The 1-6x scope can do almost anything.
Close-up shots at 1x is almost the same speed as a red dot. And 6x allows you to hit targets out at several hundred yards easy.
I’ve bought and used a bunch of 1-6x scopes for competition and plinking over the past few years.
Here’s my favorite Low Power Variable Optics (LPVOs) across a couple of price ranges. All with real views and videos through the scopes.
Why a 1-6x Optic?
Like I mentioned above…if you choose the right LPVO and reticle you’ll be almost as fast as a standard red dot.
But should you go with an 1-6x over a red dot and magnifier combo?
Pros of an LPVO over a Magnifier Combo
- A range of magnification instead of either 1x or 3x (mostly) which makes it great for competitions
- Etched reticle doesn’t require a battery and is clearer for folks with astigmatism
- Better reticles for distance shooting
Cons of an LPVO over a Magnifier Combo
- Weight and cost (though there’s a couple great bang-for-the-buck options now)
- Not quite as fast as a red dot
- Illumination usually isn’t daylight bright
If a magnifier combo seems like a better idea right now…check out our Best 3x Magnifiers.
And for more information on choosing an LPVO over combo…check out this article from Primary Arms.
Now let’s get to our picks!
Best 1-6x Scopes & LPVOs
1. Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x
I was so happy when the Strike Eagle came out.
I was ready to move up from my 1-4x Burris Tac30 ($240) I used for a year and that was losing me time after my local rifle competition introduced ~400 yard targets.
This is a view of 1-4x for comparison aiming at 100 yard steel plates:
There were some 1-6x scopes out but they were expensive. The Vortex Strike Eagle made it accessible for normal folks at around $300 (just a little step up from 1-4x scopes).
It had everything you needed with decent glass. Very minimal side distortion on the sides at 1x.
And acceptable clarity at 6x.
The illuminated reticle is also not daylight bright. Fine for dusk/dawn but don’t expect it to be a red dot at other times.
I’d knock the reticle a little bit…I prefer a dot or cross for 1x shots. But the bullet drop compensation (BDC) marks did help for the couple hundred yard shots.
It held zero for the 2 years I used it as my primary rifle competition optic. And the magnification ring was easily turned for speed since it has a protruding fin.
We also have a full YouTube video review:
And a full written review too.
At the end…my runner-up recommendation for a budget 1-6x scope. With Vortex you also get a transferable lifetime warranty.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Recommended Accessories:
- Aero Ultralight 30MM Scope Mount (Extended) ($70): my go-to mount for several optics
- Vortex Switchview Throw Lever ($59): if you want to switch magnification faster
2. Primary Arms 1-6x ACSS
My new recommendation for the best budget 1-6x scope is the PA 1-6x with ACSS Reticle.
I’ve always heard of Primary Arms having affordable optics that perform great. Now I’m finally a believer after using their 1-6x and 4-14x scope that they sent me for testing.
It’s the same price range as the Strike Eagle at under $300. But if you purchase directly from Primary Arms you get free rings or a discounted single-piece mount.
So far both have held zero admirably…although a little heavy. I’d opt for the single-piece over the rings since it’s much easier to take on and off without losing zero.
Now…how does it look through the glass compared to the Strike Eagle.
Less distortion at 1x. And much clearer at 6x.
Here is the Strike Eagle at 6x again:
I also like the ACSS reticle a lot more. It has a single arrow for precise work but also the bigger bold circle for hosing targets. The BDC also worked well for several hundred yard shots.
I haven’t shot the PA as much as the Strike Eagle but so far so good. Zero has held for several range trips (2000 round count now) but I’ll report back if anything changes.
Magnification ring is also easy to manipulate but illumination shown at the beginning of the video is only useful for dusk/dawn.
For under $300 to get decent glass and a free mount (although heavy)…you can’t ask for anything better than that. Plus PA offers a lifetime warranty. I had a damaged red dot and they took care of it quickly & easily (Best Budget Red Dots).
Note that PA’s stock goes in and out since the 1-6x sells like hotcakes. I also dig the simple reticle of the 1-6x KISS model.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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*Update* Now we have a full review AND a YouTube video…
What do you think of the PA 1-6x with ACSS?
3. Vortex Viper PST II 1-6x
If you want to spend a little more to get a much better glass and a day-time bright red-dot. I would heavily recommend the Vortex Viper PST II. I saw it at SHOT Show 2017 and had to buy it as soon as it was available.
It’s my current competition rifle optic.
Forgiving eyebox (how specific your eye placement needs to be) and little distortion at 1x and 6x. When you’re actually on the rifle it’s like having a thin black circle and a floating reticle.
Hard to replicate that through a cell phone camera!
And here it is at 6x.
I also really like the reticle because of the red dot. I’ll try to get a better picture of it later since it was a super sunny day. It even washed out the reticles in my Best Holographic Sights article when they were fine to my eyes.
Zero has held well in the Aero mount and magnification ring manipulation is fine too. I’ve been putting off on getting a scope lever since my competition stages usually require only one change.
My current recommendation for the best bang-for-the-buck higher end 1-6x scope.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Recommended Accessories:
Honorable Mentions
There’s a lot of scopes out there…and these honorable mentions are for the higher end ones. These are the ones I’ve shot at ranges or borrowed a fellow competitor’s rifle for use on a stage.
When a slight edge in performance is worth a few hundred (or thousand) more dollars over the PST II…
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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The highest end Vortex has a much more forgiving eyebox and better glass while still having the daylight bright illumination. My favorite for a future upgrade.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Lightweight and awesome describes the Kahles.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Daylight bright and awesome glass you can expect from the name Swarovski. If money were no object.
If you’re not looking to drop that kind of money though, maybe the Primary Arms 1-8x SLx is what you’re looking for.
Check out the hands-on review for a lot more info!
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Conclusion
Scopes have come a long way in the last few years. Quality glass for plinking and competition doesn’t have to break the bank now (but always can).
My go-to recommendation for a budget 1-6x scope is the Primary Arms.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Runner-up is the Strike Eagle 1-6x that has served me well and will still live on in a backup competition upper.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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And my best bang-for-the-buck optic is Vortex’s Viper PST II.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Let us know if we missed any that we should try out in the future. And for more of our favorite guns & gear…check out our Editor’s Picks. Or for more optics…check out From Red Dots to Magnified. Want to learn more about scopes? Read up on first focal plane and second focal plane scopes in our guide.
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What about the Sig Saure Tango MSR? Where would you put it on your list?
I think other than weight it is hard to beat the Jerry Miculek simple reticle on the Vortex HD 2 1x6. Some might knock SFP but most either shoot 1 or 6 so it keeps it easy. Next review should be 1-8 vs picking up the extra 2 on 1-10 scopes. Some will argue that for the housing and body you can beat clarity of 1-6 as you push up even with larger tubes. I am most interested in a show down between Eotech Vudu 1-10 vs NightForce NX8 1-8.
I bought vortex's 1-4x scope for my AR which should be plenty to shoot out to a couple hundred yards for most people but I found I enjoy being 'closer' with my optic so by the time I hit 50 yards its almost too far away from the target to hit accurately for me because my eyesight isn't the worst in the world but it's not the best in the world either as far as small details go. But vortex offers a 2x magnifier for the scope I have so im likely going to buy that and end up with a 2-8x which will help me get out to 100-200 yards hopefully
I also was considering the Vudo but the 2 year warranty on electronics kinda made me look elsewhere. Most reputable scope manufacturers these days have a lifetime no questions asked warranty. I know it's been years since eotech had issues with their scopes but they did so I'll stick with the Vortex Razor.
Nice reviews. In fact I just purchased the Primary Arms LPVO! And because I went through your affiliate link I saved $60.00 on the FREE 30mm scope mount. Thanks...!
Missing the mark without a Vudu 2.5 x 10 for sure illuminated and FFP too.
Hello, maybe I am missing something if this scope Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x is the runner up; however, this scope Primary Arms 1-6x ACSS is the number one pick. Is this correct?
Why isn’t a VUDU on this? Any particular reason?
I’m
Guessing warranty? Vortex and primary arms have some of the best.
EOTECH has a great warranty on the VUDUS.
On which magnification should a LPVO be sighted in?
They can be zero'd on any magnification!
Should be sighted in in accordance to the reticle. Most of the LPVOs have BDC Reticles that will need to be zeroed at 100 yards. With that the majority of them have Second focal plane Reticles than need to be at full power for the BDC to be accurate. Something less talked about is that the magnification can be cut in half and then in turn your data on the BDC will be half.
Is there anything different one has to do to zero the LPVO or does the 25 yard zero target work?
Zero process is the same! Check your scope owner's manual though for what zero distance should be used. The specialized reticles like Primary Arms, Vortex, and SWFA use a specific distance that depends on the exact scope. Normally I see 50 yards as the standard they use, but I've also seen 25 and 100 yards. Make sure to double-check!
Awesome, roger that.
What about Burris RT6 or the MTAC????
PA is constantly out of stock!
Yup, I have read a lot of great things about the rt6, and apparently is not made in China, unlike the PA and Strike Eagle. Would love to get the Pew Pew take on the Burris.
Holy poors.
Hey Eric,
Thx for ur great article, I really enjoy it. For this readon I have ordered the PA 1-6x24. Which mount (Ruger 10/22) can u recommend?
Besides the Aero Precision ;)
I really like the Burris PEPR QD mount on my Ruger 10/22!
SFP vs FFP...pros & cons please. Shopping for a new optic and looking for some experienced info on the two. Leaning toward the FFP since I don't see any negative feedback.
