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10 Best Vortex Optics Rifle Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO, 1-inch Tube, Second Focal Plane Riflescope - V-Brite Illuminated MOA, Model Number: CF2-31029

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,412
Reticle
Eye Relief
Turrets

Most important from
13354 reviews

Reticle
The glass delivers a noticeably clearer and crisper image with a sharp duplex dot reticle, offering a quality optic feel at a budget-friendly price.
Eye Relief
The scope provides excellent eye relief with a wide, bright sight picture and minimal black ring, making it comfortable and easy to acquire targets quickly.
Turrets
Adjustments are accurate and consistent, with turrets that offer tactile feedback even if the audible click isn’t very loud, ensuring precise zeroing.
Parallax Adjustment
The adjustable objective lens effectively removes parallax error, allowing for confident shots out to 500 yards and beyond when paired with proper ballistics.
Durability
This scope holds zero reliably through extensive use, provided it’s mounted properly, demonstrating dependable performance for rifles like AR-10 and .308 platforms.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO is a solid choice for hunters seeking a versatile riflescope. Its 6 to 18 times magnification range allows you to zoom in well for distant targets, while the 44mm objective lens helps provide a bright, clear view even in lower light conditions. The V-Brite illuminated reticle is a helpful feature, making it easier to aim during dawn or dusk by lighting up the center dot. This illumination uses a battery-powered system, which is convenient but means you should keep spare batteries on hand.

The adjustable objective lens allows you to fine-tune the focus and removes parallax error, which helps ensure your aim stays accurate at different distances. The scope’s turrets are capped and have MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in, letting you make precise adjustments without tools. Eye relief is about 3.7 inches, which is comfortable and gives a forgiving eye box, so you can quickly get a clear sight picture without straining. Built from aircraft-grade aluminum, the scope is sturdy, shockproof, and sealed against water and fog, making it dependable in rough outdoor conditions. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, which is a reassuring promise of quality.

The 1-inch tube might limit light transmission compared to larger tubes, and the illuminated reticle relies on battery power, so it’s not entirely maintenance-free. It also doesn’t have night vision compatibility. This Crossfire II model is well suited for hunters wanting a reliable, medium to long-range scope with good durability and clear optics, especially if you appreciate an illuminated reticle for low-light shooting.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,412
Reticle
Eye Relief
Turrets

Most important from
13354 reviews

Reticle
The glass delivers a noticeably clearer and crisper image with a sharp duplex dot reticle, offering a quality optic feel at a budget-friendly price.
Eye Relief
The scope provides excellent eye relief with a wide, bright sight picture and minimal black ring, making it comfortable and easy to acquire targets quickly.
Turrets
Adjustments are accurate and consistent, with turrets that offer tactile feedback even if the audible click isn’t very loud, ensuring precise zeroing.
Parallax Adjustment
The adjustable objective lens effectively removes parallax error, allowing for confident shots out to 500 yards and beyond when paired with proper ballistics.
Durability
This scope holds zero reliably through extensive use, provided it’s mounted properly, demonstrating dependable performance for rifles like AR-10 and .308 platforms.
#2

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO SFP Riflescope Dead-Hold BDC MOA

Rating
10.0
Reticle
Turrets
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
13354 reviews

Reticle
The glass delivers clear, bright images with a crisp reticle that stands out sharply in various lighting conditions.
Turrets
Adjustments are accurate and consistent, with turrets that track perfectly and return to zero reliably after dialing.
Parallax Adjustment
The adjustable objective effectively eliminates parallax, sharpening focus and enhancing shot precision at different distances.
Eye Relief
Eye relief and a forgiving eye box provide a comfortable and quick target acquisition experience without the typical 'scope black' effect.
Durability
Built tough with aircraft-grade aluminum, this scope resists fog, water, and shock, performing well even in rainy and harsh outdoor environments.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO riflescope is a solid choice for hunters who need versatility in range and reliable performance. Its magnification range from 6x to 18x allows for both medium and longer distance shooting, making it adaptable for various hunting scenarios. The 44mm objective lens is a good size to provide bright, clear images without adding excessive bulk. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is designed to help with holdover estimation at different distances, which is particularly useful if you prefer quick aiming without manually adjusting elevation.

One of the key strengths is the adjustable objective (AO) feature, which helps remove parallax error and sharpen the image focus, improving accuracy at varied distances. The capped resettable turrets with MOA clicks allow precise adjustments and can be zeroed after sighting in, which is convenient for maintaining settings. Eye relief at 3.7 inches offers comfortable positioning to avoid recoil impact, paired with a forgiving eye box that makes target acquisition easier.

Durability is impressive here, with a single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube that is shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof thanks to O-ring sealing and nitrogen purging. This means the scope can handle rough outdoor conditions well. The fast focus eyepiece enhances quick reticle sharpening, and included accessories like sunshade and lens covers add protection. Although this model lacks night vision compatibility and weighs about 2 pounds, which might be noticeable on lightweight rifles after extended use, it delivers dependable performance. The reticle is second focal plane (SFP), so holdover marks stay the same size regardless of magnification, which might be less intuitive for some shooters compared to first focal plane scopes. The Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO is a dependable, user-friendly riflescope that balances good optical clarity, solid build, and practical features at a reasonable price point. It suits hunters looking for a durable scope with adjustable parallax and easy reticle holdover for varied shooting distances.

