Since you are a Leupold guy “as I am” I think you should seriously check this company out.

Sightron

Sightron is a premium optics manufacturer with factories in Japan and the Philippines. Our North Carolina headquarters offers full service support, sales, and marketing.

sightron.com

Unlike Votex , Sighton don’t get China scopes.
Also Japan glass is hard to beat……

 

I really like the sightron scopes too. The rimfire is a really nice, lightweight unit that’s under 200 bucks. It’s every bit as much of a scope as the comparable leupold for over $100 cheaper.

 

The Diamondback HP line is basically a 4x with first generation Viper glass and coatings, lots of adjustment in a 1" tube. What do I think about the 4-16? It fits my needs for some rifles but not others. The side parallax works better for me than an AO. What are you planning to use it for?

 

Think I might try a few of those diamondbacks since they have 1” tubes.

 

The only Leupold scopes I've ever owned are two of the rimfire VX-Freedom series, the 3-9x and 2-7x so I can't compare. But I like those two.
I don't own any other Leupold because I can't afford them.

Vortex first caught my eye with their 40% Veteran discount. But I don't know if they still offer that or not. I am retired living on SS so money matters.
But Vortex scopes are so good (for my needs) that I've never looked for anything else. I own six of them (and three of their red dots) and love them all. I always try to buy in the mid range so own one Diamondback Tactical, two Strike Eagles and three Vipers.
There are a million reviews on YT and they are always rated highly, often winning comparisons.
Finally, if you go to Dvor (a sub of Optics Planet) Vortex prices are the cheapest I've ever seen, often 50% off retail but what they have in stock varies, you can't always get what you want when you want it.
Best Rifle Scope Under $500: 10 scopes tested head-to-head I bought one of the Vortes scopes that won this comparison.

Just go to a store and look through them and decide.

Before I got my first Vortex I bought a Sightron S-TAC 4-20x50mm and it is also excellent, great glass and it was on sale for about $350 so I bought another. I have one mounted on my 10/22 Target rifle because the side-focus goes down to 20 yards.

 

OK I went to Midway and saw the two you're asking about.
You didn't say what sort of rifle you'll be mounting them on, but that $200 Diamondback 4-16x would be great on a .22 because it has side focus that goes down to 30 yards. I don't know about the glass, I don't have that one but my Diamondback Tactical is very sharp and clear for the money.

That Viper HS-T 6-24x50 is a fantastic scope that I've used on a LR rifle for seven years. Retail $950, I got a screaming deal back then for $450 and now it's $385, Wow! It has 109 reviews with 87 of them 5-stars.
I may order another for a spare. And BTW, the reticle is simpler and less cluttered than others.

I believe both of those are older models and may be discontinued but the prices are fantastic. Try one or two, Midway has a good return policy.
Also, Vortex has the best warranty (as does Leupold), they will fix or swap it, no questions asked, no receipt needed, forever, period.

 

Is the diamondback line better than the freedom line?

 

From what I've heard/seen Vortex has a solid warranty program (and it gets used a LOT). 2 of the guys I shoot with each have a couple of their models and they've both sent scopes back for warranty issues. They were replaced with new scopes, but to me that's just poor quality.
I haven't bought a new Leopold in years (never needed to) .The Vari X IIIs just last forever it seems. Other scopes are Nightforce, they last forever too.

I'd also agree with looking at Sightron.

 

Thanks for the awesome reply’s. As far as what it’s going on? I have no idea. Have a couple 547’s and a p72 sako id like to shoot. And a whole bunch of center fires without scopes at the moment. What company/scope should I look at if I want to stick with 1” tube?

 

Would like to scope up a .17 rem I’ve had for a while, it came with 700 rounds loaded and enough components to load another 4700, would be nice to have a scope that I could see those tiny little holes.

