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Best 1-4x Rifle Scopes – Buying Guide and Reviews (2023)

Whether you want it for hunting or tactical shooting, a 1-4x riflescope would go a long way. At 1x, it can act in a way similar to a red dot sight by allowing for faster and more accurate aiming. And on 4x, they’ll help you land tricky shots at distant moving targets.

However, finding the best 1-4x scope can be tricky. You have to consider what you’ll need the scope for which drives the requirements you have for a 1-4x scope. Find out in our reviews and comparison of the best 1-4x scopes below which of them will fit your needs best!

How to find the best rated 1-4x riflescopes

Unfortunately, the market is full of a lot of awful optics. It’d be absolutely disappointing if the scope becomes foggy or gets scratched in the middle of the action.

No worries, though. In this guide to find the best 1-4x scope, we’ll review the top 1-4x riflescopes that actually deserve your hard-earned money.

What Is a 1-4x Best Used For?

The best 1-4x scopes are favored by hunters and marksmen in situations where they need to balance between speed and accuracy.

When used at the maximum power of 4x, this optic will allow you to hunt big game situated at around 300 yards. Theoretically, it can be squeezed just a bit further, but you’ll probably have some issues with windage and elevation using 1-4x scopes at any long-range.

When you bring it down to the lowest power of 1x, it’ll act just like a red dot sight with a wide field of view. In fact, this is a controversial topic that has sparked a lot of debates between hunters and tactical shooters.

1-4x Scope vs. a Red Dot with Magnifier

In the world of firearms, there’s no one simple truth. We can’t agree that a 1-4x scope will be indefinitely better than a red dot with a magnifier. This depends on a lot of factors that vary significantly between users.

Cost

If you’re concerned about the budget, then a 1-4x scope might be better. As you’ll see later on, most of these optics cost around $200. It’s possible to find pricier stuff, for sure. But that baseline can be more than enough for hunters and tactical shooters alike.

We know that some of you might argue that a red dot with a magnifier can cost far less (Find the Best Red Dot Magnifier – Reviews and Buying Advice). And technically, that’s true. But would it be equally convenient? Heck no!

If you are to purchase parts that would actually compare to a powered scope (Best Rifle Scope Magnification and Power Range), you’ll end up paying between $350 and $400. If you are interested in that option, then go for the Sig Sauer Romeo5 1x20mm Red Dot Sight (review) and the Juliet or the Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier.

Weight

Expectedly, the weight varies between different products. Some brands are well known for using aircraft-grade aluminum, which cuts down tremendously on the optic weight. However, a red dot and a magnifier would generally weigh about 10 ounces less than a scope – How do Red Dot Magnifiers Work?

If you checked the gear we suggested earlier, you will find that they’ll add about 11 ounces to your firearm. A scope, on the other hand, ranges around 15 ounces. But that’s not it. You still have to buy rings to mount the scope. Their weight can be similarly variable, but they oftentimes range around 5 ounces.

Therefore, a red dot and a magnifier will be more convenient in close-range hunting and tactical shooting – Comparing Red Dot vs Holographic Sights vs Scopes.

Versatility

Without a doubt, 1-4x scopes would be more versatile than the other setup. You can effortlessly flip between magnifying powers by turning the power ring. It’s possible to do that on the go if you can take a momentary cover.

This isn’t necessarily the case with a magnifier. In the gear we suggested, the magnifier has a flip-to-side mount. This way, you can flip it to the side to use the red dot alone on 1x. However, some models don’t have this feature. These magnifiers can’t be taken off without a screwdriver.

That is why you want to consider using a scope for hunting deer, coyotes, hogs, etc. You’ll never know when you need close-range or long-range capabilities – Ultimate Long-Range Riflescope Buying Guide – All you need to know before you buy a scope!.

Find the Best Deer Hunting Scope – Reviews and Buying Guide

Turret on rifle scope for easy and precise adjustments

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What Are the Basics of a 1-4x Rifle Scope?

Alright, if you decided you’ll go down that road, you can proceed to the next step. How to choose the best 1-4x scope. In this section, we’ll highlight the most important criteria that you have to bear in mind.

Lens Quality

Since a 1-4x scope is used for distances up to 300 yards, lens quality is crucial. You want to get something that would block the excessive light, especially if you’ll primarily use it for hunting. Similarly, it has to prevent glares and similar issues that would reduce clarity. 

You don’t want a lens to overdo this job, though. Otherwise, the light transmission will be negatively impacted, leaving you with an awfully dark field of view.

For that matter, we always prefer fully multi-coated lenses over single or normal coating. Fully multi-coated means that all the scope’s lenses are coated with more than one layer of light-filtering substances.

Windage and Elevation

As a rule of thumb, all the 1-4x scopes come with two turrets. The top one adjusts elevation, while the one on the right side is intended for windage.

Ideally, you should get a scope that adjusts with audible and tactile clicks. This way, you can fine-tune it without having to take your eye off the eyepiece. 

For the best accuracy, get a scope that accepts adjustments in 0.25 or 0.5 MOA.

If you are unfamiliar, MOA means a minute of angle. At 100 yards, 1 MOA will shift the bullet about 1 inch. At 200 yards, this becomes 2 inches, and so on.

Therefore, a 0.5 MOA scope will accept adjustments of about 1.5 inches at a 300-yard distance. As a result, your shots will land with maximum accuracy.

Field of View

The field of view (FOV) is how wide you can see when you are looking through your scope. Ideally, 1-4x scopes should offer about 100 feet at the 1x setting. Expectedly, this value will drastically decrease when you increase the magnification. At 4x, it should show about 25 feet.

As you might already guess, FOV is directly related to the size of the lenses. 24mm scopes would definitely have larger FOV than 20mm gear.

A larger FOV is favorable. It will enable you to track your prey easier if they decided to run for their lives.

Eye Relief

You should never get a 1-4x scope before making sure its eye relief conforms with the recoil of your firearm. If you are unfamiliar, eye relief means the distance range that you can place your eye inside without impacting the image quality.

If you put a scope with short eye relief over a rifle with high recoil, you will have to constantly adjust your head between shots. If you are unlucky, the rifle might even hit your face and you’ll end up with a black eye or worse.

It is always recommended to go for a 3-inch or a 4-inch eye relief, just to be on the safe side.

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What Are the Best 1-4x Scopes?

How does the best 1-4x scope perform? How is the reticle designed? And how accurate is it? These are some of the questions that will answer in each of the following reviews. Let’s have a look at the different 1-4x scopes and pick the best 1-4x scope for your hunting and shooting!

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 1-4x24mm

The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24mm riflescope is a sight that you will not regret buying. The Vortex optics are clear and the reticle is easy to read in any lighting condition, even low light.

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 1-4x24 Second Focal Plane Riflescope
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 1-4×24 Second Focal Plane Riflescope

This scope has a small profile, so it can be mounted on any rifle without taking up too much space. It’s also quick to use and acquires targets smoothly.

Performance and Design

The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 has an advanced optical system which is highlighted with a 4x zoom range. The lenses are multi-coated and have excellent anti-reflective lens coating to provide a flawless, bright view that will penetrate even the darkest of locations being hunted in for prey or game.

The magnification versatility if the Vortex Optics Crossfire II is quite commendable too – the eye relief on this scope measures at just over four inches (which means it should be comfortable during those long hours spent hunting), giving users plenty of leeway as far as how much they want to magnify their targets when firing shots from both short and longer distances while using this product’s rifle optics!

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is constructed to be tough and durable. It’s made of aircraft-grade aluminum, so it can withstand anything you throw at it – even the harshest weather conditions will not affect this scope. The O-ring seals protect against water damage as well as fogging up your view while shooting in any type of environment or condition imaginable!

The Vortex Crossfire II comes with a second focal plane reticle. In this case, it’s Vortex’s illuminated V-Brite reticle. This means that the thin duplex crosshair remains constant over any magnification adjustments you choose and has an additional visible red dot center to help with reflex shooting when it is dark outside. The illuminated reticle offers superior performance during low light conditions due to its illumination capabilities while providing a thin duplex crosshair which helps guide your eye onto the target of choice without obscuring the view or causing tunnel vision at high power settings.

