Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Vortex has recently unveiled its exciting lineup for January 2024, and one of its new scopes is the impressive Venom 3-15×44 FFP. Boasting great glass quality, wide magnification capabilities, and featuring the versatile EBR-7C reticle for rapid and precise holdovers at various distances, the Venom 3-15 emerges as a standout choice.
Despite lacking an illuminated reticle, it presents a compelling, budget-friendly alternative to the Strike Eagle 3-18. With its impressive glass clarity, reliable turrets, and refined reticle, this scope stands out as one of the top choices for those looking to set up a 1,000-yard capable rifle without breaking the bank.
Table of contents
Vortex Venom 3-15 Specifications:
Magnification: 3-15x
Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
Reticle: EBR-7C (MRAD) or EBR-7C (MOA)
Turret Style: Exposed Elevation Capped Windage
Tube Size: 34 mm
Adjustment Graduation: .1 MRAD or 1/4 MOA
Parallax Setting: 10 yds-∞
Max Windage Adjustment: 21 MRAD or 75 MOA
Max Elevation Adjustment: 36 MRAD or 124 MOA
Travel Per Rotation: 10 MRAD or 25 MOA
Field of View: 42.4′-8.4′
Eye Relief: 3.7″
Length: 13.3″
Weight: 28.8 oz.
Out of the Box
Vortex supplies all essential accessories for this scope, except the rings. The package has a sunshade, throw lever, zero stop ring, 2mm hex wrench, a rubber lens cover, a lens cloth, and the scope. Additionally, an owner’s manual and a reticle pamphlet are included for comprehensive guidance.
Mount the Venom 3-15
A dependable mount is essential to maximize the performance of any scope. So I matched the Venom 3-15 with Vortex’s 34mm Low Pro Rings. Beyond their overall reliability, what stands out for me is the laser-engraved torque specifications. With each brand or style of mount having distinct torque specs, having these precise values engraved directly on the rings is a feature I truly appreciate.
Reticle
While available in MOA or MRAD variants, I opted to test the MRAD version of the Venom 3-15. Due to the scale of MRAD to MOA, I have always preferred MRAD scopes for keeping the holdover values smaller and more straightforward. The EBR-7C reticle provides all the information needed for quickly holding windage and elevation adjustments in the field. I am a fan of this type of hourglass reticle system as it gives the information shooters need without cluttering up the glass. The reticle is very useable while remaining non-distracting when the holdovers are unnecessary.
I also love the center of this reticle. It has a small opening with a tiny dot that allows you to see more information about your target while giving a good .04 MRAD dot for placing the perfect shot. The MRAD variant has etchings that go down to 10 MRAD but when combined with the 36 maximum MRAD elevation turret adjustment, long-range shooters will have a theoretically total potential of around 46 MRAD to make calculated holds for. However, most rifles/mount combos and zeros will be in the middle of this range giving an actual elevation adjustment of about half of that.
Also, since this optic utilizes an FFP reticle, the holdovers remain constant at any magnification. I am happy to see reticles like this come in an affordable scope.
RevStop™ Zero System
The Venom 3-15 comes with Vortex’s RevStop™ zero system for elevation adjustments. While resetting windage and elevation turrets to zero after sighting in is straightforward, the elevation turret offers an additional hard stop option. Once the RevStop™ is installed after sighting the scope in, users can quickly dial the scope downward, and it will never go beyond 0.5 mills past zero. This prevents the user from forgetting how many rotations the turret has made while always maintaining confidence in their return to zero.
Turrets
With its new housing design, the Vortex Venom 3-15 employs broad turrets that provide more adjustment per rotation – precisely 10 MRAD/25 MOA per turn. The windage and elevation adjustments are precise, offering distinct clicks that are easily felt. Each click moves the reticle by 1/4 MOA or 0.1 MRAD. Adjusting shots for elevation is straightforward, while the windage turret is capped to prevent accidental changes if the scope is bumped or slung to your body.
After I zero a rifle, I rarely use the windage turret again. I rely on the reticle etchings to account for changing wind holds. The capped windage turret ensures it stays locked in place. Additionally, the elevation turret features Vortex’s RevStop™ Zero System, ensuring a quick return to zero after adjustments, preventing the user from accidentally being one rotation off. This allows for a confident return to zero fast and securely.
Tracking With the Venom 3-15
An important mechanical function of a modern scope is its ability to precisely dial in shots. Deciding to test how well the turrets actually worked, I zeroed a laser to the center of the reticle at 20ish yards and then dialed up 10 Mils.
When I was looking through the scope, the laser was centered exactly on the 10-Mil line etched on the reticle. I then dialed the scope 10 mills to the right, and the laser looked spot on. When I dialed both windage and elevation back to zero, the laser returned perfectly to the center of the reticle. This was a win and the Venom 3-15 proved to have its mechanical turrets precisely track with the etched reticle hash marks.
Parallax
Parallax for the Venom 3-15 can be fine-tuned from as close as 10 yards out to infinity and beyond. The yardage is clearly marked, and the adjustment has a resistance similar to that of the magnification ring. This keeps it from moving much if bumped, yet remains easy to tune in to achieve that crisp overall image. As with all of the turrets, these caps have serrations that help with a non-slip grip.
Magnification/Clarity
True to its name, the Vortex Venom 3-15 offers a magnification range from 3 to 15 power. At 3X, the field of view is notably wide, allowing the user to see 42.4 feet at 100 yards. The clarity is impressive, especially considering its price point. I observed minimal edge-to-edge distortion, and there’s only the slightest blue tint to the glass. Both scopes appeared to have nearly identical glass clarity and performance during a side-by-side comparison with the Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18.
An added convenience is the included throw lever with this optic. While the magnification adjustment is already smooth, having a tab to push against makes the process quicker. The throw lever securely clamps down with a single set screw and feels ergonomic in use.
Field testing
Throughout my review, this scope served me well. When mounted to a 6.5 Creedmoor, I was able to consistently hit a steel silhouette at 1050 yards. The reticle has great information built into it, and the turrets allowed me to quickly dial in shots. I also spent a good amount of time using this scope with a 450 Bushmaster. This is a hard-hitting round, and I was able to dial in shots shooting subsonic ammunition. When shooting at close range, the 3X base magnification proved it can be used quick as well. The thick crosshair lines allowed for fast alignment. I was able to do some 1-round high-ready drills averaging around 1.25 seconds from 30 yards.
The scope’s durable housing held up well to testing. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity of the glass, considering its price. Overall, it performed admirably and met my expectations.
SEE MORE: Testing the All-New Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18×44 FFP Riflescope
Vortex Venom 3-15 Summary
The new Vortex Venom 3-15×44 FFP is available and shipping now with an MSRP of $650 with the current street price hovering around the $450 mark. For those looking for an affordable scope that could take them out to 1000 yards, this is by far one of the best optics for the price. The housing feels rugged, the turrets track and work without an issue, and the reticle is fantastic.
Where the Venom lacks an illuminated reticle and a locking elevation turret that is found on the new Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18, its street price is about $300 less. Which one of these best fits your needs is up to you, but all in all, I have no hesitation in recommending this optic.
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