Are you on a budget and want to buy a riflescope? You are in for a treat if you are looking for the best Vortex scopes under $500. The scopes are well-designed to deliver exceptional performance without breaking the bank. They promise to deliver crisp visuals, reliable performance, and the precision you need, all within a budget-friendly range.
Vortex optics has been long synonymous with advanced technology, over-the-top clarity, and rugged durability, making the scopes a go-to option for discerning shooters.
There are numerous top-quality, price-friendly riflescopes on the market that work well and don’t cost an arm and a leg, but there are also traps that look nice and end up being total crap. We have put out the best Vortex scopes to squeeze out as much value as possible and to help you make an informed decision.
Best Vortex Scopes Under $500
Without further ado, let’s get straight into the best options:
1) Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50mm Riflescope
Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50mm tops our review of the best Vortex scopes under $500. The scope is a long-range wolf in sheep’s clothing with unmatched optical clarity and turret performance. Its optical system yields sharp image quality even at an extended range, while exposed turrets deliver tracking performance previously unheard of at the price point.
The lenses are fully multi-coated to increase the amount of light that enters, while the XD elements increase resolution and color fidelity. The result is brighter, clearer, and sharper images that you will love.
The 50mm lenses provide great definition to your target, even when lighting is not ideal.
The scope’s construction is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it high-strength and long-lasting. The riflescope is also shockproof to endure recoil and impact.
Matching with the durability is the waterproof and fogproof performance that makes the scope perform dependably in inclement weather.
Besides that, the Diamondback’s straightforward design puts you squarely in control and gives you the ability to go over the 1000-yard mark and beyond—all for a price that won’t break the bank.
Whether you are new in the shooting world, looking for a training rifle, or a seasoned shooter in search of a back-to-basics optic for their fun gun, look no further than the Vortex Diamondback.
Features
- 30mm tube size
- First focal plane
- Max windage and elevation and windage adjustment of 65 MOA
- Tall exposed turrets
- The objective lens diameter is 50mm
- Made from aircraft-grade aluminum
- EBR-2C MOA reticle
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- Weighs 24.6 oz
- Eye relief of 3.9 inches
- The magnification starts from 6x and goes all the way to 24x
Pros
- Durably made
- Clear glass
- Turrets are solid and positive
Cons
- Blurry if your eye is not in the correct position
2) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm riflescope is a high-performing choice that deserves to be included in your collection. Its fully multi-coated lenses produce crystal-clear and bright images in all lighting conditions. The high-quality glass is perfect for gaining a few additional minutes of hunting time before the end of legal shooting hours.
The professional-grade optics are complemented by the 3x to 9x zoom range, which helps you capture lovely images from short to intermediate distances.
This fully multi-coated scope under $500 uses turrets for elevation and windage that are capped and rapidly reset to zero for incredibly consistent shots.
A fast-focus eyepiece helps in lightning-fast target acquisition and reticle focus. It comes with a sunshade that makes your shooting on sunny days very comfortable.
The scope is robust enough to suffice in the deep wilderness, with a one-inch tube built from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum which is fatigue-resistant. It is further coated in a hard-coat anodized finish that won’t reflect sunlight and conceals your position.
It is made to be waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, so it will not be affected by moisture intrusion, fog, impact, or recoil.
Features
- Single-piece tube
- The reticle is on the second focal plane
- Adjustable objective
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- Aircraft-grade aluminum made
- Shockproof construction
- One-inch tube diameter
- Hard coat anodized finish
- 40mm objective lens size
- Capped windage and elevation turrets
Pros
- Lightweight
- It is very clear and gathers light pretty well
- Easy adjustments
- The design is robust and well-built
Cons
- No illumination
3) Vortex Crossfire II 6-24x50mm Riflescope
The Crossfire II 6-24x50mm is another great scope that will not leave a dent in your savings. There is no compromising on the riflescope as it is outfitted with fully multi-coated lenses, resettable MOA turrets, a fast-focus eyepiece, and a long eye relief.
For its toughness, clarity, and brightness, it is hard to do better for the price. The full multi-coating on the lenses amplifies light transmission, making the Crossfire II an incredible choice for hunters going after plains game or small critters like rock chucks. The lens coating also helps fight scratches.
The overall construction constitutes aircraft-grade aluminum, making this scope of the most durable out there. The hard anodized tube is o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fogproof integrity. You can abuse the scope all you want, and it will never let you down.
Windage and elevation turrets are capped, so this is a set-the-zero-and-leave-it-alone kind of scope. The zoom is generous, ranging from 6x to 24x. Thanks to this feature, you can easily adapt to various scenarios, be it close-quarters like a swamp or when targeting a far-away target and needing the extra zoom.
The scope also includes a fast-focus eyepiece and adjustable objective. Eye relief is 4 inches long, so you can be sure of comfort and safety as you do what you love.
Features
- 15 MOA travel per rotation
- Turrets have caps
- Weighs 23.6 oz
- Fast focus eyepiece
- 30mm tube
- Single-piece tube constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum
- O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to keep off elements
- Lenses are fully multi-coated
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Black hard anodized finish
Pros
- Clarity is off the charts
- Comfortable eye relief
- Outstanding durability
Cons
- 6x is a bit overkill for a start
4) Vortex Venom 1-6x24mm Riflescope
Vortex Venom 1-6x24mm riflescope features a consistent large reticle that remains the same across all magnification levels. The Venom is made with low-light conditions in mind, as the reticle is illuminated, making it perfect for quick shots on low magnification settings as well as those evening and early morning shots when the light is poor.
The choice of durable materials and coatings sets the stage for this shooting instrument’s duty-ready nature. The glass quality is impeccable, and performance is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
A throw lever delivers on-the-fly magnification adjustments, and the objective lens diameter is 24mm. Eye relief is generous at 3.7 inches, preventing unwanted decorations on your face.
When you want to maximize the capabilities of your firearm, this scope promises downrange accuracy, workhorse function, and the speed you need to excel at close to mid-range engagements. It is without a doubt one of the best Vortex scopes under $500.
Features
- AR-BDC3 reticle
- 1x to 6x magnification
- 24mm objective lens diameter
- 7 inches of eye relief
- Throw lever for instant power changes
- The reticle is positioned on the second focal plane
- 30mm tube diameter
- Ideal for various weather conditions
- Shockproof design
Pros
- Reticle illumination
- Clear glass at all magnification levels
- The build is very solid
Cons
- Clicks are a bit mushy
5) Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm Riflescope
The last recommendation on our list of the best Vortex scopes under $500 is the Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm. The scope is suited for hunters who spend time looking for prey in low light.
The manufacturer knows good hunting gets all the better with cutting-edge optics. Advanced fully multi-coated lenses deliver immaculate images from dusk to dawn.
It has a V-Plex MOA reticle and is constructed around a robust one-inch tube crafted from 6061 T6 aluminum. You can count on the scope to perform excellently regardless of what comes its way. The scope is highly prized for its waterproof and fogproof nature, as evidenced by o-ring seals and argon gas purging. These inclusions eliminate any potential damage brought about by moisture ingress or temperature variations.
More to that, the scope is subjected to demanding factory setting under a force of 1000 G’s 500 times.
Another thing that seals the deal is the pop-up dials that offer easy, precise windage and elevation adjustments, making audible clicks that are easy and quick to count.
Features
- 3 inches of eye relief
- The turrets are capped for protection
- Wide 50mm objective lens diameter
- Argon purged and sealed to keep harsh elements at bay
- Weighs 16.2 oz
- V-Plex reticle
- Shockproof to withstand recoil and impact
- Advanced fully multi-coated optics
- 5 to 10x magnification power
Pros
- Optics are crystal clear
- Super accurate
- Long-lasting build quality
Cons
- The turret design could be better
Choosing the Best Vortex Scopes Under $500
Consider the following aspects when browsing through the best Vortex scopes under $500.
Magnification
The scope you choose for your particular application should have the right magnification range. A low-powered variable optic is excellent for competition and tactical shooting but is not great for true long-range shooting.
A long-range scope for varmint hunting or target shooting should ideally be in the 4-14x or 6-25x range. Standard hunting scopes have a magnification range of 3-9x, but you can go higher for hunting plains game or other creatures that you typically shoot from a greater distance.
Construction Quality
The scope you settle on should be well-built. There is no excuse for a scope that is not able to hold a zero once you have finished sighting in. Repeatable and precise adjustments are a must have in any scope even if it is a budget-minded option.
The best Vortex scopes under $500 should be rock solid and crafted from high-quality materials like aircraft-grade aluminum. The scopes should be waterproof and fogproof to survive nasty weather. That implies o-ring seals and gas purging on the scope tube.
Glass Quality
Vortex scopes under $500 should have great glass quality. These scopes should be a step above entry-level and should offer a bright and clear sight picture. A good scope should have extra-low dispersion elements to achieve HD quality.
The glass coatings are also paramount. At the price point, anything less than fully multi-coated is a bust. Luckily, the scopes here are fully multi-coated to increase light transmission and repel scratches, dirt, smudges, and rain.
Vortex also provides additional coating technology that offers ultimate light transmission, is anti-reflective, minimizes glare, and ensures a high twilight factor to make the most of the last legal light.
Eye Relief
The other instrumental thing to keep an eye on when buying the best Vortex scopes under $500 is eye relief. Without adequate eye relief, your scope is going to let you know what a real black eye is. On top of that, having decent eye relief addresses user problems like crawling the stock or having an inconsistent cheek weld.
Adjustment Style
Will you be dialing windage and elevation for long-range shots, or do you make do with estimating holdover on a duplex reticle?
A good scope for longer ranges will have reset turrets, a parallax adjustment, and the ability to dial in at least your elevation to eliminate holdover guesses and instead confidently put your crosshair precisely where it needs to be.
How Expensive Should Your Scope Be?
A good rule of thumb is to double whatever you spent on the rifle you are going to pair it with. Another one being, as much as you can afford. The deal is how much you spend on the rifle doesn’t really matter because if the scope won’t hold zero, it will not do you any good.
Is A Scope Better Than a Red Dot?
Red dots are perfectly suited for close-quarters with quick target acquisition up to about 100 yards, while riflescopes with magnification are perfect for precision at longer ranges. The decision comes down to how far you will be engaging targets.
Is Leupold Warranty as Good as Vortex?
Both Leupold and Vortex provide lifetime warranties on their optics. However, Vortex’s warranty is generally considered easier to use and more comprehensive. Vortex will repair or repair any damaged optic, regardless of the cause of the damage. This gives you peace of mind and confidence that the manufacturer trusts the product.
Final Remarks
Investing in a budget-minded scope doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or performance, as revealed by the best Vortex scopes under $500 above. These choices exemplify Vortex’s commitment to providing top-tier optics at an accessible price point.
As you weigh your options and explore the numerous offerings, remember that Vortex optics has consistently set the bar high, providing a reliable and cost-effective solution for shooters of all tiers. We hope that you have been enlightened and have found a scope you are using in your next expedition. Which Vortex scope are you going to choose?
Read Also: