Last Updated on March 9, 2021
Missing your long-cherished target while hunting or long-range shooting due to the lack of a perfect riflescope, is quite frustrating, isn’t it? If this really happens, then what is the meaning of so many pricey riflescopes from famous brands out there? Don’t worry, we are here for you. To ease the challenge of selecting a perfect hunting riflescope we want to introduce the Vortex Razor HD LH review for you which stands for High density and light hunting riflescope.
This magnificent riflescope is one of the prominent members of the Vortex Razor family. The Vortex Razor series have served hunters, long-range shooters, and other users greatly with its best products. Among them, Vortex Razor HD LH is one of a kind. It can be the best friend for hunting enthusiasts and shooting lovers.
- The Razor HD LH 3-15x42 is an ultra-sleek, lightweight hunting scope. High density, extra-low dispersion lenses and premium XR coatings combine to produce razor sharp resolution from edge to edge.
- A highly forgiving eyebox gives generous eye relief. The locking ocular focus ensures your reticle always stays sharp and crisp.
- A single piece, hard anodized tube enhances strength and durability. Armortek coatings protect exterior lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt.
- Strong o-ring seals and argon purging guarantee water and fogproof performance even in the worst weather conditions. Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
- The Razor HD LH gives hunters and shooters premium optics and performance in a streamlined, light-weight package.
Vortex Razor HD LH Review
Shooters and hunters need a long-range rifle and corresponding scopes to achieve the precise target. But the problem is, top-notch long-range scopes are heavier than other ones due to their tube construction, large magnification, and other features. And if you carry a heavy scope and rifle for a long time you will get tired and face lots of challenges out there.
Vortex Razor HD LH offers you, three models. They are 1.5-8×32, 2-10×40, and 3-15×42 with HSR-4 MOA or G4 BDC MOA. Among them, we have chosen the last one.
Here is the catch for Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15×42, because this long-range scope is very much lightweight. In short, this amazing scope features all the premium qualities while weighing very little comparatively. We sincerely suggest that you should give this scope a shot. In fact, this can be the perfect match for your lightweight rifle.
Construction Details of Vortex Razor HD LH
Material
Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15×42 scope is made from aircraft-grade aluminum to ensure strength and rigidity. To reach the next level of protection from scratches, oil, and dirt, the long-range scope is given ArmorTek ® protective coating which is ultra-hard and completely resistant to all types of harm. Like the long-range quality rangefinder, Vortex 1500 ranger, Vortex spotting scopes it is well built.
Tube System
The scope is consisting of a single piece tube system and has a diameter of 1 inch. It offers a versatile option of blend adjustment and is designed in a way to accompany you in a wide variety of shooting applications. The tube is aligned perfectly for improved accuracy and optimum visual performance ultimately resulting in great strength and waterproofness. Besides, a single-piece tube maximizes alignment for incredible accuracy.
Weather Proof
Like other quality Vortex optics, Vortex Razor 3-15×42 Riflescope is completely argon gas purged to prevent internal fogging. That means you can take these Vortex optics with you in a wide range of temperatures. Additionally, its O-ring seal prevents moisture, dust, and debris from harming the scope and therefore, ensures reliable optical performance in all environments.
Hard Anodization
When you are firing with a long-range rifle, it is evident that you will have a great effect on a recoil impact. This Vortex Razor scope will withstand such type of impact with its shockproof rugged construction. This Razor scope features highly durable hard-coat anodization which provides a low-glare matte surface and helps the shooter to camouflage this position.
It has large diameter turrets to provide fast, accurate, and easy read elevation and windage adjustments. And you will get caps with the package which gives external protection for turrets.
APO Lens System
This high-quality scope incorporates High Density (HD) extra-low dispersion glass that delivers incredible resolution and color fidelity for sight pictures. In simple terms, you will get high-definition images. The lenses are optically indexed so that they can optimize the sharpness and brightness of the sight image from edge to edge.
The scope has an APO (apochromatic) lens system and the premium quality lenses come with XR™ Plus Fully Multi-Coating which is a completely anti-reflective coating. With this resistant coating, you will get the maximum transmission for peak clarity and the pinnacle of low-light performance. And for your information, we would like to mention that, APO lens system uses index match lenses to correct the color across the visual spectrum.
Internal Mechanism
Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15×42 scope has Precision-Glide Erector System which ensures that the components glide smoothly and cleanly in the zoom lens mechanism through all magnification ranges.
Important Features
- Magnification 3-15x
- Objective Lens Diameter 42 mm
- Eye Relief 8 inches
- Field of View 8-7.1 ft/100 yds
- Tube Size 1 inch
- Turret Style Capped
- Adjustment Graduation 1/4 MOA
- Travel Per Rotation 15 MOA
- Max Elevation Adjustment 55 MOA
- Max Windage Adjustment 55 MOA
- Parallax Setting 20 to infinity
- Length 5 inches
- Weight 5 oz
HSR-4 MOA Reticle of Vortex Razor HD LH
The HSR-4 reticle is ideal for shooters and hunters who want to know additional information to enhance their personalized ballistics calculation with a clean look. This reticle perfectly serves that purpose with a single crosshair, coupled with MOA-based hash marks (2 MOA spacing) and promotes fast and accurate shots from close to extended ranges.
Now, if you are planning to step into the next level of hunting or shooting like on a benchrest, this scope can be your stepping stone. You can use this HSR-4 reticle to calculate the ranges, handovers, windage corrections and moving target leads quite efficiently.
The ultra-precision laser etching on the glass reticle assures the minute of angle (MOA) specifications to be kept to the tightest tolerances possible. And, the fine center crosshair subtensions of the reticle are carefully chosen to ensure optimum balance between precision pinpoint aiming and low light visibility.
MOA Subtensions
The reticle is based on the minute of angle (MOA) subtensions. MOA measurements are calculated in degrees and minutes. In a circle, there are 360 degrees and 60 minutes in a degree. Therefore, a total of 21,600 minutes. These angular calculations are used to estimate the long-range shots and correct trajectory drop for the bullets in riflescopes. For example, 1 MOA corresponds to 1.05 inches at 100 yards, 2.1 inches at 200 yards and for 300 yards it will be 3.15 inches.
One fact to keep in mind that, in general, 1 MOA is referred to as 1 inch at 100 yards. And this is not the fact. You now know that. Actually, 1 MOA at 100 yards equals 1.05 inches. Therefore, if you calculate 1 MOA as 1 inch at 100 yards you will miss your target surely in the long-range because this will create a five percent error in ranging and holdover adjustments.
Benefits of Second Focal Plane
There are two types of placement for a riflescope’s reticle. They are the first focal plane (FFP) and the second focal plane (SFP). Before buying any type of optics like night vision you should know the difference between them. The main difference between them is, SFP reticle always appears with the same size regardless of the level of magnification while the FFP reticle changes with the change of magnification. Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15x42mm riflescope comes with SFP so you will get additional advantages in certain circumstances with Vortex HSR-4 Reticle.
Some Facts About Long Range Hunting and Shooting
A perfect reticle scope will definitely ease your hunting or shooting, but a reticle alone essentially does not assure that you will achieve the targets. Rather achieving the desired target also depends on other factors like windage which affects every shot. Check this awesome review of Vortex Venom which is a good hunting accessory.
Even you go for target shooting with scopes, squirrel hunting with scopes, or coyote hunting with scopes with high-end options, still, it is better to know your effective shooting range. Only a perfect combination of logistics, environment, and skill can bring a satisfactory result.
Vortex Long Range Ballistics Calculator (LRBC)
If you are using Vortex scopes for long-range shooting, you can use Vortex’s Long-Range Ballistic Calculator to calculate elevation correction at extended ranges. It works fine both with a turret scope or holdover with subtensions. Just go to the site, select the options that match most with your rifle, distance, ammunition, environment, and other things. Then hit the calculate button. Just a piece of cake. This way you will have adequate information to utilized your personalized ballistics calculation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great performance but light-weight
- 3-15x magnification
- Sturdy construction
- Made from aircraft-grade aluminum
- ArmorTek resistant coating
- Fog, water, and shockproof
- Hard-Anodized finish
- Superior durability
- Large diameter turrets
- APO lens system
- Lenses optically indexed
- XR™ Plus Fully Multi-Coated
- Precision-Glide Erector System
Cons:
- Pricey
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Does this scope have an illuminated reticle?
Answer: No, since this is not a quality night vision scope. But it performs satisfactorily in low light with a certain condition.
- Where is the Vortex Razor HD LH made?
Answer: Vortex Razor HD LH scopes are made in Japan
- Is the scope strong enough to stand up to 375 H&H?
Answer: Yes, it is really sufficient for 375.
- What is the advantage of this compared to a low power variable optic?
Answer: Longer range accuracy, great magnification like the excellent red dot magnifier, and wide field of view.
Final Words
Here is our final verdict about the Vortex Razor HD LH review. This high-end riflescope is a beast. You will not regret it if you avail it, that’s what we can assure you. You can try for other options out there but at that reasonable price point, you will hardly find any other better alternative. So next time before going hunting or shooting, just give it a shot. Happy shooting!
Kalman is a hunting expert who has a vast experience with wild game hunting. Though night time hunting is his favorite, he masters the art of daytime hunting and shooting. Being a nature lover and outdoor enthusiast, he wants to pass the knowledge acquired over time to the next generation.
