7 Best 1-6X Scopes of 2021
Despite there being more powerful scopes with more advanced features, the 1-6x scopes are still some of the most popular ones currently on the market.
And this is because with the best 1-6x scopes you get a compact and lightweight scope that enhances the target acquisition and shooting accuracy without burdening your rifle with a large and awkward accessory.
These scopes are ideal for a variety of shooting conditions and situation, and they will be great for use for both short and medium range (under 500 yards).
Here we review 7 top rated 1-6x scopes and also explain a few important things you need to consider when shopping.
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7 Best 1-6X Scopes – Review
- 1. Vortex Optics SE-1624-1 – Best Overall
- 2. Vortex Optics PST-1605 – Unbeatable Short to Medium Range Shooting Scope
- 3. Truglo Tru-Brite TG8516TL – Best Budget 1-6x Scope
- 4. Simmons 655124 – A Reliable Companion for Varmint Hunting
- 5. Trijicon TR25-C-200089 – Rugged Scope with Great Optics and Reticle
- 6. Monstrum Tactical 1-6x24 FFP – High-Performing Scope with Long Eye Relief
- 7. Primary Arms PA1-6x24SFP – Fast and Accurate 1-6x Scope
- How to Buy the Best 1-6X Scopes
- Conclusion
7 Best 1-6X Scopes – Review
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1. Vortex Optics SE-1624-1 (Best Overall) |
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2. Vortex Optics PST-1605 (Unbeatable Short to Medium Range Shooting Scope) |
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3. Truglo Tru-Brite TG8516TL (Best Budget) |
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4. Simmons 655124 (A Reliable Companion for Varmint Hunting) |
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5. Trijicon TR25-C-200089 (Rugged Scope with Great Optics & Reticle) |
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6. Monstrum Tactical 1-6x24 FFP (High-Performing with Long Eye Relief) |
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7. Primary Arms PA1-6x24SFP (Fast & Accurate) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Vortex Optics SE-1624-1 (Best Overall) |
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2. Vortex Optics PST-1605 (Unbeatable Short to Medium Range Shooting Scope) |
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3. Truglo Tru-Brite TG8516TL (Best Budget) |
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4. Simmons 655124 (A Reliable Companion for Varmint Hunting) |
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5. Trijicon TR25-C-200089 (Rugged Scope with Great Optics & Reticle) |
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6. Monstrum Tactical 1-6x24 FFP (High-Performing with Long Eye Relief) |
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7. Primary Arms PA1-6x24SFP (Fast & Accurate) |
1. Vortex Optics SE-1624-1 – Best Overall
Photo: Vortex
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Objective Diameter: 24 millimeters
- Length: 10.5 inches
- Weight: 17.6 ounces
Vortex's Strike Eagle is a top notch 1-6x scope defined by speed and versatility, and it will be useful for everything from competitive shooting to plinking and hunting game from close range. These and the fact that it is from a highly reputable brands make it our best overall scope.
And the glass etched BDC reticle is also illuminated and with 11 brightness settings to ensure it can accommodate different light conditions for increased versatility.
The scope uses some high-quality and fully multicoated optics to deliver a crisp and clear sight picture and ensure optimal performance even in low light conditions.
Target acquisition is also made quicker and easier by the fast focus dial on the eyepiece which also ensures that the reticle is always sharp.
Given that this is a 100% fog, water, and shockproof scope, it will also be ideal and reliable enough for use in all weather conditions.
And even with no audible clicks, making adjustments on this scope should still be quite straightforward.
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2. Vortex Optics PST-1605 – Unbeatable Short to Medium Range Shooting Scope
Photo: Vortex
- Eye Relief: 3.8 inches
- Objective Diameter: 24 millimeters
- Length: 10.9 inches
- Weight: 22.7 ounces
For close to medium range shooting condition and scenarios, this Vortex Optics scope is unbeatable, and it is also an incredibly versatile scope that will be ideal for both tactical and hunting applications.
The 1-6x scope also has a highly functional, intuitive and highly detailed but still uncluttered reticle that will be very ideal for wind and bullet drop compensation.
With its fully multicoated lenses, you also get a maximum light transmission for bright and clear images. And the lenses also have Armortek coatings that will protect them from dirt, oil, and scratches.
Adjustments are also easy and precise as the parallax, power and turrets adjustments are all smooth and easy to use.