Turrets and Adjustments

The MOA turrets are typical capped hunting style. The turrets have audible clicks and clear feedback when you adjust. To zero the scope on your rifle, you are required to have a flat head screwdriver.

Turrets adjust 100 MOA in both windage and elevation. Each click equals 1/2 MOA, which results in 1/4 of an inch per hundred yards difference on target.

Pros

  • Choose between BDC and illuminated reticle
  • Superclear glass providing great low-light capabilities in combination with the illuminated reticle
  • Zero reset on turrets
  • Lifetime warranty from Vortex

Cons

  • Turret adjustment by 1/2 MOA where higher-end scopes have 1/4 MOA

Check out our in-depth evaluation of the Vortex Optics Crossfire II rifle scope!

You can also have a look at our comparison of the Vortex Optics Crossfire II vs Vortex Optics Diamondback!

Vortex Rifle Scope Reviews

Bushnell Optics 1-4x24mm Drop Zone-223

For this recommendation, you can’t find a lot of scopes that are better than this one. The Bushnell Drop Zone-223 balances well between performance, durability, and most importantly, price.

Bushnell Optics Drop Zone Reticle 1-4x24 Riflescope
Bushnell Optics Drop Zone Reticle 1-4×24 Riflescope

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However, this is one of the 1-4x scopes that is not a compact or lightweight scope. Without the mounting rings, it weighs around 17 ounces with about 14 inches in length and 4 inches in width. On the bright side, the heavier construction mostly correlates with better durability and enhanced performance.

Performance and Design

The Drop Zone-223 1-4x scope features a classic duplex reticle with a couple of markings to give it some sort of a BDC advantage. The lenses are made of superior quality, giving optimal clarity and light transmission.

If you prefer illuminated scopes, you can opt for the updated version. As a plus, that one features a foldable handle connected to the power ring. When you want to change the magnification, it’ll be a lot faster to grip that handle instead of the ring itself.

In the 1x setting, the field of view measures around 90 feet. On the maximum power, it still maintains acceptable value with up to 23 feet.

Turrets

This 1-4x scope does not feature the regular MOA system found in most gear. It works via the mil system instead. When you turn the turrets, they produce audible and tactile clicks. It would be a solid improvement if the increments were smaller. Right now, they change by 6 mils, which shifts the bullet about 21 inches at 100 yards!

Pros

  • The lenses are clear with excellent light transmission
  • Accurate and simple reticle design
  • Affordable

Cons

  • The reticle isn’t illuminated
  • The turrets’ increments aren’t convenient
  • It’s a bit heavy and bulky

Check out how the Bushnell DropZone performs amongst the best 22LR scopes!

Bushnell Rifle Scope Reviews

Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint 1-4×24 Dual-Illuminated Riflescope

The Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint is one of the oldest scopes you can find in the market. It should be great for people who like to opt for old-school gear that doesn’t have too many features.

Trijicon TR24-C-200071 AccuPoint 1-4x24mm Riflescope
Trijicon TR24-C-200071 AccuPoint 1-4x24mm Riflescope

This 1-4x scope measures around 10 inches in length and weighs about 15 ounces without the mounting rings. These values make it way lighter than most of the powered scopes while coming with a sturdy build and an aircraft-grade aluminum scope tube.

With an illuminated reticle, the TR24 can be used in most hunting situations where you have to chase your target after the sunset. It does that in a battery-less manner via the embedded tritium vial.

Performance and Design

If you like to have freedom with the reticle design, you’re in for a treat. The Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint comes in three versions: a triangle post, simple duplex, and German #4 crosshairs. Regardless of the design, the reticle is always in the second focal plane (First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane Scopes – FFP vs SFP Reticles). This means that it’ll keep its original size even at a 4x magnification.

In action, the Trijicon TR24 1-4x scope has an eye relief of about 3.2 inches. This makes it suitable for rifles with medium to high recoil.

In terms of clarity, this scope can’t get any better. Trijicon is generally known for using Japanese fully multi-coated lenses in their products, which provides optimal performance. When brought in the 1x setting the fully-multi coated lenses perform extraordinarily and nobody complained about edge noise or fish-eye effect.

Turrets

The TR24 1-4x scope comes with the usual 2-turret design. It’s possible to adjust the windage and elevation with increments of 0.25 MOA. After everything is set, you can cover the turrets with their aluminum caps to avoid accidental movement in speedy combats. 

