AO Review – Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD

Vortex Optics is easily the most popular optics producer within the firearms industry at the moment for several reasons. Their products flat-out perform at attainable prices, their customer service is the standard by which all others are judged, and the culture within the company is enviable by all other optics manufacturers as well. What they also do well is listen to their customers. We, as the shooters and hunters, can often be pretty needy in our requests for new optics, but Vortex is authentically listening. Something that has become en vogue as of late are what I would call “intermediate magnification” optics. Something stronger than an LPVO (Low Powered Variable Optic), but smaller in size and magnification than let’s say a 5-25x piece of glass. All this being said, Vortex has heard us once again and proudly announced today the NEW Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP (First Focal Plane). So, we are going to review that very optic here today to see how it performs! Let’s dive in and check out the Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD.

Vortex Optics Coverage on AllOutdoor

Specifications – Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD

Prior to today, there was only one optic offered by Vortex via their Venom series of riflescopes being a 5-25x model (in varying reticle and turret options). Now, they also have this 3-15x scope as well as a smaller LPVO in a 1-6x magnification. Those “intermediate magnification” offerings are exactly what shooters are looking for and Vortex has responded by providing us with more choices yet again. All of the specifications for the Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD can be read below as presented by Vortex Optics:

First Focal Plane Reticle – Accurate holdovers through the entire magnification range
Revstop® Zero System – Fast and reliable return to zero
34mm Tube Size – Strength and greater range of travel
Capped Windage, Exposed Elevation Turrets – A perfect balance between quick adjustments and precise dialing control
Throw Lever – The included throw lever can be installed for quick and easy magnification adjustments

SKU: VEN-31502 (EBR-7C MRAD) | VEN-31501 (EBR-7C MOA)
Reticle: EBR-7C MRAD | EBR-7C MOA
Magnification X Objective Lens Diameter: 3-15×44
Focal Plane: FFP (First Focal Plane)
Eye Relief: 3.7″
Linear Field of View @ 100 Yards: 42.4′ – 8.4′
Zero Stop System: RevStop®
Max Travel: Elevation: 36 MRAD, Windage: 21 MRAD | Elevation: 124 MOA, Windage: 75 MOA
Tube Size: 34mm
Length: 13.3″
Weight: 28.8 Oz

This optic like the original Venom riflescope in a 5-25x magnification range touts extraordinarily clear glass for its price tag, robust turrets with a tactile feel that can actually be felt out in the field without staring at your knobs, and all of the exterior “armor” that we have come to know and love: fogproof, shockproof, waterproof, and fully multi-coated lenses. A final statement from Vortex Optics and some other essential specs can be read below:

XD™ Optical System
Fogproof
Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
Shockproof
Armortek®
Nitrogen Gas Purged
Waterproof

Go from dreamer to tactical achiever. The Venom® 3-15×44 FFP delivers great glass quality, workhorse function, and impressive low- to high-end magnification for rapid transitions between close- to long-range targets. Solid single piece, 34mm aircraft-aluminum tube provides water, fog, and shockproof protection against hard knocks and impacts when racing between stations and shooting from cover. Smooth, throw-lever zoom control. Robust turrets with a distinct, tactile feel and an EBR-7C (Enhanced Battle Reticle) to provide fast ranging and windage corrections.

First Impressions – Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD

One thing (of many) that Vortex Optics does well is their packaging is very attractive and makes the purchaser feel special; like they are receiving something of high-quality no matter the price-point they are spending their money at. The inside and outside of the box is clean, bluntly rad in appearance, and you get a bunch of accoutrements with the scope itself that you might otherwise need to search out. It gives you the feel that there is a lot more value in a Vortex Optics box than simply receiving an optic:

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Tethered Lens Covers
Throw Lever
Lens Cloth
2mm Custom Tool
3″ Sunshade
RevStop® Zero Ring

The Venom 3-15×44 FFP boasts workhorse reliability and accuracy on targets no matter the range. The scope delivers great glass quality, impressive magnification, an EBR-7C reticle for fast, precise corrections at distance, plus throw-lever zoom control and wide field of view for rapidly engaging targets up close.

