The AR15 is one of the most popular rifles due to its modularity, performance, and availability, and Vortex, one of the best optics makers, has developed several high-quality scope to go with it.
The scopes from Vortex together with the AR15 can be used for a variety of purposes such as hunting, pest control, and competition.
Vortex also has a large selection of scopes, which can be a disadvantage for a first-time buyer because it makes it difficult to choose.
This article helps with that by reviewing a few Vortex scopes from among the many available that are best for use on the AR15.
Let’s take a look….
Best Vortex Scope for AR15-Top Picks
| Product | How To Buy |
| Vortex Optics Crossfire II
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| Vortex Diamondback Tactical 3-9×40
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| Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm 30mm
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| Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24mm
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| Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40mm
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| Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50mm 30mm
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The detailed reviews….
1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Vortex Crossfire II is a line of Vortex scopes that are well-known for providing good value because they are reasonably priced and come in a variety of configurations that can be used for a variety of purposes.
The distinctive characteristic of these scopes is that they have been stripped down to only the essential features. Furthermore, they feature a streamlined design to provide you with obstruction-free shooting, and a long eye relief that allows it to be used even on rifles of heavy recoil.
The scopes’ accuracy has not been overlooked and they include characteristics like a multicoated lens and a glare-reducing sunshade. These contribute to well-defined, bright images even in low-light situations.
All variants also have a relatively wide objective lens, as well as a BDC reticle that works flawlessly in estimating holdover over varying distances.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
- Magnification: 2 – 7 x
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- 6 – 42 ft at 100 yds Field of View
- Eye Relief: 3.9 – 4.7 in
- Dimensions: 11.3 x 3.5 x 1.53 in
- Weight: 14.3 oz
Pros
- Deadhold DBC reticle
- Low profile streamlined design
- Multi-coated lens
- Generous eye relief
- Performs well in low-light situations
Cons
- The reticle isn’t illuminated
2. Vortex Diamondback Tactical 3-9×40 Rifle Scope
The diamond black rifle scope works perfectly with your AR15, by giving you an adequate magnification of 2-9x that can be used on both close and medium-range targets.
It utilizes an extra-low dispersion glass to boost the resolution, by increasing light transmission and reducing glare. The 40mm objective lens on the other hand does well to brighten the image.
Accuracy is precise thanks to the tactical turrets’ ability to adjust windage and elevation. Furthermore, fiber optic rotation indicators provide a visual indication of your turret’s position.
Make your shot, and the reticle will return to zero to prepare you for your next shot. The scope will also withstand inclement weather because it has been well constructed, and it is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, all of which are excellent qualities for the outdoors.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- VMR-1 Reticle
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- 3 – 33.7 ft at 100 yds Field of View
- Eye Relief: 3.8 in
- Weight: 15.9 oz
Pros
- Uses an extra-low dispersion glass
- Tactical turret with precise adjustments
- Excellent build quality
- Good for hunting big game
- Good image resolution under low light
Cons
- Some people have complained of a small eye box
3. Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm 30mm FFP Rifle Scope
If you need a versatile scope for your AR15 that can be used for close and medium targets, this one will come in handy. With its low power magnification of 1-8x, it will work perfectly for targets less than 100 yards away and will also tackle a target at 600 yards with ease.
It uses a first focal plane and an illuminated reticle to make sure you get the best experience when focusing on targets even on a bright day.
A lot has been put into consideration to make sure that the lens gives the user a clear image of the target. One of the measures is the multicoating that has been applied on the lens, in addition to an ArmorTec coating that serves to protect the lens against any scratches that may result out in the field.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
- Magnification: 1 – 8 x
- EBR-8 illuminated Reticle
- First Focal Plane (FFP)
- 1 – 113.6 ft at 100 yds Field of View
- Eye Relief: 3.9 in
- Dimensions: 14.25 x 3.5 x 3.75 in
- Weight: 1.49 lbs.
Pros
- Illuminated reticle
- Low power magnification for close targets
- Decent eye relief
- ArmorTec scratch-resistant lens
- Ergonomic and easy to use
Cons
- Could perform better in low light.
4. Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24mm Rifle Scope
Another low-power scope, but this one is designed for short-distance targets due to its 1-4x magnification. It is precision machined to ensure that the user receives a durable product that will withstand harsh conditions.
For further durability, the scope is waterproof and is fitted with O-rings seals to prevent moisture dust, and debris from getting inside the lens.
The viper PST uses a second focal plane with an etched reticle that’s also illuminated, for both low light and bright daylight visibility. In addition, the lens is multicoated with an extra-low dispersion glass that enhances resolution color, and contrast.
It allows you to accurately focus on your target with features like the fast focus eyepiece, and tall uncapped turret that make adjustments easy and fast. A Zero Stop Customizable Rotational Stop, further prevents dialing more than one rotation below zero, to prevent you from losing your zero.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
- Magnification: 1 – 4 x
- Illuminated reticle
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- 5 – 98 ft at 100 yds Field of View
- Eye Relief: 4 in
- Weight: 16 oz
Pros
- Tall turrets make adjustments easy
- Extra-low dispersion glass enhances image
- Durable finish, making it a rugged option
- Long eye relief enables fast focusing
- Perfect for short-range targets
- Illuminated reticle
Cons
- Only suitable for short to mid-range targets.
5. Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Viper Hs scope is perfect for hunting because it’s loaded with many features that make it easy to use, without any worries about the level of experience that one has, It stands out for its durability and easy target acquisition over the long distance, making it a perfect option for an AR15
A fully multi-coated lens and a wide objective lens make the image bright, by way of maximizing the light captured and transmitted.
