Elk hunting is one of the most common outdoor activities, especially in America where many hunters have adopted the activity. Just like deer hunting, elk hunting requires you to have the best equipment, such as the best vortex scopes for elk hunting.
As a hunter, you should have at least one of the best pieces of equipment for elk hunting on your shelf. And while you can always rent one when in need, it is good to own the most essential of them- the best vortex scopes for elk hunting.
We have made your work easier by discussing some of the best vortex elk hunting scopes below.
Best Vortex Scopes for Elk Hunting Review
1) Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane, 1-inch Tube Riflescopes
The Vortex 2-7×32 1” riflescope is among the configurations in the Crossfire II line. It is designed with a Dead-Hold BDC reticle which is ideal for hunting/shooting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern.
It features a single-piece tube construction of aircraft-grade aluminum for maximum strength and shockproof performance.
The scope offers long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box which allows you to quickly get a sight picture and acquire your target. It is fixed with anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses that help to provide brighter and clearer views.
The capped reset turrets are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in, while the fast focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing.
Key features
- Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses
- O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fog-proof performance
- Fast focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing
- Has a long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 60 MOA
2) Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective, 1-inch Tube Riflescopes
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 1-inch Tube Riflescope is made of a single-piece tube of aircraft-grade aluminum for strength and shockproof performance.
The scope is one of the configurations in the Crossfire II line and features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle that is suitable for hunting or shooting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern.
The scope features an adjustable objective to provide image focus and parallax removal to the shooter and fully multi-coated lenses for bright and clear views. It also offers long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box for easy sighting in and target acquisition.
The fast-focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing. The capped reset turrets are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in.
Key features
- Single-piece tube constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum
- Features a rugged shockproof construction
- Capped reset turrets
- O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fog-proof performance
- Dead-hold BDC reticle and low-profile capped windage/elevation turrets
3) Vortex Optics Viper HS LR First Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Vortex Optics Viper HS LR is one of the many scopes in the Viper HS line. The scope is ideal for shooters when they want to extend their shooting range and when bullet drop and wind drift compensation are crucial. It is suitable for long-range shooters dialing for bullet drop or holding drop while using the reticle.
The 6-24×50 scope features the XLR Reticle, which is a hash-marked MOA-based long-range reticle with wind drift dots and 1 MOA wind reference subtensions.
Key features
- Hard-anodized matte black finish
- Advanced optical system offers bright, clear images
- XR multi-coated lenses
- Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant Armortek coatings
- 4x zoom range
- Has exposed target-style elevation turrets for dialing elevation at extended ranges
- Field of View: 17.8-5.1 ft. /100 yds.
4) Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
This Vortex Diamondback 1. 75-5×32 riflescope is one of the many configurations in the Diamondback lineup. It is ideal for big game, slug shotgun, and brush hunting applications.
The scope comes with an extra-low dispersion glass that improves resolution by maximizing shooting light when shooting in low light conditions. It features a Dead-hold BDC reticle that is good for any type of shooting at varying ranges where estimating hold-over is a concern.
This Diamondback has fully multi-coated lenses to ensure clear and bright images and has a focus eyepiece for quick and easy reticle focusing. The one-piece tube has an iodized finish for increased durability, while the metal-on-metal precision turrets offer the ability to zero reset after sight-in.
Key features
- Solid one-piece aircraft-grade aluminum alloy construction
- Durable and shock-proof
- Argon purged and O-ring sealed for fog proof and waterproof performance
- Metal-on-metal precision turrets allow zero resets after sight-in
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Has XR multi-coated lenses to maximize shooting light
- A precision glide erector system ensures accurate tracking and repeatability
5) Vortex Optics Viper HS-T Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Vortex Viper HS-T is one of the multiple configurations in the Hunting & Shooting Tactical (HS-T) line. It has a VMR-1 Reticle (MOA), which is perfect for accurate holds at extended ranges.
The scope features the Vortex premium, fully multi-coated, extra-low dispersion lenses for excellent resolution and color fidelity. The XR coatings provide enhanced light-gathering capability while Armortek coating protects the lenses.
The HS-T 4-16×44 has the CRS Zero Stop which allows for a reliable return to zero capability after dialing temporary elevation corrections. It also has exposed target-style turrets, constructed for precise and repeatable finger-adjustable clicks.
Key features
- One-piece tube
- It is O-ring sealed and argon purged for waterproof and fog-proof performance
- Has a 4x zoom range
- Exposed target-style turrets for precise and repeatable finger-adjustable clicks
- Has a side focus parallax adjustment for optimal image focus and parallax removal
6) Vortex Optics Golden Eagle HD 15-60×52 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
Vortex Golden Eagle is specifically designed for competitive shooters in F-Class, Bench Rest, and other long-range shooting.
