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Finding the best 1-4x scope is something that many shooters are searching for. This range of magnification is ideal for shooters that need to reach both close and medium-range targets. Hunting, target shooting, 3-gun competition, and tactical environments are all areas where shooters can benefit from having the right 1-4x scope to fit their needs.
My top pick for this list of 1-4x scopes is the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 1-4×24. The quality, the features available, and the price point combine into something that most shooters will appreciate. That being said, there are many great scopes available, and your specific needs will ultimately dictate which scope is best for you. In this article, I’ll discuss six of the top scopes on the market today. I’ll go over the basic features of the products and how they might fit the specific needs of the shooter. I’ll also present some basic information about what to look for when purchasing a 1-4x scope.
Here are the 6 best 1-4x Scope
This optic features fully multi-coated lenses to increase the transmission of light and keep your view bright and clear. Its single-piece tube construction is built from a solid block of aircraft-grade aluminum to add to the durability of this scope as well as maintain the rigidity needed for accuracy.
Many shooters will also appreciate the Crossfire II’s four inches of eye relief. This allows a more forgiving amount of space between the eye and the scope, something that is extremely valuable when not only speed is required, but a variety of shooting positions as well.
The reticle of the Crossfire II is Vortex Optics’s V-Brite MOA which is a simple crosshair with the addition of an illuminated red dot at the center. This uncluttered style of reticle, with the added illumination at the center, allows you to quickly get your target lined up. There are no bullet drop compensation markings, but if speed is what you need, you’ll appreciate the simplicity of the V-Brite reticle. The brightness of the red dot can be adjusted with the control knob on the top of the scope that allows you to click between 11 different levels of brightness.
Key Specifications
- Magnification: 1-4x
- Objective lens diameter: 24 mm
- Eye Relief: 4 inches
- Field of view (at 100 yds): 96.1 ft – 24.1 ft
- Weight: 14.8 oz
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Fully multi-coated lenses
Take Away
At around $200, this scope offers high-quality performance at a great price. Rugged, dependable, and backed by Vortex Optics’ amazing lifetime warranty, this scope will fit the needs of many shooters. Adding to this, the CrossFire II’s highly visible V-Brite reticle will allow you to quickly and effectively engage your targets.
2. Trijicon Accupoint TR24 1-4×24
Anything from Trijicon is going to come at a high price, but their products are built solid and have some unique features. One of these features is that Accupoint TR24 has an illuminated reticle, but doesn’t use batteries. When there’s sufficient daylight, the reticle receives its light through fiber optic technology. When that isn’t enough, the light comes from tritium. For some, this feature alone will not be worth the extra price, but if you demand a battery-free design, this might be worth considering.
This scope doesn’t just feature high-tech battery-free illumination, however, the Accupoint TR24 is built tough. The design has gone through multiple tests to ensure its durability and dependability. It is submersion rated to ten feet to ensure it will handle the elements. It’s also temperature tested with what Trijicon calls their “Alaska to Africa” test which ensures the optic will function at temperatures of -20 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also drop tested, vibration tested, and even “Solid Zero” tested to ensure that recoil and the regular abuse of the field don’t affect the function of your scope.
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There are a few options when it comes to reticles for TR24. The basic duplex crosshair with an illuminated dot (available in amber or green) at the center will work well for most shooters. The TR24 is also available with a triangle post reticle.
Key Specifications
- Magnification: 1-4x
- Objective lens diameter: 24 mm
- Eye Relief: 3.2 inches
- Field of view (at 100 yds): 94.2 ft – 24.1 ft
- Weight: 14.4 oz
- Fiber optic and tritium illuminated (no batteries)
- Fully multi-coated, anti-reflective glass
Take Away
This is not the cheapest option out there, but the fact that it is durable and is illuminated without the use of batteries makes this scope worth considering if you heading into an environment that is full of unknowns. In certain situations, the rugged, dependable nature of this optic might be just what you need.
3. Bushnell 1-4X24 AR Optics Riflescope Illuminated FFP
This scope is packed with features. It comes in a little heavy because of this, so keep that in mind as you decide whether or not this is the right scope for you.
A waterproof rating of 1PX7 means that this scope is rated to be held in 1 meter of water for at least 30 minutes. This means it’s going to handle rain and snow just fine. This scope is also nitrogen purged to resist fog build-up that comes with varying temperatures. All of this, as well as the aircraft-grade aluminum of the tube’s construction, combines to make this scope from Bushnell well equipped to handle the elements.