The only downside is the price. This scope is insanely expensive, given that it doesn’t have any special features.

Pros

  • Excellent glass quality
  • Different reticle designs
  • Generous eye relief
  • Distortion-free 1x setting

Cons

  • Notably expensive

Burris MTAC 1-4×24 Scope with Fastfire

If you want something that balances well between short and mid-ranges, you should love the Burris MTAC. This amazing scope comes with a red dot sight mounted on top.

Burris MTAC 1-4x24 Scope with Fastfire
Burris MTAC 1-4×24 Scope with Fastfire

The best thing about this scope has got to be the price. It is among the most reasonably-priced optics in today’s market. The second best thing is the weight. It weighs around 18 ounces with the rings and extra sight!

Performance and Design

The Burris MTAC comes with a second-focal-plane illuminated reticle. But unlike the Trijicon, it depends on CR2032 batteries. Of course, if the battery dies on you, there will be no illumination. But even then, the etched reticle can do a pretty good job.

Toward the left, there is a turret that controls the illumination in 10 settings. Between each level, the illumination turns off, which can be a bit confusing in tight situations where you want to quickly adjust settings.

One of the most unique features of the MTAC lies in the reticle design. The Ballistic CQ reticle has 3 T-shaped figures drawn around a central dot. This way, you can lock your target in place extremely fast.

With a 4-inch eye relief, the MTAC 1-4x scope provides great value. This makes it suitable for a wide range of rifles.

Turrets

If long-range shooting is important for you, then you might want to consider another scope. The Burris MTAC accepts adjustments of 1 mil. This equals about 3.6 inches at 100 yards. Also, the turrets do not produce a loud or audible click.

Pros

  • 10 levels of illumination
  • Attached red dot sight
  • Generous eye relief
  • Reasonably-priced
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Low accuracy

The Burris MTAC/Fastfire III combo is also one of our best scopes with red dot on top!

Burris Rifle Scope Reviews

Hi-Lux Optics CMR Series 1-4x24mm

If you are tight on budget, the Hi-Lux Optics CMR can be your best bet. It certainly won’t be as efficient as pricier models, but it gets pretty close.

Hi-Lux Optics CMR Series 1-4x24mm Close-Medium Range Tactical Riflescope
Hi-Lux Optics CMR Series 1-4x24mm Close-Medium Range Tactical Riflescope

The first downside is found in the weight of this 1-4x scope. This 10-inch scope weighs around 16 ounces without the mounting rings. This might limit its use in feisty close-range encounters.

Performance and Design

Whenever there is an affordable scope, you instantly doubt the scope image clarity. Most of the time, these scopes are annoyingly distorted, which would ruin your shooting regardless of how skilled you are.

Thankfully, this is not the case here. The CMR features extra-clear multi-coated lenses with special attention for fog resistance.

The reticle design is another feature that makes the CMR stand out. In the middle, a 1-MOA dot and a small circle will draw your focus with their illumination. There is a bigger circle surrounding this for locking on torso-shaped targets.

Both vertically and horizontally, there are BDC lines marked in mils in the reticle. With this design, it can provide amazing performance in both short and long ranges.

Turrets

The turrets on this 1-4x scope accept adjustments of 0.5 MOA, which is absolutely great. However, since the turrets do not have a locking mechanism, they can be accidentally moved without you noticing.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Clear lenses
  • Affordable
  • Accurate reticle

Cons

  • The turrets don’t lock in place

Mueller Speed Shot 1-4 x 24mm

As the name implies, Mueller optimized its Speed Shot scope especially for situations that need fast responses. This includes CQB, competitions, and big game hunting.

Mueller Optics 1-4x24 Speed Shot Tactical Scope
Mueller Optics 1-4×24 Speed Shot Tactical Scope

This scope is categorized among the thinnest optics. It measures about 10 inches in length and less than 2 inches in width and height. Without the mounting rings, it weighs around 17 ounces.

Performance and Design

The Speed Shot offers amazing performance with its illuminated reticle. On the left side, there is a knob that controls the light intensity with 11 settings. On the highest intensity, the central dot remains clear enough, even during sunny days.

