Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm Review – 2022 Guide

Arguably one of the best high-performance rifle scope on the market today is the Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52. The Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52 isn’t for your average hunter.

It is designed to be the best competitive high-performance rifle scope for the most serious sharp-shooter.

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Optically indexed HD lenses with XR coating
  • Fine resolution turrets with aperture stop ring
  • Optional 10 MOA windage turret with laser marks
View Latest Price →

Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52mm

Pros

  • 3.9" eye relief
  • Great magnification range
  • ECR or SCR reticle options
  • Adjustability at ⅛ MOA per click

Cons

  • No illumination capability

Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm Specs

Eye Relief: 3.9 inches

Adjustment Options: ⅛ of MOA per click

Parallax: 20 yards to infinity

Windage: 45 MOA

Elevation: 55 MOA

Type of Reticle: SCR or ECR

SCR Reticle:

ECR Reticle:

Magnification: 15-60x

Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane

Objective Lens: 52mm

Field of View: 6.3 feet at 100 yards

Pros

The Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52mm is one of the priciest models on the market, but it has the features and qualities to back it up. It is undoubtedly the SFP scope you would want to use for long-range.

Adjustability at ⅛ MOA per Click

One of the best features of the Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52 is that you can dial in the MOA by ⅛ with every click. This gives you the most precise adjustment possible when adjusting for windage and elevation. This is especially important when you are taking long-range shots which is likely what you will be doing with this scope. 

Most SFP scopes adjust at ¼ MOA per click which is typically efficient, but because the Vortex Golden Eagle magnifies to 60x, it requires more precision than most. This is why Vortex made sure the adjustability can be dialed down to ⅛ of an MOA instead of just ¼.

Variable Magnification is Exceptional for Long Range Shots

The magnification of the Vortex Golden Eagle is 15x and increases to 60x. The magnification, along with the precise MOA adjustability, makes it easy to dial in the exact location of the target you are shooting. With 15-60x magnification, you can shoot a target successfully and confidently from 500+ yards away.

15x magnification is what many scopes max out at; so to have a scope that is standard 15x means you likely won’t have to make any adjustment to the magnification when taking a shot 500 yards. 

With 60x magnification, you can easily make a shot from 1,000 yards away, but it can be harder to focus on an object when it is magnified so much; especially a small object. For this reason, 15x magnification may be used more than 60x, but at least you have the option to magnify 60x if you need it which is why it is one of the biggest advantages to this scope.

3.9” Eye Relief is Both Safe and Clear

The eye relief from such a powerful scope like this one is better than many second focal plane scopes. It has an eye relief of 3.9 inches, which means you can safely keep your eye 3.9 inches away from the ocular lens while maintaining a clear view of the reticle. 

Eye relief is important because it means you will maintain a clear line of vision through the scope without having to increase the distance between your eye and the scope. The closer your eye is to the scope, the more likely the scope will hit your eye or forehead during recoil. 

The 3.9” eye relief means you can maintain a safe distance from the lens of the scope while also maintaining a clear line of vision.

ECR or SCR Reticle

You can choose between an ECR or SCR reticle when purchasing your Vortex Golden Eagle. This gives you the option to choose the best reticle for your personal preference.

The ECR reticle has windage and elevation hash marks that make it easy to calculate the exact MOA adjustment you need to make.

The SCR reticle is standard vertical and horizontal lines that intersect to show you where you will make your shot.

Cons

The Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52mm is arguably one of the most elite scopes for long-range shooting, but there are some downfalls as well.  

Limited to Long-Range Shots

With the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52mm, you’re essentially limited to only using this scope for long-range shooting. But if you're considering this scope, this likely isn't an issue for you. 

However, if you’re an average hunter who is looking to add a strong scope to his or her collection for more accurate long-shots, we recommend a scope that has less magnification. Any scope with 4x to 12x will be the optimal range for most small or big game hunting. 

Yes, it’s Pricy

The other downfall to this rifle scope is the price. The features of the Vortex Golden Eagle are superior and offer the most precise long-range shots. Unfortunately, this comes at a hefty price point.

The price tag includes strong magnification, precise reticles, long eye relief, and exceptional parallax. If you can get past the Golden Eagle's cost, it makes you understand what features you are getting for the money.

No Illumination Capability

The Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52 does not have illumination capabilities that allow you to adjust the brightness during low light settings.

Because competitive shooters often use the Vortex Golden Eagle, this may not be an issue for those who will be shooting during the day; however, if you plan on using the Vortex Golden Eagle while hunting, it’s important to know that it will be the most difficult to see your target during the dawn and dusk hours.

Fortunately, Vortex has designed the Golden Eagle with high-density, extra-low dispersion lenses to help you see your target more clearly when the lighting is poor.

