Vortex VS Leupold: Which is The Best Scope Brand and Why?
Across the pond, Schmidt & Bender, Swarovski, Zeiss and Kahles, four major optic brands have ‘indisputable sovereignty’, but the discussion “who is better” is usually reduced to two representatives: Zeiss or Swarovski? That typical male boasting and bragging also can be seen here in the States but with altered actors.
The local adversaries are Vortex and Leupold. In few bull sessions about Vortex Vs Leupold, the main arguments are based either on economic or political factors.
That is somewhat justified given that both companies are known for their world class-quality optics, resulting in most cases, that during the confrontation vortex scopes vs leupold you will actually come across scopes of the similar class range that are built to same levels of quality and reliability.
When it comes to the assessment and judgment lot of domestic hunters will prefer American-made products and will appreciate Leupold’s hundred years tradition in the field of scope manufacturing.
On the other side, as much younger company, the Vortex optics is riding on another business trend offering rugged outdoor optics that will not break the bank. To reduce operational and levy costs, Vortex is being manufactured outside the USA, in innovative optics plants in Japan, China, and the Philippines.
Vortex Viper vs Leupold VX 5HD
Vortex Viper HS-T Review: 6-24×50 SFP Riflescope
The Viper HS-T 6-24×50 as in its name stands is designed for Hunting, Shooting and Tactical applications. Like all configurations in the Viper HS-T line, the scope feature a 4x zoom range that provides magnification versatility matched with increased 4-inch eye relief gets shooters on target quickly and easily.
Based on a rugged, single piece aluminium body, the Vortex HS-T is sealed with O-rings and Argon purged to prevent internal fogging and ensure waterproof performance. The rather large, 50mm lens, combined with fully multi-coated, extra-low dispersion lenses and XR coatings provide enhanced light gathering capability.
The exposed windage and elevation turrets are not capped but target-style one with very positive tactile feedback as well as the visual reference fiber-optic radius bar.
The maximum adjustment is rather significant, thanks to the 30mm and advanced lens system at travel of 75 MOA with reliable CRS Zero Stop, return-to-zero setup option.
The VMR-1 reticle is set at SFP and entirely suits scopes intended for fast and accurate shot placement at any range. It features well visible, easy to use subtensions in either MOA or MRAD option, with a click value of ¼ MOA or .1 MRAD.
Designed with rather fine crosshairs, the VMR-1 reticle will not cover the target at longer ranges, enabling a practical use to determine ranges, holdovers, windage corrections and moving target leads.
Overall, HS-T is typical of the quality you get for the money and with the Vortex Lifetime VIP Warranty; it is a good investment and well worth the money.
Leupold VX-5HD Review: 3-15x 56mm
Undoubtedly, the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm is built for the hunt with FireDot Duplex reticle and 56mm, sizeable objective bell. As the main selling point, this high-end riflescope offers illuminated a FireDot reticle with a motion sensor technology (MST).
The high definition lenses for ultra-sharp clarity and the Twilight Maxlight management system allows hunters to quickly acquire their target at dawn and dusk due to superior low-light performance.
Featuring 5:1 zoom ratio and Leupold’s Twin Bias spring erector system, VX-5HD provides mid to long-range marksmen with extreme fast-focus eyepiece and optimal diopter adjustment in the field.
As a newer feature, the Leupold VX-5HD comes with 30mm tube diameter as a standard feature, which enables 75 MOA elevation and windage adjustments.
The Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x scope has a specialized Custom Dial ZeroLock 2 (CDS-ZL2) elevation dial that locks in place thanks to the pop-up finger-click system. Besides, you can get optionally from manufacturer CDS dials that matched to your specific loads.
As you would expect, the Leupold VX-5HD is 100% waterproof and fogproof while it uses a 2nd Generation Argon/Krypton gas blend to eliminate the effects of thermal shock.
This new Leupold VX 5HD with modest eye relief of 3.8″ is also proved exceptionally as an appropriate 6.5 Creedmoor Scope, contributing to the astonishing accuracy of the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Leupold VX6 1-6 vs Vortex Razor 4.5-27
Vortex Razor HD Gen II Review: 4.5-27×56
The Razor HD Gen. II 4.5-27×56 is the top long distance scopes that Vortex produces and it is intended for advanced precision shooting in extreme environments and tactical operations.
However, a 6x zoom range offers magnification versatility not only at the longest but also at medium ranges as well. Built around a weather-sealed 34 mm single-piece aluminum tube, which is filled with Argon to prevent internal fogging, the Razor gives shooters a durable platform with a 30-year warranty.
No target is too far for this riflescope, if we bear in mind an excellent a glass-etched EBR-2C crosshair with an illuminated duplex-style reticle. The EBR-2C has stadia lines that aid in ranging and for windage and drop for quick follow-ups with dialling.
The reticle has 11 illumination intensities and has the auto-off ability. It comes in either Mil (0,1 MRAD per click) or MOA (1/4 MOA per click) options.
The Razor HD Gen II offers maximum windage adjustment of 13 MRAD and elevation adjustment of 33 MRAD (330cm) with the aid of sophisticated L-Tec turret system. Tactical, open top turrets feature a locking mechanism that prevents accidental elevation adjustments.
This Vortex riflescope line combines a high-transmission Apochromatic lens system and optimized indexed lenses to deliver stunning image quality through premium, high density and extra-low dispersion glass.
If you need for your Ruger Precision rifle scope or scope for a long range/bench rifle, a 48.5 oz. heavy Razor HD scope with a 27x maximum magnification and a large, 56 mm objective lens would be a perfect match for your rifle.
Leupold VX-6HD Review: 1-6x24mm
Another riflescope with a huge 6x zoom ratio comes from legendary Leupold, but it is on the other side of the spectrum with 1-6 magnification, 24mm objective lens and only13.4 oz. weight.
The new VX-6HD series is a perfect choice for the dangerous game or typical 45-70 Scope for any other form of close to mid-range shooting. The Leupold VX-6HD 1-6x24mm incorporates cutting-edge technologies like an electronic reticle-levelling system, CDS-ZL2 Zero Lock elevation dial and removable throw lever.
While an in-scope cant indicator flashes when your firearm is tilted, the fast and accurate CDS-ZL2 finger-operated elevation turret locks in place so it cannot be accidentally rotated off zero.
Another highlight of this optic is its 2nd focal plane an ultra-bright FireDot Duplex illuminated reticle with a 1/4 MOA impact point correction.
The housing consists of a 30mm maintube made of lightweight 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and it enables vast 170 MOA windage and elevation adjustment ranges. The scope body is filled with an argon-krypton mixture to ensure water and fogproof performance.
Additionally, the outer glasses have top-notch lens protection with Guard-Ion rain-shedding hydrophobic lens coating.
Leupold vx3 vs Viper
Leupold VX-3i Review: 4.5-14x40mm
Leupold`s new VX 3i lineup of riflescopes is made with more ambitious hunters in mind as it provides customizable Bullet Drop Compensation elevation dial (CDS), a dial that’s custom-tailored to your individual loads.
Featuring a versatile 3: 1 zoom ratio, the Leupold VX 3i 4.5-14x40mm enables hunters to take short to medium-range shots. Sportsmen will also benefit from the Twilight Max Light Management System that allows bright and clear sight picture even in the low-light conditions of dawn and dusk.
Generous eye relief of 4.4 – 3.7″ give you comfortable eye distance even if you shooting a firearm with powerful recoil. One-piece housing is made of 6061-T6 aluminum and 1″ diameter tube is sealed and filled with a mixture of krypton and argon gases for waterproof and fogproof performance.
A Wind Plex reticle is positioned on the second (rear) focal plane with a number of hashes on the horizontal axis to compensate for wind deflection. The capped turrets are marked a 1/4 MOA increments and offer 62 MOA of windage and elevation adjustment.
All exterior glass surfaces are protected with propriety DiamondCoat lens coatings and as usual, the Leupold products boldly hand you a full lifetime guarantee.
Vortex Viper HS LR Review: 6-24×50 Rifle Scope
A subset of the Viper HS line, the Viper HS LR 6-24×50 (Hunting & Shooting Long Range) scope belongs to Vortex upper mid-range offerings and contains some of the features reserved for high-end riflescopes.
Combining extended 4x zoom range and premium extra-low dispersion glasses the Viper HST LR is ideal for a wide range of shooting applications.
Vortex Viper HS LR 6-24×50 is a powerful long-range riflescope hence the LR in its designation, which magnification rate from 6x all the way up to 24x, giving you the ability to peg game at virtually any range.
Typically for the Vortex HS line, the Viper HS LR utilizes pristine extra-low dispersion glass which renders an image that is sharp and clear from edge to edge.
The lenses are fully multi-coated for maximum light transmission and crystal-clear images and all glass surfaces are protected with proprietary Vortex scratch resistant Armor tek coatings.
When you need to put that long shot, where the bullet drop and wind drift compensation are crucial, the Vortex Viper HS Long Range 6-24x scope is equipped with MOA-based long-range reticle with wind drift dots and 1 MOA wind reference subtensions.
The XLR Reticle on the Vortex Viper HS LR is placed on the first focal plane, so all reticle subtensions remain constant. The HS LR riflescopes feature an exposed target-style elevation turret and capped windage turret to maintain the scope’s sleek lines.
The Viper HST riflescope is built around a 30mm one-piece machined aluminum tube, which houses high-quality internal parts that provide increased windage and elevation travel and optimal adjustment.
The maximum elevation adjustment rate is 65 MOA with 1/2 MOA per click while the maximum windage adjustment is 42 MOA with 1/4 MOA per click.
Vortex PST vs Leupold Mark 4
Vortex Viper PST Reviews: 6-24×50 SFP Riflescope
The Viper PST (Precision Shooting Tactical) riflescope lineup has been designed after the immense success of the Vortex top-tier Razor HD series. Though it has generous 6x-24x zooming range, the signature highlight of this scope is the availability of a first (FFP) focal plane reticle.
The etched, tactical EBR reticle in combination with FFP, eliminate a huge chunk of complexity when estimating range and holdover. However, our model is offered in SFP, since it is a great way to save money and is favorable for benchrest type shooting as well for both medium and long shooting range. The buyer can choose between MRAD and MOA reticles with4 different flavors.
Like Razor HDs, the Vortex Viper PST has features as open style tall turrets, adjustable reticle illumination and the click value of reticle turrets are the same as the distance between two dots in the reticle.
The Viper PST 6-24×50mm is built around precision-machined one-piece 30mm aluminium tube, which enables ample windage and elevation adjustment.
Turrets have great tactile feedback and 1/4 MOA travel per rotation perfectly paired with Vortex`s CRS Zero Stop Adjustment. Built like a tank and delivered at an economical price, the Viper PST 6-24×50 scope boasts an ordinary Vortex unlimited and entirely transferable warranty.
Leupold Mark 4 LR/T Review: 6.5-20x50mm (30mm)
Leupold Mark 4 LR/T (Long range / Tactical) riflescopes are suitable for any purpose from medium to long-range shooting, from gun enthusiasts to the professional shooters throughout the world. Incredibly rugged, entirely waterproof, these riflescopes are the best choice for a precise shot at long range under the most challenging conditions.
Specially designed for law enforcement and military applications, optics from this series can be found as Scope for 308 rifles in service with the US military.
Combining a wide 50mm objective aperture with a Multicoat 4, a proprietary lens coating system and a new Xtended Twilight Lens System, your hunt can reach further into the twilight than ever before possible.
Tactical-style finger-operated turrets of Mark 4 LR/T enable resetting after zeroing the rifle. The tall M1 BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) turrets are designed with added elevation adjustments to aid long range shooting, providing a total range of 80 MOA.
The Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20x50mm M1 Long Range Riflescope comes with a Tactical Milling Reticle. The Mil-Dot reticle is available as a standard or illuminated reticle and in a first focal plane or 2nd focal plane setup. There are models with clicks in ¼ moa or calibrated in 0.1 mrad by your choice and affinity.
A reliable and precise optomechanical construction is housed in aluminum 30mm single-piece maintube purged with argon-krypton for water and fogproof resistance.
Leupold LRP vs Vortex PST Gen 2
Leupold VX-3I LRP Review: 4.5-14 x 50mm
Leupold VX-3i LRP 4.5-14 x 50mm is an excellent option for medium to the long range like a DMR or a benchrest rifle. As you would expect from this price range, the Leupold is offering a choice of first or second focal plane reticles in MOA or MIL gradients, with matching adjustment increments to match your specific shooting style.
The Leupold VX-3i LRP (Long Range Precision) riflescope features versatile 3:1 zoom ratio erector system placed in a single piece, aluminum 30mm maintube, which also increases windage and elevation travel up to 110 MOA. The tactile turrets have 1/4 MOA target-style click windage and elevation adjustments.
The windage knob has a protective cover that can be replaced with the included thread protector if you prefer running an exposed dial. The next standard feature is a side focus parallax adjustment that makes fine-tuning parallax effortless.
While the 2nd Generation of proprietary Argon/Krypton blend eliminates the effects of thermal shock and provide waterproofing performance, exterior lens surfaces are protected with DiamondCoat 2, an ion-assist lens coating.
Along with target shooters and precision rifle competitors, long range hunters have benefited from features like a CDS (Custom Dial System) elevation dials or Twilight Max light management system that let them hunting longer, and balancing colors to provide the highest possible contrast.
Additionally, the built-in throw lever makes magnification changes quick and easy, even with gloves on.
Vortex PST Gen II Review: 5-25×50
The 5-25×50 Viper PST Gen II is updated Vortex riflescope intended for close to long range shooting scenarios and it is one of the best entry level long range scope.
