly aligned—achieving the original zero point.

See CRS shim installation in the
Bore Sighting and Final Range
Sight-in sections.

CRS Shims

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rifleScope mounTing

To get the best performance from your Viper HS-T riflescope, proper

mounting is essential.

Although not difficult,

the correct steps must

be followed. If you are

unsure of your abilities,

it would be best to use

the services of a qualified

gunsmith.

Rings and Bases

Mount an appropriate base and matching rings to your rifle according

to the manufacturer’s instructions. The Viper HS-T riflescope requires

30 mm rings.

Use the lowest ring height that will provide complete clearance of scope

and rifle—avoiding any contact with barrel, receiver, bolt handle or any

other part of the rifle. A low mounting height will help assure proper

cheek weld, aid in establishing a solid shooting position, and promote

fast target acquisition.

Eye Relief and Reticle Alignment

After installing the bottom ring halves on the mounting base, place

the riflescope on the bottom ring halves and loosely install the

upper ring halves. Before tightening the scope ring screws, adjust for

maximum eye relief to avoid injury from recoil:

1. Set the riflescope to the middle of its magnification range.

2. Slide the riflescope as far forward as possible in the rings.

3. While viewing through the riflescope in a normal shooting position,

slowly slide the riflescope back towards the shooter’s face—paying
attention to the field of view. Just as the full view is visible, stop.

4. Without disturbing the front-back placement, rotate the riflescope

until the vertical crosshair exactly matches the vertical axis of the rifle.

Use of a reticle leveling tool, a weight hung on a rope, flat feeler gauges,

or bubble levels will help with this procedure.

5. After aligning the reticle, tighten and torque the ring screws down

per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Using bubble levels
to square the
riflescope to the
base.

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Bore Sighting

Initial bore sighting of the riflescope will save time and money at the

range. This can be done by using a mechanical or laser bore sighter

according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by removing the bolt

and sighting through the barrel on some rifles.

To visually bore sight a rifle:

1. Place the rifle solidly on a rest and remove the bolt.

2. Sight through the bore at a target approximately 100 yards

away.

3. Move the rifle and rest until the target is visually centered

inside the barrel.

4. With the target centered in the bore, make windage and

elevation adjustments until the reticle crosshair is also centered

over the target.

Final Range Sight-In and CRS Stop Set

After the riflescope has been bore-sighted, final sight-in and CRS

stop set should be done at the range using the exact ammunition

expected to be used while shooting. Sight in and zero the riflescope

at the preferred distance. 100 yards is the most common zero

distance, although a 200 yard zero may be preferred for long range

applications.

Be sure the reticle is in focus (see Reticle Focus section on page 5)

and adjust the side focus knob if present until the target image is
sharp and without parallax error (see Using the Side Focus section

on page 7).

1. Following all safe shooting practices, fire a three-shot group as

precisely as possible.

2. Next, adjust the reticle to match the approximate center of the
shot group (see Windage and Elevation Adjustment section on
page 6).

Note: If the rifle is very solidly mounted and cannot be moved,

simply look through the scope and adjust the reticle until it is

centered on the fired group.

3. Carefully fire another three-shot group and see if the bullet

group is centered on the bullseye.

Visually bore-sighting a rifle.

This procedure can be repeated as many times as necessary to achieve

a perfect zero.

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Setting the CRS Stop and Indexing Elevation Knob

After obtaining a satisfactory zero, the CRS stop can be set if desired:

1. Loosen the three turret cap retaining screws on the elevation turret.

Gently pull the turret cap straight up and off of the turret post, being

careful not to rotate the turret post.

2. Slide the CRS shims on the center section of the turret post below

the V-grooved part.

Place CRS shims
in this groove.

Alternate shim installation direction
with each shim.

Use as many shims as necessary to
completely fill up the space. Do not try
to force in a last shim once the clearance
is very close—a tiny remaining gap is
normal.

3. After filling the center gap on the post with shims, replace the

elevation cap.

4. Align the turret cap so the “0” mark on the cap matches up with the

“0” reference line on the turret post. Again,

be sure not to rotate the actual turret

mechanism in the process.