Best Uses For the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm

The Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52 should be used by serious competitive shooters, professional shooters, or professional big game hunters. It is not recommended for casual hunting or target practice, especially if taking short to medium-range shots.

15x magnification is often the maximum magnification that a hunter will use, and this is only when taking those long shots that are 500 yards away. Because the Vortex Golden Eagle is standard at 15x and can increase up to 60x, it’s best used for long-range target practice or other competition shooting. 

We’ll explain a little more about magnification and yardage below.

How Does Magnification Play a Role in Using the Vortex Golden Eagle?

Magnification is one of the primary key features that makes the Vortex Golden Eagle best for professional or competitive shooters. This is because the magnification allows the shooter to magnify the target in the reticle up to 60x. This gives the shooter a significantly increased likelihood of hitting the target.

Combine the magnification with the precise ⅛ MOA adjustability. The shooter will always have an advantage over other shooters who are shooting at the same distance with a less powerful scope.

What is Yardage and How Does it Play a Role in Using the Vortex Golden Eagle?

One minute of angle (MOA) is equivalent to a one-inch difference in the distance every 100 yards. This is the difference in distance between your reticle and the barrel of your gun for every 100 yards that the bullet travels.

A bullet that travels longer in the air will slow down the farther it flies. The longer a bullet is in the air, the quicker it will fall. This is why 500-yard shots are so hard to take. You have to adjust for the windage and elevation that your bullet will go through during those 500 yards while in the air.

With the Vortex Golden Eagle, you can adjust the windage and elevation at ⅛ of an MOA per click when turning the dials. The maximum windage MOA is 45 MOA, and the maximum elevation MOA is 55 MOA. This means you can adjust the scope by 45 MOA left or right and 55 MOA in elevation. This allows you to dial into the most precise shot as possible from hundreds of yards away.

Is the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm Hard to Use?

The Vortex Golden Eagle isn’t hard to use for those who know how to shoot from long distances. With that being said, it’s not the type of rifle scope you would want to use if you are casually hunting and will only take short to medium-range shots. There are plenty of other rifle scopes to choose from when wanting to recreationally hunt or target practice for fun.

Is the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm Compatible With Any Rifle?

Yes, you can place the Golden Eagle 15 60x52 on any centerfire rifle. However, it’s important to know that the Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52 weighs nearly 30 ounces, which means it will add a notable amount of weight to your rifle. If you don’t have a rifle that can withstand the amount of weight, it may not be able to stay securely fastened or accurately sighted in once it is mounted.

What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm?

As we mentioned above, the best rifle to mount the Vortex Golden Eagle onto is a powerful centerfire rifle that will be able to take long-distance shots. You will need to add 30mm mounting rings to your centerfire rifle to securely mount the riflescope onto your rifle.

What Makes the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm Stand Out From the Competition?

The magnification, ⅛ MOA adjustability, and substantial eye relief are what make this high-performance riflescope a step above the rest. The ability to magnify up to 60x means that you can take the longest shot possible for both target shooting and hunting. It has 20 yards to infinity parallax with a wide field of view, giving you the clearest and most unobstructed shot each time.

Conclusion

If you will be shooting competitively or making long-distance shots while big game hunting, you need to add the Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52 to your rifle. It will allow you to significantly magnify your target so that you can make the most precise shot.

People Also Ask

If you will be shooting competitively or making long-distance shots while big game hunting, you need to add the Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52 to your rifle. It will allow you to significantly magnify your target so that you can make the most precise shot.

What Kind of Warranty Does the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm Come With?

The Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52 comes with the Vortex lifetime warranty. Vortex promises to each customer that they will repair or replace your riflescope if it becomes defective or damaged during use.

How Much Does the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm Weigh?

The Vortex Golden Eagle 15 60x52 weighs 29.7 ounces, making it a rather heavy riflescope to add to your rifle. For this reason, you will want to make sure you add the Golden Eagle rifle scope to a rifle that can withstand the extra weight.

Can You Use Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm in Low Light?

You could, but it will not be a great experience. Vortex has designed the Golden Eagle with high-density, extra-low dispersion lenses that allow the clearest and most exceptional image quality while looking through the lens. While there are no illumination capabilities on the Golden Eagle riflescope to adjust for low light conditions, the lenses allow you to see your target more clearly in low light conditions.

How Long Does the Battery Last on the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60X52mm?

The Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52 battery lasts for about 150 hours.



Michael Lutes

Michael Lutes is the managing editor and owner at Gun Mann. He is a veteran, gun enthusiast, 3 gun competitor, and 2a advocate. Mike has a passion for innovation and education across the industry to create great content, training, and insights from the best and brightest.