And this is also a solid scope that features an aircraft grade aluminum construction and is argon purged and O-ring sealed to make it fog, water and shockproof.
Because this scope weighs over 20 ounces, it might be a bit on the heavier side for some shooters, but this is still not enough weight to affect your shooting performance.
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3. Truglo Tru-Brite TG8516TL – Best Budget 1-6x Scope
Photo: Truglo
- Eye Relief: 3.75 inches
- Objective Diameter: 24 millimeters
- Length: 9.5 inches
- Weight: 33.6 ounces
Being the second most affordable in our 1-6x scopes review, this Tru-Brite scope from Truglo offer decent quality for such an affordable scope and it is hard to beat its quality at that price range.
Also, many shooters will love that it has a true 1x magnification setting which makes it an excellent choice for close range shooting.
And this scope uses a more spacious 30mm tube to offer increased brightness and more click adjustments to make it even more versatile.
The extremely wide field of view makes shooting more comfortable and accurate while the fully coated lenses will ensure maximum brightness, contrast, and clarity.
With its dual red/green illumination this scope will be ideal for a variety of scenarios, but its glass-etched reticle is also usable without illumination which means you can still use the scope when the battery runs out.
At the high magnification settings, the eye relief seems a bit picky, but it will still be long enough for comfortable shooting even when using a heavy recoil rifle.The 33.6 ounces are a little on the heavy side but the scope still feels well-balanced and the extra ounces will be hard to notice.
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4. Simmons 655124 – A Reliable Companion for Varmint Hunting
Photo: Simmons
- Eye Relief: 3.9 inches
- Objective Diameter: 24 millimeters
- Length: 10.7 inches
- Weight: 20.5 ounces
This Simmons 1-6x scope has been specially designed for hunting varmint from close to medium range distances, and it will be a highly reliable accessory to have on your rifle.
A clear sight picture is also guaranteed when using it in any light condition and environment as it uses some fully multicoated lenses that have anti-glare coatings for maximum light transmission.
And with a 60 MOA windage/elevation range, this scope will also be very helpful for compensating for bullet drop and wind drift.
The second focal plane reticle remains the same at all magnification settings, and it is also illuminated and with 11 brightness levels for increased versatility.
This Simmons scope is made with a durable aluminum housing which is also designed to offer a complete fog and waterproof performance.
Like most other scopes in its price range, this scope does not seem to have a true 1x magnification setting, but most shooters will not even notice it, and it will still allow you to shoot comfortably with both eyes open.
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5. Trijicon TR25-C-200089 – Rugged Scope with Great Optics and Reticle
Photo: Trijicon
- Eye Relief: 3.9 inches
- Objective Diameter: 24 millimeters
- Length: 11 inches
- Weight: 19.2 ounces
With its solid aluminum construction and second focal plane reticle, Trijicon’s AccuPoint is one of the best 1-6x scopes for AR rifles as it can withstand the recoil and also maintains a constant size reticle at all magnification settings.
But there is still more to this amazing scope as it also has some superior quality and fully multicoated lenses that will ensure excellent clarity and light gathering capabilities and with no distortions.
With its battery-free illumination, you will also never need to buy batteries for the lifetime of the scope. This illumination makes use of special fiber optic technology that will adjust to different light conditions.
Shooters will also love the fact that this scope is designed for all weather use and that its illuminated reticle has zero forward emission which means it will not project any illumination from the objective lens.
When you compare this scope to others on our list, it is a little expensive but the performance and rugged build should make up for the extra price.
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6. Monstrum Tactical 1-6x24 FFP – High-Performing Scope with Long Eye Relief
Photo: Monstrum
- Eye Relief: 4-4.5 inches
- Objective Diameter: 24 millimeters
- Length: 9.4 inches
- Weight: 16 ounces
The first focal plane Monstrum Tactical scope has the longest eye relief on our list as you can expect to get anywhere between 4 and 4.5 inches of eye relief depending on the distance.
Different shooting scenarios and conditions will also be accommodated as it has a dual red and green illuminated scope with multiple brightness levels.
And with its sturdy but lightweight (16-ounce) aluminum construction, you can be sure that it will not only be lightweight enough on your scope but also rugged enough to withstand different environment and abuse for many years.
With this more affordable scope, you also get a detachable sunshade that will be very handy in reducing glare and some bikini lens covers to protect your lenses.
When new, the magnification dial feels a little too stiff, but it should still be easy to turn once you get used to the scope.
