Are you searching for the best Vortex muzzleloader scope? We will share the top-recommended options’ important features, pros, and cons.
Muzzleloaders are firearms that shoot from the muzzle of the gun. Unlike before, when these firearms were considered primitive, innovations in muzzleloader technology have made the firearms remain in the market.
This means that although muzzleloaders are traditional weapons, they are presently being used. A muzzleloader must be paired with a quality scope to optimize its accuracy and distance. Equipping it with the appropriate scope allows you to make accurate and precise shots.
Vortex is one of the popular brands for manufacturing high-quality scopes with excellent performance, and this article looks at the best scopes from this brand that you can pair with your muzzleloader.
What is the Best Scope Magnification for a Muzzleloader?
The choice of magnification will majorly depend on what you intend to use your muzzleloader rifle on ie hunting or target shooting
Hunting: For hunting, a magnification range of 3-9x or 2-7x is generally recommended. This allows for a wide field of view at lower magnifications for close-range shots, as well as sufficient magnification for longer-range shots.
Target Shooting: For target shooting, a higher magnification range of 10-12x or even higher may be preferred. This allows for more precise aiming at longer ranges.
Both Hunting and Target Shooting: If you plan to use your muzzleloader for both hunting and target shooting, a scope with a magnification range of 4-12x or 4-16x is a good option. This will provide sufficient magnification for most hunting situations while also allowing for precise aiming at longer ranges for target shooting.
Best Vortex Scopes for Muzzleloader
Let’s dive into the four best Vortex scopes for a muzzleloader.
1) Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm Riflescope
Vortex manufactures the best scopes for muzzleloaders, and the Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm is the best Vortex Muzzleloader Scope. The model is no different from other top-notch Vortex scopes, as it is made with solid aircraft-grade aluminum.
It has a single piece that ensures resilience and optimizes alignment for enhanced accuracy. In addition, it has a 1-inch diameter tube that offers versatility, making the scope suitable for different shooting applications.
As expected in Vortex scopes, the Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm Riflescope is purged with argon gas and sealed with O-rings. This makes the scope suitable for various weather conditions, as it is waterproof and fog proof. It has a rugged construction that makes it shockproof.
So, recoil and impact resistance will not be a concern for you. Also, the Diamondback Rimfire has a hard-anodized finish that maximizes durability and gives you a low-glare matte surface. This comes in handy when you need to camouflage your position when shooting.
In addition, the scope is equipped with capped reset turrets that promote rapid re-indexing of the turret to zero after sighting in the riflescope. Turrets are protected from external elements by the caps.
Precision-Glide Erector System is another feature of this scope. It ensures the zoom lens mechanism’s components slide smoothly and cleanly across all magnification settings.
You don’t have to worry about visibility when using the Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm. Thanks to its fully multi-coated lenses with anti-reflective properties, you are guaranteed bright, sharp, clear views, even in dismal lighting conditions. The scope utilizes a V-Plex MOA reticle perfect for diverse shooting applications.
Pros
- Second focal plane reticle
- Made of aircraft-grade aluminum
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Hard anodized finish
- Capped reset turrets
- One inch tube
- Variable 2-7x magnification
- 1 inch of eye relief
- 35mm objective lens diameter
- V-Plex reticle
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Precision-Glide Erector system
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
2) Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Riflescope
The Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Riflescope is an excellent entry-level muzzleloader scope. It suits you if you are looking for a moderately priced, no-frills muzzleloader scope. For maximum light transmission, no matter the lighting condition, the Crossfire II 2-7x32mm has fully multi-coated lenses coated with anti-reflective properties.
When it comes to construction, Vortex Crossfire II is virtually indestructible. This is thanks to its single-piece tube that is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. This makes it a long-lasting scope as it will endure whatever it faces.
Like other Vortex scopes, the Crossfire II has O-ring seals and nitrogen purging for waterproof and fog-proof performance. This connotes the scope will not let you down even in adverse weather conditions. You can go hunt knowing that it will get the job done. Besides, it is recoil and impact resistant.
Nevertheless, the Crossfire II 2-7x32mm has a hard-anodized finish that promotes durability and provides a low-glare matte surface. This is essential when the shooter needs to camouflage position.
There are also capped reset turrets that facilitate speedy re-indexing of the turret to zero after sighting in the scope. A fast-focus eyepiece allows quick reticle focusing, helping you rapidly acquire your target.
The scope also has a Dead-Hold BDC reticle, ideal for you as a muzzleloader hunter. The hash marks on the reticle help you determine the appropriate amount of holdover at various yards.
Pros
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Durable construction
- 32mm objective lens
- Variable 2-7x magnification
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Hard anodized finish
- Capped reset turrets
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Second focal plane reticle
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
3) Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm Riflescope
The Diamondback 3-9x40mm Riflescope is the Vortex Muzzleloader scope for hunting. It hosts an array of incredible features, making it an excellent contender on our list. To begin with, the scope has a dead-Hold BDC reticle.
This feature makes the Diamondback 3-9x40mm riflescope perfect for muzzleloaders indulging in outdoor adventures like hunting. It is crucial when holdover approximation is a concern.
The Diamondback 3-9x40mm guarantees the brightest and clearest views on an optic thanks to the fully multi-coated optics combined with anti-reflective coatings.
Regarding construction, the scope is durably made, as it is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. It has a single-piece tube that enhances precision and maximizes visual performance. A one-inch diameter tube provides a variable blend of flexibility, size, and weight for various shooting scenarios.
Better yet, the scope is made with the outdoors in mind. Since using your muzzleloader means exposing it to unpredictable weather conditions, the scope is made with waterproof and fog-proof construction.
This is due to the O-ring seals and argon-gas purging present. No matter how tough the weather becomes, you can rely on the scope to do the expected. Besides that, the Diamondback 3-9x40mm is shockproof and impact resistant.
Another great feature of the scope is its hard-anodized finish. This is essential as it provides a reduced glare matte surface that helps you conceal your position without any hassle. Capped reset turrets are present for fast re-indexing the turret to zero after sighting in the riflescope.
For more convenience, the scope has a fast-focus eyepiece that makes focusing on the reticle quick and easy. Nonetheless, a Precision-Glide Erector system ensures a smooth and clean gliding of the components in the zoom lens mechanism, regardless of the magnification range.
Pros
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Made with high-quality materials
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof performance
- Hard anodized finish
- Precision-Glide erector system
- Fast focus eyepiece
- 40mm objective lens diameter
- 3-9x magnification range
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Capped reset turrets
- Second focal plane reticle
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
4) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x50mm Riflescope
The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x50mm Riflescope concludes our list of the best Vortex scopes for a muzzleloader. The scope is reasonably priced, implying you can still get your muzzleloader to perform at its best without breaking the bank.
Designed with fully multi-coated optics coated with anti-reflective properties, the scope gives you bright and clear views, allowing maximum light to pass through. The scope has a massive 50mm that allows maximum light to pass through, leading to brilliant views.
Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, the Crossfire II 3-9x50mm can be relied on for durability. Its solid and rugged construction lets the scope absorb any shock and recoil from your muzzleloader. It is good that the scope is also waterproof and, on top of that fog proof. It will not let you down, even in bad weather conditions.
The Crossfire II 3-9x50mm also has a hard-anodized finish that contributes to its durability and provides a low-glare matte finish. This is pertinent as it helps you camouflage position easily without your target realizing it.
Having capped reset turrets, the scope lets you re-index the turret quickly to zero after sighting in. The caps protect the turret.
With the Dead-Hold BDC reticle, the Crossfire II is perfect for a muzzleloader. The reticle comes in handy when approximating hold-over is a concern. This makes the scope perfect when shooting at both short and long ranges.
Pros
- 50mm objective lens diameter
- Made of highly durable aircraft-grade aluminum
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Variable 3-9x magnification
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Capped reset turrets
- 3.8 inches of eye relief
- Hard anodized finish
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
Cons
- None
5) Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44mm Riflescope
The Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44mm Riflescope is the best Vortex muzzleloader scope for hunters and shooters looking for precision, durability, and versatility.
The scope features a 4-16x magnification range, a 44mm objective lens, and a 30mm tube diameter, which makes it ideal for medium to long-range shooting.
The scope features extra-low dispersion (XD) glass for enhanced resolution, color fidelity, and light transmission. This ensures that images are crisp, clear, and bright even in low-light conditions. The scope also has an XR anti-reflective coating that reduces glare and increases light transmission, providing a clear view of your target.
The scope has a fast-focus eyepiece that allows for quick and easy reticle focusing. The scope also has a second focal plane reticle that maintains the same size throughout the magnification range, ensuring that the holdover points remain constant. This is particularly useful for long-range shooting.
The Viper HS riflescope features an aircraft-grade construction to withstand rugged use. It is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.
Pros
- XR Fully Multi-Coated optics
- Rugged construction to withstand recoil and impact
- Ultra-hard and scratch-resistant coating to protect the exterior lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt
- Weatherproof performance
- Hard Anodized finish
- Precision-Glide Erector System
- Capped Reset Turrets
- Side Focus
- Precision-Force Spring System
- Fast Focus Eyepiece
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
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What makes an excellent muzzleloader scope?
Every shooting or hunting enthusiast should have a reliable scope. A good muzzleloader scope is essential for a victorious experience. A great muzzleloader scope should first be able to deliver a crisp and colorful image of the target. It should endure the stress of recoil.
The scope should also have a solid construction to protect the internal components. It should be waterproof and fog proof, making it suffice in all weather conditions. Apart from rain and fog, sweat and other forms of moisture should not affect the performance of the lenses.
Considerations When Buying the Best Vortex Scope for Muzzleloader
Construction
A muzzleloader provides many options for your loads, with both powder and bullet choices. Most users use adequate powder for a sizeable kick that can produce a lot of shock to low-quality scopes. This may damage the internal components of the scope, making it useless. Therefore, it is essential to have a solidly built scope.
A scope manufactured with high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum helps improve the shock resistance of the scope as well as the ability to hold zero. The scope should, in addition, have a waterproof and fog-proof construction so that it withstands adverse weather conditions.
Lens quality
Look at the lens quality of your scope. The coating and treatment of the lenses help minimize glare, shred water, and enhance light transmission, which is paramount in low-light conditions. As a result, you get clear and bright images. Having a lens with a coating finish is also beneficial for scratch resistance.
Eye relief
Muzzleloaders sometimes have substantial eye relief. Having a scope with long eye relief is thus crucial. A long eye relief protects your eyes and adds to the convenience. It also helps you shoot accurately and precisely without needing a perfect position.
Magnification
The ideal magnification of your scope depends on how short or long your shooting range is. Having the wrong magnification range makes it difficult to be accurate and precise. So, ensure you get a magnification range that suits your hunting or shooting needs.
Adjustments
Getting distracted by the adjustment settings of your scope is the last thing you would want. You need to focus on shooting and targeting in the field, so you don’t have room for that. Therefore, having a scope that doesn’t stress you about sophisticated adjustments is important. Look for a scope with a simple design but high in quality so that you don’t have issues when making fast adjustments in the field.
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FAQs on the Best Vortex Scope for Muzzleloader
1) Do muzzleloaders require special scopes?
It would be best to have a scope that can endure the recoil produced by the muzzleloader. If you have a riflescope rated to a larger caliber, it may withstand a muzzleloader pretty fine. However, it is best to thoroughly research the scope to ensure it will be tough as needed.
2) Is focus similar to parallax?
Riflescopes usually have a fixed focus distance or an adjustable focus. This focus is on relation to parallax. Parallax is when the shooter’s target and eyes are on a different focal plane. Parallax is still there if the reticle moves when the shooter moves their head.
3) Are Vortex scopes worth the money?
Vortex scopes constantly hold their value as they have proven to be rugged, reliable, and precise. Whether it is an entry-level quality, a premium, HD scope, or something, you can surely get the absolute best in your price range.
4) How far can a muzzleloader shoot?
Modern muzzleloaders differ from traditional ones, which can only reach distances of 100 yards or more. The latest ones have several tweaks to the firing mechanism and can handle a fair 350+ yards range with proper skills.
Conclusion
Muzzleloaders are great weapons that require you to match them with a good-quality scope to unleash their potential. The Vortex scopes explicated above are of excellent quality and performance alike. They have proven their spot. So, you can never go wrong with any of them.
We hope out of the products reviewed above you have your best Vortex Muzzleloader scope for your needs.
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