5. Re-tighten the retaining screws, but

do not overtighten. Use of thumb and

forefinger on the short end of the hex

Align the elevation turret cap.

wrench will provide sufficient force.

Indexing the Windage Knob

1. Loosen the three retaining screws on windage turret cap.

2. Carefully rotate the cap until the “0” mark on the cap matches up

with the “0” reference line on the turret post. Be sure that the cap is

freely turning and that you don’t rotate the actual turret mechanism.

3. Re-tighten the windage knob retaining screws, but do not

overtighten. Use of thumb and forefinger on the short end of the hex

wrench will provide sufficient force.

Once the windage and elevation knobs

are correctly indexed to the zero mark,

temporary corrections can be safely dialed

into the scope without worry of losing the

original zero.

Align the windage turret cap.

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Using the CRS Zero Stop

Once the CRS shims are installed, the elevation dial will stop turning

shortly past the original zero point when being returned (turning

clockwise direction) from a temporary elevation adjustment.

Turn the elevation knob a partial turn in a counter-clockwise direction

until the Radius Bar is

correctly aligned with scope

axis and zero marks match.

This setting will match the

original zero point.

Note: If re-zeroing at a

future time, be sure to

Point at which the knob stops turning.

remove all CRS shims

before sight-in.

Correct alignment for zero point.

mAinTenAnce

Cleaning

The fully waterproof and fogproof Viper HS-T riflescope requires very

little routine maintenance other than periodically cleaning the exterior

lenses. The exterior of the scope may be cleaned by wiping with a soft,

dry cloth.

When cleaning the lenses, be sure to use products, such as the Vortex

Fog Free cleaning products or LensPen, that are specifically designed

for use on coated optical lenses.

• Be sure to blow away any dust or grit on the lenses prior to wiping

the surfaces.

• Using your breath, or a very small amount of water or pure alcohol,

can help remove stubborn things like dried water spots.

Lubrication

All components of the Viper HS-T riflescope are permanently

lubricated, so no additional lubricant should be applied.

Note: Other than removing the turret caps, do not attempt to disassemble

any components of the riflescope. Disassembling of the riflescope may

void the warranty.

Storage

If possible, avoid exposing your Vortex riflescope to direct sunlight or any

very hot location for long periods of time.

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TroubleShooTing

Sighting-in Problems

Many times, problems thought to be with the scope are actually

mount problems. Be sure that correct base and rings are being used in

the correct orientation, and that the base screws and rings are tight.

Insufficient windage or elevation adjustment range may indicate

problems with rings, base, base alignment, base mount holes drilled in

the rifle’s receiver, or barrel/receiver alignment.

Check for Correct Base and Ring Alignment

• Roughly center the reticle by adjusting both windage and elevation

turrets to the mid point of their travel ranges.

• Attach bore sighter, or remove bolt and visually boresight rifle.

• Look through the scope. If the reticle appears way off center on the

boresighter image or when compared to the visually centered target

when looking through rifle’s bore, there may be a problem with the

bases or rings being used. Confirm that correct base and rings are being

used—and in the proper orientation.

Tips for Solving Bullet Grouping Problems

• Maintain a good shooting technique and use a solid rest.

• Check that all screws on rifle’s action are properly tightened.

• Be sure rifle barrel and action are clean and free of excessive oil or

copper fouling.

• Check that rings are correctly torqued per the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Some rifles and ammunition don’t work well together—try

different ammunition and see if accuracy improves.

The Vip WArrAnTy

We build optics based on our commitment to your absolute satisfaction.

That’s why Vortex products are unconditionally guaranteed and we make

this Very Important Promise to you—a Very Important Person.

Rest assured that in the event your Viper HS-T becomes damaged or

defective, Vortex Optics will repair or replace

the riflescope at no charge to you. Call

Vortex Optics at 800-426-0048 for prompt,

professional, and friendly service.

Vortex Optics

2120 West Greenview Drive

Middleton, WI 53562

[e-mail]

Visit www.vortexoptics.com for more information. Canadian customers
may visit www.vortexcanada.net for customer service information.

Note: The VIP warranty does not cover theft, loss, or deliberate damage

to the product.

Unlimited

Unconditional

Lifetime Warranty

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