Looking for a low power 1-X optic

[Al-jim19]

Hoping for some feedback on a couple of optics I’m comparing for my AR. I’m not a rich man so I’ll say up front that things like aim point and eotech and the like are simply too rich for my budget.

I’m looking for a versatile 1-4,6, or 8 scope. Primarily it will be used for plinking, hunting coyote/fox in heavily wooded areas or small pastures, and defense in that order of importance. I’m currently comparing the Primary arms 1-6 with the ACSS reticle, the vortex strike eagle, vortex crossfire, and low end Leupold optics. Based on a lot of reviews I’ve seen on YouTube I’m leaning heavily toward the Primary Arms 1-6, but I want to ask one of my most trusted sources, all of you at THR, before I pull the trigger.

I would additionally consider optics not listed, but my budget for a scope sans mount is $300, max.

Thanks in advance!

 

[badkarmamib]

$210 on Amazon. A buddy of mine is running this, and loves it:

https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Ill...pID=41JI98mz6rL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I handled it at the range. I liked it. If I hadn't just gotten a great deal on a Sig Romeo5 for my AR, I would have gotten it.

 

[<*(((><]

I would go with the primary arms 1-6 you mentioned their scopes are a great value for the price. The glass on the ACSS reticle on mine I have for my takedown 10/22 is really clear for that price range.

 

[jmr40]

I have a couple of Leupold VX-1's in a1-4X20. They are now discontinued, but for the $200 price I paid are a good scope. Weight is around 8 oz. I don't know how well the new 1.5-4X20 VX-Freedom is working out. Price is about $260 so it isn't too bad.

I wanted a few more X's for one of my rifles and bought a Vortex 1-6X24 on a 30mm tube. Honestly, it is a little clearer than the Leupold. It is a heavier scope at about 18oz so if that is a concern be aware.

 

[gotboostvr]

I just bought a Vortex strike eagle 1-6x after comparing a buncha scopes for my encore.

The 1-8x had some distortion to it and I wanted some illumination since it'll be a morning/dusk stand hunting rifle.

 

[Varminterror]

The vortex Strike Eagles lens TERRIBLY at the edges at 1x. About 1.24x, it goes away entirely. But, in fairness, that’s why most 1-Nx scopes aren’t true 1x bottom ends, because inevitably, with a 1x, you’ll see the bevel or even adhesive. I like the optics well enough, but something to consider.

I have a VX6 on one of my DGR’s. It’s not a true 1x bottom end, and the tracking is not true, but it is a very robust optic. The clarity and contrast in the Strike Eagle, or even the FFP Bushnell AR 1-6x are cleaner.

I have a Sig on order, if it plays as well as the Tango4 4-16x’s I have, it will become my go-to 1-Nx scope.

 

[entropy]

$210 on Amazon. A buddy of mine is running this, and loves it:

https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Ill...pID=41JI98mz6rL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
View attachment 796646
I handled it at the range. I liked it. If I hadn't just gotten a great deal on a Sig Romeo5 for my AR, I would have gotten it.

Best value in the price range.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3...l-adjustments-drop-zone-223-bdc-reticle-matte

Midway has them right now for 159. And me with no money for it right now......

I have one of these

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3...-rifle-scope-1-4x-32mm-circle-x-reticle-matte

on my carbine right now, it's what my son had on it when he traded it to me; I intend to replace it with the AR optics.

 

[cdb1]

I don’t have any experience with Primary Arms. I know enough people who have and like them that I’d be willing to try one.

I’d run from a Crossfire. They are an affliction to mankind and an affront to human decency to me. YMMV. The Strike Eagle isn’t bad but there are always scopes in the same price range with glass I like better. I feel Leupold Freedom glass is much better.

The Burris Fullfield TAC30 comes in right at $300.00 and I believe it to be a good scope for the money. My son’s AR wears one.

I’ll also echo Varminterror’s comments on true 1x magnification.

 

[badkarmamib]

Midway has them right now for 159.

That one doesn't have the illumination, may or may not matter for the price difference. The illumination allows it to act "almost" like a red dot at 1x. Of course, you HAD to post it, didn't you? For that price, I am severely tempted...

 

[rbernie]

I’m looking for a versatile 1-4,6, or 8 scope. Primarily it will be used for plinking, hunting coyote/fox in heavily wooded areas or small pastures, and defense in that order of importance.

Historically, I've not found any 1-x variable optic that sold for less than $1K that didn't have some significant barrel distortion or other pretty awful optic abnormalities on the very low end of the magnification range. In fact, the only one that I can recall looking through and being impressed with the optics quality on the lowest magnification setting was the Swarovski Z6. For this reason, I've pretty much walked back any desire for a true 1x variable magnification optic.

