Which of these would you prefer? On our property the average shot in the woods is probably 25-75 yards depending on where I hunt exactly. Mostly woods and one open field .The farthest I can see in the field is 302 yards. Even if I was to hunt another property my self imposed max range on any big game is 400 MAYBE if all conditions were right.

I have hunted with Leupold scopes before but currently own zero. Am considering the 6x36 mainly because I don’t think they make them anymore and I love the ER they have plus I like the small light weight.
Would you buy new or put WTB ad for NIB or slightly used with LR duplex if going the Leupold route? Or just get the razor?

Assuming you mean the FX-II 6x36...please pass me that one every time, every day over the Vortex. Thanks.

I a couple of both. Both have advantages.

Vortex- Glass is much better on the razor than the 6x36, The G4 reticle is a good low light reticle, very thick towards the outside of the reticle. Its a variable, so up real close you can set it for more FOV and have a little more magnification for working up loads etc. The clicks aren't really crisp, but it does seem to track reasonable so zeroing is pretty quick and easy. Very short scope, mounting might be an issue, although not a problem on M77 SA in my case.

Leupold. Its not as short, but its lighter and trimmer. The ocular is smaller on the Leupold so there is more bolt clearance. Its has gobs of eye relief. I find the adjustments to be a PITA on my FX2 6x36, Not as precise takes more time and ammo to to zero. Its not a scope I want to change loads with frequently. However once set has held zero for me well. I have the LRD and its a better long range reticle IMHO than the Vortex G4. A little longer tube so mounting is less critical.

Yes I meant FX-II

Will the 6x36 fit okay on a standard action? I don’t plan to do any dialing with it. I have a Nikon 3-9 (I forgot which one it is) with that abortion of a BDC reticle with the stupid circles they used to sell.

I agree with noKnees but it comes down to what reticle you want. The G4 is very bold and is really a standout in the woods. If shooting 300 yards is your max., no issues there , just sight in with 200 zero. I have both and would buy another Vortex Razor HDLH/ G4 reticle.
The vortex is a lil short but plenty of mounting options and it does have a generous eye relief and glass is outstanding.

Echo what noKnees said word for word.

The 6x36 will fit a std action fine.

For where you are what your doing, i’d go the vortex of the two, and am not a vortex fan even.

The upside to the 6x36 is light weight simplicity with long mounting tube. The cons are flakey adjustments and shabby glass compared to about anything in the price range, and somewhat limited reticle choices. Have four up and running now, grudgingly, and serve their purpose, but wouldn’t be my choice for what you described, no.

Got a Leupold on the way from Camera Land. The way Leupold talked on the phone might be able to do reticle swaps again in the near future. At least that’s the way they talked.
I told them we want the LR Duplex back and that the power knob on the Freedom line is uglier en heck.

If you hunting out of blind or stand I'd either would work. If your tracking or still hunting I'd have gone with something with a lot more FOV on the bottom end. The VX-3 1.5-5 is a great scope, my nephew has one on his 242 for coyotes and deer in UT. I use a number of 1-4's on my combo guns and 300 yards on a coyote is more than doable. My real favorite is the 1.5-6x40, I have a half dozen by various manufactures on my coyote guns BA and AR's.

Around here mostly stand hunting. I don’t have near as much land to roam as I use too,
What make 1.5-6x40 do you use?

For 25-75 yd shots 1.5x would be great for the field of view. The Razor has great glass and the G4 BDC reticle is really nice and bold for quick acquisition and low light.

I have owned both. If we were talking 6x with the LRD reticle I'd lean 6x. If the 6x has the duplex I'd say go with the Razor. The glass is really good on the razor and the reticle is quite good. You can dial with the Razor, there is no way I'd dial with the FXII. Those knobs go in the general direction at best. Once set it seems fine. I'd love to know the internal design of this and other scopes to better understand why that happens. As for durability, I think that goes to the 6x. I've had two Razor 1.5-8s, one came completely apart internally. The replacement seemed fine. The 6x has a solid track record over many years. I do really like that Razor, I could just never get over having one come apart on me which is why I personally would lean 6x. If my perception of durability is wrong, the Razor is really a better scope otherwise.

What happened with the razor? Came apart while in use or ?

An FX-II over a Razor everyday?

Shaking my head...

I have 1.5-6x40/42/44 by Alpen, Burris(2), Bausch & Lomb, Sightron, Meopta and Konus(2). Three have 1" tubes with duplex reticles, the rest 30mm, all but the Meopta have illuminated dots and the Meopta a Ger. #1

Which are your favorites?

Took a shot and pieces came loose internally. Internal lens(s) askew, attempting to adjust zoom resulted in crunching and grinding of pieces.

What cartridge was you shooting?

Yeah. That’s not comforting. Obviously we all know anything mechanical can break, but that wouldn’t give me a warm fuzzy feeling either.

Kimber Montana 338 Federal. <6lbs. It's pretty snappy, though not a big push. As for the scope, I really do love that scope from a size, weight, glass, and reticle stand point. But when something fails on you, and I fully realize any brand/model can fail, it's hard to trust them. I think this is especially true with scopes because we actually know so little about the actual internal designs. Most just say marketing fluff like "shockproof" or some other completely meaningless nonsense. How many manufacturers actually tell you how the erector system is designed to inform you on how robust it is or how well it will function? Few. It's no secret, as I'm sure every manufacturer purchases the competition's scopes and takes them apart. But they do not share any of that with the buying public. Nor do most of us have the resources to test to any meaningful degree. How many tests actually evaluate a scopes ability to handle bumps, drops, or recoil? Most "tests" are glorified bird watching exercises. "Oooh, look at the glass..." I can see the glass and reticle, and evaluate dialing easy enough, but toughness and reliability is just a guess. Sure, we can do a bit of crowd sourcing to get an idea, but solid confidence inspiring data is hard to come by. I will give credit to Nightforce as they do produce videos that give you some confidence in their design. But even they leave holes in buyer data. Is an SHV as robust as an NXS at roughly half the price? Is a Vortex LHT a tough as an SHV? I can only speculate.

edit: being bombproof is not always that critical to me. But when I drive 2000 miles and then hike my a$$ many miles in to timberline in search of elk or mulies, I really don't want to worry about about some bumps along the way. That's what this rifle is for, hence my desire for a different scope.

The Sightron II I think it is my very favorite, nothing spectacular about it it just seems to work for me, then it might be the combination, I think it has been on the same rifle for 16 yrs now,


The Meopta Artemis


The Burris 4x


And surprisingly the Konus, it is clear and I like the circle dot reticles it is fast on the AR

I have run a 6x36 on a LA ruger and it worked ok.

I use the Razor 1.5-8 on my .35 Whelen 700. It’s a very good hunting scope. The area I hunt is similar to you - most shots are well inside 100, snd I’ve killed plenty of deer at now ranges. There are some fields where the LOS can stretch to 300, so the 8X on the high end is nice. The G4 reticle is superb for shooting animals.

What ballistics have you found the BDC to work with?

Yup - JMO - YMMV

Have yet to look through a Vortex I like in any price range. To each their own.

I've long been opposed to about anything Vortex but the Razor 1.5-8x32 is/was a pretty cool offering. And, I, ummmmm, **gulp**, actually prefer it over the 2.5x8 VX3/3i.

Say it isn't so 😲

What country is the Vortex made in? Thanks

Vortex = Chicoms . . . Leopold = U.S.A.

That is the bottom line. To each his own. No judging.

Japan by LOW

All scope manufacturer's realize there is a negative connotation about anything made by the chicom government, so that is usually something that is hidden in the literature/advertisement.


There is probably not a dime's worth of difference between any of the Vortex scopes, (though I would like to think that Japanese glass is superior) and labor costs determines the cost of the scope. We all hate the chicom government and Democrats, but there are probably Democrat craftsmen at the Leopold Oregon factory. I own some chicom Vortex scopes as well as Some chicom Leatherwood scopes.

Where are Vortex scopes made?
The answer very much depends on the specific Vortex scope model that we are discussing. Here’s an overview of each Vortex scope series and where it is produced:

Vortex Copperhead scopes – The Copperhead series is Vortex’s absolute entry level series of scopes and is really targets to those who are buying on a very restrictive budget. The Copperhead series is manufactured in China.

Vortex Crossfire and Crossfire II scopes – The first generation of the Crossfire scope models had some issues and were ultimately discontinued. They were replaced with the Crossfire II series, which is Vortex’s most popular entry level line. Both the Crossfire and Crossfire II scopes are manufactured in China.

Vortex Strike Eagle scopes – The Strike Eagle line is focused on the lower magnification ranges and is really built for and marketed as a short-range AR scope. The Strike Eagle was briefly offered in higher magnification ranges like a 4-20, but those models were phased out. The Strike Eagle series is also manufactured in China.

Vortex Diamondback scopes – The Diamondback is the next set up above the Crossfire II series and features better quality glass and more features. Like the Crossfire II models, all the Diamondback scopes are built on a 1” tube. The Diamondback scopes are produced in China.

Vortex Diamondback Tactical scopes – The Diamondback Tactical series is really targeted more towards the long-range shooting and tactical shooting crowd as most are FFP (First Focal Plane) scopes. Like the standard Diamondback series, the Diamondback Tactical scopes are manufactured in the China.

Vortex Viper scopes – A step up in quality over the Vortex Diamondback series, the Vortex Viper series of rifle scopes was originally built on a 1-inch tube with a 3X erector. While these models were a popular seller for Vortex, around 2011, Vortex decided to phase out the 1-inch versions of the Viper and introduce 30mm versions built with a 4X erector. Vortex has further reduced the number of Viper models, and, currently, there is only one 30mm version of the Viper. The Viper series of rifle scopes are manufactured in the Philippines.

Vortex Viper HS scopes – The Viper HS series is designed more for hunters who need a mid-range powered scope with easy to use field reticles. Built on a 30mm tube with capped turrets, the Viper HS scope models feature slightly better glass than the original Viper series. Like the Viper series, the Viper HS models are also built in the Philippines.

Vortex Viper HS LR – The Viper HS LR series is built for shooters who may be hunting and shooting long range. The Viper HS models are built in a 30mm tube and feature exposed turrets. The HS LR series offers models in SFP and FFP configurations. The Viper HS models are built in the Philippines.

Vortex Viper HST – The Viper HST series (with the HST standing for Hunting Shooting Tactical) is designed a multi-purpose scope for long range shooting, hunting, or tactical based shooting. The HST series are built on a 30mm tube with exposed turrets. These models are currently, only available in SFP configurations, and are produced in the Philippines.

Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 scopes – The Viper PST series of scopes feature better optics than the Vortex Viper series and look to be targeting tactical shooting and precision shooting applications. Currently Vortex is on the 2nd generation of the PST series which includes customer-based upgrades over the PST Gen 1 versions. The PST models are all built on a 30mm tube and come equipped with exposed turrets. The PST series offers a mix of FFP and SFP models with ranging and hold-over reticles. The Viper PST Gen 2 models are manufactured in the Philippines.

Vortex Golden Eagle HD scope – The Golden Eagle HD is specifically designed for long range bench rest and F class shooting and is a step up in glass quality over the Viper HST and PST series. Built on a 30mm tube, the Golden Eagle features an impressive power range of 15X-60X with a 52mm objective. The Golden Eagle HD series is manufactured in Japan.

Vortex Razor HD LH – The Razor series of scopes is currently Vortex’s flagship series of rifle scopes. The Razor HD LH model is only available in a 3-15X42 configuration and is designed to target hunters who want a top tier hunting scope without all the bells and whistles found on larger 30mm scope models. Like the Golden Eagle HD scope series, the Vortex Razor HD LH model is manufactured in Japan.

Vortex Razor HD – The Razor HD series is built exclusively for long range shooting. It’s an FFP scope built on a large 35mm tube and features a 5-20X50 power range. The Vortex HD is only available in an FFP configuration and is also manufactured in Japan.

Vortex Razor HD Gen II – The HD Gen II series is a second generation of the HD series that features slightly better optical quality, along with some requested upgrades. The Gen II series is built for long range shooting on the AR platform, and features a 34mm main tube. The Razor HD Gen II is currently only available in two versions and both are FFP models. Like most of the Razor models, the Razor HD Gen II models are built in Japan.

Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E – The Razor HD Gen II-E (with the “E” standing for Enhanced) is designed as a top of the line short to medium range tactical scope for the AR platform. This model is currently only available in a 1-6X24. This Gen II-E series is built in Japan as well.

Vortex Razor HD AMG – Currently the Vortex Razor HD AMG is the top tier of the Vortex scope offerings. It’s an FFP scope built on a 30mm tube in a 6-24X50 configuration. The HD AMG is designed to offer the best long-range shooting, hunting, and tactical scope option in the Vortex line. Unlike the rest of the Razor scope series, the HD AMG models are manufactured in the U.S. Supposedly, the lenses are built in Japan, and then the scope is assembled by Vortex in the US.

Where are Leatherwood Hi-Lux scopes made?

Competitive Advantage
While there are several scope companies around the world who source products overseas, none of them have or will develop their “top of line” high end model in China, perhaps due to fear of IP and copyright infringement.

The competitive advantage for Leatherwood Hi-Lux, is that we have our own solely owned factory and engineering team to design our products. Hi-Lux is committed to reversing the negative stigma behind “Made in China” products. It was only a couple decades ago when Japanese Manufacturing was viewed as shoddy and poor. However, now, several optical manufacturers source glass and other scope components from both Japan and China.

Leatherwood Hi-Lux link

Thanks for the thorough explanation OrangeOkie. I’ve never looked at Vortex as an option.

much there is wrong or out of date. AMG lenses for example are not made in Japan. A reticle component is the only part not made in the US. The Razor HD LHT is made in 50mm, not just 42mm. The HD Gen II is made in 3 configurations, not just one... there are more mistakes than not...