Mueller APV 4.5-14x40AO or Vortex Crossfire II 6-18x44AO?

thegrandpoohbah

thegrandpoohbah

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This would be going on my recently ordered Savage Mark II FV-SR. Reviews for both are pretty solid from what I can see and both are in my price range of $200-$250. Will be used for plinking and shooting paper targets. AO is a must. I am leaning towards the Vortex just for the increased magnification. Will I regret the decision later?
 
They're not quite the same scopes based on their specs. The Vortex is illuminated. So you should base your decision on your needs and wants in a scope as well as your budget. With that said I own a APV 4.5-14x40AO and it's a decent scope for under $200. The Vortex is over $200 from what I can see and is also rated highly.

Mueller APV 4.5-14x40AO
Part # MAPV451440
Eye Relief 3.5-3.25″
Length 13.75″
Weight 17.5 oz.
Tube Size 1.0″
Reticle: APV
Finger Adjustable Turrets
Lenses Fully Multi-Coated
Magnification 4.5 – 14 × power
Objective 40 mm
F.O.V. 27 – 9 feet @ 100 yards
Parallax 10 yds min
Exit Pupil (mm): 8.89 - 2.86
Lens Coating: Fully Multi-Coated
Water/Fogproof: Yes
Shockproof: Yes
Warranty: Limited Lifetime

Vortex Crossfire II 6-18x44AO
Battery Type:CR2032 lithium
Exit Pupil (mm):2.44 - 7.33
Eye Relief (in.):3.7 - 4.3
Product Weight (oz.):19.6
Water Resistance:Waterproof
Field Of View (ft.):15.2 - 5.3 at 100 yards
Fog Proof:Yes
Magnification:6x - 18x
Objective Lens Diameter (mm):44
Reticle:V-Brite illuminated
Batteries Included:Yes
Manufacturer Warranty -Lifetime limited
Tube Diameter (in.):1
Number Of Batteries:1
Batteries Required:Yes
Product Length (in.):13.5
 
You could also throw the Hawke Varmint line of scopes into the mix as another alternative. I have one in a box that haven't had a chance to mount yet but it seems pretty solid and also has some pretty good reviews out there.
 
The Mueller is $200 from White Falls and the Vortex is $240 from Grouse River. That's Canadian pricing of course. The Hawke Varmint SF 4-16x44 looks interesting. Which Canadian retailers carry it? How much did it cost you AB.boy?
 
D&L Airgun and Specialty Shooting Sports (both in BC) have the carry Hawke. The Varmint line should be right around $200 or a little less. Mine was a gift but was purchased from Specialty Shooting Sports, my wife said they were great to deal with.
 
AB.boy said:
D&L Airgun and Specialty Shooting Sports (both in BC) have the carry Hawke. The Varmint line should be right around $200 or a little less. Mine was a gift but was purchased from Specialty Shooting Sports, my wife said they were great to deal with.
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I really wish you hadn't done that. Now I'm also considering the Hawke Varmint SF 6-24x44. Like I didn't have enough problems already... :confused:
 
thegrandpoohbah said:
I really wish you hadn't done that. Now I'm also considering the Hawke Varmint SF 6-24x44. Like I didn't have enough problems already... :confused:
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I just went down the same road you are on and decided on the Hawke. Talking with a friend at my club from South Africa, he suggested a Hawke as they are very popular in Europe and other places abroad, said he didn't understand why they aren't more popular in North America. I'm guessing its because there is very little to no marketing of them here. Did I mention they are supposed to have a great warranty as well? Geez...you'd think I work for them LOL.
 
