Vortex Venom First Focal Plane: Reviewed By A Utah Deer Hunter

To me, the Venom is the perfect hunting scope, mainly because it offers Vortex's built-in perfections at a price the average hunter can afford.

FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.

Vortex Optics Venom First Focal Plane Riflescopes

Highlight: Huge objective lens, highest magnification power on the market.

Helpful review: For a quarter of the price of a Nightforce scope, the Venom offers the same level of performance. I may not have enough space to gush over this scope in this article. I should also add that I'm a weird hunter, so I hunt big game a first focal plane scope.

The eye relief is perfect for me on the 7mm Mag rifle, and the eye box (where the eye sits to still see through the scope) makes this scope a high performer beyond comparison. The magnification ring comes with the throwing arm and makes adjusting smooth. It can be crept by portions of magnification. Many of the scopes I have used go from 6 to 7 power magnification; this scope will go to 6.2x magnification, which is an actual magnification. The diopter on the eyepiece will adjust so it is easier for me to look through the optic with my glasses, and whatever my astigmatism is, this diopter makes everything look perfect.

In my opinion, the turrets are the best on the market. They click into place with an audible and tactile feel. The elevation and windage are in the standard places, and on the other side of the scope is the side-mounted focus knob. The focus knob is a fantastic thing to use, and once I used one, I never wanted to go back. Not all scopes have the focus knob, and that is OK; I always like the side focus knob.

Vortex's glass is the cleanest or one of the cleanest sight pictures I have ever used. Coatings are one of everything that can be used for coatings, and they only help make good glass even better or near perfect. The first focal plane reticle is impressive, especially when long-range or target shooting. As I said, for deer hunting, I don't care whether it's a second-focal or first-focal. This scope is the ultimate shooter's optic.

Get it from Amazon now: $499.00 & FREE Returns