Interested in PRS/NRL and other tactical disciplines, but don’t want to spend a fortune on optics? Vortex offers a new scope, the Vortex Venom 5-26x56mm FFP (First Focal Plane) optic with 5X zoom range. Offered with in both MOA and MIL versions, the new Venom ($699.99 MSRP) can be purchased right now for $499.99 “street price” from EuroOptic.com. Choose either the MOA model or MRAD version.

Vortex claims the new Venom allows new tactical shooter to “get into the game at an affordable price without compromising optical quality, or giving up the features they need to be competitive”. You get a 34mm main tube, 85 MOA elevation with 25 MOA per revolution for the MOA version, or 25 MRAD elevation and 10 MRAD per turn for the MIL version. For both models, the scope weighs 35 ounces and is 15.3″ long.

The Venom 5-25x56mm comes equipped with the advanced EBR-7C reticle in the first focal plane (see below). This reticle features a precise center dot with a “Christmas Tree” pyramid of ultra-fine sub-tensions and holdover dots to compensate for bullet drop and wind drift. The Venom 5-25x56mm also features Vortex’s RevStop zero-stop system, allowing the shooter to return to their original zeroing after making finely tuned adjustments in the field.

User Q & A about Vortex Riflescope Options

Q. What is the difference between the new Venom and the Vortex Strike Eagle?

Vortex: The main differences will be that the Strike Eagle has locking turrets, an illuminated reticle, and a slight step up optically compared to the Venom. This VIDEO should explain the differences pretty well: Venom vs. Strike Eagle vs. Diamondback.

Q: Optically what is the difference between the Venom and the Vortex PST Gen 2? Looks like they both use the same lens and different coating.

Vortex: The Viper PST Gen II will be a noticeable step up optically. It will have better clarity, resolution, and low-light performance when compared to the Venom.

Here’s a crazy good deal for these crazy times.

Here’s the deal — if you purchase a Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56mm PMII riflescope from EuroOptic, you will receive a complete .308 Win Tikka T3X TAC A1 Rifle for just $199.00. Total Scope + Rifle Price is $3499.00. Effectively you save $1599.00. But you have to act quickly — this special Scope + Rifle Sale ends 3/29/2020 at 11:59 pm EDT.

Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56mm PMII FFP Scope
This is an ultra-high quality German-made First Focal Plane (FFP) scope with 0.1 MRAD Click values. The double-turn elevation turret offers a full 26 MRAD of vertical adjustment. The reticle is the excellent illuminated P4LF design. This 5-25x56mm scope boasts 3.54″ of eye relief plus 90% light transmission. In the FFP tactical optics world, this is as good as it gets. S&B PMII Scope Specifications HERE.

Tikka T3x TAC A1 in .308 Winchester
The Tikka T3x is the latest generation of the T3 rifle. The T3X boasts a 3-shot sub-MOA accuracy guarantee right out of the box (expect considerably better than that with your handloads). Great for tactical disciplines, this rifle features an adjustable 2-stage trigger (2-4 lbs.), and adjustable modular chassis. For this deal, the Tikka T3x is chambered in .308 Winchester ONLY with choice of 20″ or 24″ barrel. A factory muzzle brake is included. With the 20″ barrel, rifle weight is 10.8 lbs. and OAL is 39.8″. FWIW, owners realy like this rifle. One buyer posted: “This rifle can flat-out shoot! I have one in 6.5 Creedmoor and love it. I promise you won’t be disappointed.” The Tikka T3X A1 rifle retails for $1798.00 by itself, so this is a great deal. Tikka T3x Rifle Specifications HERE.

If you’re shopping for a First Focal Plane Mil/Mil scope for tactical use and hunting, here is one of the best deals of the year. No doubt about it. Right now you can get the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm MRAD FFP scope for just $699.00. That’s a whopping $300.00 off normal retail. This is a very good scope, and a killer deal for $699.99. We are told: “The Gen II PST scopes have been very reliable and they may well be the best sub $1K option out there. This scope is full-featured with well-thought-out FFP reticle, great feeling turrets, and illumination.”

