Want to up the game with your crossbow? How about a tactical-style scope that will allow you to shoot accurately out to 70 yards, and perhaps further? Vortex brings the world of tactical shooting to the crossbow community, merging their quality optics with optimal engineering adapted from their long-range firearm scopes. In addition, if you’re not already familiar with minute-of-angle calculations, this will take your knowledge of shooting and sighting to the next level.
Cool Features-
Before getting to the operation of the scope, a quick back-to-front summary offers a padded quick-focus eyepiece that will adjust to your eyesight configuration for a clear, sharp image, an illuminated reticle with 10 light settings for early/late and midday brightness, an exposed elevation turret for quick-range settings that returns to zero with a finger’s touch, four-times zoom characteristics ranging from 2.5 to 10 power, multicoated lenses for optimal brightness, a 30-mm one-piece tube, and a lifetime VIP warranty.
Think MOA, Not Inches
Tactical and technical shooters routinely operate with minute-of-angle (MOA) adjustments. If you’ve never worked with MOA, operating this scope will give you an advance degree in shooting, of sorts. One look through the scope will show a sharp reticle with markings below the center aiming point of 10-60, which corresponds to minute-of-angle drops in arrow impact. Since crossbows shoot at a various speeds, this is like adjusting a long-range rifle scope to a particular caliber, where a 150-grain bullet from a .270 Winchester will have very different aiming characteristics than a 200-grain .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge.
The brief owner’s manual is clear and well illustrated, showing the development of your long-range aiming points, beginning with a 30-yard zero. The PSE Dream Season 365 used in this test posts an arrow speed of 365 fps, such that the manual suggests shooting 15 MOA for 40 yards, 30 MOA for 50, out to 63 MOA for 70 yards. These are ballpark numbers and you can fine tune your bow’s performance based on the bolt used and the speed of your bow.
Sighting in the bow becomes much simpler, thanks to the MOA reticle that clearly shows which adjustments are needed, and how to make those adjustments. Both windage and elevation torrents are heavy-duty and easily operated.
Creating a Custom Elevation Turret
Once you’ve developed a shooting chart, you have the precise aiming points for longer ranges. Eventually, you may want to develop a custom elevation turret marked in yards rather than MOAs, and Vortex offers personal assistance for this step. Phone one of their technical assistants at their toll free number, (800) 426-0048, or send them an e-mail.
With deer season still months away, what better way to enhance the effectiveness of your crossbow than increasing the range of its performance? Vortex offers a quick video that explains the attributes of this interesting optic.