SFP will have a reticle that is the same size at all magnification ranges, this makes for an easy to see reticle even at short ranges but means that the BDC holds will only be calibrated for a certain magnification.
FFP the reticle changes based on magnification, this makes the BDC holds calibrated for all magnifications but gives you a harder to see reticle at short range. FFP is also normally a decent amount more cost.
Personally, I like FFP for precision shooting or shooting past 300+ yards. I like SFP for shorter ranges or "good enough" shooting like for 3- or 2-gun.
Burris RT6 is hands down better than PA and SE. better glass and clarity . I’ve had all 3
Hey ho, whats about the TANGO6 1-6×24 by Sig Sauer? I think the US Army has chosen it as scope for the squad designated marksman rifle a year ago.
Wow, not a single Leupold scope mentioned? I purchased a VX-R Patrol 1.25x4 powered scope ($700 msrp) for $309 on EBay dot com. Excellent quality scope for the price point. To my almost 50yr old eyes, this low-powered scope is a blessing. I took my Ruger AR-556MPR to the range and at 30yds this scope at it's maximum setting made my target look like it was only 5yds away. Definitely worth the price paid. I was cross-shopping the Leupold to the Steiner p4xi but I just couldn't justify the extra $150 for it.
Because 1.25x sucks for both-eyes-open shooting.
If all I wanted was a Lifetime Warrany the PA maybe. But only being a waterproof, not fogproof, not shockproof and non NVG compatible 1x6 scope makes it inferior to the Vortex out of the gate. Glass clarity is to a point, subjective and is augued among the very best of scopes. Resistent is NOT proof. BTW Primary Arms lists the Vortex as Non NVG compatable, however, a simple phone call to Vortex for the uneducated will clear that right up.
How are you going to review a bunch of 1-6x scopes and not mention the Atibal XP6 1-6x24? Pretty sure it is the only 1-6x First Focal Plane optic on the market for under $500 (I read that in Recoil). This was a good article and you reviewed some great products, but the XP6 definitely should have made the list.
Looking to have that in the next version!
Woohoo! Glad to see the ACSS 1-6x finally get recognized and reviewed as the tremendous deal, and incredible reticle, that it is. I try to recommend Primary Arms whenever I can, their prices are great, customer service is well above average, and you can't beat the glass for the price.
Their owner is also really down to earth and helpful, he's a regular forum contributed over at ARF.
Also recommend their 2.5x, 3x, and 5x fixed prism scopes. Etched reticle, similar ACSS idea, and they work for people with astigmatism, which is a major problem with traditional red dots. The 2.5x and 3x can be used both eyes open with just a bit of practice.
What about the Shepherd scope? I realize you cannot have every scope. i just rediscovered them myself I was looking for a moderately priced 16 and did some digging and found them
Actually haven't seen one yet!
I would have loved a comparison to the Cadillac--the VCOG from Trijicon. I was so impressed that their 1-4 accupoint performed just like a red dot at 1x, true two eyes open shooting with no hassle around parallax or eye-relief, I'm really curious if their 1-6, or 1-8 accupower are as good. Also, Eotech has come out with their new Vudu in 1-6 and it has that same 65-MOA big circle reticle as their holosights. It's in first focal plane, and the dot in the middle is actually a mini bdc horseshoe, which zooms when the scope zooms so at 6x the big ring goes away and you get a cool precision aiming reticle. I'm dying to hear how that compares to the holographic sights when it's at 1x. I've tried all the cheap scopes, including the primary arms 1-6, and all of them stunk at 1x compared to a true red dot, the tube created a double image when you bring it up to your eyes already on target, it ends up being slow like a magnified scope because there are two images and your brain has to switch over to the image in the scope, which is slightly out of alignment with the image in the eye that's not looking through the optic. For me, I prioritize the 1x performance the most because, well, the in-close stuff is where you need to be able to react instantly. It's why I just couldn't ever run an acog. With longer range stuff, you have a little more time to line everything up just right.
Hi Chris, I got to play with my buddy's Accupower and it had great clarify and awesome eye relief. I'll have to try out the VCOG and Vudu soon though.
How about the SWFA 1-6x for $1K? Any thoughts on that scope?
I've heard good things but haven't had the chance to look through one or test.
The strike eagle and the primary arms are basically the same thing probably from the same plant. The reticle on the primary arms is the best part of it.
I’d heavily recommend checking out the new Primary Arms ACSS Raptor.
It’s a little more expensive because it’s also First Focal Plane (just bought one for $399 with mount).
Thanks for the rec...didn't know PA made a first focal plane version of their 1-6x.
You should take a look at the Trijicon 1-8x28 AccuPower. It is the one I settled on and love it. MSRP is $1699 on their website - can’t remember what I bought it for last year.
I will try, thanks for the rec!