1x-? illuminated scope

[brasscollector]

Looking for an optic to mount atop my 458socom. Currently a friend is borrowing me his Vortex Spitfire 3x which I do like but I think there might be something better.
I am liking the idea of a magnified optic for the socom, but with its limited range I'm thinking anything over 6x is completely useless. Currently I'm leaning towards a 1-4x illuminated scope.
The Spitfire is a decent optic, not the end-all-be-all but for the price it does the job. Combine that with the fact that the socom hasn't turned it into a kaleidoscope and I'm marginally impressed. I do like the red or green illumination and the fact that the reticle is etched into the lens so it can be used without the illumination. The eye relief isn't wonderful and for something like a 458socom decent eye relief is a must.
I'm thinking a 1-4x illuminated scope (kinda stuck on the illuminated part too) would work perfectly for what I need but it wouldn't be the first time I overlooked a perfectly adequate option out of ignorance. Just wondering what some of the other members might suggest.

 

[WestKentucky]

Are you hunting in low light conditions to make you want the illuminated reticle?

 

[jmr40]

I have this on one of my AR's

https://swfa.com/vortex-1-6x24-strike-eagle-30mm-rifle-scope-109418.html

Not claiming it is "best", but it serves my needs at a price I was willing to pay. I have non-illuminated 1-4X20's on a couple of other AR's and for the most part 4X is enough. But since I already had 1-4's on other rifles wanted to try something different.

I don't see the illuminated reticle as a huge advantage. If you have quality glass, even with a 20mm lens you can still see game well past legal shooting time. Some of the really fine crosshairs meant for target shooting get lost in poor light, but a thicker standard reticle is still usable. When illuminated the crosshairs are easily visible, but it makes it harder to see the target. I took a deer last fall 25 minutes prior to sunrise, (5 minutes into legal time) with a 1-4X20 scope. I had no trouble seeing the deer, even counting points on his rack in that light.

 

[brasscollector]

There has been a couple of times when walking a wooded gully or the north side of a hill when my reticle was almost invisible against dark vegetation or similar. I'm not speaking based on this specific combination, I'm speculating based on experience I have with my 3-9 prostaff. I thought something with an etched reticle would be the ticket so I wouldn't require the illumination at all times, just when the light is low enough it would be nice.

I was seriously considering the Vortex strike eagle 1-6x too. I've looked through the 1-8x version a friend has mounted on his 6.8 and thought it was nice. My only hesitation on the strike eagle is the 3.5" eye relief as I'd prefer something closer to 4".

 

[cdb1]

Any decent scope today will get you past legal shooting hours.

There has been a couple of times when walking a wooded gully or the north side of a hill when my reticle was almost invisible against dark vegetation or similar.

Same for me, this is when an IR is nice.

My son and my BIL have Burris Fullfield TAC30’s on their ARs. I prefer the glass of the TAC30 over a Strike Eagle but your eyes might be just the opposite. And even though I like the Fullfield I like the VX-R mounted on my AR much better. It of course costs considerably more.

 

[brasscollector]

Hm, the only TAC30s I had seen until now had the halo sight mounted on top and were priced in the $450-$500 range. Now that I actually look into them a bit closer I see they offer just the scope for about $350. Those are a possibility also.

 

[cdb1]

Hm, the only TAC30s I had seen until now had the halo sight mounted on top and were priced in the $450-$500 range. Now that I actually look into them a bit closer I see they offer just the scope for about $350. Those are a possibility also.

$350.00 is too much. You can get them for $299.00 total including shipping.

 

[MistWolf]

Brass, take a look at the Leupold 1.25-4x20. Search for one on sale. Sometimes you can find them for a real good price with the Leupold AR scope mount included. 1.25x isn't a true 1x, but it's still good for real close range. It's also one of the lightest scopes in its class. Optic quality is excellent for price range. Battery life is good. I think it has an auto off but turns on when it senses motion. I've only had mine a few days, but I'm impressed with its performance at the range.

 

[ATLDave]

I have a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6 on an AR. I use that AR for gun games stuff, as well as for punching paper or whacking steel at ranges under 500 yards. The illuminated reticle and the 1x setting lets me use it with both eyes open for run-and-gun stuff, while zooming to 6x makes shooting smallish steel at 300 manageable (with the gun on a rest... I can't hold that well!). It's a little on the heavy side, and has a bit of the fish-eye at the lower end, but I'm pretty pleased with it and it wasn't cripplingly expensive.

 

[Everready73]

Stiener P4XI is the best 1x4 on the market Imo. Great value with Schott glass and daylight bright reticle for under $500 if you catch on sale. Dsg arms has them on sale frequently

 

[cdb1]

Stiener P4XI is the best 1x4 on the market Imo. Great value with Schott glass and daylight bright reticle for under $500 if you catch on sale. Dsg arms has them on sale frequently

I like Steiner.

 

[brasscollector]

I was also looking at the steiner scope, it's in the same price range as the Leupold. I don't have any experience with Steiner but I know they are high quality also. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used Leupold or especially Vortex due to the excellent warranties both have.

 

[jmorris]

I have used a night force NXS 1-4 on mine from time to time almost never use the illumination though.

I have shot 1.5” groups at 100 with it, using a 2 MOA dot in an Aimpoint comp 3 so you really don’t need magnification for hunting use anyway.

If I am hunting in low/no light I have used an Oasys thermal and it beats the heck out of any variable glass or red dot in an “apple to oranges” way.

 

[Gordon]

The Weaver 1-3 with heavy duplex or post will hold up to the recoil, it is cheap with a good warranty too.

 

[gotboostvr]

I played with the vortex strike eagle 1-6x and 1-8x and thought the glass was better on the 1-6x, less artifacts and distortion when above 3-4x which is where I figured I'd spend most my time.

Edited to add: it's going on a Encore 357Max carbine for dawn/dusk deer hunting from a stand.

 

[mcmurry]

Scopes for long distance shooting have such fine cross hairs that as we all age and have deteriorating sight, an illuminated reticle could be helpful.