This comes with the excellent EBR-2D reticle, which provides hold-over and windage hold-off indicators in a Christmas-tree style layout. This kind of reticle is preferred by many top PRS/NRL competitors. The EBR-2D is similar to Vortex’s most popular EBR-2C reticle but with a complete cross in the middle instead of an open pixel and the hold-over numbers (in the lower section) on the right edges rather than near the center line. Our tester Jason Baney notes: “I actually like this 2D better than the 2C.”

Here is an actual buyer’s review: “The EBR-2D is my new favorite reticle. It is definitely an upgrade from the EBR-2C which has poorly placed [hold-over] numbers. The glass is on par with my Viper HST… which is good. The turrets are nice, but less audible and less tactile than the Gen I turrets which were only 5 mils per rotation. Overall, it was a nice scope at a good price.”

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

1. Palmetto Armory — Rem 700 .223 Rem with Scope, $359.99

Here’s an awesome deal on a camo-finish Remington 700 hunting/varminting rig. The price is just $359.99 with scope and rings! This Rem 700 features 26” blued heavy barrel chambered in .223 Rem, Mossy Oak Camo synthetic stock, and X-Mark Pro (non-adjustable) trigger. The package comes complete with a 4-12x40mm scope. NOTE: The twist is 1:12″ so this is suitable for lighter-weight bullets. Buyers say the scope is pretty cheap, though functional. But this is still a great deal. You could pay as much (or more) just for a Rem 700 short action with trigger. Here you get a complete rifle with a pretty nice hunting stock. Order HERE.

2. Grafs.com — 10% OFF All Powders and Primers

Grafs.com is running a great reloading special right now, offering 10% OFF all powder and primers through October 3, 2018. Virtually all your favorite propellants are on sale — Accurate, Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, Norma, Ramshot, Vectan, Vihtavuori, Winchester and more. In addition, you can save 10% on primers from CCI, Federal, Winchester and other leading brands. Shipping and HazMat fees still apply. Along with these specials, Grafs.com is offering 10% Off Peterson Brass (no listed end date on Peterson brass discount). Hats off to EdLongRange for finding these Graf’s deals.

3. EuroOptic — Vortex Viper PST FFP 6-24x50mm Optic, $649.99

Here’s a killer deal on a Front Focal Plane (FFP) optic good for PRS competition and tactical applications. The Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm scope features 0.1 Milrad clicks with an EBR-2C illuminated reticle with Mil-based hash marks. This reticle also features the “Christmas Tree” type lower half, which provides range hold-overs with horizontal markings for wind holds. Not that long ago, this scope sold for around a thousand bucks. Now you can get the Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm for just $649.99. That’s a great price for a PRS-ready FFP comp scope with a proven track record and rock-solid Vortex warranty. EuroOptic’s Sale price is $649.99. This is a great deal — this same scope sells elsewhere for $789.99.

4. Precision Reloading — 15% Off All Battenfeld Brand Products

Visit PrecisionReloading.com to save big on Caldwell Rests and Target Cams, Tipton Cleaning Rods and Gun Vises, Frankford Arsenal Tumbler Kits, Golden Rod Dehumidifiers, and Wheeler Engineering Reloading Tools. We use a Tipton Gun Vise, and clean brass with a Frankford Arsenal Tumbler and media separator. We also think the Caldwell Target Cam is one of the best values on the market. It out-performs long range video systems costing hundreds more. HEADS UP: While you’re shopping at PrecisionReloading.com, note that the HazMat fee is only $16 for any powder and/or primer order. That’s half what some other vendors charge.

5. CDNN — Ruger EC9S Carry Pistol, $229.99

Here’s a good little 9mm carry pistol for a crazy-low price. Right now, CDNN is selling the popular Ruger EC9S 9MM pistol for $229.99 — that’s $70 off the regular $299.00 price. This gun is light (17.2 ounces) and thin so it’s easy to carry discretely. The EC9S is 6″ overall with a 3.12″-long barrel. The EC9S features integral sights and ships with a single 7-round magazine.