Rating
10.0
Reticle
Turrets
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
13354 reviews

Reticle
The glass delivers clear, bright images with a crisp reticle that stands out sharply in various lighting conditions.
Turrets
Adjustments are accurate and consistent, with turrets that track perfectly and return to zero reliably after dialing.
Parallax Adjustment
The adjustable objective effectively eliminates parallax, sharpening focus and enhancing shot precision at different distances.
Eye Relief
Eye relief and a forgiving eye box provide a comfortable and quick target acquisition experience without the typical 'scope black' effect.
Durability
Built tough with aircraft-grade aluminum, this scope resists fog, water, and shock, performing well even in rainy and harsh outdoor environments.
#3

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Scout, Second Focal Plane, 1-inch Tube Riflescope - V-Plex Reticle

Rating
9.9
Reticle
Turrets
Eye Relief

Most important from
13354 reviews

Reticle
The glass delivers clear, bright images with a crisp reticle, making target acquisition straightforward and reliable.
Turrets
Capped, resettable turrets track accurately and return to zero perfectly, supporting consistent shot placement.
Eye Relief
Exceptional eye relief provides a comfortable and safe viewing distance, reducing recoil impact and allowing quick sight alignment.
Durability
The scope’s lightweight and rugged build stands up well to harsh weather and rough field use, maintaining performance even in rain and fog.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Scout riflescope is designed with versatility in mind, especially suited for scout rifles. Its magnification range of 2-7x offers a good balance between close-range quick target acquisition and moderate zoom for longer shots. The 32mm objective lens diameter helps keep the scope compact and lightweight, weighing just 12 ounces, which is ideal for carrying and maneuvering in the field. The V-Plex reticle is a straightforward, no-fuss design that works well for many hunting situations, though it lacks the complexity some advanced shooters might prefer.

Eye relief is a standout feature here, at 9.45 inches, providing a comfortable and safe distance from the scope to your eye, reducing the chance of recoil injury and making it easier to get on target quickly. The capped, resettable turrets offer precise adjustments with clear MOA clicks. Durability is strong thanks to the aircraft-grade aluminum tube, waterproof and fogproof sealing, and nitrogen purging, ensuring reliable performance in harsh weather conditions. The fully multi-coated lenses deliver bright and clear images, enhancing target visibility.

One potential drawback is that this scope uses a second focal plane reticle, so the reticle size does not change with magnification, which can be a downside for range estimation or holdovers at different zoom levels. Additionally, it doesn’t feature night vision compatibility. This scope is a solid, dependable choice for hunters or shooters looking for a simple, rugged, and effective optic for a scout rifle without extra bells and whistles.

Rating
9.9
Reticle
Turrets
Eye Relief

Most important from
13354 reviews

Reticle
The glass delivers clear, bright images with a crisp reticle, making target acquisition straightforward and reliable.
Turrets
Capped, resettable turrets track accurately and return to zero perfectly, supporting consistent shot placement.
Eye Relief
Exceptional eye relief provides a comfortable and safe viewing distance, reducing recoil impact and allowing quick sight alignment.
Durability
The scope’s lightweight and rugged build stands up well to harsh weather and rough field use, maintaining performance even in rain and fog.

Buying Guide for the Best Vortex Optics Rifle Scopes

Choosing the right rifle scope is crucial for enhancing your shooting accuracy and overall experience. Vortex Optics offers a wide range of rifle scopes, each designed to meet different needs and preferences. To make an informed decision, it's important to understand the key specifications and how they align with your shooting requirements. Here are the key specs you should consider when selecting a Vortex Optics rifle scope.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears through the scope compared to the naked eye. This is important because it determines how well you can see your target at various distances. Lower magnification (1-4x) is suitable for close-range shooting and fast target acquisition, while medium magnification (5-12x) is ideal for mid-range shooting. Higher magnification (13x and above) is best for long-range precision shooting. Choose the magnification based on the typical distance you will be shooting.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens measured in millimeters. It affects the amount of light that enters the scope, impacting image brightness and clarity. Larger diameters (40-56mm) allow more light, which is beneficial in low-light conditions but can make the scope heavier. Smaller diameters (20-39mm) are lighter and more compact but may not perform as well in dim lighting. Consider where and when you will be shooting to determine the right objective lens size.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point within the scope. Different reticle designs serve various purposes. Simple duplex reticles are great for general hunting, while BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticles help with long-range shooting by accounting for bullet drop. Illuminated reticles are useful in low-light conditions. Choose a reticle that matches your shooting style and the conditions you expect to encounter.
TurretsTurrets are the knobs on the scope used to adjust windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down). They are important for fine-tuning your aim. Tactical turrets are exposed and allow for quick adjustments, suitable for dynamic shooting situations. Capped turrets are protected and prevent accidental adjustments, ideal for hunting. Consider how often you will need to make adjustments and choose accordingly.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps to eliminate the parallax error, which occurs when the reticle appears to move relative to the target when you shift your eye position. This is crucial for long-range shooting where precision is key. Scopes with adjustable parallax allow you to fine-tune the focus at different distances. If you plan on shooting at varying ranges, a scope with parallax adjustment is beneficial.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope where you can see the full image. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil rifles. Longer eye relief (3.5 inches or more) is better for high-recoil firearms, while shorter eye relief (around 3 inches) can be sufficient for low-recoil guns. Choose eye relief based on the type of rifle you are using and your comfort level.
DurabilityDurability refers to the scope's ability to withstand harsh conditions and rough handling. This includes being waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. A durable scope is essential for hunting in various weather conditions and for ensuring longevity. Look for scopes with robust construction and protective coatings if you expect to use them in challenging environments.

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