For my walkabout rifles for use in the NoTexas scrub (shot distances from contact distance to 200 yards, most shots between 30 and 90 yards), I have found that a decent 2x-7x works well. I have (inadvertently) tussled with hog at contact distances, and 2x was not a problem or issue at all in terms of putting the bullet where I needed in a fast-moving scrap.

I’d run from a Crossfire. They are an affliction to mankind and an affront to human decency to me.

I'd love to know why. I have a couple of Crossfire II 2x-7x, and so far they've not done anything unwanted or unexpected for optics in their price range.

 

[cdb1]

Because to my eyes they have horrible glass and the most critical eyebox I’ve ever looked through.

Edit: In retrospect I should say any Crossfire with magnification higher than 9x. I’ve looked through a 2-7 and it wasn’t nearly as bad.

 

[Armored farmer]

Nikon 3x bdc P223.

..sounds like what you need.

 

[cdb1]

Nikon 3x bdc P223.

..sounds like what you need.

I mounted a number of these for customers. If you get one you will need to use a two piece mount system. The scope is extremely short and there are no one piece systems I’m aware of that will work.

 

[Everready73]

Primary arms would be my pick. Love the acss. If you can stretch your budget to $350 the Burris rt6 had awesome gladg for it's price point and it's closer to daylight bright than the pa 1-6

 

[gotboostvr]

I do really like my older PA 4-15 FFP MIL/MIL. The glass isn't great, but it doesn't distort, tracking is good and plenty of nice features.

 

[z7]

My strike Eagle 1-8 is really handy, it’s not a $1000 scope and it’s not perfect, but I use it in 3 gun and it does pretty well, up close I am shooting fast and I don’t notice distortion outside, i shoot both eyes open at 1x
At my local matches i shoot out to 450yds and get consistent hits with no issue

I like the scope, I only wish the center dot was smaller (for the price I paid that is)

 

[dave333]

Primary arms would be my pick. Love the acss. If you can stretch your budget to $350 the Burris rt6 had awesome gladg for it's price point and it's closer to daylight bright than the pa 1-6

I just bought a Burris RT-6 a few weeks ago, awesome scope for the money. Primary arms was on my radar and if their 1-8 FFP would've been available I would have most likely gone with it, but kind of glad now it wasn't. Was pretty close to getting a Strike Eagle when I came across the Burris, really glad I did. Way better eye relief and glass to me. I disagree about it being daylight bright however. With a fresh battery and on its highest setting the dot is basically unusable, the horseshoe around it is a little helpful, but the reticle itself is super clear so it works fine for me with no illumination.

 

[Al-jim19]

Update:

I ended up going with the scope I was initially interested in, the primary arms 1-6. Part of the reason I did that apart from it’s positive reviews was the addition of a $40 optics planet gift certificate when I bought it. I also used a 12% off code and got it for about $255.

I was about to buy a scope mount in the same order but then I realized if I did it in another order I could use the $40 off (and 12% coupon) to buy my scope mount. The aero precision lightweight mount is $67, which would wind up costing about $20 out of pocket.

Final sum: $270 for the primary arms scope and aero mount.

 

[G'dale Mike]

Range report please

 

[Siscowet]

Have the Bushnell and the Primary Arms 1x6 ACSS. Bushnell is good, Primary Arms is excellent. The Primary reticle is really amazing once you learn everything you can do with it. You would have to go $1000+ to get a better scope. The lighted reticle also acts as a very serviceable red dot at 1x.

 

[Everready73]

I just bought a Burris RT-6 a few weeks ago, awesome scope for the money. Primary arms was on my radar and if their 1-8 FFP would've been available I would have most likely gone with it, but kind of glad now it wasn't. Was pretty close to getting a Strike Eagle when I came across the Burris, really glad I did. Way better eye relief and glass to me. I disagree about it being daylight bright however. With a fresh battery and on its highest setting the dot is basically unusable, the horseshoe around it is a little helpful, but the reticle itself is super clear so it works fine for me with no illumination.

I didnt say it was daylight bright, i was just saying it is brighter than the PA scope (at least my samples). If you can try another one in a store or something i would check it to make sure something isnt going on with yours. Mine is decently bright, not middle of a sunny day bright, but usable on an overcast day. I compared the glass on this to a friends XTR2 1-5 and they are pretty darn close. I am really liking the RT6 for the price

 

[gulogulo1970]

You may want to read up on Atibal. They sell a 1-4x Striker for about $190, they also have a 1-6x and a 1-8x.

I was whisker close to buying the 1-8x (XP8). Those are about $340-350. All have gotten really good reviews. I just bought their AT-MCRD II Micro red dot, seems well made I'll sight it in when it gets a bit cooler here.