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7. Primary Arms PA1-6x24SFP – Fast and Accurate 1-6x Scope
Photo: Primary Arms
- Eye Relief: 3.3-3.5 inches
- Objective Diameter: 24 millimeters
- Length: 10.4 inches
- Weight: 16.9 ounces
There are many amazing things that make this Primary Arms 1-6x scope a great buy, but its ACSS reticle is one of the key ones as it will deliver fast and accurate results.
This reticle is also partially red illuminated and with 11 brightness settings that make it ideal for use in different light conditions.
With its solid aluminum housing, this top rated 1-6x scope is also designed to offer many years of service and it is nitrogen-purged to make it 100% fog, water and shockproof.
Its fully multicoated lenses will deliver a bright and clear enough sight picture, and it also has a second focal plane design that will keep the reticle size the same throughout the magnification settings.
Adjustments are also made easier by the low profile capped reset turrets that are finger adjustable and will not snag when carrying your gun through thick brush or wood.
While there might be some minor distortions around the edges of the field of view at some magnification settings, the good news is that it does not affect your shooting accuracy. And you can still shoot comfortably with both your eyes open.
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How to Buy the Best 1-6X Scopes
You will increase your likelihood of getting a top notch 1-6x scope if you watch out for the following things.
1. Construction
As you shop for any scope type , the construction quality should always be one of the first things to consider as it will determine its durability and performance.
A good 1-6x scope should be made from a solid material like aircraft grade aluminum like the Truglo Tru-Brite TG8516TL as it is both rugged and lightweight which is what you need.
Because in most instances the 1-6x scopes will be used on high caliber rifles that will go through lots of rounds, they also need to be able to withstand the shock without being knocked off the zero.
Also, the construction should be water and fogproof to ensure that you can use your scope in any environment and nitrogen/argon-filling and O-ring sealing are a must to ensure this.
2. Eye Relief
Eye relief measures the maximum distance between your aiming eye and the scope from which you can see a full view image.
The eye relief is meant to protect your eye from getting banged by the gun recoil, and the longer it is the better as it means you can shoot comfortably without having to lean in too much.
With a standard 1-6x scope, you will get an eye relief of at least 3 inches. If you use higher recoil rounds on your rifle, it is important to go for a scope with a more generous eye relief that this. Something with close to 4 inches of eye relief like the 3.9-inch Trijicon TR25-C-200089 will be even better.
3. Lenses
The best 1-6x scope for the money is one that also comes with some good lenses as they will ensure maximum light transmission for bright and clear images.
Good scope lenses need to have several layers of coatings to ensure maximum light transmission, and you should never settle for lenses that cannot deliver at least 90% light transmission.
Also, the lenses should be able to reduce the amount of glare and light reflection as these can throw off your shot. And to make sure that you get the best value for your cash, the lenses should also be highly scratch resistant.
4. Reticle
Like with most other scope types, you will often need to choose from 3 reticle types when shopping for a 1-6x scope which are simple duplex, BDC and mil-dot reticles.
The type of rifle that you use, shooting conditions and of course, your personal preferences should help you decide the best reticle option for you.
However, if you are a beginner and will not be shooting at distances over 250 yards, a simple duplex reticle is often enough.
BDC and mil-dot reticles, on the other hand, are handy for longer distances where range estimation, wind compensation, and bullet drop compensation are important.
5. Price
When shopping or a 1-6x scope, you should aim to get a model that is feature-rich and works great but is still within an affordable price range.
While the rule of thumb states that the more cash you spend the better the 1-6x scope that you get, you do not need to spend a fortune on one if you are an occasional user as there are many good budget models out there like Truglo Tru-Brite TG8516TL .
You can get a basic but good enough 1-6x scope for $100 but some of the best ones from leading brands can cost upward of $1,000. Hence, what you choose is all about your preferences, shooting needs and budget.
Conclusion
You can almost never go wrong with a scope that is designed to provide both precision and accuracy from short and mid-range distances like the 1-6x. And now you have an idea of where to start your search for a good one.
If you want a top-quality one from a good brand but do not have a lot of cash to spend the Truglo Tru-Brite TG8516TL should suit your needs.
However, the Vortex Optics SE-1624-1 is our top overall recommendation thanks to a versatile illuminated BDC reticle, fully multicoated optics, fast focus eyepiece and many other amazing features.