The scope is affordable and will work perfectly on long distant targets. This is because of its 4-16x magnification and exposed turrets that provide easy adjustment for windage and elevation.
Furthermore, it employs an easy-to-read VMR-1 reticle that accurately determines holdovers and provides windage corrections over a wide range of long distances.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40 mm
- Magnification: 4 – 12 x
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- 9 – 23.6 ft at 100 yds Field of View
- Eye Relief: 3.8 in
- Dimensions: 14.2 x 4.25 x 1.86 in
- Weight: 16.2 oz
Pros
- Available at a fair price
- Simplified reticle with holdover hash marks
- Bright well-defined images
- The exposed turrets are easy to adjust
- Durable and well put together
Cons
- Has a narrow field of view at all magnification levels.
6. Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50mm 30mm Tube Second Focal Plane Rifle Scope
The HS 4-16x rifle scope is the simplest to use, especially when aiming at long-distance targets, even on an overcast day. This is due to its accommodating eye box and generous eye relief, which allow the shooter to take his shot with his head positioned in a variety of positions. In addition, a capped turret contributes to a low profile, which frees up any obstruction.
The turret gives the shooter increased windage and elevation travel to allow for more adjustments. This is in addition to the BDC reticle that can be used to perfectly estimate for holdover over these long distances.
It also produces a bright image due to the objective lens’s notable 50mm diameter, which works together with the multicoated lens to allow in more light.
The scope’s durability has not been overlooked, as it features one of the most durable designs that is well put together. It is waterproof, fog proof, and has an aluminum casing that enables it to endure a reasonable amount of impact.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 4 – 16 x
- Dead-Hold BDC Reticle
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- 4 – 27.4 ft at 100 yds Field of View
- Eye Relief: 4 in
- Dimensions: 13.7 x 4.25 x 2.26 In
- Weight: 22 oz
Pros
- Additional adjustments for windage and elevation
- Low profile design with capped turrets
- 16x magnification good for distant targets
- Bright images under low light
- BDC reticle
- Simple to use
Cons
- Quite hefty at 20oz.
Best Vortex Scope for AR15-Buying Guide
Before determining which scope to select from the list we’ve provided, it’s essential to understand some of the factors that will help you make the appropriate option.
Distance to your target
Each shooter uses their scope over varying distances. The target can be located at a close distance of 100 yards or a far 600 yards.
With this in mind, the first characteristic you should consider is the level of magnification on your scope. Magnification makes your target appear closer than it is, and this makes aiming easier and results in more effective shots.
Most of the vortex scope comes with a variable magnification that is represented by two digits, for example, 3-12x. The two digits represent the range of magnification that the scope can be adjusted to. The higher value is suitable for a distant target while the smaller one will only help with closer targets.
If you are a skilled shooter and strictly need to use your scope over a long distance, you should look at the larger value when buying your scope.
To acquire your target at a distance of 500 yards or more, you will need a magnification greater than 9x, and the greater the distance, the more magnification you will need.
It’s worth noting that too much magnification isn’t always a good thing. While high magnification increases your chances of hitting accurately, it can also amplify your misses. This means that even a small error in your target calculation can result in acres of difference between the actual target and where the projectile hits.
Windage and Elevation
Another factor that determines whether you hit the target is the wind, which causes the bullet to drift out of its trajectory, and the bullet drop that happens over long distances.
Both should be compensated for by a good scope. This can be done with the reticle using bullet drop compensation (BDC) or by making actual adjustments on the ballistic turret.
These adjustments should be straightforward, and the reticle should be accurate and easy to read.
First focal Plane (FFP) vs. second Focal Plane (SFP)
Reticles can be of two types, the FFP of the SFP. Both of these bear different characteristics and are preferred differently depending on the shooter.
The main distinction between these two types of scopes is how the reticle reacts to magnification changes. The reticle on the FFP shrinks and grows in proportion to the magnification decrease and increase. The size of the reticle on the SFP remains constant regardless of the magnification level.
As a result, the FFP is accurate at all magnification levels, making it a good choice for long-distance targets. It is, however, heavier and costs twice as much as an SFP.
When aiming at a close target, the FFP’s reticle appears small under low magnification, potentially making the hashmark difficult to use. Because of these numerous drawbacks, many people prefer the SFP.
Image clarity
A scope can’t give you the best performance if the image you get isn’t sharp enough for you to identify your target.
The image clarity of a rifle scope is determined by three factors: the type of glass used on the lens, the diameter of the objective lens, and the number of coatings applied to the glass lens.
A good quality glass and a wide objective lens can capture more light, resulting in a sharp and bright image for the user. Lens coatings also contribute to this by reducing the amount of reflection from the lens, allowing a larger amount of light to enter the rifle scope.
FAQ’s
How do I properly mount a Vortex scope on an AR-15?
- Use high-quality rings or a mount that matches the scope’s tube diameter and is compatible with your AR15’s rail system (such as Picatinny or Weaver rail).
- Ensure that the sight is properly aligned with the rifle’s bore. Use a bore sighting tool or a laser to help with initial alignment.
- To avoid damaging the scope or rifle, follow the manufacturer’s suggested torque specifications for attaching screws.
CONCLUSION
After reading this article, you’ll get the most in-depth analysis of the best vortex scope for AR15 rifle. The scopes we’ve highlighted are suitable for hunting, marksmanship competition, and even home defense, in other words, anything you can do with your AR15. The Vortex Optics Crossfire II, however, is the best choice for the money, but if you are on a tight budget you can go with the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 3-9×40.
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