However, when the sun goes down, you might want to install another scope. Unfortunately, the lens coating on the fully multi-coated lenses is thicker than usual. As a result, it gets notably dark in situations with limited lighting.

Also, Mueller decided to make the central dot larger than usual to allow for easier target acquisition on this 1-4x scope. To be fair, the 4-MOA dot does this job perfectly. However, it might completely obscure targets placed at distant ranges. This dot will cover about 4 inches of targets placed at 300 yards, for instance.

Turrets

Since this 1-4x scope is equipped with capped turrets (Exposed vs. Capped Turrets – Which are Better for Hunting?), you do not need to be careful with accidental turning. Whenever you need to adjust something, simply unlock the cappings and rotate the turrets.

With increments of 0.5 MOA, this scope should be accurate enough over large distances if you do not mind the large dot. The eye relief is measured at 3.5 inches which makes it suitable for a wide range of rifles.

Pros

  • Optimized for close combats
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Sturdy construction

Cons

Monstrum G2 1-4×24 First Focal Plane FFP

So far, we have only covered second focal plane scopes. If you are interested in a first focal plane scope, we recommend the Monstrum G2.

Monstrum G2 1-4x24 First Focal Plane FFP Rifle Scope
Monstrum G2 1-4×24 First Focal Plane FFP Rifle Scope

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With a basic weight of 16 ounces, this scope will fit nicely with hunters and tactical shooters. It also measures less than 10 inches, which makes it suitable for a wide range of rifles. In addition to the conventional black, the G2 comes in a stunning beige/black design for sandy terrains.

Performance and Design

Second focal plane scopes are convenient. Most of the time, you don’t have to hassle with magnification and focus. However, their reticle spacing is only accurate on the maximum magnification. A first focal plane reticle grows and shrinks proportionally with your zoom settings and your holdover points stay correct in relation to the target. Most hunters and shooters opt for a first focal plane scope for long-range shooting.

The only downside in the latter type is that the reticle gets incredibly tiny at 1x. This gets especially true for the G2 because it features a 1-MOA BDC German #4 reticle.

On the bright side, this scope offers a generous eye relief of up to 4.5 inches. You can try to compensate for the small reticle with a powerful rifle without worrying about the recoil. 

Turrets

The Monstrum G2 1-4x scope accepts adjustments as small as 0.5 MOA. The turrets produce prominent clicks that can be felt and heard.

Last but not least, Monstrum presents the best value for money through some extra accessories. It sends a set of mounting rings, a set of flip-up lens covers, a drawstring carrying bag, a lint-free cleaning cloth, and one CR2032 battery.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Excellent value with the extra accessories
  • Lightweight and compact

Cons

  • The reticle gets tinier with lower magnification

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Simmons Whitetail Classic 1-4×20

If you are absolutely restricted in your budget, then it is not really possible to find anything better than the Simmons Whitetail. It doesn’t beat a more expensive optic in performance, but it still offers acceptable results.

Simmons 1-4x20 Whitetail Classic Black
Simmons 1-4×20 Whitetail Classic Black

Since the Whitetail doesn’t have a premium construction, Simmons was able to cut down on the weight. Without the mounting rings, it weighs about 13 ounces with around 10 inches in length.

Instead of the classic smooth black finish, the Whitetail features a BlackGranite texture. This can be quite attractive, especially if you like to participate in competitions.

Performance and Design

Despite being unique on the outside, the Whitetail features a simple duplex reticle with no BDC. As a result, it won’t provide enough accuracy in long ranges. However, with a FOV of 24 feet at 100 yards at 4x magnification, you can compensate for the low accuracy with your skills.

On top of the wide field of view, the Simmons Whitetail Classic 1-4x scope also brings a generous eye relief of 4.5 inches and an exit pupil diameter of 10 mm at 1x.

Turrets

The turrets adjust with 0.5 MOA while sounding a prominent click. Almost no users had any problems with how well this scope holds zero, which is great at this price point.

