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Best 1-6x Scopes Reviewed
When it comes to shooting, the scope a shooter uses is vitally important for accuracy. Without magnification on distant targets, it’s tough to judge the position and size of targets to get a good hit.
Whether it’s hunting, taking part in 3-gun competitions, or just blasting a few targets at the range, a 1-6x scope covers all of the bases.
That’s why Rustic Pursuits brings you the best 1-6x scopes on the market, and what they have to offer.
The many benefits of 1-6 variable power scopes have made them incredibly popular among gun enthusiasts today. They are perfect for AR type rifles needing both short CQB and mid to long range engagement.
Like all good things, there are bargain basement scopes on the market which aren’t up to scratch. People who pick up the wrong scope never benefit from the advantages that a solid 1-6x has to offer. And, it’s easy to end up making this mistake, because there are so many different optics to research before pulling the trigger.
Like with any new tool that you acquire, you want to make sure that you invest in a quality piece of material that can withstand a beating and preform it’s intended job at the highest level. We trust that you’ll find exactly the right 1-6x rife scope fro your current set-up in the list below. So without further hesitation, let’s delve deeper into what makes our top picks better than the knock-offs, so you can avoid making a mistake you’ll regret.
Check Out Our Favorite 1-6x Scope:
1-6x Scopes Comparison Chart
Best 1-6x Scopes
1. TRUGLO TRU-Brite 30 Series 1-6 X 24mm Rifle Scope
TRUGLO TRU-Brite 30 Series 1-6 X 24mm Rifle Scope
The TRUGLO TRU-Brite 30 Series 1-6 X 24mm Rifle Scope is a bit of a mouthful to say, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most effective tools in the industry. The innovative ranging capabilities of the patented TRUGLO TRU-Brite 30 Series has been applauded by firearms enthusiasts and even adopted by military contractors.
Whether it’s set to 1 power or zoomed-in to 6 power, the reticle appears no different. And with the magnification set at 6x, the maximum power setting, it provides the user a clear view of the target and accurate ranging features.
The ranging features make the scope quick and efficient to use at ranges out to 800 yards. The TRU-Brite 30 Series rife scope also provides shooters with bullet drop compensation, wind holds, moving target leads, and range estimation. This makes the optic remarkably useful and when shooting short range, or out in the open where wind and weather conditions effect the path of the bullet.
Another feature which is a big plus for competitive shooting and hunting is the tough durability. The waterproof and nitrogen-purged 6063-aluminum body is super rugged, so it will have no problem standing up to recoil or being quickly dumped during 3-gun competition.
Not only that, but nitrogen is an excellent fog-proofing agent, which makes this scope fog and moisture resistant in a wide range of temperatures. Gun owners never have to miss a shot again due to condensation on the lens.
It’s lightweight, it’s reasonably priced, easy to carry, and very fast to use. And should there be a problem, there is a lifetime warranty which will repair or replace the scope. If you need a great 1-6 optic, we recommend you check out the TRU-Brite 30 Series rife scope.
- 1-6 x 24mm objective lens with rheostat controlled brightness; INCLUDED QUICK ZOOM LEVER; Generous 4-inch eye relief
- DUAL-COLOR ILLUMINATED RETICLE (red & green); Glass-etched reticle can be used without illumination (black)
- ONE-PIECE AIRCRAFT-GRADE ALUMINUM TUBE; water & shock resistant; fog-proof; LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
- INCLUDES REVERSIBLE, OFFSET, MONOLITHIC 30MM SCOPE MOUNT made of CNC-machined aircraft grade aluminum; Includes 2 precalibrated BDC turrets in calibers .223 (55 grain) and .308 (168 grain) to engage targets up to 800 yards away
- MIL-DOT RETICLE enables user to determine the distance of objects of a known size and provides quick trajectory and wind drift aiming references (calibrated at 6x magnification)
2. Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 Riflescope
Vortex makes their riflescopes to rival any other on the market. As far as reliability is concerned, the Vortex Strike Eagle is a good choice for hunters, target shooters, and competitive shooters from here to Timbuktu.
Essentially, it’s designed to be as streamlined as possible with speed and versatility in mind. When it’s time to engage targets, be it at a distance or close quarters, the 1-6 power magnification is on hand to make the job easy.
The lenses themselves are of a high-quality and fully multi-coated to deliver a clear, crisp sight picture which is perfect for even low light conditions. Anybody who doesn’t want to struggle with changing light and weather conditions should consider the Strike Eagle for affordable performance.
The BDC reticle is another benefit in quickly acquiring the target at extended distances. With 11 brightness settings for illumination, the shooter can change the settings depending on the circumstances and lighting needs.
There’s also space for a backup battery inside the windage cap in case the original fails and you need an extra during a 3-gun stage, or a predator hunt. That’s really a nice added feature to have in a 1-6x scope.
This scope is waterproof, fog proof and shockproof to add to the overall reliability. The simplicity of the scope makes it easy to use from the moment you pick it up.
The glass-etched reticle subtends with popular 5.56 mm cartridges and the large center halo promotes fast shooting. It’s straightforward to follow, and offers a clear, crisp picture of the target. What more are we really looking for?
Vortex stands behind their products, and will repair or replace your Vortex product in the event it becomes damaged or defective at no charge to you.
- The Strike Eagle 1-6x24 is defined by speed and versatility. Adjust to six power when you need to engage targets at a distance
- High quality, fully multi-coated lenses deliver a clear, crisp sight picture and optimal low light performance
- The illuminated, glass-etched BDC reticle features 11 illumination settings to accomodate for changing light conditions. An extra battery can be stored in the windage cap and easily released
- The fast focus dial on the eyepiece ensures that your reticle is always sharp
- Waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof ensures reliability in all weather conditions
3. Bushnell 1-6x24mm AR Optics Scope
Bushnell 1-6x24mm AR Optics Scope
The Bushnell 1-6x24mm AR Optics Scope is our premier review of a 1-6x scope with a first focal plane reticle, or FFP. Like other Bushnell optics, this rifle scope sports high-end HD glass. Bushnell scopes are quite a specialist piece of kit, in that they can stand up to the rigors of seriously hard use.
Its important to remember FFP reticles increase in size along with the target when magnification is used. Meaning you might like the look of the reticle at 1x, but does it still work for you at 6x?
Bushnell did a tremendous job with the reticle design in the 1-6×24 scope. With a 1x setting, the large illuminated halo makes for fast shooting, much like EOTech Holographic sights.
At 6x magnification, the shooter only sees the Mrad crosshairs as the central point of focus. You wont find a better reticle in other 1-6 tactical scopes for really nailing those precision distance shots.
For one, there is no denying this scope is extremely well-built and will stand up to serious abuse. The rifle scope isn’t just waterproof, but completely submersible. Secondly, the turret system offers very accurate adjustments in 0.1 mil increments, and will return to zero with equal accuracy. That ability will not be seen in the previous two scopes. Truly accurate turret tracking simply doesn’t exist in lesser tactical scopes.
The turrets also come with threaded covers, so there won’t be any accidental movement. Uncapped windage and elevation knobs can get bumped and sometimes result in a miss, but not with the covered Bushnell HD turrets.
As far as tactical scopes go, the windage, elevation, and illumination controls are intuitive and simple to use.
If you are shopping the market of AR 15 optics for a first focal plane mil/mil 1-6 scope, you’ve found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Considering everything the Bushnell 1-6 delivers, it comes in at a great price point.
- Use todays most popular calibers with BDC turrets, giving more precise shop placement than BDC reticles
- New illuminated 0.223; 0.556 BDC RETICLESFP
- Coating bonds to exterior lens surfaces, and repels water, oil, fog, dust and debris.
- Folding Throw lever for the quickest power changes imaginable
- Material Type: Aluminum
4. Vortex Viper 1-6 PST Gen II Riflescope
The Viper 1-6 PST Gen II is an upgrade from the first generation scope which comes with some cool new features. The Viper is made from aircraft-grade aluminum which means it’s incredibly durable and light at the same time.
Plenty of 1-6x scopes are either durable, or light, yet the PST Gen II mixes the two features for an overall enjoyable rifle scope. The strong platform also makes it a versatile piece of kit that is excellent in short and medium range situations.
This model comes standard with capped wind and elevation adjustments, and your choice of milrad or MOA reticles. The extra-low dispersion glass transmits super high resolution and color accuracy. And fully multi-coated lenses increase light transmission.
Vortex offers 10 brightness intensity levels to the reticle illumination as well so selecting the optimal brightness for your viewing conditions won’t be a problem. And in a big step forward, Vortex increased the field of view by 30 percent so the shooter will see a lot more while focusing on the target.
One negative point is that the weight has slightly increased compared to the gen I version. But at the price and with so many other tremendous features, it does seem like splitting crosshairs. Targets are clear and simple to track, the reticle is intuitive, and materials used make it impervious to the elements.
- The Viper PST Gen II takes incredible performance and rock solid features to new heights. The 1-6x24 second focal plane riflescope is incredibly versatile and ideal for close to medium range scenarios.
- Users who dial their turrets for drop and wind compensation will appreciate the laser etched turrets, adjustable parallax and the RZR zero stop. A fiber optic rotation indicator ensures you can keep track of your turret position with ease.
- The reticle offers users highly functional, intuitive, and detailed hold points, yet remains uncluttered for optimal viewing and features 10 intensity levels with off positions between each setting.
- Extra-low dispersion glass increases resolution and color fidelity. XR fully multi-coated lenses increase light transmission. Armortek coatings protect the lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt.
- O-ring sealed and argon purged, the Viper delivers waterproof and fogproof performance while the single-piece, aircraft-grade aluminum construction provides a durable platform.
5. Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24 Riflescope
At close to $2,000, the VCOG is a 1-6x scope which is on the pricey side. However, it might be tough to find a rifle scope more bomb-proof than a Trijicon VCOG.
To begin with,it has a 7075-T6 forged aluminum housing which Trijicon touts as nearly indestructible. This Mil-spec rifle scope is well-prepared to take a beating from soldiers and contractors alike. So you can know it is ready to take whatever you can dish out.
