For years, American gun owners have been reaping the rewards of working directly with Chinese OEMs. Brands like DNT, Arken, and Discovery have proven that you don’t need to pay a “Western Brand Tax” to get high-quality glass.
However, there is a “new” player stepping out from behind the curtain: Vector Optics. While they’ve been the OEM manufacturer for several major brands for years, they are now pushing their own house brand, and their flagship Continental 4-24×56 is aiming straight for the PRS Production and NRL22 Base class markets.
Is it actually as good as the Western-branded scopes that cost hundreds more? Let’s dive into my first impressions.
Check Price: Vector Optics Continental 4-24×56 (Official Store) | Buy on Amazon
Why I Swapped My Primary Arms for the Continental
On my previous rimfire build, I was running the Primary Arms SLX 5-25×56. It’s a solid optic, but during match conditions, a few quirks started to bug me:
-
Cluttered Reticle: The stadia lines were a bit too thick for precise long-range rimfire work.
-
Field of View: It felt “tight” when trying to transition quickly between targets.
I considered the TRACT Optics 4-25×56 and the Telson Target Master, but both of those put me $100–$200 over the “Base Class” price cap for PRS Rimfire. The Vector Optics Continental hits that sweet spot of price-to-performance that stays within competition rules while offering “Western” glass quality.
Technical Specifications: At a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
| Magnification | 4-24x |
| Objective Lens | 56mm |
| Internal Elevation | 34 MIL |
| Glass Type | HD Glass (Schott & LaREE) |
| Turrets | Locking with Pop-up Indicators |
| Reticle | VCT-34 (Christmas Tree Style) |
Top-Tier Features for a Mid-Tier Price
1. The “Genius” Turret System
One of the coolest innovations on the Continental is the revolution indicator.
-
1st Rotation: Standard.
-
2nd Rotation: A red indicator pops up from the turret.
-
3rd Rotation: A silver indicator pops up.
If you’ve ever had a “brain fart” in the middle of a stage and forgot if you returned to zero, this system is a lifesaver. It also features 34 Mils of internal elevation, which is massive. On a 22LR with a 30 MOA base, I can dial out to 300m with ease.
2. Cleaner, Smarter Glass
Vector advertises a combination of ED glass, using Laowa Optics for internal lenses and Schott glass for the objective. Compared to the Primary Arms SLX and lower-end Arkens:
-
Color Profile: Much more natural, with fewer weird tints.
-
Chromatic Aberration: Significantly better controlled.
-
Clarity: It cuts through mirage at 200–300 yards much better than its competitors.
3. The Reticle: Clean Where It Counts
The Continental features a “Christmas Tree” style reticle, but with a twist. The top half is almost entirely clear. This is essential for spotting your own shots and transitioning between targets without losing the “big picture.” It includes a rangefinding feature, but it’s tucked away so it doesn’t distract from the vertical stadia.
The Trade-Off: Field of View vs. Eye Box
The Continental offers a significantly wider field of view than most scopes in its class. This is a huge advantage for PRS/NRL22 when you need to find targets quickly.
However, physics is a cruel mistress. That wider field of view results in a slightly tighter eye box and some minor distortion around the very edges of the image. If you stay centered, the image quality is superb, but it’s something to keep in mind if your cheek weld isn’t consistent.
Final Verdict: Who is this for?
If you are shooting Rimfire inside 400 yards or Centerfire inside 600 yards, the Vector Optics Continental is arguably the best “bang for your buck” on the market right now.
Is it a Nightforce, ZCO, or Tangent Theta? No. When you spend $3,000, you are paying for that final 5-10% of performance and extreme durability. But for the vast majority of shooters and competitors, the Continental does 95% of the work for 25% of the price.
SlavGuns Tip: If you’re looking to dominate the Production or Base classes this year without breaking the bank, this is the optic to beat.
Buy the Vector Optics Continental 4-24×56:
Stay tuned for the full review where I take this out to a PRS Rimfire match and push it to 700 yards on a centerfire rig. Keep on squatting, and I’ll see you in the next one!
Does the 34 MIL elevation range make this a “must-buy” for your rimfire rig, or do you prefer the older, more established Western brands?
Comment here