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Vortex Diamondback on a 308 . . . ?
jb4lcm
Member Posts: 119 ✭✭
I have always thought Vortex was a really good brand of scope. I recently put a diamondback 4x16x44 FFP on a new .308 and it is looking like the scope MAY have failed after about 150 rounds. It's pretty much 4-5 MOA at 100 yards now - it WAS MOA initially. I will know for sure in a day or two after testing the rifle with the diamond back then switching the scope to a known good scope.
Any opinions about the diamondback series on high caliber rifles?
Comments
I tried one. It was a pos. On a used. 308. Sometimes a click was 1/10 moa sometimes 2 moa. Not repeatable like 10 left clicks then 10 right clicks wouldn’t return to original. Crossfire too
Moved on.
I trust other vortexes, but not this one
I've only owned 1 Vortex scope. Same issues as @tsavo303 . Not my favorite at all.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Good move trying different scope on the rifle. As I said before use just one type of ammo. We are looking for consistent hits, regardless of where it hits on the paper.
This will tell us if it's the gun, or scope. Get consistent shots and zero it in from there, and pick which ammo the gun likes best. Good luck.
I no longer have any Vortex scopes but then as I get older the glass is getting better most of mine is now Trijicon and Zeiss
Unfortunately, over the years I have seen most of the reasonably priced scopes have a failure now and then. When I was working I sold Leupold, Nikon, Bushnell, Simmons, Burris and a few other brands and all had the occasional lemon. I like Vortex optics and don't think their failure rate is any higher than the rest of the brands. Fortunately for you, most brands have an excellent warranty nowadays, including Vortex. So while it is irritating to have a problem, I bet they will make it right. Bob
I've got a 1-1/2-5 cross fire on a M94 AE. It's accuracy is nothing to brag about. Now my brain's a'churnin' Here I thought Vortex was reasonably dependable
I have one vortex crossfire scope. It does its job on the AR. Believe it or not, Most of the scopes I have on my hunting rifles , are Bushnell trophy scopes. They have never let me down, accurate and dependable. They take a beating climbing up and down those mountains too. A few years ago, I bought a Simmons aetec scope. I have nothing but trouble with the eye relief on it. I sent it back and the new one is the same way. Sometimes more expensive, is not always better. JMO
I must have been lucky but every Vortex I owned was a very good scope.
My son has a Diamondback vortex on a 7mm Rem Mag and so far it has been a good scope. I agree with Oakie on the Bushnell Trophy scopes. I have these on some lever action rifles and for the price they have performed very well.
I suppose this falls into the YMMV category.
VORTEX is the scope of choice here with good reason. I don't set much stock in the 'click it here and there and back again' since I don't use 'clicks' in the field. VORTEX scopes provide clear optics with great light gathering ability and hold zero which is what hunters like myself desire. Comparable to Trijicon or Zeiss ? He!! no but who would expect such?
Well, the Vortex scopes come with a lifetime warranty. Take it back, get a new one, and put it on a 22 lr or something that shoots softer. My 0.02
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Diamondback is not the flagship of the Vortex line, but midrange. I use Diamondback binos as my truck optics. They are optically very good. My next step would be to contact Vortex. Everyone screws up now and then.
Are you the guy that's had like 3 threads on a single sight in and grouping on the tikka?
I sell like 500 Vortex scopes a year, failures are EXTREMELY rare even on the cheap ones. Not as many Tikkas obviously but alot of them, same failure rate though. I like pushing people to Tikka just because accuracy is never the issue with them.(sell probably 50-70 a year)
Just guessing but the problem may be just you.
At least I didn't have to be the one to say it.
Last month I got a new RAR in 6.5 Grendel, put a VORTEX Crossfire II on it, and went out to do some break in and zero the scope. I started with el-cheapo WOLF FMJ which had not been accurate in the AR's I'd tried and 😁 3 shot 1" groups. Cleaned the bore and was ready to go back with high expectations using GOOD ammo. Three or four phones calls distracted me and when I got to the bench 😣, the GOOD ammo scattered bullets across 3-4". Cleaned the bore again and went back--still dog poop. Cleaned the bore again and spent some time on another project before making another attempt. Same ammo as previous scattering produced very acceptable groups. The problem wasn't gun or ammo at all, it was shooter error due to being totally distracted with stressful work issues and I'm used to shooting under stress. Frustration and distraction can cause poor performance.
shootyouadeal . . . yes - I'm the same guy.
I agree, there is always the possibility that it is ALL me, but in the first 150 rounds using 8 different loads - it was not me. Even the BAD results were far better than this. It all fell apart after I removed the stock to lighten the trigger. There is the possibility that the scope mount, or scope itself experienced a change or failure at the same time.
Lots of possibilities with this. I will continue to listen to suggestions and try everything - but Only one change at a time so it's going to be a while.
It’s the torque on the stock bolts. (That’s what u changed)On a rem 700 it is 55 or 60 in pounds try closer to that. I’ve been in your shoes
I had the same problem with a Leupold Vari x II on a .270 Winchester. I put it on a .22 magnum and it works fine.
I just bought a Vortex Viper spotting scope. $$$$.
