Vortex 2-7 rimfire vs Airmax Vantage 2-7 AO??

Are you looking at the Vantage or the Airmax from Hawke?

Both the Vantage & the Hawke have adjustable AO down to seven yards. The Vortex is fixed parallax at 50 yards.

Vantage is a simple mildot reticle, Airmax is mildot with some additional wind holds, IIRC. I have heard the Airmax reticle is thinner than the Vantage reticle.

Vortex is a thick duplex.

I also like a low magnification variable for my 'woods' rifles. I have two of the Riton scopes linked below and love them! Good glass, side parallax/focus to 15yds, fine, open duplex style reticle and both my scopes have never lost zero.

Check these out, you might find they meet your needs.

Few more ounces Athlon Argos HMR 2-12x

Here’s another option. Parallax is fixed at 60 yards but is very clear at less than 10 yards. I have one on a rimfire. https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-2-7x33-rimfire-moa-riflescope

This may help.
https://us.hawkeoptics.com/airmax-2-7x32-amx.html
https://us.hawkeoptics.com/vantage-4x32-ao-mil-dot.html

I have used the 3x9x40 Airmax for about 3 years now. A Vantage 3x9x40 for about 4. Both are AO.

I've got a couple fixed 4x Vantage scopes that are just great. They cost a whopping $99 and have served me well.

The Airmax reticle is great but can be hard to see in shadows and low light. It's great for targets and plinking but it's not the best scope for hunting. The Vantage has a medium crosshair and is perfect for hunting. It's a little thick for target and precision shooting.

A Sightron S1 4x16x40 is a step up from the Airmax and just a few more dollars. It's a fine scope with a sensible reticle and good glass. I've been using one for about a year and I like it a lot.

I bought a Leupold 3x9 Rimfire scope with fixed parallax. It is simply not in the same class as the Hawke or the Sightron. I was really disappointed by it. IMHO there are much better scopes for half the price. The Hawke Vantage 3x9x40 AO is one of many.

I've never been a big fan of Vortex scopes. I have had a couple and I'm not thrilled. I have never used their rimfire scopes. They may be excellent.