Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50mm Q&A

[sndmn11]

What is the "TLDR" version of this thread? lol

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/vortex-razor-hd-lht-4-5-22x50mm-field-eval.253013/

• Scope did not hold zero
• Tracking and return to zero were ok prior to that
• Vortex said the scope was fine
• Some people disagreed

 

[fwafwow]

What is the "TLDR" version of this thread? lol

This post prompted me to read the entire thread. Very interesting.

 

[Hawkeye29]

I will likely go for a NX8 for my hunting rifle after this thread

 

[grappling_hook]

I will likely go for a NX8 for my hunting rifle after this thread

Nightforce NX8 4-32x50mm F1 Field Evaluation

NX8 4-32x50mm Mil-C reticle, field eval. This scope was privately purchased by a third party and handed to Ryan for an evaluation. The baseline 30 round group with this lot of ammunition was 1.37” at 100 yards. I was joined by @slowelk this time. The scope and weight- Turrets...

rokslide.com

 

[280Ackley]

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/vortex-razor-hd-lht-4-5-22x50mm-field-eval.253013/

• Scope did not hold zero
• Tracking and return to zero were ok prior to that
• Vortex said the scope was fine
• Some people disagreed

Did you get together with @Ucsdryder and do your own test?

 

[sndmn11]

Did you get together with @Ucsdryder and do your own test?

No. He has two but doesn't believe in these tests.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Did you get together with @Ucsdryder and do your own test?

Hell no!

I’m not letting anybody abuse my scope. It’s now been through 2 years of hunts, killed 2 elk, 4 antelope, 2 deer, 5 coyotes, and some prairie dogs. I’m not sure how many hunts in 2 years, 12-15 hunts, at least half back country hunts, too many days in the field to count. Add in a few dozen range trips. Some people hunt more than me, but not many! It has never lost zero, I’ve had zero issues. I know everyone loves to bash the LHT on rokslide because of ONE test of ONE scope, but so far I couldn’t ask for anything more in a scope. I’m not sure how many slips, falls, bangs, knocks, and whacks that equates to, but plenty enough to have confidence in it. I know my real world experience doesn’t count as much as dropping it on a mat.

So far so good! Great glass, great turrets, locking turret, zero stop, lightweight, my only gripe is the mushy button on the illumination.

 

[Ucsdryder]

No. He has two but doesn't believe in these tests.

Ha! Nope, real world doesn’t matter. Just dropping it on a mat in the snow and generalizing off one failure by a tester that said “I’ve never had a vortex not fail” is all that matters!

 

[Formidilosus]

Ha! Nope, real world doesn’t matter. Just dropping it on a mat in the snow and generalizing off one failure by a tester that said “I’ve never had a vortex not fail” is all that matters!

I’m not basing it on “ONE” scope, but aren’t you? And I am not being an ass with this- but haven’t you stated that you’ve had some issues on animals with that scope/rifle, I.E.- misses/wounds?

I’ll happily meet you with Ryan, and if your scope holds zero through the eval, I’ll buy you a brand new one. Or is it so great in the “real world”, but magically somehow can’t hold zero on a mat?

 

[Ucsdryder]

I’m not basing it on “ONE” scope, but aren’t you? And I am not being an ass with this- but haven’t you stated that you’ve had some issues on animals with that scope/rifle, I.E.- misses/wounds?

I’ll happily meet you with Ryan, and if your scope holds zero through the eval, I’ll buy you a brand new one. Or is it so great in the “real world”, but magically somehow can’t hold zero on a mat?

Yeah I wounded a buck and never recovered it in 2021. I hit him 2 times before he jumped a fence onto private. Took it to the range and it still shot dimes at 100 yards. I’m pretty sure it was the scopes fault, or rifles, or wind, or bullet or all 4 though!

Funny how the team scope drop crew doesn’t care about real world experiences but love their mat drops! I’ve argued this with @sndmn11 as well. It doesn’t matter how many hunts, miles, years, tumbles, shots, etc the rifle has. All that matters is that form dropped one and now the entire line is bad!

Maybe I got lucky and my scope is the only reliable one out there, maybe one day it won’t be reliable, but mine just seems to keep on trucking.

 

[Formidilosus]

Funny how the team scope drop crew doesn’t care about real world experiences but love their mat drops! I’ve argued this with @sndmn11 as well. It doesn’t matter how many hunts, miles, years, tumbles, shots, etc the rifle has. All that matters is that form dropped one and now the entire line is bad!

Real use does matter, it just needs to be put into context- just like the drop eval. If a scope won’t stay zeroed from a drop on a mat, it won’t stay zeroed from a drop whike hunting- when someone slips and falls, and the scope hits it is losing zero.
But that’s very different than what you write. You mock, dismiss, and are passive aggressive about it.

Is it that you don’t think a scope should stay zeroed from a drop on a padded mat? Or is it that you actually believe that I (and multiple others on RS) lied about it?
You, like a few others all but say that I (and I suppose an owner of this site who Vortex sponsees) is lying, which I why I again offer to do it in person, with you shooting using your scope.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Passive aggressive huh @Formidilosus.