Pros

  • Highly affordable
  • Attractive BlackGranite texture
  • Lightweight
  • Wide FOV, eye relief, and exit pupil diameter

Cons

  • Not that durable
  • The reticle does not have BDC or illumination

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Sig Sauer Tango4 1-4X24mm

The Sig Sauer Tango4 Riflescope is a great option for tactical and competition shooters and an excellent optic for the MSR/AR platform.

Sig Sauer Tango4 1-4X24mm Riflescope
Sig Sauer Tango4 1-4X24mm Riflescope

The scope offers exceptional optical clarity due to Sig using low dispersion (LD) glass. The scope is reasonably light at 15.9 ounces, so you can usually achieve good balance on a wide variety of rifles.

Performance and Design

The scope tube measures 30 mm in diameter with a 20mm objective lens. The tube is built from aircraft-grade aluminum in a single piece.

It has a variety of reticles, including illuminated ones. Illuminated reticles are great for low-light situations. The brightness of the reticle can be set in 8 daylight and 2 night-vision settings.

The Tango 4 1-4x scope comes with Sig’s MOTAC feature. This Motion Activated illumination reduces battery consumption by switching the illumination off when no motion is detected. The battery required is a standard CR2032.

The reticle is on the first focal plane, which is important for competitive shooters. The scope comes with low dispersion glass helps the image to be clear for accurate shots.

Turrets

The parallax is set to 100 yards and is not adjustable. Elevation and windage travel within 180 MOA or 52 MRAD when you pick an MRAD-based reticle. The adjustment increments are 0.5 MOA/0.2 MRAD. The field of view at 100 yards ranges from 97.5 feet to 23.6 feet.

The Sig Tango4 1-4×24 comes with 3.3 inches of eye relief which is a little on the low side, specifically for hunting. If you’re taking a shot uphill, the distance will decrease even more, and that can easily give you scope bite!

You get a lot of 1-4x scope for what you pay when you pick the Sig Tango 4 1-4×24. The excellent glass, in combination with the first focal plane reticle, is hard to beat for any of the other 1-4x scopes.

Pros

  • FFP reticle
  • Sig Sauer MOTAC system to preserve battery
  • Sturdy construction

Cons

  • Pretty short eye relief of 3.3 inches

Sig has become one of the best rifle scope and red dot brands. Check out the review of the unique and excellent Sig Sauer Sierra 6BDX!

Athlon Optics Talos BTR 1-4×24 Second Focal Plane

The Athlon Optics Talos BTR scope is one of the best affordable options that maintain a high level of brightness and clarity. That is why it is favored by many hunters who like the thrill of nighttime.

Athlon Talos BTR 1-4x24 Direct Dial Fixed Riflescope
Athlon Talos BTR 1-4×24 Direct Dial Fixed Riflescope

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Since it is designed for lurking inside the bushes waiting for your prey, it is made with a bit heavy construction that weighs 16 ounces without the mounting rings. However, Athlon was keen on keeping it compact to avoid blowing your cover. That is why it only measures 9.5 inches in length and 2.5 inches in height.

Performance and Design

As mentioned earlier, this scope excels in environments with low lighting. The reason behind this lies in the special coatings used over the lenses. Also, since it was purged by nitrogen, it would be absolutely rare to experience that annoying fogging while you are aiming at your target during winter.

The Talos BTR doesn’t feature an MOA reticle, which might be a bit annoying for some shooters. On the center, there is a 1 mil cross with 1 mil hash marks extending for 8 mils horizontally and vertically. There are black lines all-around for easier target acquisition.

Turrets

The turrets on the Talos BTR 1-4x scope are well-constructed with amazing audible and tactile clicks. Each click adjusts the value by 0.2 mils. This might feel annoying at first but you should find it equally convenient later on.

Pros

  • High clarity and excellent light transmission
  • Audible and tactile turret clicks
  • The insides are purged with nitrogen to fight the fogging

Cons

  • It does not have an MOA version

Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x 20mm

Leupold is well known for making high-quality products with unique, premium designs. And don’t worry, this does not necessarily skyrocket the price.

Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Riflescope
Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Riflescope

The Leupold VX-Freedom is among their best mid-price 1-4x scope for the money. It looks absolutely stunning with the small golden ring toward the objective lens. In terms of weight and size, it falls around 9 ounces with a total length of 9 inches. This makes it more than suitable for shooters who value agility.

