Almost four years ago, I posted one of my first rifle scope reviews of my Vortex Diamondback Tactical (DBT). For the longest while it was my go-to scope on my Ruger Precision Rimfire when I wasn’t testing a scope. In those intervening three years I’ve reviewed dozens of scopes and thought it was worth revisiting my assessment of it.
The DBT is one of Vortex most affordable partly due to it’s more paired down features. It does not have illumination, a zero stop elevation turret, nor locking windage. It does have an excellent FFP reticle with a Christmas tree for long-distance shooting and nice thick outer cross hairs to make it easier to see the reticle out at low power. It was a “cross-over” scope before there was even a term for it. I especially like its tiny 0.25 open center, which allows me to more precisely see the center X when competing at 100yrd matches.
What I’ve forgotten or failed to notice was the DBT’s faults. The scope has an unforgiving eyebox at 24x. It has rather sloppy feeling turrets that pass the box test and track. The glass has noticeable chromatic aberration but despite that shows surprisingly sharp resolution.
Despite its flaws it is still a solid performer and one of the best value scopes, giving a solid option in Vortex’s low entry level scopes.
RESOLUTION
Element: 5 / Group -1
PRODUCT AFFILIATE LINKS
Diamondback Tactical: https://amzn.to/3nadcCS
SPECS
- 6-24x50mm
- Tube Diameter: 30 mm
- Eye Relief: 3.9 inches
- FOV @100 yards: 18-4.5 ft
- Reticle: EBR-2C (MOA)
- Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Max Adjust Elevation: 65MOA
- Max Adjust Windage: 65MOA
- Parallax: 10yds-Infinity
- Length: 14.28 inches
- Weight: 24.6 ounces
