Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 - Hard to knock

I have been testing the new Bergara BMR Steel .22LR package from Artemis Outdoors, which, incidentally, features a great value Vortex Diamondback Tactical scope, which is distributed by CSW. I have to say that the level of quality regarding the glass, turret articulation, maximum adjustment range, reticle types, and reliability, are impressive in this range, especially when you consider they cost around the £500 mark. Although Vortex is an American brand, the scope featured is manufactured in China, hence the price, but the quality is backed by Vortex’s lifetime no-conditions coverage that provides a free repair/replacement scope if yours is damaged during regular use.
The 6-24x50 Tactical on test is equipped with a very useful EBR-2C reticle, and the scope shows MRAD click values (MOA option available). Also, being in the first focal plane (FFP) makes ranging and trajectory adjustments a breeze.

Tech Spec
The overall quality and finish are good, with a nice satin black anodised finish to the 30mm tube and body, which is made from a single tube. This means good alignment for improved accuracy/adjustments, plus optimum strength, and waterproofness. In fact, the O-ring seals throughout the Vortex guarantee integrity, even against everyday hunting knocks and misuse.
The objective, 50mm on this model, allows the scope to be mounted low on the rifle, and the optic comes with a sunshade, which is handy for glare as well as keeping the rain off. The eyepiece shows dioptre adjustment at the rear (rubber-covered), and the field of view is 18-4.5 ft @100 yards (min and max magnification). In use, the eye box only tightens up when you have the magnification set at 20-24x power. I also like the generous eye relief of 3.9”, so no sniper’s eye here! The zoom ring has generously raised ribs for ample grip, and it operates very smoothly throughout its range.
The main saddle houses the exposed tactical turrets and parallax adjustment. The latter focuses down to 10 yards and up to infinity with great clarity at each step, which is great, as it makes this scope viable for airguns and competitive shooters firing at targets 1,000 yards away.
The tactical-style turrets provide fast and accurate adjustments, and it is easy to see where you are in the adjustment range, which is 19 MRAD for both windage and elevation. Both turrets offer 6 MRAD per rotation, with each click representing an adjustment graduation of 0.1 MRAD. Each click is pretty precise, but there is some degree of backlash, meaning it lacks the precision of a Zeiss, for example, but then it is four times cheaper! Importantly, the FFP reticle offers you precise stadia, adding to the amount of drop you can compensate for.
As mentioned, the fact that the scope’s glass-etched EBR reticle is in the FFP means that the stadia stay in proportion no matter what magnification you are set on, which is definitely the way to go.
There is no mechanical zero stop, which I prefer, as the turrets are zero resettable after you have dialled everything. I mean, why bother when you have the fantastic EBR reticle? Remember, one MRAD will subtend 3.6” at 100 yards (10cm at 100m). The 0.1 MRAD clicks on this Vortex will adjust the point of impact by 0.36” at 100 yards (1cm at 100m).

There’s more
Optically, the extra-low dispersion glass that Vortex uses does increase contrast and resolution, and I was very impressed with the quality, especially considering the price. The lenses are fully multi-coated, including anti-reflective coatings, increasing light transmission for optimal clarity and low-light performance, and the Armortek ultra-hard scratch-resistant coating protects exterior lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt, although I did not try this out! No fisheye or chromatic aberrations either, which impressed me, and low light brightness was good up to about 16x power, where it trailed off a tad.
Finally, the nitrogen gas purging prevents internal fogging during temperature fluctuations, and the shockproof construction withstands recoil and impact. I sighted this in on the Bergara rifle and found that its 14.28” length and weight of 24.6oz meant it was not cumbersome at all. The EBR FFP reticle is just perfect on a rimfire rifle, as you can adjust for longer shots at any mag setting and the additional windage dots/stadia really help you to connect with the target. We had several rabbits at 30 yards then a few more right out past 125 yards. We felt confident that the EBR reticle would steer us true.

Conclusion
For the price, it’s hard to knock the Vortex Diamondback, as it offers not only very good optical quality but a great parallax range and more than enough magnification. Plus, the super EBR FFP reticle is the way to go. The tactical-style turrets track well, offer precise adjustments without slippage, and are easily read. At just £500, I would say that you get a lot of scope for the money, and it is ideally suited to a shooter or hunter who needs a scope that is reliable and only includes the features that matter.