Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 Review – Affordable Long-Range Optics

Last updated on April 14th, 2025

The Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP has quickly earned its place as one of the most popular budget long-range scopes on the market. Originally launched off the back of Vortex’s highly successful LPVO range in 2015, the long-range variant dropped a few years later and immediately made waves — offering first focal plane functionality, locking turrets, and an illuminated reticle, all for under $1,000 USD.

A recent trip to the range gave me a proper chance to spend time behind the Strike Eagle, courtesy of a mate who’d just mounted it on his long-range .308 rig. With a background of using other Vortex optics like the HST and Viper PST Gen II, I was curious — does the Strike Eagle live up to the hype? Spoiler: it’s impressive.

Vortex

From my own Vortex Optics purchases over the years I quickly learned that Vortex’s strength is providing quality optics that exceed expectations of the budget category they are in. For a retail price of $899 USD, I wanted to know what exactly you are getting with the Strike Eagle. 

The Strike Eagle series of scopes come in many variants including 1-6×24, 1-8×24, 1-8×24 FFP, 3-18×44 FFP and 5-25×56 FFP. The model we are looking at is the 5-25×56 in the First Focal Plane. Out of the box the scope comes with a bunch of unexpected extras including a throw lever to make magnifications changes easier and a sunshade which helps protect against glare.

Out of the Box – First Impressions

From the outset, the Strike Eagle makes a strong impression. Out of the box, it includes a few extras that genuinely enhance the user experience — namely a throw lever to assist with magnification changes, and a screw-on sunshade to help reduce glare when shooting in bright conditions. It’s these small touches that make a big difference in day-to-day use, and it’s a welcome surprise in a price bracket where such accessories are often sold separately.

Construction

The magnification range of 5-25x hits the sweet spot for precision shooting and hunting. On the low end, it’s perfectly usable for spotting game or working targets within 100 metres, and at 25x, it gives the clarity and reach required to engage steel or paper at 1000 metres and beyond. The included throw lever makes transitioning between magnification ranges fast and fluid, something I always appreciate when shooting stages with multiple distance targets. The magnification ring itself has a smooth but deliberate feel, staying in place without requiring too much torque.

Build quality is where Vortex continues to punch above its price point. The Strike Eagle is constructed around a robust 34mm one-piece aircraft-grade aluminium tube, finished in a hard anodised matte black that feels as durable as it looks. The extra tube diameter isn’t just for show — it allows for a greater range of internal elevation and windage adjustments, and contributes to a stronger, more rigid optic overall. It’s also shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof, with a nitrogen-purged, O-ring-sealed construction that feels ready for the field. Despite the tough build and large 56mm objective, the Strike Eagle still weighs in at a respectable 862 grams (or 30.4 ounces), making it manageable for both chassis rifles and hunting rifles alike.

Glass

This is where expectations matter. If you’re comparing this to a Razor or a Schmidt & Bender, you’ll be disappointed. But against anything in its price class, the Strike Eagle performs well.

The image is sharp in the centre, with a noticeable drop in clarity toward the edges especially on higher magnification. You get decent contrast and colour, though it leans a little warm. Resolution is acceptable for identifying targets at long distances, but don’t expect alpha class performance. You’ll see more detail than with most cheaper optics, but heat haze and mirage become more visible as magnification increases past 20x.

Chromatic aberration is kept under control for the most part. It’s there if you look for it on high-contrast edges think light poles or target backers—but it’s not intrusive. Vortex doesn’t advertise what glass they use here, but it’s likely mid-tier Chinese ED glass. It gets the job done, and for the price, that’s fair.

Reticle

This scope is first focal plane, which means the reticle scales with magnification. That’s important for accurate holdovers at any zoom level. The only reticle available is the EBR-7C, offered in either MOA or MRAD versions. Both have a Christmas tree layout designed for quick corrections on wind and elevation.

The reticle is fine at lower magnification, but fully usable. At 25x, the lines are crisp and detailed enough for precise work. It’s illuminated with a centre dot and surrounding area that light up, which is ideal for low-light shooting. Illumination is controlled by a dial on the left turret and powered by a CR2032 battery. It has 11 brightness settings and an off position between each level.

Daylight visibility of the illuminated portion is not strong. It works better in dawn and dusk conditions or when your target is in shadow. That said, the scope doesn’t need bright illumination to be effective, the etched reticle is sharp and visible in nearly all lighting conditions.