6. Midsouth — New Lyman Reloading Presses on Sale

Midsouth Shooters Supply is running a big sale right on Lyman’s impressive new Brass Smith line of reloading presses. There are three models, each offering great performance and value for its class. You can save quite a bit of cash with this Midsouth Lyman Press sale. If you haven’t tried orange yet, we think you’ll be impressed. The little C-Frame is a steal at $69.99. The sturdy O-Frame Singles stage press is $154.99. And if you’re looking for a Turret press, the new 8-station Lyman Turret press ($192.99 on sale) is very impressive — with more stations than the competition, and enhanced strength/rigidity.

7. Amazon — NcStar Roll-Up Shooting Mat, $29.95

Thicker and bigger than most shooting mats under $60.00, this $29.95 NcStar Roll-Up Mat has earned excellent reviews for comfort and utility. It has 0.30″ padding plus elbow and knee panels. The mat rolls up into a compact 19.5″ W x 8.5″ H, secured by twin Velcro straps The mat is available in six colors: Tan (shown), green, black, camo, digital camo, and grey. Prices vary slightly among colors. With both carry handle AND shoulder strap, the rolled mat is easy to tote. Here are reviews from three recent verified purchasers:

“This mat is fantastic, the stitching is solid, the padding is thick enough that rocks and cactus aren’t a problem. It’s light, quick, and easy to roll up.” — Angela D.

“Excellent mat. Used it for a Project Appleseed shoot and it performed perfectly. Two days of kneeling, standing and laying on it, over a dirty, dusty shooting range. Came through it all with flying colors. Rolls nicely [and] well-constructed from high-quality materials.” — NPCoach

“Works better than I expected. Easy to roll up and unroll in seconds. Velcro ties save a lot of time. It’s not uncomfortable laying on hard, uneven ground. Great product!” — Robert

8. Midsouth — 17 HMR Ammo Sale, $33.79 for 200 Rounds

Every good varmint hunter has a 17-cal rimfire in his arsenel. The 17 HMR is ideal for small critters out to about 150 yards. Low noise and low recoil help you score multiple hits. Now’s a great time to stock up on 17 HMR ammunition. Midsouth has Hornady 17 HMR in 200-count packs for $33.79. That works out to $8.45 per 50-count box or $0.17 (seventeen cents) per round. This is good ammo — the tipped V-Max bullets are explosive on ground squirrels and prairie dogs. NOTE: Midsouth also has 500-round 17 HMR bricks for $84.99, also $0.17 per round.

9. Midsouth — 250 Adhesive Precision Targets on Roll, $12.49

Midsouth offers 250 self-adhesive Benchrest Targets on a convenient roll. These stick-on targets work great for load development. The aiming diamond helps align the cross hairs of your scope for consistent shot placement. If you set your Point of Impact to the 1/4″ grid pattern at the top it’s easy to eyeball your group size. At the bottom are fields for your load info. Each Target sticker measures 6″ x 4″ with a 4.5″ x 2.5″ printed area. Midsouth sells the 250-target roll for $12.49, discounted this week from $14.99.

Here’s a killer deal on a Front Focal Plane (FFP) optic good for PRS competition and tactical applications. The Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50mm scope features 0.1 Milrad clicks with an EBR-1 illuminated reticle with Mil-based hash marks. There are 21 Mils of Elevation amd Windage. The scope is 13.7 inches long, has a 30mm main tube, and weighs 22 ounces (without rings).

Manual for Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50mm FFP MRAD | Manual for FFP EBR-1 MRAD Reticle

Not that long ago, this scope sold for around $900.00. Now you can get the Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50mm for just $599.99, a $300.00 savings. That’s a steal for a PRS-ready FFP comp scope with a proven track record and rock-solid Vortex warranty.