It has a LED-illuminated first focal plane reticle which is perfect for close quarters or long distance marksmanship. And because the reticle is FFP it allows the ballistic reticle to be used at any magnification.
Superior quality multi-coated glass is top-notch at gathering and transmitting lighting info with no distortion whatsoever. The illuminated reticle is powered by a common AA battery and provides up to 1,400 hours of run time on a brightness setting of 4.
The reticle comes in a number of different designs to accommodate .223 and .308 loads., as well as 300 Blk rifles. The general design is built around a red or green illuminated horseshoe reticle with BDC, MIL, or MOA hash marks. There is no trouble picking a reticle that suits your fancy and that can pick up targets quickly and accurately.
If shooters need to make turret adjustments, there is a full 90 MOA of windage and elevation adjustment available in 1/2 in per click increments at 100M.
At 23 ounces, it’s a little rugged for some people’s liking depending on the application. Coupled with the price, it may turn some away from this tier 1 rifle scope. However, there aren’t many tactical scopes which bring all of these features under one roof. The Trijicon VCOG does it superbly and is well worth considering.
- Green horseshoe reticle matched with 175-grain 308 loads
- First focal plane allowing the Ballistic reticle to be used at any magnification
- 700 continuous hours of runtime at setting 4 or 6 with a lithium AA battery
- Waterproof to 66 feet and its illumination electronics are mil spec tough
- Full 90 MOA of windage and elevation adjustment available in 1/2 in./click increments at 100M
Hopefully this post has helped you figure out what you want in a tactical scope and how to spot a quality optic over a bargain basement rifle scope.
1-6x Scope Features To Consider
Finding and buying a world-class scope isn’t easy unless all the details are laid out. But what if there are too many details, and too many options to sort through? How can you parse through it all? Buyers can find themselves overwhelmed and helpless because there is an over-abundance of tactical scopes and 1-6x scopes, making the decision difficult.
With that in mind, these are a few of the things to look for regarding a 1-6x scope:
- Materials – Anyone who spends hundreds of dollars on a scope doesn’t want it to break as soon as it is out of the box. Unfortunately, plenty of them do because they aren’t built to last. One important indication of build quality is the materials used to construct the scope. Aircraft grade aluminum is a popular choice as it’s light and extremely durable, which means it can stand up to the shock of rifle recoil. Nitrogen gas is another useful material to keep an eye out for, no pun intended. Nitrogen purging is utilized for fog proofing technologies. Waterproofing is also important to prevent moisture penetration and condensation. Regardless of the weather, a well-built scope shouldn’t fail from being subject to the elements.
- Lenses – Whether the target is inside or outside, lighting will have it’s effect on the clarity of the image. Quality glass is highly desired as it allows for light transmission without distortion and darkening effects. Knock-off rifle scopes will have cheap glass that darkens the image or causes terrible glare in bright sun or indoor range lights. The 1-6 tactical scope should help transmit the clearest and most accurate image possible to give the shooter the best chance of making their shot. In today’s industry, that means mulit-coating to increase light transmission. The coating needs to let the light pass through the lens without bouncing back and causing glare. Coated lenses also don’t scratch as easily, and this can make the maintenance of your rifle scope less complicated.
- Reticle – When you look through your scope you are aiming at the target with what is known as the reticle. This can be a simple duplex style cross-hair, or a BDC reticle (bullet drop compensator) with subtensions marked for known distances. Two other common reticle styles provide ranging marks in minute of angle(MOA) or milliradians(Mrad/Mil) which can be helpful for making hits at extended distances. The MOA system uses inches as a unit of measurement while Mrad system is metric and uses meters. While the MIL system makes quick work of calculating distance, if the metric system slows you down then a MOA reticle might be more helpful in the end. Whichever you choose, the key is knowing how to use your reticle. If Mrads and MOAs confuse you, stick with a BDC or a simple cross hair reticle with a red dot. Otherwise they might be more confusing than helpful.
- Focal Plane – The focal plane has an effect on the reticle when magnification is in use. Second focal plane (SFP) reticles remain unchanged in size throughout the full range of magnification. As the target is magnified, the reticle is not. First focal plane (FFP) reticles are magnified in conjunction with the target. Meaning ranging measurements made with FFP reticle subtensions remain accurate throughout the full range of magnification, rather than one setting. In most cases, the focal plane is down to the shooter’s preference. Selecting a design you can understand and that works for you is the key.
- Comfort – With a lot of big words and facts and figures being thrown around, it becomes easy to forget the importance of using what you are comfortable with. Some shooters like the sounds of all the bells and whistles, but can easily become confused by them rather than benefiting from them. Regarding any riflescope, it’s all about what you can use efficiently and comfortably. Aside from focal planes and lens clarity, its also beneficial to look for a bigger eye-box or eye relief so that it’s faster to line up a shot quickly without searching for the target. Plus, a large scope offers a greater field of view of the target and the surrounding area when at the highest magnification. Another thing to look out for is the optimal mounting position for a scope on the rail to avoid the recoil slamming into the eyes. Gunners need to check the mount position for this reason, especially if the gun packs a lot of recoil.