[owenslee]

There has been a lot of discussion of late from members looking for a good but inexpensive optic for their rifles.

I would like to suggest the following from SWFA:

http://www.swfa.com/pc-12782-2213-vortex-6-24x50-crossfire-rifle-scope.aspx

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16582

http://libertyoptics.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-do-i-love-vortex-optics-let-me.html

For those unfamiliar with Vortex Optics...they are a US company out of Wisconsin who have generated a reputation for making a good value scope. Their Viper line is considered to be one of the best you can buy for under $1,000. Their reviews on SWFA and other optic forums has been very positive.

SWFA is selling a discontinued model of their Crossfire line which had 1/8 MOA marked turrets installed instead of the correct 1/4 MOA turrets. As a result SWFA is closing this model out for...$99....!

The kicker is that Vortex has a unlimited , transferable, no questions asked LIFETIME warranty on all their optics. This particular model is 6-24x50 with Mil Dot reticle and Parallax adjustment down to 10 yds. This would make it a good choice for a .22 rim fire or .22 mag for punching paper. It also has a European style quick focus ring. The body is one piece 1" diameter 6061 T6 aluminum. The turrets can be zeroed using a small jewelers screwdriver.

NO...it's not the best scope you can buy. But I would contend that it is definitely the best $99 scope you can buy...and if anything does wrong with it...Vortex will repair or replace it free. The company has an excellent reputation for customer service.

For those wanting to learn Mil Dots with an affordable scope...here is your opportunity. Where else can you buy a full featured variable Mil Dot scope with a unconditional lifetime guarantee, backed by an American company....for $99?

As of 2:00pm this afternoon they had fewer than 45 left...

Surely some of our guys on a budget can take advantage of this opportunity. I bought four.

Kerry

BTW, I have no connection to SWFA...other than as a frequent customer.

 

[6.8Vol]

Thanks for the info, Kerry. I ordered one last night. If I get an email saying they're out, I want one of your four, ok?

 

[6.8Vol]

Kerry,
I got my Vortex scope today. Nice looking scope but I'm having trouble finding mounts. The last time I had a scope was when I was a teenager I had a .22 and a dovetail. The Vortex needs approximately 3/4-1 inch more clearance than a regular mount. Any recommendations would be appreciated. It's going on my 6.8 flattop.
Thanks in advance,
Mark

 

[TemplarSC]

Thanks bud. That's just what I have been looking for. I ordered one just 5 minutes ago.

 

[MichiganMilitia]

I just can't pass up a deal like this.... ...so of course I ordered one!

 

[owenslee]

Kerry,
I got my Vortex scope today. Nice looking scope but I'm having trouble finding mounts. The last time I had a scope was when I was a teenager I had a .22 and a dovetail. The Vortex needs approximately 3/4-1 inch more clearance than a regular mount. Any recommendations would be appreciated. It's going on my 6.8 flattop.
Thanks in advance,
Mark

Mark,

The "poor man's" alternative to an SPR mount that you requested in the other thread is too low to mount the Vortex because of the adjustable Objective ring. It will mount other 50mm scopes...but not one with an additional AO ring. I am looking for another alternative and will let you know. If you want to cancel your request for the mount... I understand....and it is no problem.

Kerry

 

[danrod]

mount for vortex

will this work

http://www.burrisoptics.com/arpepr.html

Kerry when u find a mount for mark let me know cause I also ordered the vortex

Thanks, Dan

 

[owenslee]

will this work

http://www.burrisoptics.com/arpepr.html

Kerry when u find a mount for mark let me know cause I also ordered the vortex

Thanks, Dan

I believe the 1.00" version would work as the "A" dim is about .300 taller than the mounts I've ordered.
The Burris mount has a centerline 1.5" above the flatop rail. The mounts I have coming are 1.208" above the rail.

Kerry

 

[bedlamite]

I ordered the Vortex last night, and received a shipping notice this afternoon. I was considering the Simmons Whitetail Classic, and didn't know Vortex was available at this price range. I have a couple of the Philippine Simmons scopes, and while they are no match for Leo/Zeiss, they have held up well including one on my 30-06 Savage. If they are sold out, the Simmons might be a decent alternative:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productnumber=168462

For a mount, I'm planning on using a YHM extended rail and a pair of the assorted rings I have in my spare parts box.

 

[DDriller]

Kerry,

I have an old (cheap) B Square mount that works fine with the Vortex. I'm sure glad I'm a pack rat.

 

[owenslee]

After getting delivery of the four Vortex scopes ordered I have the following observations / likes /dislikes:

Likes:

- The power ring is designed so you can clearly see the magnification from the rear of the scope. A nice feature.
- The turret adjustments have well defined clicks and are clearly marked.
- Scope includes a screw in sun shield
- Scope appears to be well made.

Dislikes:

- The turret adjustments have almost one click of backlash when changing direction


Observations:

- Windage turret is properly marked at 1/4 MOA per click
- Elevation turret is incorrectly marked at 1/4 MOA per click when they in fact are 1/8 MOA clicks.
- The objective diameter is larger than expected due to the AO ring. Outside diameter is approximately 2.550" requiring a minimum ring height of 1.300 above the weaver mounting rail.
- This is an excellent mil-dot scope for the money. I still can't believe it has an unlimited lifetime warranty and only cost $99.

HTH

Kerry

 

[DDriller]

Good accurate assesment of the scope Kerry. I received mine today and am pleasantly suprised with it. I think it will be great for load testing.

 

[bedlamite]

Does it say where it's made?

 

[owenslee]

Does it say where it's made?

The only marking on the scope says:

"Vortex Optics, USA"

The boxes and all literature only reference either Vortex Optics USA...or Vortex Optics, Middleton Wisc.