SAVE Additional $30.00 with Code PST30 $569.99 Total EuroOptic’s listed Sale price is $599.99 for the Viper PST 4-16x50mm. However you can an additional $30 off with Code PST30. That drops your net price to just $569.99. You need to act quickly — this Promo Code expires on 9/30/2018.

Here’s a killer deal on a Front Focal Plane (FFP) optic good for PRS competition and tactical applications. The Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm scope features 0.1 Milrad clicks with an EBR-2C illuminated reticle with Mil-based hash marks. This reticle also features the “Christmas Tree” type lower half, which provides range hold-overs with horizontal markings for wind holds.

Not that long ago, this scope sold for around a thousand bucks. Now you can get the Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm for just $619.99. That’s a steal for a PRS-ready FFP comp scope with a proven track record and rock-solid Vortex warranty. This is available for Pre-Order now, with inventory arriving very soon. EuroOptic’s Sale price is $649.99 and you get an additional $30 off with Code POVIPER. Here are reviews from actual buyers in 2017:

“I have both Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 6-24x50mm and a Vortex Razor HD 4.5-27×56. While the Razor HD is a fantastic scope its little brother the Viper PST Gen 2 closes the gap considerably. If the Razor is worth $2500. I would put the PST at $1800 in true value, they are just that close. I will most likely buy another PST before I buy another Razor HD.”

“Scope is very well made and has good optics. The zero stop works well and the clicks have a good feel no slop or mush, a click is a click. Bought this for my Ruger RPR and have found it to be ideal for this rifle in both performance and price. I installed and zeroed the scope on a different rifle and then reinstalled on my Ruger with the recorded settings and was right back in a 1″ square at 100 yards. Very repeatable.”

Manual for Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm FFP MRAD | Manual for FFP EBR-2C MRAD Reticle

New Jumbo .338 LM-sized Action and New KTS “Tactical” Stock
At SHOT Show 2013, Kelbly’s showcased a pair of impressive .338 Lapua Magnum rifles. One of these guns featured the beefy new .338 LM repeater action, fitted into Kelbly’s new KTS stock (top rifle in photo above). The KTS stock shares the long wheelbase of Kelbly’s popular 1000-yard benchrest stock. The particular KTS in the above photo features a 2.5″ rounded forearm, adjustable cheekpiece, and butthook cut-away on the bottom of the buttstock. Kelbly’s website states: “The Kelbly KTS stock is designed for long-range competition and tactical shooting. The KTS stock is based off of our 1M stock. It is available in right- or left-handed models. The KTS is extremely adaptable — we can install an adjustable cheek piece, a 3-way butt pad, a butt hook, or a beaver tail front end (2.5″ wide). The standard configuration is just like the 1M stock, the previously listed options must be requested.”

Personally, I found the wrist/grip shape on the KTS stock much more comfortable than the very fat, blocky grips found on some “tactical” stocks. If you are thinking about buying a McMillan or a Manners “tactical” stock, you should give this new Kelbly KTS consideration as well.

New 1-8x24mm FFP from March
What’s new from March this year? We didn’t see any new high-magnification scopes, but Kelbly’s rolled out an all-new March 1-8x24mm tactical scope. This First Focal Plane scope should be ideal for three-gun competition. The new March 1-8x24mm should also appeal to hunters who want a bright, compact scope with a true 1-power viewing option plus ranging capability.

Kelbly’s is now importing the beautifully-crafted GRS laminated stocks from Norway. Featuring an ergonomic grip, these GRS stocks come complete with adjustable cheekpiece and adjustable buttplate. For decades, Kelbly’s has been a respected source for quality fiberglass stocks. Now, as the GRS importer, Kelbly’s will offer some of the nicest laminated wood stocks on the market. Although final pricing has yet to be set, Kelbly’s expects GRS stocks to cost $600.00 to $700.00. We think this is competitive price range when you consider that GRS stocks come standard with adjustable hardware and no final clear-coating is needed.