I levelled a Witch Hunter with that rifle around a year ago and recall finding it really easy personally. As soon as you get the rifle, it has insanely good AoE clear for crowds and took care of Bosses quickly during the early//mid levels and at an ok-ish speed during Ultimate. Your budget version looks solid as well.
I dont think ppl that starts playing GD even know what AA replacers and WPS etc are They just want something that is fun and easy to play and make At least I had a great time making that ranged ABB WH char back in the days. That was also before FG and all these new “power creep” mechanics like affix bias etc
How would you ssf-level Physical Vindicator ? I think I would get Viper Sandspitters on Korvan Plateau but I would love
to play with Cesarin’s Conviction but I don’t think you can get it reliably (by farming Totems / Crucible at low level for example).
Sandspitter gunner is probably the most sane way of going about it.
I suppose you could also use a single Sandspitter and Korvan Spaulders for 80% Elemental->Physical conversion if you wanted to try something like Physical FoI. But good luck with building skill ranks to it. Legionnaire’s Rebuke looks like it would fit extremely well here allowing you to sub the Korvan shoulders for the +3 to FoI ones from Log but like Cesarin’s Conviction, it’s a random drop. Later on Beronath, Reforged just straight up covers the conversion for you.
Probably not what you’re going for but pets is an option. Briarthorn + Primal Spirit already do Physical and Bleed damage, Devouring Swarm does Bleed RR and Physical with the Korvan Casque. Zaria’s Pendant/Bloodsworn Codex/Wendigo Gaze are givens for a significantly buffed Briarthorn. Plenty of room to support them with Word of Renewal, Seal, Wendigo Totem for constant heals and Primal Bond.