Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Low power variable scopes

I've perused a couple threads on the issue but I've narrowed my choices, mostly due to price, and at any rate new stuff and people handling/using said stuff is happening all the time so here goes.

Want illuminated low power variable to do those things one might expect from an RDS but with some magnification options if/when desired. This being my first foray into such usage I'm not coming out of the gate throwing money around and $600 is the absolute ceiling and I'd be quite happy to spend less. In this price I've found:

Leupold VXR 1.25-4
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6 (good prices as the 1-8 comes out)
Burris MTAC 1-4
SWFA 1-4 Classic
Bushnell AR 1-4

These run the gamut from near the ceiling to well under 300 for the Bushnell. An interesting outlier is the VXR 2-7x33. That seems like a very useful scope but wonder if the 2x is a bit on the high side for RDS type scenarios.

Anyway any input (or even other nominations if thought worthy) is most appreciated.

Well, I have limited experience with RDS. But I've used the Leupold 1.25-4X VXR a good bit.
First of all, it's dot is not near as bright as those on the several RDS I've played with in daylight. However, the tactical reticle that comes with the scope is really fast. You simply put the circle on top of the target a fire. Your eye automatically centers the reticle.
I've never had the adjustments not move the rifle's zero just what they are suppose to do. No, I have cranked it to the extremes of it's adjustments and back dozens of times.
Last of all, there a significant difference in 1.25X vs. 2X. If speed is very important, I'd say 1.25X is worth having. E

Just a comment on the Leupold - there's the standard VX-R, and then the VX-R Patrol which has turrets and mil reticle options. I'd be wanting the Patrol version personally.
You could also consider the Mark AR, very similar to the Patrol except the 1" vs 30mm tube. If you don't need the erector travel, I'm not sure the 30mm is worth the extra cost, and I like the green dot in the Mark AR better.

Assuming you talking about a "rapid deployment scenario"?

If so, are you talking about in the house, in the vehicle, in the rural country?

From personal use, the Burris MTAC is a solid scope. The reticle is very busy, the "doughnut" works well in the 100 yards or less range, but the same starts to block too much of the view as the range increases. IMHO, you start having to look around the reticle, instead of through it for long ranges.

Both of the Leupold Mark series listed above are good scopes. I like the green dot as well, but it's a preference over performance.

I have not found the majority of the scopes to be truly a "1X", they are usually more of a 1.point something, despite the label on the box.

I bought my son a Vortex 1-6 Strike Eagle a couple of years ago. It does everything we need it to do. He originally wanted a reflex sight and I talked him into this scope for the same reasons you're considering it.

Both eyes open at 1x with an illuminated engraved reticle.

If the prices are good, I wouldn't hesitate. Lifetime warranty and leaving a few bucks in your wallet isn't a bad thing.

Dan

I've messed with a lot of LPVOs and IMO there are a few things that most people don't consider when purchasing one.

Eye relief / eye box. Having a super bright dot doesn't do you any good if your head has to be juuuuuuussssst right to be able to see it. Especially when you get into the 2-? models this seems to be a bigger issue. If what you're thinking is "I need to shoot this thing fast" then I'd consider eye box and generous eye relief more important than dot brightness. Some of the cheaper models are absolutely horrible with this.

FOV. The more expensive models have a FOV in excess of 100' at 100 yards. That's become the standard that I look for. With a narrow field of view you're going to spend more time searching for targets in the optic. You'll never regret seeing too much.

The Leupold 1.25-4 Firedot is a great optic. I haven't seen a Strike Eagle in person. I've been very unimpressed with Vortex's cheaper RDS, but their Razor 1-6s are great. With Vortex the quality seems to swing wildly with price. I'll echo what AH said about the Burris. The 1-6 SWFAs that I've seen had a crappy eye box, but the 1-4s may be better. If all I could afford were the Bushnell I'd just run irons.

