Vortex is an American optics house with a deep range, and the families are tiered by price and glass quality rather than aimed at different jobs. So the question is usually how much you want to spend, not which range suits stalking.
Riflescopes. Crossfire II is the older entry tier and Crossfire HD the current one, in the usual stalking configurations — 3-9x40, 4-12x44, 6-18x50 — plus a 1-4x24 and a 1.5-5.5x32 scout. Diamondback sits above it with better glass in the same shapes, including a 1.75-5x32 for close woodland and driven work and a 2-7x35 rimfire. Strike Eagle is the first-focal-plane range: 1-8x24 and 1-10x24 low-power variables and a 3-18x44. Venom 1-6x24 fills the same low-power role in second focal plane.
Reticle is the decision most people get wrong. Dead-Hold BDC gives you holdover points, but on a second-focal-plane scope they are only true at the magnification they were calculated for. V-Plex is a plain duplex and is the right answer if you dial rather than hold. The FFP EBR reticles hold their subtensions at any magnification but are fine, and hard to pick up against dark timber at low power. Choose for how you actually take the shot.
Binoculars and spotters. Triumph HD and Crossfire HD in 8x42 and 10x42 for general stalking use, Razor HD at the top including a 12x50, and Razor HD and Crossfire HD spotting scopes in straight and angled bodies. Most binoculars ship with a GlassPak chest harness, and it is worth using — binoculars on a neck strap swing into the rifle at exactly the wrong moment.
Supporting kit. Defender flip caps, Sure Fit scope covers, anti-cant bubble levels for 1in, 30mm and 34mm tubes, Spitfire HD prism sights, Defender-CCW and Razor red dots with mounts, plus lens pens and SPUDZ cloths.
Related: rifle scopes · binoculars · optics accessories · scope mounting · range finders