Performance and Design

The reticle on the VX-Freedom is not illuminated. But it is still sufficiently clear thanks to the multi-coated lenses.

The reticle is designed as a simplified Pig-Plex with a small central ring, hash marks, and black lines. To be honest, this design won’t be suitable for tactical shooting. But it should be perfect for hunting big game, especially hogs.

Since the lowest magnification here is 1.5x, the maximum field of view is estimated at around 74 feet. However, the minimum FOV is way higher than the other featured products at about 30 feet. The eye relief is also generous with about 4 inches.

Turrets

The windage and elevation turrets are provided with aluminum caps to avoid accidental turning. Every click adjusts the respective value by 0.25 MOA, which makes it incredibly accurate for distant targets.

Pros

  • Premium design with an attractive finish
  • Sturdy scope with a tube made from aircraft-grade aluminum
  • Lightweight and compact
  • 4-inch eye relief
  • Wide FOV at the maximum power

Cons

  • The reticle design won’t be suitable for tactical shooters
  • It does not feature illumination
  • It does not offer a 1x setting

Vortex Rifle Scope Reviews

Nikon Black Force1000 Matte Illuminated Speedforce 1-4×24

Nikon makes some of the best riflescopes in the market. Its gear is generally known for having excellent lens clarity with optimal illumination. The Nikon Black Force1000 is probably the best example.

But you can’t really expect good quality alongside illumination without putting on some extra ounces. This scope weighs about 17 ounces without the mounting rings. They managed to limit its length to 10 inches, or else it would have been a lot heavier.

Performance and Design

The Black Force1000 1-4x scope features the unique second focal plane SpeedForce reticle from Nikon. This comes as 2 horseshoe shapes with 3 dots in the middle. This can be incredibly helpful in adjusting your shots to land them perfectly.

In terms of lens clarity, it can’t be any better. The multiple coatings do a great job in blocking excessive sun rays without negatively affecting the visibility at night.

To make things even better, this scope has an illumination knob on the left side. It gives 10 levels of light intensity with an “off” setting between each level. This way, you can easily turn off the illumination without having to turn the knob all the way.

Turrets

The windage and elevation turrets are well-made with an amazing texture that allows for effortless turning. Each click results in a 0.5 MOA adjustment. And since the turrets are capped, you can be certain that they won’t turn by mistake.

Pros

  • Excellent lens clarity
  • Powerful illumination with a convenient knob
  • Wide FOV, eye relief, and exit pupil diameter

Cons

  • A bit heavy

Nikon Rifle Scope Reviews

The Verdict

We hope this roundup helps you find the best 1-4x scope. Let’s reiterate some of the top picks in our comparison of the best 1-4x scopes to help you decide to pick the best scope for your hunting and shooting.

For maximum accuracy, you should consider the Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint. Its turrets accept adjustments of 0.25 MOA, allowing you to fine-tune your long-range shots. Furthermore, the fact that it can come with 3 different reticle designs makes it suitable for a lot of tactical shooters and hunters.

If you want the best value for money, you should love the Burris 200437-FF MTAC. It comes with mounting rings and an extra red dot sight for close encounters. And don’t worry, this does not make it bulky or heavy. With a total of 18 ounces, it actually is a lot lighter than most of the recommendations.

If you are short on budget, consider the Simmons Whitetail Classic. Unlike other affordable gear, it is equipped with wide and clear lenses. As a result, it has a generous eye relief of 4.5 inches and a large exit pupil of 10 mm at 1x.

Last but not least, Monstrum G2 should be perfect if you prefer first focal plane optics. With that technology, the reticle markings will be always accurate, regardless of the magnification power you are using. Although this helps you land more accurate shots, it makes the 1x reticle super tiny.

A solid contender for the overall best 1-4x scope might also very well come from Sig Sauer. The Sig Tango 4 comes with excellent features, like very clear glass and illuminated first focal plane reticles. It offers great overall features but lacks when it comes to eye relief!

All in all, the best 1-4x riflescopes offer greater value than a red dot sight with a magnifier. Their enclosed nature is guaranteed to provide superior resistance to fogging and moisture.

How to find the best rated 1-4x riflescopes
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Kevin Collins