So a Vortex Vortex Diamondback 4x16x44 FFP (First Focal Plane) $400 scope has erratic accuracy.
I've seen scopes that one throw a shot off usually one direction, like for example Hight.
When I suspect a scope is doing such I rotate the scope 90 degrees in the mounts and if the flyer follows at 90 degrees I know for sure then.
I sometimes place a scope on a very accurate rifle and see if it the scope will track with the windage and elevation adjustments as it should. If not I then know that the erector tube or it's springs are not good and stable.
I've seen some scopes that the left and right or up/down instead of moving point of impact 1/4 inch at 100 years would not be moving any then all at once jump several inches.
I suspect these scopes have been on a rifle for long period of time and one of the windage or elevation adjustment was at the maximum limits for long period of time keeping a erector spring squished and eventually weakening the erector spring.
Erratic accuracy scopes sucks big air. wastes time and money.
Should be no questions asked replacement by Customer Service. If CS with anyone ever leaves a bad taste in my mouth they DO NOT EVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO DO SO.
I've seen lots of the lower priced Simmons, Bushnell, Tasco have erratic accuracy when on a center fire rifle.
Back when Redfield was in business I seen a guy send them a 3x9 Low Pro that had erratic accuracy. We put a small ID mark on the scope so as to know if we got the same one returned. He requested a replacement. We got the same one back from Redfield labeled as a replacement and it still had same erratic accuracy. No need in further communications with people like that, the Company folded not long afterwards.
Vortex should offer you a replacement. I would make sure I did not receive the SAME scope back.
We see that you have patience. It can be your friend in such instances.
Also good to hear it was not the rifle.
It’s fine if they send you a new one. Then you can sell it new in box
I put my old Bausch & Lomb on the Tikka and went out to the range and FORGOT my sand bags! DOH !! I fired 5 rounds on a wobbly box so I cannot even begin to make a comment on the result. Just tossing those out the window.
Hurricane Hilary is making a mess of things - just like Hilary - so I'm a good week out from getting any kind of results.
Were you going to hunt long range with your First Focal Plane scope or mainly target practice?
Reason I ask is I have couple of FFP's for long range varmit hunting. Do not care for the FFP for short range Deer hunting. (takes too much time fiddling with the adjustments and getting a good rest, reticle is small at low powers)
Hunt deer, but not long range. Max 250 yards.
Send that scope back for replacement under your warranty. Put the new scope on a smaller caliber/ different rifle and enjoy shootin.
For a .308 I'd buy a better Vortex. Now for my .223/556 Varminter (Bushmaster upper) I got a Vortex Crossfire (or was it Copperhead?) a 4-12.
Vortex Diamondback 4x16x44 FFP (First Focal Plane) $400 scope Costs that much? After looking wow... I would've spent the cash on a Viper PST.
I just sent it back to Vortex . . . for "repair" they said. I included photos of the grouping before and after, and then the grouping with the follow-on scope.
We'll see what they do.
Completely OFF topic ... I have a Browning 725 Sport 30" 12 ga in beautiful AAAA Curley Maple . . the stock cracked. Sent it back and Browning replaced the stock. But now I'm scared to shoot it because they discontinued ALL shotguns in maple!
Unless you want to keep it pristine in hopes it will increase in value, my advice is to go bust some clays and not worry about it. In the unlikely event something happens, I bet Browning will stand behind it again. I thought about getting a 725 but my 15+ year old 525 is still going strong. Too many guns and not enough time to enjoy using them all, so I guess I'll stick with what I have now. Bob
Beautiful shotgun. What Bob said, go shoot it
Oh, I've been shooting it alright . . . I'm just concerned about it cracking again.
Unless it went on wet and dried, the inletting, or lack of, looks to have been the problem.
" they discontinued ALL shotguns in maple!"
Looks like there might be a reason for that! Why don't you contact Browning and see if they have a couple more of the maple stocks you can pick up and have on hand, just in case?
VORTEX replaced the scope with a NEW one.
YAY!
But, do I trust it????
This same scope is on the sale side for $350 new. One is up for auction starting at $250 and NO BIDS.
Do you like your current setup? If so, sell the Vortex.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Vortex seems to have a great warranty. I'd keep it for a spare. It seems to be in the nature of scopes to work just fine either forever or to crap out unexpectedly. Who knows, the other scope you put on the rifle could go belly up tomorrow and it wouldn't hurt to have a backup. 15 years ago, Burris repaired a scope for me and I promptly sold it on a Knight muzzleloader that a friend wanted badly. Because I didn't trust the scope I basically threw it in for free. Since then it has been on three rifles that I know of and last I knew it is on his 300wm. He kids me about it to this day and wants to be first in line if I have anymore scopes to get rid of. Bob
I have a 1187 with maple wood. I've never shot it. My wife bought it for me back in the '90's. Someone on the forum said they never made a 1187 with maple.
It may be a gun sold thru Grice they had several special runs done in Maple from Remington
I would sell it like I should've done when I paid $250.(?) to kimber for a new frame of my cdp 2. I did get a whole new gun for the $250.
Yesterday's results at 100 yards.