The field of view with this scope is very generous, allowing the shooter to see more easily acquire the target even when it’s moving. At the lowest power setting (1x) the field of view is 112 feet. At the highest power setting (4x) the field of view is reduced, but you’re still left with 27 linear feet. Adding to this comfortable field of view is the 3.5 inches of eye relief. While this isn’t the largest amount of eye relief on the list, it’s still plenty adequate to allow the shooter to fire from various positions.
One unique feature found on this scope is its First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle. Most scopes feature Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticles. The difference between the two is in the way they affect the appearance of the reticle as you increase or decrease the magnification power. With SFP reticles, which are more common, the reticle appears the same at 1x as it does at 4x. Also, if an SFP reticle features bullet drop compensation markings (or any other sort of marking that’s meant to measure range) those marking will only be accurate a specific power, usually the max power. With FFP reticles, like the one that this Bushnell scope features, the reticle changes in size so that its marking remain accurate and can be used regardless of which power of magnification you are using. This isn’t a feature that is important to everyone, but it can be helpful to shooters who need to accurately engage targets at various ranges.
If you’d rather have a Second Focal Plane reticle, but like a lot of the features of this scope, you might want to take a look at the Bushnell 1-4×24 Drop Zone.
Also of note with this scope’s reticle is that it features BDC markings (out to 500 yards for 5.56). The reticle also has a center dot as well as a larger circle to help you quickly get your target in sight. The entire reticle is illuminated and can be adjusted within six levels of brightness.
The turret knobs for adjusting both elevation and windage are exposed and allow you to dial in your target as needed. Not all shooters will benefit from this feature. For example, if you’re primary purpose for mounting a 1-4x scope is for speed of use and mostly for close quarters, then you probably won’t spend much time dialing in the exact elevation and windage that you need. But if you need that level of adjustable precision at your fingertips, that turret knobs are almost essential.
Finally, this scope’s magnification dial is made be adjusted in almost no time at all by a folding “Throw Down” PCL (Power Change Lever). If you are in need of quick power adjustments, just fix the PCL to its unfolded position and you’ll be able to switch magnification powers quickly and with less dependence on fine motor skills.
Key Specifications
- Magnification: 1-4x
- Objective lens diameter: 24 mm
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Field of view (at 100 yds): 112 ft – 27 ft
- Weight: 18 oz
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Fully multi-coated
- First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle
Take Away
There are a lot of features included in this scope. Ultimately, it comes down to whether or not you need those added features. Having a First Focal Plane reticle that includes Bullet Drop Compensation markings makes provides a lot of potential accuracy for the shooter. Combining this with the exposed turret knobs allows for even more fine-tuning and really gives this scope a high level of precision.
4. Sig Sauer Tango4 1-4×24
The Sig Sauer Tango4 is another scope that features a First Focal Plane reticle. This is advantageous to shooters that want to have maximum control of their shot placement at various ranges as it allows the reticle’s bullet drop compensation markings to read accurately regardless of what power of magnification is being used.
Some might find FFP reticles like this to be a disadvantage, however. One reason for this is because at low power settings the reticle appears very small in relation to the target. Again, this is because FFP reticles adjust in size to fit the power of magnification being used. The illuminated horseshoe dot of the Tango4 will still draw your eye and help you engage those close targets, but when taking shots at further targets while still under the low power setting, the small size of the reticle becomes more noticeable. This is true for all FFP reticles, not just the Tango4, and it’s not really a problem, but just something to be aware of when choosing between FFP and SFP scopes.
The Tango4 is equipped with very clear glass that all types of shooters will appreciate. Sig Sauer uses low dispersion (LD) glass and employs their “SpectraCoat” and “LensArmor” technologies to boost the quality of these lenses even further. SpectraCoat is an anti-reflection lens coating that works to reduce surface reflections across the glass and improve light transmission. LensArmor is an abrasion-resistant coating that ensures that these crisp, clear lenses remain that way.
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Shooters will appreciate the IPX7 waterproof rating of this scope as well as the nitrogen gas purging that makes the lenses more fogproof. The illuminated reticle is battery-powered and can be adjusted to eight different levels of brightness for daylight hours and two different levels for use with night vision.
Once you’ve dialed in the Tango4, the turret caps cover and protect your zero. The entire turret, even when covered, is designed to be very low profile. This is a small detail, but it is helpful in reducing the overall profile of your rifle and allows you not only more freedom of movement, but it allows you to easily see out over your scope when needed.
