Today Vortex is updating its Crossfire II line of hunting-oriented rifle scopes with a new line called the Crossfire HD.
The new family will have 14 configurations ranging from a low-power model suited to AR carbines to rimfire models to a wide range of mid-power versions suited for deer rifles all the way up to a big 6-18x50 configuration built on a 30mm tube.
This Crossfire HD family shares versatile magnification ranges, extremely useful second-plane reticles, and decent capped turrets tuned to ¼ MOA clicks.
They’re also built on 1-inch tubes (with the exception of that 6-18), include threaded sunshades, some have illuminated reticles and manual side focus. All are covered by Vortex’s lifetime transferable warranty. And most will sell for well under $200.
The 14 configurations are:
* 1-4x24 with Illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC MOA reticle
* 1.5-5.5x32 SCOUT with Illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC MOA reticle
* 2-7x32 with Illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC MOA reticle
* 2-7x32 RIMFIRE with V-Plex MOA reticle
* 3-9x40 with Dead-Hold BDC MOA reticle
* 3-9x40 with V-Plex MOA reticle
* 3-9x40 with Illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC MOA reticle
* 3-9x40 MUZZLELOADER with Muzzleloader BDC MOA reticle
* 3-9x40 STRAIGHT-WALL with Straight-Wall BDC MOA reticle
* 4-12x44 with Dead-Hold BDC MOA reticle
* 4-12x44 with Illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC MOA reticle
* 4-12x44 with WideRange Plex MOA reticle
* 6-18x50 with Illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC MOA reticle
* 6-18x50 with WideRange Plex MOA reticle
I field tested a trio of mid-sized scopes this summer and in our Outdoor Life optics test. Here’s my experiences with three Vortex Crossfire HD models that I’ve actually put my hands on, mounted to rifles, and shot extensively.
CROSSFIRE HD 2-7x32 with Illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC reticle
Optimized for use on a rimfire, this handy 2-7 version has talents for a lightweight mountain rifle or even a Designated Marksman AR carbine.
Note that its fraternal twin is a Rimfire-specific version with the good but basic V-Plex MOA reticle. The version I tested has the much more versatile illuminated Dead-Hold BDC MOA reticle, with elevation drops that conform to a wide range of popular center-fire cartridges. While the bullet-drop dynamics of each differs by ballistic family, the idea is to zero the floating center dot at either 100 yards (most popular), 200 yards, or even 50 yards, and then consult Vortex’s schedule, which ships with the scope, to see which drop is right for your particular load. Or you can use Vortex’s online Long Range Ballistic Calculator to determine the dope for a custom load or for cartridges that don’t belong to the ballistic families in the reticle manual.
Keep in mind that, with a second-focal-plane reticle, those bullet-drop subtentions are accurate only at the highest magnification.
I mounted my sample on a precision .22, zeroed it at 50 yards, and walked out the drops to 75, 95, 120, and 145 yards, using the hashes as references. But I also dialed the capped turret and rang steel repeatedly at 200 yards with 40-grain Remington Ranch Hand bullets. To test the versatility of this scope, and second-plane reticle, I then mounted the Crossfire HD on a .223, zeroed at 200 yards, and stepped the holds out to 500 yards.
The 6-step red illumination of the floating center aiming point is a handy attribute. The illumination doesn’t get especially bright even at full intensity, but it’s enough to give the eyes a distinctive aiming point on a black or dark target.
The Dead-Hold 2A reticle also has 8 MOA of windage references that provide holds for 5 and 10 mph right-angle winds.
The 2-7x32 Crossfire HD in the configuration I tested retails for $159.
CROSSFIRE HD 3-9x40 with Non-Illuminated Dead-Hold BDC reticle
The mid-sized model in the new line, the 3-9x40 has four different configurations, each tuned to a specific hunting or shooting platform. I field tested what might be considered the generic center-of-mass version, with the Dead-Hold BDC MOA non-illuminated reticle. But there’s a version configured for muzzleloader hunters and another for straight-wall cartridges, each with ballistic drop reticles that conform to the specific parabola of each of those platforms.
The 3-9 also comes with the illuminated Dead-Hold 2A reticle that I described above. Another version has the basic V-Plex MOA reticle. While some versions of the 3-9x40 have illumination, none have independent parallax control; all are fixed at 100 yards.
Other features of the 3-9x40 are similar to the 2-7x32, with rezeroable turrets, a grippy power-changing dial, and 1-inch tube.
With its light build and versatile reticle, the 3-9x40 would be a fine companion for a lightweight rifle, just about any rimfire, and with the optimized reticle, for muzzleloaders and straight-wall carbines.
CROSSFIRE HD 4-12x44 with Illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC reticle
My version of the 4-12x44 represented the union of attributes of the other two samples. By bringing both 6-step illumination to the center-dot of the Dead-Hold 2A reticle plus side parallax that focuses targets from 15 yards out to infinity, this is an excellent representation of the new Crossfire HD line.
My version retails for an astonishing $169.
Its nearly 14-inch build and ample mounting dimensions make it easy to pair up with just about any rifle action, even the longer action of some Savages and Remingtons. The 21.5-ounce build gives it just a little more heft than the low-mag Crossfire HD models.
It’s suited for just about any sort of shooting or hunting you might imaging, ranging from precision .22 rifles — especially competition rimfires that engage targets from 5 yards out to 200 yards of further — to just about any big-game rifle. I can’t wait to mate this configuration with the Straight Wall BDC reticle to my Winchester 350 Legend, which has fast become my favorite mid-range deer rifle.
A WORTHY SUCCESSOR TO CROSSFIRE II
In all, the new Crossfire HD line represents an important evolution of Vortex’s excellent Crossfire II. While the original has a wide range of configurations, the update has better controls and more features packed into scopes that retail for well under $200.
I wish the glass was better, and the turret tactility is a little disappointing. But I understand the realities of price-point optics, and in general I’d trade better glass at twice the price for the astonishing number and versatility of features in the new line. Add to the mix Vortex’s excellent warranty, and the Crossfire HD line should be a successful on-ramp for beginning hunters and shooters to the aspirational Vortex brand.