The 1-6x scopes can be used for nearly anything.ย Some of the most popular scopes are in our hands and have been tested over years of competition use.ย Check out our top picks at different price points.
The 1-6x can be used to do almost anything.
The speed of a close-up shot at 1x is similar to that of a red dot.ย You can also hit targets at a distance of several hundred yards with ease using 6x.ย
Over the last few years, I have bought and used several 1-6x scopes to compete and plink.
Discover my top Low Power Variable Optics in a few price ranges.

Why do you need a 1-6x Optic lens?
As I said above…if you select the right LPVO, and reticle you will beย almostย fast as a red dot.
Should you choose a 1-6x magnifier over a combination of red dot and magnification?
The Pros & Con of a Magnifier Combo over an LPVO
- It has a range of magnifications instead of 1x or 3x, which is great for competitions
- The etched reticle is more visible for those with astigmatism and does not require batteries.
- Distance shooting with better reticles
- Not as fast as a’red dot’
- Illumination is not always bright as daylight
Best 1-6x scopes and LPVOs
1.ย Primary Arms SLx1-6x with ACSS Reticle Gen IV
The best budget 1-6x Scope I recommend is the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x Series with ACSS Reticles.
The Gen III is a very affordable zero hold with crisp glass and an illumination that’s almost as bright as daylight. It also has a good zero hold when you are putting it on or off rifles.
The desert heat has not affected it.
The ACSS reticle is my favorite!
The BDC has a single-arrow design for precision work, but also an enlarged circle with bolder letters for housing targets.ย BDC was also effective for shots at several hundred yards.
The magnification ring can also be easily manipulated, but the illumination at the start of the video only works for dawn/dusk.
You’ll also get a free mount if you click our link.
We’ve been testing the Gen IV since it was released!
The specs are still insanely low.
The new model has a better glass… and the dot now shines in daylight!
The Nova variant from the ACSS range has some excellent features, both for ranging and holding.
The magnification knob was stiff at first, but it seems to be loosing up over time.
It comes with the same free mount as the Gen III, and the slightly higher price is worth it for the daylight-bright reticle.
2.ย Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x
When theย Strike Eagleย was released, I was thrilled.
Some 1-6x scopes were available, but wereย pricey.ย The Vortex Strike Eagle was a good option for most people at around $300.
The glass was decent and had all the features you need.ย There is very little side distortion at 1x. At 6x, the clarity is acceptable.
The reticle illumination is not bright enough to be seen in daylight.ย It’s fine for dawn/dusk, but you shouldn’t expect a red dot to appear at other times.
I would knock down the reticle just a bit..I prefer dots or crosses for 1x shots.ย The bullet drop compensation marks (BDC) did help with the couple hundred yard shot.
It held zero during the two years that I used it for my primary rifle-competition optic.ย It was easy to turn the magnification ring for speed because it had a protruding wing.
This was my second-best recommendation for a budget scope 1-6x.ย Vortex offers a lifetime warranty that is transferable.

3.ย Vortex Viper PST II 1-6x
You can spend more money to get a better lens and a bright red dot for the day.ย I highly recommend theย Vortex PST II.
Eyebox forgiving (how precise your eye placement must be) and minimal distortion at 1x or 6x.ย It’s almost like a thin circle with a floating reticle when you are actually using the rifle.
It’s hard to reproduce that with a mobile phone camera!ย
The red dot is another reason why I like the reticle.ย It was an extremely sunny day, so I’ll take a better photo later.ย Even the reticles on myย The Best Holographic Sightsย Article were washed away when to my eyes they looked fine.
Zero has worked well with the Aero mount and magnification rings are also working fine.ย I have been putting off getting a scope lever since my competition stages typically only require one change.
I have a current recommendation for a high-end, 1-6x scope that offers the best value.
Recommended Accessories
- Aero Ultralight 30MM Scope Mount (Extended)
- Vortex Switchview Switch Lever
Honorable Mentions
These are the scopes that I have used on ranges or borrowed from a fellow competitor to use during a stage.ย These are the scopes I have used on ranges, or borrowed from a competitor to use in a competition.
When a slight performance edge is worth several hundred dollars (or thousands) over the PST II…
The Vortex’s highest end has a better eyebox, a more forgiving optical system and a brighter illumination in daylight.
Here’s my pick for an upgrade in the future.ย Swarovski is synonymous with awesome, daylight-bright glass.ย This would be the one to buy if money was no object.
The Primary Arms 1-8xSLx could be the answer if you don’t want to spend that much money.
Final Thoughts
In the past few years, scopes have evolved a lot.ย Glass for plinking or competition does not have to be expensive (but can always be).