Key Specifications
- Magnification: 1-4x
- Objective lens diameter: 24 mm
- Eye Relief: 3.3 inches
- Field of view (at 100 yds): 97.5 ft – 23.6 ft
- Weight: 15.9 oz
- First Focal Plane reticle
- IPX7 waterproof rating
Take Away
This scope offers a very clear view, low-profile turrets, and a First Focal Plane Reticle. It also includes, in addition to its eight daylight settings, two levels of brightness for use with night vision. This isn’t the least expensive option when it comes to 1-4x scopes, but it does offer a lot of unique and high-quality features.
5. Trijicon ACOG 4×32
First of all, this scope doesn’t completely fit on this list since it is a fixed 4x and not a variable 1-4x like the rest of the optics listed here. But since this MarineApproved.com, it’s hard not to include the optic we mount to our primary weapon system. More important, however, it’s important to consider options like this when looking at 1-4x scopes. For some shooters, having the adjustable range between 1x and 4x might not actually be necessary. As a Marine, I used a 4x fixed power optic like this in close-quarters situations as well as when medium-range, precision shots. The variable power of a 1-4x scope has its clear advantages, but there’s something to be said about the simplicity of a fixed power optic.
The Trijicon ACOG is available in a number of different configurations that feature different reticles or are calibrated toward specific calibers. Among these configurations is the USMC Rifle Combat Optic (RCO), the version designed specifically for the M16A4 weapons system. Most of the reticle options feature an illuminated chevron and bullet drop compensation markings. These markings are also sized to allow for easy range estimation.
The durability of this optic is incredible. This kind of ruggedness can be expected from Trijicon because of the way they build their optics, but also because of the high level of testing they put their products through. The ACOG has been tested to withstand extreme temperatures, be fully immersed in water, hold up to drops and vibration, and hold its zero over consecutive rounds. The Trijicon ACOG is a tough optic that is built to withstand all sorts of abuse and throughout a wide range of environments.
Adding to the rugged nature of this optic, the ACOG is illuminated without the use of batteries. Trijicon offers a battery-operated version of the ACOG as well, but most versions feature the dual lighting system provided by fiber optic and tritium technology. Battery-powered optics can stay powered for thousands of hours, but if there is a clear advantage to be gained by having an optic that isn’t dependent on batteries.
Key Specifications
- Magnification: 4x
- Objective lens diameter: 32 mm
- Eye Relief: 1.5 inches
- Field of view (at 100 yds): 36.78 ft
- Weight: 15.1 oz
- Fiber optic and tritium illuminated (no batteries)
- Weatherproof
Take Away
While the ACOG 4×32 is a fixed power optic and doesn’t have the option of shifting from 1-4x like the rest of the scopes on this list, it might be an option worth considering the simplicity of fixed power scope fits your needs. This particular optic is built to withstand all kinds of abuse. On top of that, it’s illumination is powered by fiber optic and tritium technology instead of batteries. All of this makes the optic extremely dependable when your situation or environment are far from ideal. These features come at a high cost, but if it’s what you need, the Trijicon ACOG will deliver.
6. Burris MTAC 1-4×24
While the Burris MTAC was designed with 3-gun competition shooter and close-quarter situations, this scope is also a good pick for hunters looking to take down dangerous game. The scope is offered in two different reticle variations, the “Ballistic CQ” and the “Ballistic 5X.” Both versions are illuminated.
The Ballistic CQ reticle was designed with competition shooters, military, and law enforcement in mind. A central red dot within a larger circle allows the shooter to quickly get their sights on target. When speed is the priority, it’s common for a reticle to not have the additional clutter of bullet drop compensation markings. The Ballistic CQ is different, but it has still maintained a clean view by using smaller dots as BDC markings instead of the usual vertical line and hash marks.
The Ballistic 5X reticle isn’t quite as speed-oriented in its design, but it provides more potential for accuracy in certain situations. This is accomplished with the use of milliradian measurements as well as bullet drop compensation markings that reach out to 600 yards. This style of reticle is designed to place shots on target at longer ranges, but the illuminated broken circle and red dot at the center keep the scope function just as well for closer distances.
All types of shooters will appreciate the double internal spring-tension system that keeps your zero safe and secure from recoil and other bumps that happen along the way. Adding to this durability feature, this scope is waterproof and also nitrogen-filled to keep the optic function in wet environments and shifting temperatures.
