Leupold MK6 vs. Vortex Razor HD 2 1-6

Tactical Gear Optics & Mounts
1

My new lightweight .308 build is complete (save the BCG which I had to steal from another rifle) except for the optic. I’ve narrowed the list down to 2 optics, neither of which I’ll have an opportunity to use before buying.

I know Leupold & Vortex are good companies - and I own several of each make (2.5-10x PST, 6-24x FFP PST, 4.5-14x VXIII, MK4 CQB)

so, but big question - is the Leupold worth the extra $500. I prefer the 7.62 FFP reticle on the MK6 - that seems to be the defining difference.

I’ll use this rifle for target shooting up to 600 yards - mostly known distances, deer hunting, and maybe some carbine/3-gun.

anyone have hands on experience with both of these scopes? I’ve searched this site and others for head to head comparisons with little luck.

thanks in advance

2

I am actually looking at both of those as well as the Zeiss duralyt 1.2-5 and the swar 6i which is considerably more than the others. I have read great things about the Razor and it appears to be the equal of the mk6. The duralyt is not tactical more of a hunting scope. swar has the best glass as usual but from what I have read most of us mortals will not tell the difference for the price jump. All this is from what I have read. I am actually downsizing to a 1-6 from my 1-8’s because I want a larger field of view which the 1-8’s just do not give and I do not need the extra power for what I shoot. By the way, I am still not decided. :mad:

3

I like my mk6. No experience w the razor.

4

I noticed that the mk6 retails for $2439 and has a street price of $1950, while the vortex street price is $1400. That is a $550 difference. I don’t think there is $550 difference between them from what I have read. I guess the name adds some value. I know that companies like Vortex and IOR have to make their rep compared to companies like leup, SB, NF etc, but It seems to me like $550 is big difference. SWFA is also making a 1-6x and it will be cheaper than both, does anyone have info on that one. I looked but found no real reviews.

5

The SWFA has been promised for over a year now with preorders placed…it’s still not out. I’m beginning to fear it’s vaporware.

The Vortex is really nice, but it is a pig weight wise.

Looking at the Leupold multigunner now, though I would love the swaro if I had that kind of scratch.

6

People have been getting them. A few have popped up for sale on snipershide.

Also, I think Libery Optics has the mk6 for $1699, so that closes the gap a little.

7

no experience with the leupy and i know a few people are very happy with them but i am REALLY impressed with this vortex so far. have about 5k rounds through it and its been perfect.

8

well that definitely makes it more even now. Weight reduction does cost in most industries.

As for the Swav, that truly is the standard in 1-6’s, but man the cost is just overwhelming. It is just out of my price range. The mk6 is about my limit.

9

just be aware of the reticule illumination issue w/ the mk6. when your eye leaves the center of the eyebox it acts funny.

i do not believe the vortex has this issue.

i have the TMR reticule in the mk6 and again i really like it.

10

I read a bit about this and it is perplexing. Are they doing anything to fix the led position? It doesn’t appear bad enough that you would move to another scope? Does the Mk8 have this issue?

I have read that there are different FOV numbers at 1x. What do you think of the FOV at 1x?

11

I have both and I like the Vortex more. Great glass for the price.

12

Yes the Mk8 has the same issue. If you are not perfectly behind it the illumination acts funny.

Matt

13

The last few months i have been looking hard for a good scope and 2500 bucks is about the most i want to spend. I am looking at 1-6 or 2-10, 3-9 something like that and i always come back to the vortex 1-6. I like the swav but i don’t like the little switched at the top of the scope and it is FFP and it will be a $1000 bucks more the the vortex.

14

Aside from price what is it that you like more? I know that both are built like tanks.

Since you have both if you could answer the following for me that would be helpful:

Which one has the brighter lit reticule in bright daylight?

Which one has the better overall reticule in your opinion?

Which one seems easier to acquire target with?

Are you using it on a 556 platform or a 762 platform?

Is weight an issue as the difference is considerable?

thanks

15

That is just strange. I’d like to see that in person.

16

3 reasons i went w the leupold. Its made here, its lighter and the reticule choices.

Im not happy about the illumination issue but its not a big deal. Ive learned to deal w it and its an amazing scope.

As for the field of view its nearly the best in its price range i believe.

The vortex is an excellent scope but i dont know a lot about it. Is it daylight bright? Is it ffp or sfp?

17

I believe it is daylight bright and SFP.

18

Id buy a vortex if they offered a horseshoe reticule or something alike. Ive heard more reticules and different turrets are coming.

Also, being a sfp scope its less likely to have the illumination flicker.

If your not familiar w an ffp scope, its a totally different world than sfp. The reticule is very fine at low power, but its simply amazing from say 3x-6x. I could see where the sfp red dot style scopes would be more usable at low power for run and gun.

19

I like the horseshoe reticule also like the leupold has. And i would consider it if i knew the illumination issue or non issue would work for me but for 2 grand i might expect more.

20

I think playing the waiting game is a good move right now. Seems like 1-6 is becoming a flavor of the month right now and more are popping up. I was looking at the GRSC and Bushnell as well.