First Look: Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18×44 FFP Riflescope

Vortex’s new Strike Eagle 3-18×44 FFP riflescope is bringing a lot of capability for a very affordable price.

For a new riflescope to be successful these days, it must do one of two things: introduce original features and capabilities … or provide increased performance at a lower cost. Vortex Optics’ new Strike Eagle 3-18×44 FFP delivers the latter—well.

It’s not the first 3-18x44mm FFP scope on the market, but it very well may be the best for the money.

Built For Speed

The Strike Eagle’s features are sure to make it popular with competitors, especially those who participate in mid- to long-range dynamic target shooting.

This is partly thanks to the scope’s middle ground magnification range of 3-18x, but another reason is its size. Designed to be versatile and lightweight, the new Strike Eagle is shorter and lighter than its 5-25x56mm cousin, with its 13.3-inch length and weight of 27.3 ounces. The 34mm tube is another happy medium, as it allows the scope to be mounted relatively low to the bore while still accommodating a large amount of windage and elevation travel.

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The Strike Eagle’s controls conform to the same design principles by providing easy, rapid adjustments while keeping the overall package compact and low-profile. Both the windage and elevation turrets are locking, but the windage turret is capped while the elevation turret is exposed for faster field adjustments. The scope also features Vortex’s RevStop zero system for reliably returning to zero.

The new scope also comes with a choice of either an MRAD or MOA EBR-7C reticle. Regardless of the style selected, both are illuminated and of the first focal plane. Most other 3-18x riflescopes that are priced similarly to the Strike Eagle feature an SFP reticle, so the FFP EBR-7C will provide a lot more capability at longer ranges. While not designed for close-range engagements, the illuminated reticle and 10-yard minimum parallax distance mean that they’re not impossible either.

Scopes are prone to getting bumped around in dynamic environments, such as while hunting or during competition, so durability is a must as well. This is why the Strike Eagle is also waterproof, fog-proof and shock-proof, allowing it to withstand strenuous conditions. The impeccable glass quality and fully multi-coated lenses are sure to be appreciated by anyone who looks through a Strike Eagle as well, and each scope also includes a 3-inch sunshade and tethered lens covers.

Ringing Steel

GDTM editors recently had the opportunity to shoot the Strike Eagle 3-18×44 FFP while visiting Vortex headquarters. Mounted on a Tikka .22, the scope was used to engage some small targets at varying ranges to get a feel for adjusting the elevation and magnification.

With the correct adjustments dialed in, the Strike Eagle was very capable of ringing steel no bigger than a half-dollar, even at 100 yards. With the RevStop system, exposed elevation turret and large magnification throw lever, cranking it down and accurately engaging a much closer target took only a moment. It’s easy to see how this scope will excel at long-range shooting competitions where rapid adjustments are required.

Conclusion

The new Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18×44 FFP might not be entirely unique in its capabilities, but what sets it apart is its cost. It has an advertised price of $849.99, making it significantly less expensive than similar 3-18×44 FFP scopes already on the market. For those looking to get started in competitive long-range shooting on a budget, the Strike Eagle should have them gunning for gold.

For more information, please visit vortexoptics.com.

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