But you could also achieve greater magnification for long range shots, just like any other rifle scope.
This article will look at five different low-powered variable optics (LPVO) for the Springfield Hellion.
Youve probably noticed how often bullpup rifles like the Hellion are equipped with magnified optics.
GunSpot tested a variety of LPVO scopes for the Hellion. One was the Vortex Strike Eagle, shown above that proved to be a good compromise between budget and quality.
If you are unfamiliar with these optics, check out our articleWhat Is an LPVO Scope?
While bullpup rifles can be accurate, they are generally not known for being long-range shooting rifles.
We worked closely with Optics Planet to comprise a list of optics that could appeal to various shooters.
Fiocchi donated a generous supply of its Hyperformance Match .223 ammunition for scope testing. The round uses a 69-grain Sierra Matchking BT-HP bullet with a nominal velocity of 2,850 fps.
So, whether you are interested in spending $300 on a scope or $3,000, fear not.
We got you covered.
We also have a variety of zoom ranges in our selection that all fall in the LPVO range.
Trybe SLED is the least expensive scope in this list, with a price of less than $250. It mounted to the Hellion without any issues.
All the terms and numbers confusing?
No worries we explain them all in the articleRifle Scopes: Terms it’s crucial that you Know.
The scope model is the S.L.E.D.
The author shot this group from the Hellion using the Trybe scope and Fiocchi’s Hyperformance ammunition. The final five shots make up the central cluster.
1-6, which has a street price less than $250.
This scope has a 30 mm tube, and it has a second focal plane reticle.
The scope has a 24 mm objective lens diameter with a multicoated lens.
Vortex includes a throw lever on the Strike Eagle scope. The author feels this kind of lever is a “must” for a LPVO.
The reticle is a BDC reticle with drop and wind holds.
That means the power level you zero the scope at is your true zero.
It also means that the holds in the reticle match the ballistic drops at the maximum power only.
At 100 yards, the Vortex Strike Eagle helped make this group with the Hellion. The final five-shot group put four in the red with the final shot just beyond.
The reticle is illuminated with ten different levels of illumination, and it is powered by a single CR2032.
The battery can power it for up to 300 hours on the medium setting.
The scope ships with a handy plastic tool thats used to take off the battery cap.
Steiner’s P4Xi 1-4x low power scope had excellent turrets, allowing easy adjustments when sighting in.
This tool is fantastic as it will not mar the scopes finish.
The refined aiming point of this scope and the refined holds make this scope easy to aim.
However, dont expect daylight brightness out of this scopes illumination.
With the Steiner P4Xi 1-4x scope, the Hellion shot very good groups at 100 yards.
Overall, its a great cost-effective option that zeroed easily, with positive adjustments that had an audible click.
This is due to its precise aiming point and reticle that doesnt overwhelm the sight picture.
The second scope in our tier is the Vortex Stike Eagle 1-8, which is priced around $600.
The Vortex Razor Gen III is the priciest scope on the list but it’s also packed with features like an incredibly bright reticle and a unique finish.
This scope is built on a 30 mm tube with a 24 mm objective, multicoated front lens.
The reticle is a little busier, but all in all, its still highly usable.
The thicker parts of the reticle work well once illuminated and in the one-power setting.
LPVO scopes balance very well on bullpup rifles like the Springfield Hellion. They can extend your reach beyond what you typically can shoot with a red dot.
It creates almost a red dot effect.
This scope is very light, with a weight of only 17.3 oz.
This scope ships with an included throw lever to assist you in quickly zooming the scope up or down.
A five-shot group with the Vortex Razor showed what the scope on a Hellion could do at 100 yards.
This is very beneficial as without it; the power ring has a fair amount of friction.
Read our article onfirst focal plane vs. second focal plane scopesfor more information.
The reticle lights up via a CR2032 battery and has 11 total brightness prefs.
This scope, compared to the others in our list, has a less detailed, simple reticle.
So while it has its challenges, its still highly functional.
This scopes illumination is also incredibly bright, and the illuminated section of the reticle is large.
This makes quick target acquisition extremely easy with this optic.
Steiner P4Xi 1-4x 24mm SFP Specifications
Ideal 1-6x Scope?
This is the first scope that I have had prior experience with.
A while ago, I reviewed the Trijicon Credo HX 1-4.
This is also the first scope to be listed as a hunting scope specifically.
Trijicon has two series of Credo scopes.
The Credo is a tactical series, and the Credo HX is a hunting series of scopes.
Now here is what is interesting between the Credo 1-6 and the Credo HX 1-6.
Both scopes had the same reticle, just different units of measurement.
So dont discredit the Credo HX line because its a hunting scope.
The Credo HX 1-6x has a 30 mm tube with a 24 mm multicoated objective lens.
The one we tested out was green illumination.
The scope itself will ship with an attached throw lever and bikini-style scope caps.
The group out of this scope was great and ended up being around the 1 MOA mark.
The end result was a fantastic grouping at 100 yards.
Trijicon did a fantastic job on this optic, for sure.
If you are wondering why well, its because this scope is, without a doubt, awesome.
But is the awesomeness worth the price tag?
The scope is a first focal plane scope with a reticle that can come with MOA or MRAD measurements.
The scopes body is larger and heavier due to the 34 mm tube, but its also robust.
The adjustments turrets are large, and they are capped to preserve you zero.
The adjustments are .25 MOA at a time to allow you to adjust your scope.
The illumination knob is a locked knob which makes it unique to other scopes in our lineup.
The scope itself has an aesthetic that some may not like, but I happened to love it.
The scope has a unique brown color that is similar to burnt bronze but perhaps a little bit darker.
I will say that Vortex spared no expense with the packaging.
Vortex was trying to make a first impression for sure.
Shooting with this optic was a great opportunity.
Its price point puts it in a tier that will keep it out of the hands of many.
So is the price tag of $2,499 worth it?
This is a highly unusual but very welcomed feature.
The build, glass, quality, adjustment knobs, and light transmission are also outstanding.
The Hellion is perfect for magnified optics.
The Hellion has really exceptional accuracy for a semi-automatic bullpup rifle.
That accuracy, though, would not have been possible without Fiochii providing .223 MatchKing ammo for our test.
Any of these models of scopes would fit the Hellion and its capabilities well.
It all comes down to preference.
A special thank you to Fiocchi for donating a generous supply of its Hyperformance Match ammunition.
The author used this ammo exclusively in the Hellion to test the scopes.
The Hyperformance Match load is designed for competition where precision is exceptionally important.
Be sure to give it a look!
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