Pot…meet kettle.

I blame @280Ackley for dragging me back into this. I’ve given my real world experience over 2.5 years. I guess it doesn’t meet the criteria.

 

[280Ackley]

Passive aggressive huh @Formidilosus.

Pot…meet kettle.

I blame @280Ackley for dragging me back into this. I’ve given my real world experience over 2.5 years. I guess it doesn’t meet the criteria.

I just want the best possible equipment with out having to mortgage my house and have my wife leave me!! I bought a Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15 to go on my 338 Norma. After reading this thread I never saw your test and and was just curious because it is not the same model that was tested! That is why I also ask @Formidilosus if he had tested or any experience with SWFA 3-15x42 SS 30mm. Always looking yo upgrade.

 

[Formidilosus]

Passive aggressive huh @Formidilosus.

Pot…meet kettle.

There’s nothing passive about what I write. I try to keep it as clinical and pointed as the situation allows.

I blame @280Ackley for dragging me back into this. I’ve given my real world experience over 2.5 years. I guess it doesn’t meet the criteria.

No, your stated use doesn’t meet what I would consider criteria for “extensive” use anymore than anyone that hasn’t “tested” what they think is happening. What you’ve described your use as, is not in anyway “extensive”, let alone “hard” use- anymore than driving a Jeep Rubicon around town and down a couple forest service roads is “extensive” use. What people say should be qualified so that others can discern differences between statements. I care about real use, not babied or light use.



This is what I would consider baseline use-

Two seasons for the first, one season for the second. The only abuse they have taken is the drop evals; the rest is just shooting and hunting. Combined they have over 5,000 rounds shot on them (which I would not consider a lot), 30,000+ road miles and several thousand FS miles; hundreds of miles strapped to a pack, have been shot in multiple matches by multiple people- with I believe the worst place finish being 5th; 16 game animals (13 elk) from less than 20 yards to 970 yards, in temps from -26° to over 100°, blowing sand storms and snow storms, and have yet to lose zero or fail in anyway to adjust or RTZ properly. Now, that is not definitive proof that these scopes models/line have a low instance of failure, however it is at least pointing towards a positive direction.
























It’s not a direct correlation that wear on a scope matches the amount of use it has received, however things that are used, show that use- I.E. wear. Can you post pictures of your LHT?


I do not care about one scope passing, the Trijicon Tenmile has done very well, and yet I still do not say that they are good. The first scope failing does say something about it, and multiples of the same types all but guarantees that there is an issue.

I have evaled one LHT here. I have seen and used several more. All exhibited the same behavior. I do not say things based on small sample sizes, light use, or opinion- in all probability I will see more rounds fired through through multiple brands of scopes in the next month or so, than all the people saying I am lying will combined in their lives.

I have not, nor can I state with certainty that your scope doesn’t hold zero- in all probability it doesn’t if actually checked. Again- I will come to you; you can shoot your scope, if it holds zero I will buy you a brand new one. If loses zero, all you have to do is say so.

 

[Formidilosus]

I just want the best possible equipment with out having to mortgage my house and have my wife leave me!! I bought a Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15 to go on my 338 Norma. After reading this thread I never saw your test and and was just curious because it is not the same model that was tested! That is why I also ask @Formidilosus if he had tested or any experience with SWFA 3-15x42 SS 30mm. Always looking yo upgrade.

I have written quite a bit about the 3-15x FFP SWFA. In general they are reliable and durable scopes. The only issues I have seen are that if a sufficient drop/impact is taken on the turret a certain way, it can bend slightly and may cause a zero shift- the most I have seen is a .3 mil (1moa) shift from a 6ft drop on concrete that put a severe bend in the turret.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I just want the best possible equipment with out having to mortgage my house and have my wife leave me!! I bought a Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15 to go on my 338 Norma. After reading this thread I never saw your test and and was just curious because it is not the same model that was tested! That is why I also ask @Formidilosus if he had tested or any experience with SWFA 3-15x42 SS 30mm. Always looking yo upgrade.

Go to any other forum and the swfa isn’t held in nearly the same regard as it is on RS. To say it would be an upgrade is laughable…of course, just my opinion. Coming from someone that has had both. I did buy a nightforce Nxs and it seems to be a nice scope, heavier than hell though.

 

[freddyG]

There is only one reason that someone who has a scope that they trust 100% wouldn’t take Form up on his offer. They don’t trust their scope!

 

[freddyG]

Go to any other forum and the swfa isn’t held in nearly the same regard as it is on RS. To say it would be an upgrade is laughable…of course, just my opinion. Coming from someone that has had both. I did buy a nightforce Nxs and it seems to be a nice scope, heavier than hell though.

This is simply not true. There are those who complain about glass quality, bulky turrets, and availability. Except for that guy who did the goofy playground tracking test, I haven’t seen durability issues.

I have a couple, and while they aren’t a Nightforce, they function fine.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

@Ucsdryder not sure I follow your point here - are you trying to discredit this entire thread, drop test, or a dude? That would take something besides an anecdotal account I would think. I simply do not follow what you are trying to accomplish here?

 

[svivian]