I have a Mueller APT 4.5-14x40, Vortex Crossfire II 4-12 x 40 and a Hawke Varmint SF 6-24x44 (pictured below) on a 22WMR, 17M2 and 17HMR respectively. I've never had all 3 out for a side-by-side comparison, but I think they're comparable. Light transmission and clarity is great on the Mueller, but it should be with a 30mm tube. The Hawke is probably the best side-focus for the money, but the Crossfire II is a scope that I liked way more than I thought I would when I ordered one sight-unseen. I'm thinking about getting something in the 18x range for another rifle and honestly, it's the Crossfire II that probably tops the list for me at this point. If the Mueller didn't have fully exposed turrets...and DID have a little more magnification...I'd have considered it for my HMR for sure~especially with the reticle it has http://muelleroptics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/154.jpg My Vortex has the BDC, the Hawke Varmint SF the fine mildot.

In terms of what would be best for a .22~I think a scope with a 1" tube would "look" better (as in proportion) on such a small gun, and I personally think that 12x is about the max I'd use on a .22lr, unless you were wanting to plug away @ 100 yards. Good luck!

22WMR4.jpg


Marlin917M2-3.jpg


SavageHMRSilverdale.jpg
 
Hawke also has a great online ballistics program set up for their scopes and reticles. I just downloaded it last night and it seems great so far!
 
.22LRGUY said:
If the Mueller didn't have fully exposed turrets...and DID have a little more magnification...
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The APV has capped finger adjustable turrets as compared to your APT which has open turrets. 14X should be more than enough for .22LR and even most situations with .22WMR & .17HMR. It will be interesting to see what guys say about which optics best suit the new .17 WSM.

A 30mm tube is definitely much better with light but I agree would look a little out of proportion on a smaller rimfire. I do feel the Mueller APV is a little shy on eye relief IMO and could of been even better with additional .5" to .75" of relief at all magnifications. But I guess you can't expect everything, especially in a sub $200 scope.

I'm still waiting for my rings to arrive so I can mount the APV to my .17HMR & try it out.

BTW any tips on rough set up for this scope. My cheapo laser boresighter won't fit down to a .17 and I don't want to eat through two boxes of ammo just to get it close before final adjustments.
 
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target said:
The APV has capped finger adjustable turrets as compared to your APT which has open turrets. 14X should be more than enough for .22LR and even most situations with .22WMR & .17HMR. It will be interesting to see what guys say about which optics best suit the new .17 WSM.

A 30mm tube is definitely much better with light but I agree would look a little out of proportion on a smaller rimfire. I do feel the Mueller APV is a little shy on eye relief IMO and could of been even better with additional .5" to .75" of relief at all magnifications. But I guess you can't expect everything, especially in a sub $200 scope.

I'm still waiting for my rings to arrive so I can mount the APV to my .17HMR & try it out.

BTW any tips on rough set up for this scope. My cheapo laser boresighter won't fit down to a .17 and I don't want to eat through two boxes of ammo just to get it close before final adjustments.
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I've never looked through an APV, but of the 3 scopes I posted about, the Hawke is the least forgiving in terms of eye relief. My APT and Vortex are surprisingly good, the Vortex probably just a bit better. My first HMR wore a variable that topped-out @ 12x (A Bushnell Elite 3200) and it was pretty much impossible to see .17 holes @ 100 yards. Period. I DO think 14x would be the minimum (for me) on an HMR, 16-18x probably perfect. None of my 22s wear any more than a 3-9x, but I don't shoot them @ 100 yards either. They play in the woods...not on a bench at a range. :)
 
.22LRGUY said:
I've never looked through an APV, but of the 3 scopes I posted about, the Hawke is the least forgiving in terms of eye relief. My APT and Vortex are surprisingly good, the Vortex probably just a bit better. My first HMR wore a variable that topped-out @ 12x (A Bushnell Elite 3200) and it was pretty much impossible to see .17 holes @ 100 yards. Period. I DO think 14x would be the minimum (for me) on an HMR, 16-18x probably perfect. None of my 22s wear any more than a 3-9x, but I don't shoot them @ 100 yards either. They play in the woods...not on a bench at a range. :)
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Thanks for your responses, they have been most helpful.
 
Im gonna be picking up a Hawke this weekend.

They do make a 6-24x44 in the Varmint series you know. Thats if you want even more magnification. :)
 
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