FIRST FOCAL PLANE design means the reticle’s subtensions remain accurate at all magnification levels
REVSTOP® ZERO SYSTEM ensures a rapid reindexing and reliable zero adjustments
SINGLE-PIECE 34mm ALUMINUM TUBE for strength and greater range of travel
CAPPED WINDAGE, EXPOSED ELEVATION turrets strike a perfect balance between quick adjustments and precise dialing control
THROW-LEVER (included) for precise zoom adjustments on the fly

I won’t bore the reading audience with the task of mounting this optic to my favorite precision, hunting rifle – a Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor – but if you read the optic manual and properly torque everything to the correct Inch-Lb, lap your rings, and level everything out, you will be setup for a successful day at the range. My day job is managing my family’s 14-year old gun shop so I have thousands of repetitions of mounting optics under my belt.

Sidebar: We sell Vortex scopes like hotcakes in Minnesota. The quality, warranty, company culture, extras in the box, and consistent tolerances make them an utter slam-dunk. We’re at the point that if you aren’t running a Vortex on a gun, you get judged by your buddies like, “What’re you doin’, bro!”

Reticle Subtensions – Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD

Once my chosen rifle and optic were properly married together, the first thing that is typically tested out at the range are the reticle subtensions. When we look at optics and their reticles in a retail store we make the assumption that if a manufacturer states their subtensions – or the little hashes on a reticle – equal a specific increment like 1 MIL (Mil Radian), that they do. It would be wonderful if that were true, but unfortunately, it is not true for all scope manufacturers. So, to test that, if you know the “size” that subtension and stadia lines should be in your reticle when looking at them, you can simply look at them at a known size target (one inch squares on paper, etc). If everything matches up like its supposed, you’re good to go! That was exactly the case with the Venom 3-15x44mm.

Tracking – Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD

The next test to ensure this optic is up to par is to verify it “tracks” correctly. What is meant by this is if you make an adjustment – either windage or elevation – by clicking a fixed amount on your turrets, that should actually pan out on paper. You never want to adjust your elevation say 3 MILs and then an optic does not respond accordingly.

So, to test the tracking I shot a confirmation 4-shot group at 100 yards. Then, I adjusted 1 MIL of elevation up and 1 MIL of windage to the right. Next, I shot a second 3-shot group. Finally, I adjusted 1 MIL of elevation down and 1 MIL of windage to the left. A 3rd and final 3-shot group were sent down range. After wandering down to my target to verify, the scope gave me all of the correct adjustment because I ended up exactly where I had started. It passed the test. I can also state that over the last month whenever I shot with the Venom 3-15x44mm, the scope always responded accordingly. Also, my groups for this tracking test weren’t the tightest or cleanest except for the last one because I was fighting a gusty wind on this range day. So, some horizontal stringing occurred due to the wind.

Parallax – Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD

The next test I put the Vortex Venom 3-15x through was to verify its parallax. The parallax of any scope is a very misunderstood property. Most people tend to believe your parallax knob (if any scope offers one) is there to make your image clear. This is an extremely rudimentary way of expressing what your parallax actually accomplishes.

The parallax of any scope is meant to get your reticle and the object you are looking at on the same focal plane. When this is achieved, yes, your image will look more clear, but once again that is an overly simplistic explanation for what is going on. Most parallax knobs will have yardage markers to indicate at what revolution point on the knob you should hopefully hit that “sweet spot” of your reticle and target being on the same focal plane. While the numbers are not always perfect, its a good baseline.

To test your parallax, you can simply look at objects at varying distances, spin your parallax knob to the appropriate distance you are looking at, and if your image becomes crystal clear like one would hope – TA DA! – your parallax is working perfectly. This was once again the case for this optic we are testing here today.

Final Thoughts – Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD

So, what are my final thoughts on the Vortex Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD riflescope?… Overall, I was supremely impressed with the performance, features, and value of the Venom 3-15x4mm FFP. If you want a roughly $600 riflescope that will absolutely punch outside its price tag in value, then this is it. The only negative I could possibly conjure up about this scope is you cannot aim well close with it. Like, 10 yards and in, but that is not its ‘bread and butter.” If a shooter wants to engage targets that close, that’s what the new Venom 1-6x would be perfect for. At an MSRP of $649.99, this optic is well worth the asking price for its performance, features, and value. You will love it for hunting and everything from 10+ yards out to 1,000 yards.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Vortex for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD riflescope. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Venom 3-15x44mm FFP EBR-7C Reticle MRAD riflescope is something worth spending your money on? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak