Muzzle-Loaders Genesis & Vortex Crossfire II 1x Scopes - Review

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Written by: Brady Smith
Category: Firearms & Shooting
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Comparison View of Muzzle-Loaders Genesis and Vortex Crossfire II 1x Scopes

Muzzle-Loaders Genesis and Vortex Crossfire II 1x Scopes

Muzzle-Loaders Genesis and Vortex Crossfire II 1x scopes look very similar. The Genesis is a little shorter in length and they both show 11 ounces on my scale. Both have roughly a 3 MOA reticle thickness, although the Genesis appears to be a little smaller because the heavier duplex is positioned further from the center.

Both have similar clarity and quality to their tubes, glass and function. The Vortex is made in the Philippines and the Muzzle-Loaders Genesis is made in China. The price of the Vortex is around $80 more than the Genesis.

The following photos showing targets and reticles are taken with my phone held behind the scopes. The photos are not perfectly clear, but the best I could get working with holding my phone steady and getting it to focus on the target area.

Muzzle-Loaders Genesis 1x Scope at 300 Yards

Muzzle-Loaders Genesis Reticle on 300 Yard Target

Muzzle-Loaders Genesis Reticle on 300 Yard Target

The top photo shows the Genesis aimed to the right and above an 11x17" target at 300 yards. The torso height of a mule deer is in the 17+" range for reference size. The lower photo shows the crosshair placed on the 11x17" target. As you can see or should I say not see, is the target. The roughly 3+ MOA width reticle covers up the target.

Vortex Crossfire II 1x Scope at 300 Yards

Vortex Crossfire Reticle on 300 Yard Target

Vortex Crossfire Reticle on 300 Yard Target

The top photo shows the Vortex Crossfire aimed to the right and above an 11x17" target at 300 yards and the lower photo shows the crosshair placed on the 11x17" target. Just like the Genesis 1x scope, the roughly 3+ MOA width reticle covers up the target.

BDC Holdovers for Genesis 1x Scope

BDC Holdovers for Genesis 1x Scope

Shown here is a 22"x17" target at 100 yards. Holding the Genesis reticle on the top edge of the target, using it as a size reference and using the ballistics of a 280 Gr Powerbelt ELR bullet in my CVA Paramount, I calculated the MOA of the holdovers and the distances these holdovers would be for. It is a little difficult to get the exact MOA size of the reticle, given that it is a 1x scope, but I am in the ballpark. What is not in the ballpark is that the 3 MOA width of the reticle is too large for a 300-yard shot on a deer-sized target, let alone a 675-yard shot.

If you are looking for a muzzleloader-usable BDC reticle in a 1x scope, the only option I have found is the Primary Arms SLx with Gemini 9mm Reticle.

Having a BDC reticle for a 1x scope is a nice idea, but ultimately, a floating-point 1 MOA dot reticle with target turrets and a zero stop would be the best. Leupold tried to give us a scope like this with their 1 MOA red dot scope but hmm...

Vortex Crossfire II and Muzzle-Loaders Genesis 1x Scope Turrets

Muzzle-Loaders Genesis and Vortex Crossfire II 1x Scope Turrets

Crossfire on the left, Genesis on the right. Turrets on the Muzzle-Loaders Genesis and Vortex Crossfire II 1x scopes are similar. Both have 1/2 MOA adjustable turrets. The Genesis has a little play in between each click but the clicks are very distinct and audible. The Crossfire has zero play, but the clicks are very soft... it's kind of hard to even feel that there is a click. Either of these scopes could be used to dial up longer shots, except the limiting factor preventing this is the heavy reticles that block most of the view of any deer-sized targets past 250 yards or so.

Both of these scopes would make good muzzleloader scopes. For me, with a muzzleloader that is capable of effectively shooting 500 yards and beyond with a variable power scope, my preference is to get the best option that can get me accurately shooting as close as possible to the effectiveness of my Paramount or Endura muzzleloader. Both of these scopes would work to dial up a longer shot, but the heaviness of the reticle is the limiting factor. 200-250 yards is where these scopes max out for me because of the thick reticles.

If I had to choose between these two scopes, I would get the Genesis. They both appear to be similar in quality and the Genesis is around $80 less in price. With that said, neither of these scopes is my choice for my Endura muzzleloader.

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