 

For the $200 i don't think you'll be disappointed.
Have 2 of the Midway exclusive Diamondback HP 4-16 on CZ 457s, for the dollar I think they are an awesome deal. Really like the 4-16ish magnification range for 22wmr and 17hmr. For 22lr sporting/hunting rifles i like a 2x on the low end, 2-7 or 2-10 but it's all personal preference.
On another note, tried Vortex's Diamondback HP 3-12 they do for another exclusive but the reticle was THICKer than the Midway 4-16 and did not like it.
WISH THEY WOULD BRING BACK THE HP 2-8x32 (SKU DBK-10011 to be exact) THAT LITTLE THING WAS SWEET!

 

On the 457 I have a vx3 3.5-10x40, on my 541 I have a 4.5-14x40. I like both of them on my 22’s. Have a 6.5-20 on a royal and the ao is not very handy on it. Ended up with that scope because I thought some of my accuracy problems were scope related but now I’m not so sure, it just isn’t as accurate as I had hoped.

I really liked the vx3 3.5-10’s when I could pick them up on gunbroker for $250-300, but I haven’t found any that cheap in a long time.

 

I bought a Diamondback and liked it so much I bought a second. For $200 they are hard to beat. First one is on my Howa Mini in 7.62X39 for hog busting. It has gotten lots of field work and holds zero without a problem.

 

I'm a big fan of the gen 2 pst vipers..

 

OP, having Leupolds on most of my rifles (with the majority of them being the older classic styles), I certainly understand your perspective. I have handled a number of their more recent models, and I don't like anything under their VX3 line these days.

And so I would most definitely concur on your thinking re: that Vortex DB. Like earlier DB's that I've been pleased with, it is PI-mfg (not China). I recently got one myself, and feel it is the best value scope I have ever seen.

 

I bought a 6-18 freedom with side focus, put it on a 700 varmint .25-06, and it just feels and operates cheaply. Bought a 3-9 freedom to put on a cheap savage hmr for my brother and I had tracking issues and to me the glass wasn’t as good as the old vx1’s. Really disappointing. I like the vx3’s and vx5’s but my bank account can’t sustain that many of them. lol

 

I have had great luck with various vortex scopes and binos. The coating colors are different than the Leopolds, but in my side to side dickering around in the store with both, the clarity wasn’t something I could tell the difference in.
Their warranty is considered top notch, even with relatively hard use I haven’t needed to try it out yet.
When buying a scope I have settled on not considering brand, just asking which product line of Vortex meets my budget.
YMMV

 

Ok, I’ve seen enough positive I went ahead and ordered two of the Diamondbacks. $199 is only slightly more than I used to give for 3-9 vx1’s and I may be in a minority but I actually really liked the old vx1’s. I like the 4-16 power range and I like the 1” tube. I will give feedback when they arrive.

 

Good luck, I think you will like them - its /a lot/ of scope for the money. Vortex do tend to be on the heavy side (esp. when compared with Leupold), which is why I continue to use the Leupolds on my hunting rifles though (like these VX3HD 2.5-8x36's):

But for rifles that will do primarily range / bench duty, those two Vortex's should do you well.

 

Those 600’s or 660’s?

 

Let us know how you like it. I bet you are very happy with them!

 

One of each, but both are 35 caliber (358Win & 350RM); the smaller Leupolds are a good pairing with those trim receivers.

 

Have the 350 and 6.5 but in just the standard 700 bdl’s. Never got started on the 600’s; affraid id have to get them all.

 

Not that many of the M700 350's out there either:

But yes, I understand what you're saying about the 600/660s; between my shooting buddy and I, we're covered on some but not all: 223Rem, 308Win, 358Win, 350RM (and all happen to have the Leupold VX3 2.5-8x ). Don't really feel lacking on the absent chamberings tho.

 

Speaking or writing the word Vortex is completely different from the word Leupold. Vortex means nothing. You must include the model. I read, right here, how great the Crossfire was and decided to check them out at Cabelas. As far as I am concerned it was a piece of junk. Poor optics. Now was it worse than some others? It was worse than Cables store brand or Bushnell Banner. So I cam back home and made a nasty post on RFC. The response was not that model. Here is the deal, there are no, zero, nada, junk Leupold. The name has meaning. It just good, better and best. With good, plenty good enough for me. I wish I had more Leupold. Might be nice to know under what name the 'good' Vortex kick in.

The other thing Leupold wont do is force the magnification beyond the capability of the glass. So, some nimrod want a 6-24x scope from Vortex and then sees what a 24x made right cost. Big difference. Look at realistic scopes like 3-9, 4-12 even 6-18 it may not be that much more money. I mean for a Viper or what ever is the midgrade Vortex is called.

I suggest a budget shoot buy less magnification rather than trade away on quality.

 

Just my opinion but you get what you pay for in scopes no matter who makes them.. you just can't expect much out of a 100 to 300 dollar scope.. the glass just isn't going to compare to a 800 or 900 hundred dollar scope.. some folks swear by Leopold.. im a vortex guy.. im not a fan of Leopold nor bushnell.. I learned a long time ago to quit buying cheap scopes.. to me you should spend at the very least what the gun cost on a scope.. can't hit what you can't see clearly.. vortex makes good scopes.. but you gotta spend the money to get one.. just like any other brand..

 

The OP asked about a $200 Vortex and a $400 Vortex vs a Leupold. I think you are saying those are both low quality Vortex? So which one does he buy, exactly? You see the problem? Is he supposed to just pick the Vortex that cost closest to $800? Because $800 will "get you what you pay for" in a Leupold. NO idea what he wants. Guess 4-12x? Op did not post. I just got a VXIII 6.5-20 EFR USED for $500. That is with a real, forever warrantee and great resale. I think I easily got 2x what I paid for.

 

Those $199 Diamondbacks are made in the Philippines like most of the Vipers. Much better than the China made Vortex.

I have a couple of the Midway's and they are a very good scope. Side focus really helps with older eyes. I prefer Leupold but like others its hard to justify a VX3 or VX5 on everything.

 

I bought one of those @ $199. I just sent it in for a warranty no questions ask repair as I accidentally dropped it and dented it just enough that the front shade would no longer screw on. Totally my fault.

I've never owned a Leopold or any other high end scope but this one was made in the Philippines not China, was exceptionally clear and sharp. I had also purchased a spotting scope by a different brand and sent it back. Although the magnification was higher it was not as sharp or clear or bright as the Diamond Back.

I have since decided to put the spotting scope $$$ toward the purchased of a FFP 5x25 Viper to reach out a bit more. Two birds one stone. The Diamondback will go on my older Remington 550

 

Still waiting on my scopes to arrive, did pick up a nice Lyman all American 6x with AO at the gunshow today, and a 12# keg of 700x still in the sealed box from a friend. And sold a colt 38 super. Looking forward to putting the Lyman on something, probably a 581 rem or a p72 sako.

 

Well Mine came back from Warranty repair today. Only took about a week. Super fast turn around. They completely replaced my scope with a new one. I didn't even realize it was damaged was still working perfectly.
The reason for replacement was not the reason I sent it in for.
They left me a note in a very prominent position in the box so I would be sure to read it that said SCOPE RINGS ARE NOT TO TIGHTENED OVER 18 INCH/LBS. But the CZ rings I used said to tight 20-24 inch/lbs.
Can't ask for better customer service or warranty service than that.

 

Indiana, those BDL's in 6.5 and 350 are going for big money. I sold my last BDL 6.5 Remington mag for $3500. It was as NIB without the box. It was never fired. Original condition means a lot with them.

Those 2.5x8 Leupolds are the greatest big game scope alive. Have been for decades.

 

A few months back I bought a LNIB Vortex GE 15-60x52 for $1250 shipped from another RFC member. I compared it to another BR shooters NF 15-55x52 Comp and mine was just as clear at all magnifications as the NF for $1K less. No regrets from me for buying the Vortex.

Bill

 

I am a Leupold user for years.
Also had good luck with the older Burris Fullfield line.
Took a chance on a Vortex Crossfire when I needed a scope for my 'spare' Ruger 10/22.
It works but its like looking through a tunnel.
Ordered the Midway special Vortex Diamond Backthat was referenced earlier in this post.
Needed a scope for a recently purchased Savage 17 Hornet .
Just took it to the range to get it sighted in and am happy with it .
For the price it was worth it and being a 4x16 is a good match for that rifle.