Turrets, Zero Stop, and Parallax Adjustment

The Strike Eagle’s turrets are large and tactile, designed for easy adjustment even with gloves. Each click gives a clear stop, but they are softer than high-end scopes. The clicks are audible but not overly loud. Some users may find the detents a little mushy compared to more expensive scopes.

Adjustments are 0.1 MRAD (or ¼ MOA) per click, depending on which version you buy. The elevation turret features a built-in zero stop system that Vortex calls RevStop. It’s not tool-less, you’ll need to install a small shim inside the turret cap to activate it, but once it’s set, it’s reliable. The windage turret is capped by default, which is helpful if you prefer to hold for wind rather than dial.

The scope has 31 MRAD (or 110 MOA) of elevation adjustment, with 14.5 MRAD per revolution. That’s more than enough for most long-range work, especially when paired with a 20 MOA rail. Windage adjustment is 23 MRAD. The numbers on the turrets are large and easy to read, even in poor light.

Parallax is adjustable from 15 yards to infinity via the side focus knob. It’s smooth to turn, though a bit stiff when new. The parallax window is narrow, meaning you need to dial precisely to get the reticle and target in the same plane, especially above 20x. This can be annoying if you’re shooting quickly across different ranges.

The illumination control is located on the same turret as the parallax, and uses a standard dial. There’s no auto-off or motion sensor like you’d find on more expensive optics, but it’s simple and works. The red reticle illumination is dim in full sun but usable at lower light levels.

Real-World Performance

I ran the Strike Eagle 5-25×56 on my mates Tikka chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor but used my Hornady Match ammo. Zeroing with the new ammo was simple enough. The adjustments tracked as expected, and box tests confirmed the return to zero was consistent.

Shooting steel from 200 to 500 metres was straightforward with the scope. The EBR-7C reticle gave clear holds for both wind and elevation. At the upper end of magnification, image brightness drops a little. That’s typical for scopes in this price bracket and something to keep in mind if you often shoot in overcast or fading light.

The eyebox is tight at 25x. You need solid cheek weld and consistent positioning. Drop down to 12–18x and the scope becomes much more forgiving. That’s the sweet spot for most field shooting. On prone or bench setups it’s fine, but if you shoot from awkward positions, the narrow eyebox might frustrate you. Mounting looks easy thanks to the generous tube length. It fits most rings or one piece mounts with no issue. The scope does sit a bit high due to the 56mm objective lens, so a good cheek riser is helpful.

Final Thoughts – Is It Worth It?

The Strike Eagle line has always been popular with shooters who want good features without going broke. I’ve used other models like the 1-6x and 1-8x on friends .223’s, but the 5-25x is a different beast entirely. It’s Vortex offering long-range capability in an affordable, functional package.

There are better scopes out there in terms of optics. But they’ll cost you double or more. The Razor HD Gen II or Leupold Mark 5 offer clearer glass, better turrets, and a smoother experience. But they’re also not in the same price bracket. For the money, the Strike Eagle 5-25×56 does a lot right. It’s not flashy. It’s not perfect. But it’s tough, practical, and does what it says it will do.

If you’re getting into long-range shooting or want to upgrade from basic glass, the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 is worth considering. It gives you good tracking, usable FFP reticle, and decent glass at a price that makes sense. Just know its limits, especially at the high end of magnification. This is a good scope for someone shooting steel out to a kilometre, getting into PRS comps, or just needing a capable optic for a hunting rifle that reaches out further than usual.

Pros:

• Great Value: FFP reticle, zero stop, and 34mm tube for under $1,000 USD.
• Reliable Tracking: Holds zero and tracks consistently — confirmed with box tests.
• Generous Elevation Range: 31 MRAD of elevation makes it suitable for true long-range shooting.
• Included Extras: Comes with a throw lever and sunshade — uncommon at this price.

Cons:

• Turret Feel Could Be Better: Clicks are a bit mushy compared to premium scopes.

Specifications

SKU	VORSE-525
Model #	SE-525
Brand	Vortex
Product Line	Strike Eagle
Magnification	5-25x
Objective Lens Diameter	56mm
Tube Size	34mm
Focal Plane	FFP
Reticle	EBR-7C
Eye Relief	94mm
Field of View	24.0-5.2ft @ 100yds
Adjustement Graduation	1/4 MOA | .1 MRAD
Travel Per Rotation	25 MOA | 10 MRAD
Max Elevation Adjustment	110 MOA | 31 MRAD
Max Windage Adjustment	78 MOA | 23 MRAD
Parallax Setting	14m to Infinity
Length	371mm
Weight	862grams
Colour	Matte Black