No made in China, Made in Philippines, or Made in Korea anywhere...

Kerry

 

[MichiganMilitia]

After getting delivery of the four Vortex scopes ordered I have the following observations / likes /dislikes:

Likes:

- The power ring is designed so you can clearly see the magnification from the rear of the scope. A nice feature.
- The turret adjustments have well defined clicks and are clearly marked.
- Scope includes a screw in sun shield
- Scope appears to be well made.

Dislikes:

- The turret adjustments have almost one click of backlash when changing direction

Observations:

- Windage turret is properly marked at 1/4 MOA per click
- Elevation turret is incorrectly marked at 1/4 MOA per click when they in fact are 1/8 MOA clicks.
- The objective diameter is larger than expected due to the AO ring. Outside diameter is approximately 2.550" requiring a minimum ring height of 1.300 above the weaver mounting rail.
- This is an excellent mil-dot scope for the money. I still can't believe it has an unlimited lifetime warranty and only cost $99.

HTH

Kerry

Thanks for the great assessment Kerry! I received mine yesterday and I noticed the caps that cover the windage and elevation adjustments had minor dents in them that I had to flatten out with a pair of angled needlenose pliers before I could get them over the actual adjustment knobs. Other than this superficial damage, the scope looks gorgeous (for only $99!).

I know it's a little overpowered for an AR, so I might see how my dad likes it on his Browning Safari 7mm.

So, the big question is: If the scope mount here won't work, what do you recommend as a cheap, but quality alternative?

Thanks for your help and expertise here Kerry!

-Dave

 

[rpwhite3]

There has been a lot of discussion of late from members looking for a good but inexpensive optic for their rifles.

I would like to suggest the following from SWFA:

http://www.swfa.com/pc-12782-2213-vortex-6-24x50-crossfire-rifle-scope.aspx

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16582

http://libertyoptics.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-do-i-love-vortex-optics-let-me.html

For those unfamiliar with Vortex Optics...they are a US company out of Wisconsin who have generated a reputation for making a good value scope. Their Viper line is considered to be one of the best you can buy for under $1,000. Their reviews on SWFA and other optic forums has been very positive.

SWFA is selling a discontinued model of their Crossfire line which had 1/8 MOA marked turrets installed instead of the correct 1/4 MOA turrets. As a result SWFA is closing this model out for...$99....!

The kicker is that Vortex has a unlimited , transferable, no questions asked LIFETIME warranty on all their optics. This particular model is 6-24x50 with Mil Dot reticle and Parallax adjustment down to 10 yds. This would make it a good choice for a .22 rim fire or .22 mag for punching paper. It also has a European style quick focus ring. The body is one piece 1" diameter 6061 T6 aluminum. The turrets can be zeroed using a small jewelers screwdriver.

NO...it's not the best scope you can buy. But I would contend that it is definitely the best $99 scope you can buy...and if anything does wrong with it...Vortex will repair or replace it free. The company has an excellent reputation for customer service.

For those wanting to learn Mil Dots with an affordable scope...here is your opportunity. Where else can you buy a full featured variable Mil Dot scope with a unconditional lifetime guarantee, backed by an American company....for $99?

As of 2:00pm this afternoon they had fewer than 45 left...

Surely some of our guys on a budget can take advantage of this opportunity. I bought four.

Kerry

BTW, I have no connection to SWFA...other than as a frequent customer.

one can never have too many decent scopes, worse case I put this on my 10/22.

thanks for the info.

 

[owenslee]

So, the big question is: If the scope mount here won't work, what do you recommend as a cheap, but quality alternative?

Thanks for your help and expertise here Kerry!

-Dave

There are a couple options...but none that are especially cheap.
Burris has the new AR P.E.P.R. Tactical mount for about $70 that has a 1.5" centerline height that will work.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/arpepr.html

They also have a heavy duty ring set with the same 1.5" center height for about $50.

http://www.swfa.com/pc-9075-1228-burris-xtreme-tactical-1-rings.aspx

There are some Chinese "Extra High" rings advertised from Leapers and Accushot...but I have not found any in stock yet. They run less than $20 if you can find them.

Be advised...Those rings advertised as "high rings" are the same height as the one piece mounts I have ordered that are too low. You need Extra High to get the 1.5" centerline height.

HTH

Kerry

 

[owenslee]

OK...I found some of the correct high rings from Leapers in stock...They are marked as "high rings" but actually have the correct center height to be classified as "extra high" rings:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/leapers-high-profile-weaver-ring-rg18w-25h.html

They will provide a 1.520" center height which is GTG with the Vortex scope.

I can't speak to their quality as I have not inspected a set but I have several ordered and on the way.

The only issue I would question is the choice of a small Allen head screws for tightening the bases to the weaver rail. I would have preferred a hex for a wrench.

These would be a bottom dollar option if you don't want to invest in the Burris rings or one piece mount.

HTH

Kerry

 

[TemplarSC]

Would this B-Square mount work ok with this scope? 15150 BL Colt AR-15/16, M16 Flat Top w/ integral rings
http://secure.armorholdings.com/b-square/lawenforcement.html

 

[owenslee]

Would this B-Square mount work ok with this scope? 15150 BL Colt AR-15/16, M16 Flat Top w/ integral rings
http://secure.armorholdings.com/b-square/lawenforcement.html

Based on the lack of a centerline dimension...I can't answer your question. Based on the photo...they appear that they would, but you need the centerline dimension to be certain.

But at $92...there are less expensive options than the B Square mount that will work... such as the one piece Burris P.E.P.R. mount for $70. Or the Burris rings for $50.

Kerry