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10 Best Vortex Rifle Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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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
9.9
Chosen by1,422
Reticle
Eye Relief
Field of View

Most important from
13359 reviews

Reticle
The glass is generally clearer and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic for its price range.
Eye Relief
Great eye relief of about 4 inches ensures a full image at both low and high power, minimizing the 'scope black eye ring' effect.
Field of View
Clear view with next to no darkness, providing a bright image even in varying conditions.
Turrets and Adjustments
Despite lacking an audible click, the turrets are easy to adjust and hold true with a decent quality mount.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO riflescope is a versatile option for hunters, offering a wide magnification range from 6x to 18x, which is suitable for both close and long-range targeting. The 44mm objective lens ensures good light transmission, and the fully multi-coated lenses provide bright, clear images. The V-Brite illuminated reticle is particularly useful in low light conditions, enhancing target visibility.

With a generous eye relief of 3.7 inches and an ultra-forgiving eye box, acquiring your target quickly is made easier, reducing eye strain during extended use. The adjustable objective helps in focusing the image and eliminating parallax, ensuring accuracy over various distances. The capped reset turrets are easy to adjust with MOA clicks and can be reset to zero after sighting in, making it user-friendly for adjustments in the field.

Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, the riflescope is both strong and shockproof, and its waterproof and fogproof design ensures reliable performance in different weather conditions. Its weight of 19.6 ounces might be on the heavier side for some users, and the lack of night vision could be a drawback for those needing such a feature. Supported by Vortex's unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty, it provides peace of mind regarding durability and long-term use. This riflescope is ideal for hunters looking for a reliable, versatile scope with excellent performance in various lighting conditions.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,422
Reticle
Eye Relief
Field of View

Most important from
13359 reviews

Reticle
The glass is generally clearer and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic for its price range.
Eye Relief
Great eye relief of about 4 inches ensures a full image at both low and high power, minimizing the 'scope black eye ring' effect.
Field of View
Clear view with next to no darkness, providing a bright image even in varying conditions.
Turrets and Adjustments
Despite lacking an audible click, the turrets are easy to adjust and hold true with a decent quality mount.
#2

Vortex Optics Crossfire 2 3-9x50mm Riflescope with Deadhold BDC Reticle

Rating
9.8
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle
Eye Relief

Most important from
13359 reviews

Objective Lens Diameter
Bright and clear viewing with minimal darkness, thanks to the large objective lens and fully multi-coated optics.
Reticle
The glass is notably clear with a crisp and functional reticle, making it a quality optic within its budget range.
Eye Relief
The generous eye relief and forgiving eye box make quick and comfortable target acquisition easy.
Turrets and Adjustments
Adjustments are accurate and consistent, with turrets that provide tactile feedback even if the click isn't very loud.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire 2 3-9x50mm riflescope is a solid choice for hunting with its versatile 3 to 9 times magnification, allowing you to zoom in on targets at varying distances. Its large 50mm objective lens helps gather plenty of light, providing bright and clear images even in lower light conditions like dawn or dusk. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is designed to help estimate bullet drop, which is useful when shooting at different ranges without needing to adjust your aim manually. Eye relief of 3.8 inches and a forgiving eye box make it easier to get a quick and comfortable sight picture, something hunters value for fast target acquisition.

The scope is built tough with aircraft-grade aluminum, making it shockproof and durable. It is also waterproof and fogproof thanks to O-ring seals and nitrogen purging, so it can handle various weather conditions. The fast-focus eyepiece lets you quickly sharpen the reticle’s clarity. While it lacks night vision capability, its fully multi-coated lenses enhance visibility during normal daylight hours. The turrets and parallax adjustments are available, although they might require some practice to use precisely. Weighing 18 ounces, it is moderately light, suitable for mounting on most rifles without adding too much bulk.

The unlimited lifetime VIP warranty is a strong advantage, offering peace of mind by protecting your investment against damage or defects. This scope suits hunters who want reliable performance and easy aiming at different distances, though those needing specialized night features or ultra-advanced adjustments might look elsewhere.

Rating
9.8
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle
Eye Relief

Most important from
13359 reviews

Objective Lens Diameter
Bright and clear viewing with minimal darkness, thanks to the large objective lens and fully multi-coated optics.
Reticle
The glass is notably clear with a crisp and functional reticle, making it a quality optic within its budget range.
Eye Relief
The generous eye relief and forgiving eye box make quick and comfortable target acquisition easy.
Turrets and Adjustments
Adjustments are accurate and consistent, with turrets that provide tactile feedback even if the click isn't very loud.

Buying Guide for the Best Vortex Rifle Scopes

Choosing the right vortex rifle scope can significantly enhance your shooting experience, whether you're hunting, target shooting, or engaging in tactical operations. The key to selecting the best scope for your needs is understanding the various specifications and how they impact performance. By familiarizing yourself with these specs, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific requirements and preferences.
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 different distances. Scopes typically have fixed or variable magnification. Fixed magnification scopes are simpler and often more durable, while variable magnification scopes offer flexibility for different shooting scenarios. For close-range shooting, a lower magnification (1-4x) is sufficient. For medium-range, consider 5-9x, and for long-range shooting, 10x or higher may be necessary. Choose based on the typical distance you will be shooting.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is crucial because it affects the amount of light that enters the scope, impacting image brightness and clarity. Larger diameters (40mm and above) allow more light, which is beneficial in low-light conditions but can make the scope heavier and bulkier. Smaller diameters (below 40mm) are lighter and more compact but may not perform as well in dim lighting. Consider where and when you will be using the scope to determine the right size for you.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Different reticle designs serve various purposes. Simple crosshairs are great for general use, while more complex reticles with hash marks or dots can assist with range estimation and bullet drop compensation. Illuminated reticles are useful in low-light conditions. Choose a reticle that matches your shooting style and needs. For example, hunters might prefer a simple, illuminated reticle, while long-range shooters might benefit from a more detailed reticle with range-finding capabilities.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope at which you can see the full field of view. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil rifles. Scopes with longer eye relief (3.5 inches or more) are better for high-recoil firearms, as they reduce the risk of the scope hitting your face. Shorter eye relief (less than 3.5 inches) can be acceptable for low-recoil rifles. Consider the type of rifle you are using and your comfort level when selecting eye relief.
Field of ViewField of view (FOV) is the width of the area you can see through the scope at a specific distance, usually measured in feet at 100 yards. A wider FOV allows you to see more of the surrounding area, which is beneficial for tracking moving targets and situational awareness. Higher magnification typically reduces FOV, so there is a trade-off between magnification and FOV. If you need to track fast-moving targets or require a broad view of your surroundings, opt for a scope with a wider FOV. For precision shooting at long distances, a narrower FOV may be acceptable.
Turrets and AdjustmentsTurrets are the knobs on the scope that allow you to adjust for windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down). These adjustments are crucial for accuracy, especially at varying distances. Some scopes have exposed turrets for quick adjustments, while others have capped turrets to prevent accidental changes. The type of adjustments (MOA or MRAD) can also vary. Choose a scope with turrets that match your shooting style. For example, tactical shooters might prefer exposed turrets for rapid adjustments, while hunters might opt for capped turrets to maintain settings.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps to eliminate parallax error, which occurs when the reticle appears to move relative to the target when you shift your head. This is important for maintaining accuracy, especially at longer distances. Scopes with parallax adjustment allow you to fine-tune the focus for different distances, ensuring the reticle stays on target. If you plan to shoot at varying distances or require high precision, a scope with parallax adjustment is beneficial. For fixed-distance shooting, this feature may be less critical.

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