The Vortex Spitfire 3x Prism Scope with EBR-556B reticle can be an excellent addition to any gunner’s shooting ability. The scope offers excellent zoom and adjustment options that will be perfect for shooting targets that are within close to medium range.
One defining feature that sets this Spitfire 3x rifle scope apart from others is that it combines excellent optics and extensive options in an easy-to-handle scope that doesn’t take too much space. It has a compact but sturdy construction design that can handle rugged usage with ease while still allowing you to make precise calculations while on the move. – Can you use a scope on a shotgun?
The quick adjustment options make it ideal for shooting on a deer hunting trip.
Why a Prism Scope?
Prism scopes have come onto the market not too long ago (have a look at the history of scopes!). Prism optics combine the advantages of a red dot with a traditional rifle optic. Most of the available prism scopes also don’t cost an arm and a leg. – Check out the best scopes under 300!
The result is that you get fast target acquisition that you experience on a red dot sight with a reticle and magnification options. The resulting package, if done well like in the case of the Vortex Spitfire 3x, is that you have an excellent gunsight to use for hunting or tactical situations.
Is a prism scope better for tactical use or hunting? Where do tactical and hunting scopes differ?
What adjustments do exist on scopes and red dot sights? What do you need to know?
Vortex Optics Spitfire 3X Features
Any hunter’s success in the field is largely based on the quality of his rifle and the scope used. The Vortex Spitfire 3X will give you a near-perfect shooting experience, at least in terms of consistency and accuracy of aim at all times.
This rifle scope is designed with a reticle that is optimized for the standard cartridge of .55 grain 5.56 x 45mm size. The etched reticle on the scope is called EBR-556B for short. It has several markers for different range zones from 0-500 yards (top-rated scopes for 500 yards), allowing you to use it effectively and quickly in close-quarter environments as well as for medium-range engagements.
There is one great thing about a prism optic compared to a standard dot optic scope. If the battery runs out or the lights stop working for any reason, the prism optic will not take you out of a fight.
The EBR-556B reticle is etched with markers that will still function without the need for illumination. Although the scope does not offer any magnification adjustment (find out how magnification impacts range!), the etched reticle does have a focus that can be centered on the target quickly. – Do you need specific magnifications for an AR-15?
Main features of the scope that make it stand out to include the following:
Improved Focus and Aiming
The Vortex 3X lens will bring distant targets closer from a distance of 100 yards or more. The scope has a full multi-coating finish surrounding the lens that helps reduce the loss of light or glare from direct sunlight.
The lens itself has several coatings of anti-reflective treatments, which increase the light transmission of the scope while keeping light from odd angles away from distorting the image. The etched EBR-556B reticle helps with aiming specifically on longer ranges.
The eye relief on the Vortex Spitfire is a little on the short side with 2.8 inches. This can be an issue when using the prism sight on a rifle with strong recoil where you’d want a larger eye relief.
Crisp Image for Better Precision
The Vortex scope comes with a unique prism-like design that is quite popular on scopes these days. You can use the scope with or without illumination depending on the time of the day and your shooting preference.
The DRT (Dual Ring Tactical) reticle is etched on the prism and helps you make precise adjustments to the scope for more accurate shooting. You will also love the feature for brightness adjustment, built into the scope.
You can switch the color of illumination from red or green and go up to five different intensity levels, making it perfect for hunting at both day and night.
Is the Spitfire an option for a .308? Find the highest rated scopes for a .308!
Lightweight and Versatile
The Spitfire 3x Prism Scope is very lightweight, weighing only 15.2 ounces with the riser. It is just over 5.5 inches in length with a distance between the mounted optic’s lens and your eye of 2.8 inches – should you have longer eye relief on a scope? The Vortex Spitfire 3X Prism optic comes in a single-piece body, unlike many other sights that come with multiple parts.
Based on the brightness level used for the Vortex Spitfire, the battery life is between 250 and 3,000 hours at maximum and minimum levels respectively. This is overall reasonable but compared to other high-end red dots it could be longer though.