I have a Bushnell Elite Tactical 1-6.5x24mm and love it. I have the second focal plane version but it's also available with first focal plane. I have a couple of Primary Arms 1-6x24 scopes, a gen 2 and the new gen 3. For under $300.00, they are quite nice and the new gen 3 now has a lifetime warranty. I tried the Strike Eagle and it was pretty good but I didn't keep it. I'm waiting to see the new 1-8 Strike Eagle. I really like a scope with 1x on the low end. They are great for off hand "plinking" and close up fast action shooting. I have had many 1-4's over the years, but now with so many 1-6's available and 1-8's coming out I can't see a reason to buy a 1-4 unless it's a real good price on a high end model.

+1 on both comments.

The Strike Eagle is a decent, but bulky scope; SWFA 1-4 isn't bad but it is just OK, not as good as Leupold, on eyebox.

Next scope in this range for me will be a Leupold or one of the Primary Arms scopes; I like a top end of more than 4x as well.

MM

I would add that my comments were about the 1.25-4X VXR-Patrol.
However, the Leupold Mark AR Scopes are not just 1 inch scopes. They also have single leaf adjustments. That means the adjustments may not move as precisely as those with dual spring adjustments like the 1.25-4X VXR-Patrol. E

I have a couple of the SWFA classic 1-4's, they are good for the money, ease of obtaining an image is not as good as a Leupold VX6 1-6 that had to go back to the factory as you dialed an inch and it gave you 3 maybe 4 sometimes 6. While many place a premium on big eyeboxes and crystal clear glass, its nice that the sighting device actually holds zero and you can count on it even if you drop it. My Leupold is on a hunting rifle, great application for it, just as bright in my opinion as a Victory 1.5-6 x 42 that I own. However on my serious guns its either an aimpoint or a SWFA because I have found that you can count on them to be "on". I have no idea about vortex, I am still not convinced about them.

Yep.

Give me forgiving eye relief, wide field of view, and a great light.

Just to throw it out there I've gone with the SWFA 1-4. I figured I couldn't lose with them only costing $300 during their "tax day sale" which you might want to check out.

yep 300 for a working scope that stays zeroed. Hard to believe.

I'm gonna try one of those SWFA 1-4's one day but I'm pretty spoiled to my VX6 1-6's FOV and easy eyebox. Both of mine have held zero and I dial quite a bit with them.

One thing I found after having trouble getting my Firedot to come on was not cross threading the cap. I didn't think it was possible without knowing it but the tech told me it was a common problem. I took it off and payed careful attention putting it back on and I've not had a single problem with it since.

For years I ran a 1.5-5 illuminated Leupold on a work gun overseas, as well as using on my primary AR when stateside. It proved to be an excellent choice. I kept it on its lowest setting and used it like a person would, shooting an RDO. Then if I needed to shoot at extended distances or needed to look at something for target discrimination, I dialed it up.

Can anyone comment on the eyebox of the swfa 1-4 vs the strike eagle? I have run the swfa but did not spend enough time behind it to give it a fair shot. I have handled the strike eagle at the counter but not on a rifle so I could not get a real feel for it.

I had to miss the black friday sale on my SWFA but still am very satisfied with the cost vs product, at 300 bucks it's a steal.

It's the first 1X variable I've had in about 27 years when I had a 1 or 1.5X5 redfield on my old 35 Whelen.

I am super happy with the sight picture when it comes up.

The SWFA has more scope around the image than the VX6. I am happy with both.

I don't have a problem picking either up and seeing through it.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the OP is going to find a VX-6 1-6 for under $600.

Were it my money, I'd be ringing up SWFA right now for their 1-4 (aka the "Illuminati") for $299 on their tax day sale.

I have a Vortex 1-4 PST capped on my 3 gun rifle with this reticle:



The red circle is good for up close and personal (I never turn it on anyway), but I need fine lines for distance. Scopes like the MTAC cover too much of the target for me and my diminishing vision. I struggle on 10" plates past 300 yards.