One of my favorite lines of scopes out there is none other than the “Crossfire” by Vortex Optics. From model to model, these optics vary in their reticle types, reticle illumination, magnifications, construction and lens sizes. In other words, whatever you are looking for, this product line most likely has it. In this Vortex Optics Crossfire II review we will take a look at the 6-24×50 variation with the Dead-Hold BDC reticle. This reticle helps with range holdover and makes this model a prime example of a good dead-hold BDC reticle riflescope.
Jack’s Verdict:
This 6-24×50 Crossfire II model is one of the more versatile scopes for the money out there with a price tag that is really cheap considering the high quality you are getting, meaning this is an overall great bargain. As with other products from this company you can expect nothing but the best build quality and viewing clarity. There are a few things I do not like such as the fact that you aren’t getting a mount or attachment rings with it, as you do with other scopes in this price range but things like the lifetime warranty more than make up for that.
The Crossfire II Features
As I pointed out, the “Crossfire” line up has a bunch of different models but my most favorite one by far is the 6-24x50mm. It is ideal for medium and long-range hunting and is highly adjustable. Let’s start with its magnification and everything revolving around that.
Magnification Properties
In terms of magnification, this scope is really versatile. Having a 6-24x is something that will help you both with closer distances such as 100-150 yards and with ones that are further away (400-500 yards). There is a way for this scope to be used on long-range rifles for shots for over 600 yards but I will get into that further down. In the budget category, this is one of the better scopes for small and medium game hunting.
The objective here is adjustable and thus giving you a really good image focusing abilities. There is absolutely no parallax thanks to the parallax removal feature. The objective lens is also very clear, as with all other scopes from this company. It allows for excellent light transmission which is good for low-light conditions.
Another great addition to this particular Crossfire variation is that it has a second focal plane. This allows you to zoom in as much as you want while the reticle stays the same size. Speaking of the reticle, let’s see what makes it special now.
The Reticle
The reticle on this 6-24×50 model features a Dead-hold BDC reticle (bullet-drop compensation). There are all kinds of scope reticles across the Crossfire line but I think that this one works the best for its intended purpose – medium to long-range shots. In reality, those reticles are ideal and pretty much eliminate guesswork on holdover situations.
The guys from Vortex were kind enough to make a whole PDF Guide on how to use their BDC reticle. Attention to detail like this and the customer engagement is what makes the products of this company some of the best scopes for 308 rifles out there.
The hashmarks on this reticle allow you to make better holdover and windage corrections when aiming making this an ideal solution for hunters who constantly have to take shots at different distances.
The only problem I have with this being a second focal plane scope is that at lower magnifications your reticle will be quite small and the hashmarks will be hard to read.
This particular model doesn’t come with an illuminated reticle meaning it won’t be ideal for hunting during the night.
Adjustments & Set-up
I will start with the thing I don’t like first. Unlike scopes like the Ares BTR, this Crossfire one comes with neither a mount nor rings or any other way for you to attach it. If you want to use it, you will have to buy those things separately.
I understand it from a business standpoint, as Vortex had to bring the price down somehow but compared to all their little attention to detail and customer interaction this seems a little off. If you want to see a scope that comes with those things and is almost as good as this one (if not better), check out my Athlon Optics Ares BTR review.
The windage and elevation adjustment turrets are finger adjustable meaning you won’t have to improvise in order to toggle the turrets on your scope mid-hunt. MOA can be easily reset back to zero after sighting in. The maximum elevation and windage you can get out of this scope are 40 MOA and the rate of adjustment is 1/4 MOA per click.
Pro Tip: If you want to put this on a long-range rifle, get a 20 MOA base. This way you will get enough vertical adjustment to shoot past 500-600 yards.
A good mount for this scope is a cantilever one which will give you enough shoulder comfort when aiming. One thing that I don’t like here is that you do not see what you are adjusting when turning the resettable MOA turrets, as you cover them with your fingers. The good tactical scopes have the markings slightly below the top part leaving them exposed when you turn with your fingers.
Head over to my dedicated article on the topic to learn what exactly is MOA and how to use it to your advantage.
Aiming
When it comes to aiming you will get to experience the benefits of the wide magnification range, easy-to-use reticle, and crystal clear view out of the scope. There is a 4 inches long eye relief, which is more than most other scopes I’ve reviewed here so far. The field of view is 17,3 ft at 100 yards.
As a whole, the eye box is very forgiving and the fast focus eyepiece helps with a lightning-fast focus when you spot something. As I pointed out, adjustments are done fairly easy here meaning you won’t have to struggle with that during your hunt.
Construction & Build Quality
Lastly, I want to talk about the build quality here as it is one of the strongest features of this or any other Vortex scope. This “Crossfire” is made of a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum for strength. It features a hard-anodized 30mm tube which is O-ring sealed and is, therefore, element resistant and shockproof. It is anodized matte black coated, making it less prone to scratches and external damage. These construction properties really make the Crossfire a good and trustworthy scope to take out in the open when you are hunting in the snow or fog, for instance.
It is nitrogen purged meaning it is also water- and fog-proof. All these features combined with the excellent lens quality give you a clear view out through the scope, almost feeling as if you have a superhuman vision. That is the case with all scopes from this company but I thought that this one would make an exception being that much cheaper than their usual price.
The lenses here are the patented Vortex Crossfire fully multi-coated lenses. They are also anti-reflective which is great for sunny days. The multi-coated process ensures that all of your lenses will have excellent light transmission and good clarity even around the edges. If you happen to scratch any of those lenses, my advice would be to get a lens pen to take care of them over time. As a whole, I find this scope excellent for hunting in the snow as it is rigid and provides a good view on a wide range of distances even in conditions with excess lighting at long-range shooting.
I also wanted to add that being a Vortex product, this scope comes with a VIP warranty meaning that they will fix anything that goes bad or misbehaves during your ownership.
Vortex Optics Crossfire II VS. Nikon M-Tactical Scope
One scope that people often include in the conversation when it comes to medium to long-range scopes is the Nikon M-Tactical. It is, in fact, a more expensive scope that offers some advantages but also lacks in certain fields when compared to the Crossfire II.
One of the main benefits of the Crossfire is that it is priced lower than the Nikon model. Paying more for the Nikon also doesn’t seem really justified too. The Nikon scope has no lifetime warranty, an arguably worse reticle, and isn’t as durable and tough as the Vortex model.
The M-Tactical might have a better quality of its lenses mainly due to the 100-year experience of the company but that is about it. In my opinion, even for an intermediate hunter, the Vortex proves itself to be a better investment as it is cheaper and will last you longer thanks to its durability and warranty. Not to mention that Crossfire II has a wider magnification range and bigger lens allowing for more light to enter the tube ultimately resulting in better contrast in low-light conditions.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Very Durable Construction
- Relatively Cheap Price
- Great Vision Clarity
- Good Warranty
- Excellent Adjustability
- has a fast focus eyepiece
- Great Magnification Range
Cons
- You Don’t See The Hashmarks While Adjusting The Capped Turrets
- Doesn’t Come With Mount Or Rings
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Vortex Crossfire II a good medium to long-range scope?
The Crossfire 1-4×24 is a decent medium-range scope but will struggle with long-range shots at more than 250 yards. That being said, there are two more variations of the Crossfire – the 4-16×50 and the 6-24×50. Those two are the perfect medium to long-range scopes and will easily handle shots at more than 500 yards away.
What is the difference between Vortex Diamondback and Crossfire II scopes?
The main difference between those two models is that the Diamondback is more rugged and will handle hunting and going outside much better. Even though the Crossfire is also fairly resistant, it is geared more towards sporting and ranging needs.
Final Words
Jack’s Rating:
If you are looking for a cheap but premium long-range scope that offers great magnification power and a very clear view out, then this just might be one of the best options to take into consideration. If the reticle here isn’t by your liking, or you want a different lens size or magnification, then I suggest considering the rest of the Crossfire scopes, as they are all quite unique.