It features a 30mm main tube machined from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum for reliability and also has a finely subtended, second focal plane reticle and 1/8 MOA clicks to help you make subtle adjustments.
The scope’s high-density, apochromatic lens elements are index-matched and generate sharp high definition images and the XR anti-reflective coatings are designed to offer maximum brightness at the highest magnification.
It has a side focus adjustment to cut down range parallax. The stop ring will increase your field of view allowing you to observe mirage and wind indicators more easily while keeping your target in focus.
Key features
- Fast focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing.
- It is O-ring sealed and argon purged for waterproof and fog-proof performance
- Simple Crosshair Reticle (SCR-1)
- Armortek coatings protect the lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt
- Magnification: 15-60x
- Lightweight: 29.5 oz.
7) Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
This Vortex Diamondback 4-12×40 tactical riflescope comes with numerous features to provide maximum durability and performance. It is designed with extra-low dispersion glass and XR fully multi-coated lenses that allow maximum light transmission for the brightest views possible.
The extremely accurate hash marked-based reticle is ideal for extended ranges.
This Vortex scope also comes with a VMR-1 MOA reticle that is beneficial in effectively determining ranges, holdovers, windage corrections, and moving target leads. The scope is strongly O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to ensure waterproof performance.
Key features
- Shockproof construction
- Fog proof and waterproof
- The zero reset feature keeps zeroing simple and quick
- Exposed tactical turrets with distinctive, responsive dialing
8) Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II-E 1-6×24 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E has a difference of nearly 1/4 pound less from its predecessor. It is made with a ton of features and is extremely accurate in short to medium applications.
The scope’s VMR-2 MOA reticle helps to maximize long-distance shooting and ranging abilities, while the APO optical system delivers stunning image quality through premium, high-density, and extra-low dispersion glass.
The RazorGen II-E scope provides a high level of clarity, resolution, color accuracy, light transmission, and edge-to-edge sharpness. All the lenses are fully multi-coated with XR plus anti-reflective coatings to increase light transmission for image brightness.
With an ultra-forgiving eyebox and generous eye relief, this scope provides a good sight picture for fast target acquisition and optimal monitoring of the surrounding environment. The streamlined zero re-settable turrets track precisely and offer ample adjustment in a single turn.
Key features
- Single piece 30mm tube withstands heavy recoil and impact
- Daylight-bright illuminated center dot
- O-ring sealed and argon purged for waterproof and fog proof performance
- Low-profile locking illumination dial with 11 levels of brightness
- Armortek coatings protect external lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt
Choosing the Best Vortex Scopes for Elk Hunting
Magnification
When choosing the best scope, especially for elk hunting, it is important to have in mind what magnification you need depending on your planned activity. With elk hunting, the high levels of magnification of 7 to 9 are as powerful as you really need to go. These magnification ranges will help you with making accurate shots.
Weight
You will be moving around when hunting and hence an easy-to-carry scope will be a plus for hunting. Lightweight scopes help you to easily move around without spooking your targets. Heavy scopes however tend to have more inbuilt features and are more durable.
Weatherproofing
A waterproof and fog-proof scope helps you to go on with your hunting even when the weather changes. Some rifle scopes are immersible in water but for only a short period of time. This means that you are not worried about dropping your scope during the rains.
Durability
Like any other hunting, elk hunting is an outdoor activity and while engaging in hunting external factors are inevitable. Dust, moisture, and rough surfaces are some of the things that can ruin your scope. The scope construction is important for durability as the materials used should be able to protect the scope at all times.
Lens protection
Lens coatings are also part of the most important factors. The lenses determine the quality of the image the scope will produce as well as the scope’s durability. Anti-reflective coatings and anti-scratch protection coatings are used to allow adequate light transmission and protect the lenses respectively. Coatings protect the lens from dirt and debris and also ensure clear images.
Eye relief
Powerful rifles used in hunting tend to have heavy recoil. Having adequate eye relief helps to protect your eyes and eyebrows from recoil during shooting. It is advisable to have a scope with an eye relief that measures a minimum of 3 inches.
Image quality
This is determined by the magnification and the lenses used in the riflescope. Elks are big animals and hence, you will need optics that offer the best view, better magnification, and bright clear optics.
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Final Thoughts
As a hunter, what you wish for most is to go into the field and come back home with a bulk of success evidence. However, sometimes you trip or a twig just brushes through your coat and that spooks your target. The next thing you realize they are nowhere to be seen.
We all know how frustrating that can be and you end up wishing you had a good scope. Vortex optics understood that and has the best scopes in the market as discussed in the review above. Feel free to try one of the scopes.