Best 1-6x Scopes & LPVOs [Real Views]
1-6x scopes are perfect for almost anything. We have some of the most popular in-hand and tested through years of competitive use.
PPT Founder. NRA Pistol Instructor. USPSA/3-Gun/NRL22 Competitor. 250+ articles
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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.
Find out 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 a 1-6x over a red dot and magnifier combo?
Pros & Cons 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
- 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.
Now let's get to our picks!
The Quick List
- Editor's Pick Budget 1-6x: Primary Arms SLx 1-6X24 Gen III ACSSJump to details ↓
- Editor's Pick: Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24 Gen IVJump to details ↓
- Runner-Up Budget 1-6x: Vortex 1-6x Strike EagleJump to details ↓
- Best Bang-For-The-Buck 1-6x: Vortex PST Gen II 1-6x24Jump to details ↓
- Editor's Pick Premium 1-6x: Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6x24Jump to details ↓
Best 1-6x Scopes & LPVOs
1. Primary Arms SLx 1-6x with ACSS Reticle, Gen IV
My current recommendation for the best budget 1-6x scope is the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x series with ACSS reticles.
For many years I used the Gen III, which is affordable with crisp glass, nearly daylight-bright illumination, and a great zero hold, even taking it on and off rifles.
It's survived the desert heat...
And I LOVED the ACSS reticle
It has a single arrow for precise work but also a bigger bold circle for housing targets. The BDC also worked well for several hundred yard shots.
The magnification ring is also easy to manipulate, but the illumination shown at the beginning of the video is only useful for dusk/dawn.
Plus, if you use our link you'll get the option for a free mount in one of the dropdowns.
The good news is that it's still being made and for a great price...see the full review of the Gen III here.
But now the Gen IV is out, and we've been busy testing!
It's still insanely affordable for the specs.
And in the new model, they've made the glass better...and the dot is finally daylight bright!
Check out this short video of it at 1x and turning on the illumination:
We opted for the Nova variant of the ACSS line, which has some great features for both ranging and holds.
While the magnification knob from 1-6x was a little stiff, it feels like it will loosen up a little over time. Here's a quick video of it zooming:
Again it comes with a free mount in the dropdowns and is well worth the slight price increase over the Gen III for the daylight bright reticle.
See the full review of the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x Gen IV here.
What do you think of the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x with ACSS series?
Readers’ Ratings
4.99/5 (4585 Votes)Your Rating
2. Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24
I was so happy when the Strike Eagle came out.
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. The magnification ring was easily turned for speed since it has a protruding fin.
And a full written review too.
At the end... this was my runner-up recommendation for a budget 1-6x scope. With Vortex, you also get a transferable lifetime warranty.
Recommended Accessories:
- Vortex Switchview Throw Lever: if you want to switch magnification faster
3. Vortex Viper PST II 1-6x24
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.
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.
Recommended Accessories:
Honorable Mentions
There are 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...
The highest-end Vortex has a much more forgiving eyebox and better glass while still having daylight bright illumination.
Here is my favorite for a future upgrade. Daylight bright and awesome glass you can expect from the name Swarovski. If money were no object, this would be it.
If you're not looking to drop that kind of money though, maybe the Primary Arms 1-8x SLx might be what you're looking for.
Check out the hands-on review for a lot more info!
Final Thoughts
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).
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.