Lasers, Lights, and now Optics oh My!: The Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

Review of the Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

Gears Rating

 4.5 out of 5 gears (Gears Ratings Explained)

The Viridian VENTA is a superb rifle scope for the money. The 1.5 to 4.5 power optic paired nicely with my not-so-stock AK-47.

Where To Buy the Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

You can buy the Viridian VENTA

• On their website
• from Amazon.com

First Impressions of the Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

The Venta comes in a nice kraft cardboard box. There’s Plenty of branding on the outside of the box that will help you identify exactly what you’re buying. Even on the inside, you have a little bit of story on Viridian and what they believe in. The scope itself came well packaged inside the carton.

The only thing that was missing was the scope mounts. I had assumed it would come with a pair of Picatinny rail mounts, but after reevaluating my expectations, it’s not very common to have manufacturers include scope mounts to their scopes. I think this is because of the diverse range of mounting options you have with modern optics.

Installation and setup of the Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

The installation setup was pretty easy. Cedar Mill Fine Firearms provided a complimentary Picatinny rail adapter for the scope. The mount they provided was a sample unit that never went to production, but it was a fine unit regardless (bias included). The scope mount featured quick attach hex head screws, a spirit level, and weight-reducing cuts throughout the body of the mount.

To attach the scope to the AK-47 I used a Barwarus Sula scope mount and it worked well for the task. I’m also pleased with the functionality it provides in allowing me to clean the AK-47 without removing the scope. Zeroing this rifle scope was straightforward. You have a top and side turret. The top turret adjusts your elevation and the side turret adjusts your windage.

One thing to note here is that you do not need a special tool to adjust this scope. Many of the scopes I’ve owned requires a flat tip screwdriver to adjust windage and elevation. The Viridian Venta provides large gripped turrets with markings all the way around. The 1.5 to 4.5 zoom is easily adjusted on the body of the scope. On the power ring, a flathead screw covers the hole used to mount a throw lever. The fast-focus eyepiece operated like any other scope I’ve owned and used the same setting that I find common throughout my other scopes as well.

Specs of the Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

Field Test of the Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

When I was able to make it to the range, I began my field tests of the Venta rifle scope. Previously, I had used the bore sighter so that my initial shots were at least on the paper, and it worked pretty well. I was able to track and monitor my shots to zero-in the scope by shooting an overly large piece of paper.

Previously while mounted to the AK-47, the scope had taken a tumble onto a concrete floor and this dented one of the turret caps. Other than that, the scope was pretty much brand new. With no instructions included, operating the scope was pretty simple. Once the scope was zeroed I was able to enjoy the rest of the day throwing lead downrange.

The glass is crystal clear and the Mil-Dot reticle is fine and detailed. The parallax is set for 100 yards which is a comfortable distance for this rifle. The 5-¼” of eye relief worked well on the platform I was using, especially with the forward mounting solution provided by Barwarus. At full 4-½ zoom, the objective did narrow down quite a bit but was still comfortable.

The Mil-Dot reticle worked well in compensating for bullet drop. The adjustments were clearly defined and easily repeatable given the 123-grain weight, 7.62×39 mm bullet. The 14.8-inch length not only sits well on the rifle but looks well suited to the platform. The 32mm objective is just slightly larger than the 30mm tube.

Pros of the Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

Right off the bat, the clarity and light transmission of the scope is superb. I’ve seen many more expensive scopes that didn’t have quite the clarity of this scope. I think much of that price point has to do with the fact that it’s a second focal plane scope. Regardless, I couldn’t be happier.

Now an AK-47 is not a hunting rifle. So I’m not talking about my particular setup, but I would not hesitate to put the scope on any one of my Varmint guns or my deer rifles. Depending on the hunting situation, a 4-½ power is suitable for a deer in river bottom or brushy locations.

Sometimes, with gophers, it is nicer to get above that 4-½ power mark, and I can do so with a different Viridian scope. Knowing the quality and clarity of Viridian optics reassures me the next time I go to purchase.

Con’s of the Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

Unfortunately, it landed hard on the concrete before I was even able to take the scope out. Now as expected, it did take some damage but it wasn’t a scratch. It was a dent in the turret cap. I know this is relatively circumstantial and more of a pet peeve, but a bit thicker material would have prevented this dent and would have been appreciated in this situation. Nonetheless, Everything else in the scope is top-notch and high quality.

Final Thoughts on the Viridian VENTA Rifle Scope 1.5-4.5×32, SFP

I enjoy the scope. I have many other scopes which to look through, but when I put the Venta up to my eye, I get a bit of a smile. The reticle and clarity are superb. The eye relief works well on the AK-47, and the level of zoom is excellent for the shooting conditions that I’ll be using the rifle in. I’ve had cheap Amazon scopes that aren’t even a shadow of what this scope is, and I have more expensive hunting scopes that could learn a thing or two from the Viridian Venta.