One of the features that make the Vortex Spitfire versatile is the adjustable mounting base. The scope comes mounted (how do you mount a scope?) at a height of 40.4 mm between the base surface and optic center by default. The mount riser can be removed to lower the height to 30 mm if needed.
The optic is designed in a way that you can use the scope with both eyes open as well (How to shoot with both eyes open?). Windage and elevation adjustment is ranging by a massive 120 MOA.
Handles Fog, Water, and Shock with Ease
The rugged design of the Vortex Spitfire 3X Scope is obviously its main selling point. Unlike most other tube-like scopes the Vortex Spitfire has an O-ring seal under the surface that protects inner components from moisture and damage. – Check here for more Vortex scope reviews!
The casing material has been strengthened with the help of nitrogen gas that ensures a water-proof and fog-proof build. Furthermore, the sturdy construction can also withstand recoil or shocks caused by any falls or hits.
The manufacturer claims that the riflescope has been designed with durability and usage in rough terrain as the number one priority and it has a low glare, ionized matte finish.
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What Type of Shooter Will Benefit from This Scope?
The Vortex Spitfire 3X will be suitable for a variety of shooters and hunters. It works best at close ranges up to around 100 yards. Medium and long-range shooting is not a good fit for this prism scope.
Farmers and landowners will find the Vortex Spitfire useful due to the fast target acquisition ability and quick tracking of moving targets. It will come in handy for shooting coyotes and other predators on your farm.
If you are looking to shoot at a more distant target, it can be set up for a long shot on smaller vermin like prairie dogs, without the need for changing the optics or marker units.
The law enforcement officers will find it useful due to the fixed magnification prism optics and the shorter learning curve. This can be particularly useful for junior officers or rookies undergoing training. The scope is quite reliable and effective in close-quarter engagements and works great for short-range to medium-range targeting. – What other scopes does the Spitfire compare to? Check out our scope news and reviews!
Competition shooters may not find it very useful as the scope has a limited range. It works well in the 100 yards range but if you want to shoot out to 500 yards then this optic will not work best for you! However, if you are competing in a CQB competition with quick-moving targets, you will find it useful because of the ability to get on target very quickly. You also get 120 MOA windage and elevation adjustment range making sure you have enough room to adjust as needed.
The home defender will value it for greater versatility. The Vortex Spitfire 3X offers rapid target acquisition, reliable durability, a range of color options and lighting levels, and is lightweight compared to other scopes.
Finally, the feral hog hunter will find it useful for the scope’s ability to acquire and switch targets quickly in a close-quarter environment.
What Type of Guns Are Suitable for Vortex Spitfire 3X?
The scope is optimized for all rifles that have a 5.56×45 caliber with a 55-grain projectile shot from a 16-inch barrel. Experienced shooters will identify this cartridge as the typical M4/AR-15 carbine variety and that is precisely the type of gun it is most suitable for. – What are the best M4 scopes?
However, being optimized for a type of gun does not mean it can only be used on that gun. The Spitfire 3X can also be used with relative ease on an AK-pattern rifle or a pistol caliber with an AR-pattern unit.
Experienced shooters should have little problems adjusting this scope to their favored gun and still get fairly consistent and accurate results. The distance of the lens to the eye is sufficient but rifles with heavy recoil might be a challenge for the Vortex Spitfire 3x.
Final Verdict
Is the Vortex Optics Spitfire 3X with EBR-556b reticle worth buying? Well, it will suit a certain type of shooter that does not get a chance to shoot often enough to optimize his or her high-end scope.
Being able to buy a scope like the Vortex Spitfire that offers reasonable accuracy, quick shooting, and rugged build is a godsend to the average shooter. This makes Spitfire a really good option for the casual and sports-shooting type of buyers.
More veteran shooters will find it a bit limiting in its scope, no puns intended even though the optic provides a large adjustment range of 120 MOA for elevation and windage as well as good light transmission through the multi-coated lenses. In addition, the eye relief is pretty short making it challenging to use the optic on a rifle with heavy recoil.
Do you have more questions or something to add? Please leave a comment below!
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