FOGHORN
24 July 2021 Twobirds Flying Publications
VORTEX OPTICS VENOM 5-25x56 FFP (MRAD) PART I Copyright 2021, Twobirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
VORTEX OPTICS VENOM 5-25x56 FFP (MRAD) Part I
2021
VORTEX OPTICS VENOM 5-25x56 FFP (MRAD) By: Sal Palma however, the amount of information it provides is significant to the long range shooter.
When Vortex Optics announced the Venom 5-25x56, I was filled with great joy and excitement. Here is a value priced long range shooting optic from a company that has built a global reputation for exceptional optics, so I knew it had to be good. My plan for this review was to mount the scope on a Remington PSS chambered in 300 Win Mag. This arrangement makes for an ideal long-range platform, with sufficient recoil to evaluate the new Venom fairly and comprehensively. However, I have encountered two problems, hurricane Elsa and the availability of 190 grain, or any bullet weight for that matter, in 300 Win Mag, so I have decided two move forward with a two-part review. Part one will focus on optical clarity, turret tactile, reticle and the customary subjective evaluations. Part two will be a range session as soon as I overcome the two challenges: at this point ammunition being the more difficult. Reticles are as important as any other feature in a long-range optic. They allow the shooter to aim, determine range to a target, approximate target speed, approximate lead to a moving target and correct fire if a follow-up shot is required. In the Venom, Vortex Optics went with a First Focal Plane (FFP) EBR-7C reticle, which is available in MOA or MRAD. My review sample is the MRAD version. The EBR-7C reticle has quite a bit to talk about. Some shooters may find it too busy, especially if your used to shooting with a duplex reticle;
The aiming point is a .04 mil center dot that provides a precise point of aim. Unlike other reticle styles, large areas on your target are not occluded, particularly important for zeroing and accurate long range target engagement. This is a First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle, so you will see the reticle size change with changes in magnification. The great feature of FFP reticles is that subtension values do not change with magnification, so accurate ranging can be performed at any magnification.
Copyright 2021, Twobirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
VORTEX OPTICS VENOM 5-25x56 FFP (MRAD) Part I
2021
Most complaints I hear about FFP reticles revolve around the reduced reticle size at low magnifications; shooters claim they lose the reticle. The EBR-7C’s lowest magnification is 5X so it’s not a huge issue. Lower priced optics don’t do a very good job of maintaining a sharply focused reticle as magnification is increased, requiring frequent diopter adjustments. The Venom reticle stayed clear and sharp; it was at 25X that I observed a very slight fuzziness at its outer extreme; easily corrected with a minor diopter adjustment. The EBR-7C provides a quick and efficient way to range your targets using target height or width. The lower half of the reticle is scaled to provide quick holdovers and wind corrections. Vortex cautiously mentions the reticle’s utility against moving targets but allow me to comment on the moving target engagement. Unless you are deeply religious and like relying on divine intervention, successfully engaging moving targets at range happens on Hollywood sets. In these types of engagements, you have several variables to deal with such as range, wind, target speed (usually variable) and all the familiar environmental factors, including lock time1.. Your chances of making the shot, especially at range, is exceptionally low; guided munitions are a far better choice. The EBR-7C is unquestionably a complex reticle but its added value is worth the time you must invest to master it. Moving on to tracking, the Vortex Venom yields ground to none of its competitors. Several factors beyond my control kept me from running a box test to confirm tracking in this review, so I have constructed an indoor non-ballistic test.
With the scope properly leveled, the point of impact2 moved precisely along the elevation stadia with each adjustment, and exactly horizontally along the wind stadia, so I am confident that this optic will track extremely well. What I hope to see in my indoor test at 10 yards is a 0.4-inch change in point of impact per one mil of adjustment. I was able to determine that a 1 mil adjustment, in this case, of elevation gave me a 0.4” movement on the target at 10 yards, which it did. The Venom tracks extremely well. The scope has a maximum adjustment range of 25 mils in both elevation and wind; with turrets centered, you have exactly 12.5 mils of adjustment in either direction. The turret tactile is superb, every click has a positive feel and very audible.
1
Lock time or action time refers to the time interval (often measured in milliseconds) from when the trigger of a firearm is activated until the firing pin strikes the primer and depends on the design of the firing mechanism.
2
Point of impact was simulated with a laser bore sighter. Copyright 2021, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
VORTEX OPTICS VENOM 5-25x56 FFP (MRAD) Part I
2021
easily determine that the vehicle was a FORD (Fix Or Repair Daily)3. The Venom’s 56mm objective along with its 34mm tube did an excellent job of light gathering. Admittedly, reticle illumination would be nice, but at a retail price point of $500, Venom’s value proposition is unsurpassed. The Vortex Venom 5-25X56 is built like a tank, so at 35oz it is a tad heavier than its competition, but weight tends to work to a shooter’s advantage, especially in the larger calibers.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well the parallax adjustment tracks to actual target range. I don’t think I have ever run across anything at Venom’s price point with a precise parallax calibration. Advertising executive, Fred R. Barnard has long been associated with the expression: “a picture is worth one thousand words.” I digiscoped the picture at 6:47 a.m. to get a feel for the Venom’s light gathering abilities. As usual, a smart device will never outperform the human eye so any graininess visible in the picture is a function of the smart device and not the optic. I have used Schmidt & Bender, Hensoldt and Leica magnified optics all of whom have superb glass that let you determine if your target has a 5 o’clock shadow at 500 yards, but I must tell you that the Vortex Venom impressed me. There was enough visible light and detail available to
I’m giving the Vortex Venom 5-25X56 MRAD five out of five stars. Ergonomics, mechanical accuracy, optical performance are all exceptional, and when combined with Vortex’s Lifetime Warranty it is the best value proposition in optics for 2021 hands down. This concludes my Part I review; Part II will be a range session as soon as I can get my hands on 300 WinMag -SP Manufacturer Specifications: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
3
Magnification 5-25x Objective Lens Diameter 56 mm Eye Relief 3.6 inches Field of View 21.2-4.7 ft @100 yds Tube Size 34 mm Turret Style Exposed Tactical Adjustment Graduation .1 MRAD Travel Per Rotation 10 MRAD Max Elevation Adjustment 25 MRAD Max Windage Adjustment 25 MRAD Parallax Setting 15 yards to infinity Length 15.3 inches Weight 35 oz. Product Manual (PDF) Download Reticle Manual (PDF) Download
They’ve improved over the years.
Copyright 2021, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved