Best Vortex Scopes for Air Rifles

7 Best Vortex Scopes for Air Rifles of 2022

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Mathew R Reed
October 30, 2022
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Vortex brand has really set its footprints in the air rifle scopes market and they have done this really well thanks to their top quality materials.

Pairing your air rifle scope with Vortex optics offers the highest levels of performance and reliability. In regard to performance, Vortex is one of the leading and reputable manufacturers of riflescopes and you can never go wrong with Vortex air rifle scopes.

The riflescopes combine quality, weather resistance, durability, and performance making them a favorite choice among tactical shooters and hunters.

Introducing a quality scope to your air rifle will not just improve your shooting accuracy but also be fun and useful to shoot with. With multiple scopes available in the market today, choosing the best can end up being overwhelming especially if you are buying one for the first time.

You’ll need a riflescope that’s easy to use, accurate and clear, and helps you get an accurate shot every time you shoot.

Best Vortex Scopes for Air Rifles Review

1) Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 4-16x44mm SFP Riflescope 

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Built to last, vortex Optics viper HS-T ranks among the Best Vortex Scopes for Air Rifles. Because of the versatile 4x zoom, the scope maximizes your performance, even when shooting long-distance targets.  With a 50mm objective lens, the scope collects optimum light to deliver clear and bright images without blurriness.

The scope also comes with a forgiving eye box and a generous eye relief which keeps your eyes safe from the heavy recoil found in most air rifles. All its lenses are fully multi-coated to enhance light transmission. Built on an ultra-strong 30mm one-piece tube, the scope is O-ring Sealed and nitrogen purged to ensure all-weather reliability. The low glare matte finish helps camouflage the shooter’s position while the rugged construction withstands both heavy recoil and impact. The scope is an excellent scope for both hunting and tactical shooting.

Key Features

  • Generous eye relief.
  • Versatile 4x zoom
  • Field of View, Linear: 7.4 – 27.4 ft at 100 yds
  • Fully waterproof and fog proof.
  • Durable and rugged construction
  • Impact and recoil resistant
  • Parallax: 50 yds to infinity
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
  • Tube Diameter: 30 mm
  • Exit Pupil: 2.75 – 11 mm
  • Eye Relief: 4 in
  • Adjustment Range: 75 MOA
  • Aircraft-grade aluminum construction.
  • Durable low glare matte finish.
  • Fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear target views.
  • Versatile yet simple to use

2) Vortex Optics SPARC Red Dot Sight Gen II – 2 MOA Dot

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Vortex Optics SPARC scope is what you need to keep up with your heavy air rifle demands. This red dot sight scope is for serious hunters and tactical shooters in need of a long-term high-performing scope. The red dot sight features an incredible 50,000+ hours at minimum brightness level and a six-hour auto shut down feature known to help preserve battery life. An easy button press makes it easy to adapt the color, shape, and illumination of the reticle while the parallax-free design ensures rapid target shooting with both eyes wide open.

The optics are fully multi-coated to enhance light transmission and with 12 illumination settings, the shooter gets to change the dot intensity to the situation at hand. The sight is O-ring sealed to lock out moisture, dust, and debris. Furthermore, the rugged construction withstands recoil and impact and by being lightweight, the optic becomes highly portable.

Key Features

  • 12 illumination settings
  • 22mm objective lens
  • 2MOA dot size
  • Weighs 7.5oz
  • 1x magnification
  • Low-glare matte surface.
  • Fully waterproof and fog proof.
  • Durable and rugged construction.
  • Night vision compatibility
  • Unlimited eye relief.
  • Compact and lightweight.
  • Windage and elevation adjustments with audible clicks.
  • Multi-height mount system

3) Vortex Optics Crossfire II SFP Riflescope 

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If you want to enhance your air rifle shooting accuracy, Vortex Optics Crossfire II is the way to go. This scope is worth the money because it is made with premium materials and comes with premium features known to get the job well done. With a long and consistent eye relief, your eyes are kept safe from heavy recoil air rifles.

It’s high-quality fully multicoated lenses work well at all times to deliver superior clarity, as well as image quality and contrast. A customized dead hold BDC reticle with a dot design eliminates all guesswork on windage and holdover corrections, this feature is important for shooting at varying distances where estimating holdover might be of concern. This scope is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum which isn’t just durable but also lightweight. This scope is also fully waterproof and fog proof.

Features

  • Completely waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
  • Sizes: 2-7×32 , 3-9×40 and 4-12×44
  • Reticles: Dead-Hold BDC, V-Plex, and V-Brite Illuminated
  • Heavy-duty aircraft-grade aluminum construction.
  • Generous eye relief.
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • Great performance and reliability.
  • Fast focus eyepiece that is easy to use.
  • Resettable MOA turrets.
  • Superior edge to edge clarity.
  • Multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear views.

4) Vortex Optics DiamondBack SFP Riflescope 

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A solution for those in need of a versatile and high-performance air rifle scope is the Vortex Optics Diamond Back. The scope comes with solid and robust features which make it dependable for all shooting needs. All of its optics are multi-coated to enhance light transmission and deliver superior image clarity.

The versatile zoom range of this rifle scope makes it suitable for hunting and shooting at both short and long-range. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle makes the scope suitable for shooting at varying distances where estimation holder is a concern. Metal-on metal precision turrets enable the user to zero reset after sighting in. The single-piece tube is built from aircraft-grade aluminum to enhance strength and shockproof reliability. A fast-focus eyepiece allows for quick target acquisition. The scope is nitrogen-filled, meaning that it is both waterproof and fog proof.

Features

  • Versatile 1.75-5x, 3-9×40, 3.5-10×50 and 4-12×40 magnifications
  • Fully waterproof and fog proof.
  • Hard anodized finish for low glare.
  • Fast focus eyepiece.
  • Metal on metal precision turrets.
  • Dead-Hold BDC reticle.
  • Second focal plane reticle.
  • Fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear target views.
  • Optimal light transmission.

5) Vortex Optics Viper 6.5-20×50 Riflescope

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Vortex Viper 6.5-20×50 riflescope is one of the top choices in the market specially made for heavy recoiling air rifles. The broad range of magnification adjustments allows you to choose the perfect level of magnification with ease. Furthermore, the scope features fully multi-coated lenses that allow for viewing fine details and with an Armortek coating included, the lenses become scratch and dirt proof.

The fast focus eyepiece allows for quick and easy target acquisition while the MAG-Bar ensures quick and easy change in magnification. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum this scope is both lightweight and very durable. You can trust this scope to withstand the heavy recoil found in springer air rifles. For all-weather reliability, the scope is fog proof and waterproof.

Key Features

  • Durable and rugged construction
  • Recoil and impact resistance.
  • Heavy-duty aircraft-grade aluminum construction.
  • Dead-hold BDC reticle.
  • Max Windage/Elevation Adjustment 65 MOA
  • Parallax Setting- 50 yards to infinity
  • Fully waterproof and fog proof.
  • Fast focus eyepiece ensures rapid target acquisition.
  • Fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and vivid target views.
  • Armortek lens coating.
  • Lightweight and durable.

6) Vortex Crossfire II AO SFP 30mm Tube Riflescope

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This crossfire II model from the vortex brand is what you need to keep up with your heavy air rifle demands. The scope offers maximum light transmission for bright and clear target views. Made of premium materials, this scope is worth every buck. With a long and consistent eye relief, your eyes are kept safe from heavy recoil rifles.

A customized dead hold BDC reticle with a dot design eliminates all guesswork on windage and holdover corrections making it easy to shoot at varying ranges where estimating holdover might be of concern. Furthermore, the scope’s SPF reticle maintains its size at varying magnification ranges. Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, the scope is durable and rugged. To ensure all-weather reliability, it is nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed.

Features

  • Completely waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.
  • Sizes- 1-4×24, 4-16×50 and 6-24×50
  • Reticles- V-Brite Illuminated and Dead-Hold BDC
  • Durable aircraft grade aluminum construction.
  • Long eye relief.
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • Great performance and reliability.
  • Fast focus eyepiece that is easy to use.
  • Resettable MOA turrets.
  • Superior edge to edge clarity.
  • Anti-reflective lens coating for maximum light transmission.

7) Vortex Optics Strike Eagle SFP Riflescope 

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If you want to make your air rifle scope more accurate, you should consider the Vortex optics strike eagle. The scope’s versatile and adjustable zoom is good for both short and long-range shooting while the fast focus eyepiece allows for quick target acquisition. The turrets are cool as they have finger adjustability, zero stop, and zero resets.

With this scope, you get to clearly see the targets even in low lighting thanks to the multi-coated lenses. The 11 illumination settings easily accommodate for changes in lighting conditions. By being shockproof and weatherproof, you can use it in any weather conditions and still see clearly even when the ambiance is not permitting a great view.

Key Features

  • Heavy-duty aluminum construction.
  • Sizes- 1-6×24 and 1-8×24
  • Fast focus eyepiece.
  • Glass etched BDC reticle.
  • Fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear target views.
  • Versatile zoom range.
  • Fully waterproof and fog proof.
  • 11 illumination settings.
  • Lightweight and portable.

Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Vortex Scopes for Air Rifles

Though from one brand, vortex air rifle scopes models vary in make and features. Here are the important features to look out for when buying these scopes.

Construction

Depending on how much your budget is, it is important that you get a scope that’s rugged and durable. The model you choose should be able to withstand multiple bumps and falls without getting destroyed. Its body should be built from durable quality materials such as craft grade aluminum which is commonly used in Vortex optics. The scope should also be completely water-resistant, fog-resistant, shockproof, and dustproof to ensure all-weather reliability. With such a scope, you are assured of great value for your money.

Eye Relief

Air rifles are known to produce heavy recoil that can even break a scope. The scope you choose should offer generous and consistent eye relief. Look for a scope with a long eye relief to protect yourself from injuring your eyes. A scope with generous eye relief will also provide you with a comfortable view of your target.

Magnification

You will find two types of air gun scopes; the fixed and the variable scope. A fixed scope means that it has constant magnification. On the other hand, a variable scope has variable magnification power, which means that you have different settings of magnification available. If you plan on shooting at different distances, go for the scope with a variable magnification range and adjustments.

Reticle

For long-range shooting, your scope should compensate for the bullet drop over the long distance. It will help if you have holdover positions and a bullet trajectory prediction system as well. An illuminated reticle is also important especially while hunting under low light conditions.

Type of Lens

The best air rifle scope should be able to perform well even under any light conditions more so, under low light conditions such as at dusk or at dawn. Aside from an adjustable parallax, look for a scope with quality lenses that provide bright, clear, and sharp target views. Anti-reflective, multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission to provide bright and clear target views regardless of light conditions. In addition, the coating sheds off dirt, dust, water, and fingerprints to provide clear target views.

Tactical Turrets

Another important feature to look at is a good set of tactical turrets. These turrets allow the shooter to dial in at a specific range and windage. In addition, tactical turrets allow users to adjust their air rifles without having to move their entire bodies. This is majorly important because most tactical situations require so.

Kinds of Vortex Scopes Reticles

Dead-Hold BDC reticle– ideal for hunting/shooting at varying ranges where holdover estimation is a concern

V-Plax reticle– is an all-purpose hunting reticle ideal for all hunting applications.

V-Brite reticle– uses the V-Plex format and battery-powered electronics for center dot illumination while hunting in extra low light conditions

VMR-1 Reticle (MOA)/VMR-1 Reticle (MRAD) – is ideal for accurate holds at extended ranges

Vortex Scopes for Air Rifles FAQs

What makes a great air rifle scope?

For those in the market for the first time, great air rifle scopes are made with heavy recoil resistance and high-quality lenses which result in bright and clear target views. Also, look for a reputable brand that’s trusted by many hunters and tactical shooters.

Do air rifles need special scopes?

Yes. Air rifles are known to produce heavy recoil. You’ll need to get a scope that offers high resistance against that heavy recoil. You also need to get a scope with a long eye relief so your eyes and eyebrows are kept safe.

Can you use an air rifle scope on a rifle?

While you shouldn’t use a firearm scope on an air rifle, you can use an air gun scope on a firearm. Most air rifle scopes are highly versatile and better off when used on rifles because they can deal with heavy recoil.

Are Vortex air rifle scopes good?

When it comes to high-quality optics, Vortex is one of the leading and reputable manufacturers. Their air rifle scopes combine quality and price, making them a favorite choice among air rifle users looking for top-quality scope at a relatively affordable price.

What is the difference between the first focal plane and the second focal plane reticles?

The first focal plane reticle will grow and shrink in size as the magnification changes. This means that all the reticle sub tensions will be accurate on any magnification. On the other hand, the second focal plane reticle remains the same size as the magnification is changed. This means that the sub tensions will only be accurate on a single magnification

Is the Vortex Scope a good alternative for Nikon Scopes?

We would say, yes. It is unfortunate that Nikon has already discontinued their riflescope line but Vortex Scopes are a good alternative.

Vortex Scopes for Air Rifles Advantages

  1. Durable and rugged construction.
  2. Resistant to heavy recoil and harsh impacts.
  3. These scopes can also be used on other rifles as well.
  4. Improved shooting accuracy brought about by bright and clear target views.
  5. All-weather reliability.

Conclusion

With multiple vortex air rifle models to choose from, it pays off to spend quality time researching the scope that will work best to suit your shooting needs. We hope that after going through this review you are able to factor in what you need in an air rifle scope and be able to find a scope that works best for your needs.

Mathew R Reed

Mathew R Reed is a professional gun seller who runs a dedicated gun store in the suburbs of Oakland, CA. A hardcore hunting enthusiast since childhood, Reed has ample experience with guns and accessories. He is the founder of ArmorHoldings.com and creates some of the most helpful gun-buying guides and explainers. If not in the gun shop, you can find him on the nearest hiking trail or nearby hunting spot.