Along with its wide 5:1 magnification ratio, the 5-25×50 Viper PST Gen II versatility and applicability in a tactical environment is also reflected through an FFP (first focal plane) MRAD EBR-2C illuminated reticle.
The EBR-2C is a Christmas tree style reticle with windage and moving target hold offs. This modified German 4 style, glass-etched reticle features nice size markings, yet remains uncluttered for optimal viewing and aiming.
As a riflescope for long-range tactical applications, it sports laser etched tactical-style turrets for bullet drop and wind compensation. There is an MOA version also, but since this is an MRAD scope, the increment`s value is 0.1 mil/click with a maximum travel range of 10 MRAD for windage and 20 MRAD elevation adjustment.
As a lot of the riflescopes in this class have, the Viper PST Gen II features Vortex proprietary technology: the Extra-Low Dispersion (XD) glass treated with XR full multi-coatings and ArmorTek protective glass coatings.
Besides, the 50mm objective lens and 30mm central tube help excellent light transmission to provide images clearer and sharper in the most challenging lighting conditions.
The entire mechanism and internals are securely housed in rugged and durable aluminum single-piece 30mm maintube, which is argon-filled and O-ring sealed to ensure reliable waterproof and fogproof performance for years of service.
Vortex Rifle Scope: What makes it perfect for Shooting and Hunting?
You may have a question, why vortex scope is best? Well..
The Vortex Optics has a reputation of a manufacturer that breaks the norm focusing on variety, novelty and economy for most of their product line.
With a widely known riflescope series like the Razor, the Vipers, Crossfire and Diamondback, Vortex has fulfilled every shooting niche on the market and provide optics for various shooting activities.
If you are looking for hunting optics, the company has scopes for various budgets having desirable features for every hunting scope such as capped turrets, hunting style reticles, exceptional light transmission and multicoated lenses.
All Vortex scopes are fogproof, waterproof and shockproof due to the durable single tube construction. The Vortex riflescopes are mechanically reliable and optically excellent for the money offering appreciably more Field of View than the counterparts have.
Vortex also provides a wide range of excellent riflescopes for tactical shooting, long range and paper dot capabilities, suitable for beginner and seasoned shooters. Those are riflescopes of varying zoom power, large 30mm central tube and increased windage and elevation adjustments with fully sealed zero stop mechanism.
The Vortex marketed tactical style matched reticle and adjustment knobs (MOA to MOA, or MIL), so the wind, elevation and bullet drop cannot turn a hit into a miss.
In the end, though Vortex has always proven to be the best budget option, we should not forget their excellent warranty policy that gives their customers peace of mind.
Leupold Rifle Scope: Why it is the First Choice to Shooters and Predators?
The quality and tradition is the first answer to the question why the Leupold scopes are the first choice of sportsmen. The Leupold has optics for every different type of shooting.
They built sturdy and durable scopes that are protected from the elements and the recoil of shooting high-powered rifles. The United States military finest sharpshooters use Leupold`s scopes, which definitely is a major vote of confidence in their design and manufacturing.
Their incredibly diverse choice of reticles with an optimal width enables that Leupold`s scope reticles remain relatively visible even in rather nasty lighting conditions.
The Leupold boasts a Twilight Max light management system, which delivers the maximum amount of usable light to your eye for unmatched low-light performance and clarity.
The legendary `Golden rings` new generation scopes are equipped with the Leupold Custom Dial System (CDS). A custom dial made by your specific ballistics that eliminates the need for holdovers.
The Leupold`s one piece lightweight design also comes in handy when you’re going on long predator hunting trips that involve hiking through woods or mountains.
As you would expect from that caliber manufacturer, this optics maker offers Leupold Gold Ring Full Lifetime Guarantee. It means that they will repair and replace damages for free without holding on a receipt or ownership.
Conclusion
While both manufacturers provide an incredibly diverse line of rifle scopes, supported by an excellent warranty policy, some of them are better geared towards target shooting and other to Big Game and Varmint hunting.
From above selection, we can conclude that modern scopes tend to larger zoom ratios and a wide range of reticle choices for close to long range shooting scenarios, each suited to a particular taste.
As another benefit, most of these mid-range products are available with first focal plane reticles that change size as the magnification power changes.
Both manufacturer`s riflescopes are designed to be rugged and shockproof with a lot of nuanced features present in higher end optics.
Most of our candidates have in its designation abbreviations like LR/T, PST, LRP or HS-T, and while all of them clearly imply their application as Long Range Precision riflescope, they are perfectly capable for typical hunting ranges from 80 to120 yards in all weather conditions.