Key Specifications
- Magnification: 1-4x
- Objective lens diameter: 24 mm
- Eye Relief: 3.5 – 4 inches
- Field of view (at 100 yds): 100 ft – 32 ft
- Weight: 14.5 oz
- Waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof
Take Away
This is a high-quality scope that is available in two different versions so that the reticle fits your specific needs. The optic is designed to be fast and accurate, and it’s built to last.
What Makes a Great 1-4x Scope?
The 1-4x scope is geared toward quick engagement of close to medium-range targets. This range of magnification power gives you enough to get a “closer look” at mid-range targets but still lets you dial back to 1x for quick target acquisition at close range. Since this is the purpose of this type of scope, there are generally certain features that you’ll want to look for to ensure you have a quick and dependable optic.
Having a clear view of your target is essential when quick shots are needed. There are certain features that help with this kind of view. Multi-coated lenses will help to ensure that sufficient light makes its way into the optic (even during low light situations), and it also keeps light from reflecting and disrupting your view. Aside from the glass itself, another feature that can help with having a clear sight picture is the type of reticle. A scope with an uncluttered, simple reticle design will be the easiest to use in quick reaction situations.
High levels of durability and weatherproofing are other features that make a great scope. Scopes that are built to endure will be constructed with o-ring seals that block out water, nitrogen purging to keep the lenses from fogging. Also, scopes that are designed to be “shockproof” will help to protect your zero from the recoil of your shots as well as the regular abuse that comes with real field use.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best 1-4x Scope That Fits Your Needs?
There are many 1-4x scopes available on the market, so it’s helpful to look closely at your specific needs in order to find the best scope for you.
Picking a scope that has a reticle designed for your particular needs is important. If most of your shooting is done at close range, and you plan to primarily use the lower end of the scope’s magnification power, then you might benefit from a more simple reticle design. A single red dot or chevron allows the view through the scope to be free of clutter and reduces the time it takes to lock your sights onto your target. On the other side of the spectrum, if you need to take more distant shots, you might benefit from a more complex reticle like one with bullet drop compensation (BDC) markings. This type of reticle allows you to make precise hold-over adjustments to account for varying distances.
As mentioned in the previous section, durability and weatherproofing are often valuable features to look for in a scope. When purchasing your scope, keep in mind the environment you’re shooting in and the types of situations you plan on encountering. If having a durable and weatherproof scope is important to you, you’ll want to make sure your scope is built with this in mind. Many scopes on the market today are built to be waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof. Looking for these features is important, but before you purchase your scope, it’s helpful to take a look at the manufacturer’s warranty. There are several companies out there that simply don’t mess around when it comes to standing behind their products, and that goes a long way if you need a scope you can count on.
Illuminated reticles are common on many 1-4x scopes, and there are many features that revolve around this one. Even when set at 1x, illuminated reticles of almost any kind will help you get your target in your sights quicker than you could with iron sights alone, so it’s a feature worth looking at for this type of scope.
Most reticles are powered by batteries, but some are equipped with fiber optics (sometimes in addition to battery-powered illumination) for use during daylight hours. This saves your battery by allowing the daylight to filter in and illuminate your reticle.
Other battery-saving options include “shake awake” features that automatically turn your optics on when movement is detected and off when movement has ceased for a period of time. And if you’re willing to spend some money in order to ditch the need for batteries, some scopes feature reticles powered by tritium. Quick and easy access to the brightness settings will help you to get a clear view of the reticle regardless of your lighting situation.
What is a 1-4x Scope?
A 1-4x scope is an optic that has a magnification power of 1-4. This means that the scope’s lowest setting is 1x (which is what you see with the naked eye), and it can be adjusted to a maximum magnification power of four (or in other words, four times the magnification compared to what you see with the naked eye). The scope is designed for close to medium-range target
How Far Can you Shoot with a 1-4x Scope?
For some shooters, 4x will be their preferred setting for ranges nearing 100 yards, but for others, this might be plenty of magnification for use at ranges as far as 600 yards. The exact range at which this scope will function at its best comes down to a number of different variables. With this in mind, let’s break this down a little further.
First, the range you can shoot is determined by the round you firing and not by the scope. That being said, the purpose of having the magnifying power of a scope is to allow the shooter to gain a “closer” view of their target. Proper shooting mechanics are still the foundation here, but with added magnification, it becomes easier to see whether or not your target is correctly aligned within your sights.
The size of your target, the level of precision required, your eyesight, and even the speed at which you need to acquire your target, are all factors that will affect the maximum range of a 1-4x scope. To put this into perspective, imagine a target set at 100 yards. Remember that a power of four makes a target at 100 yards appear as if it were four times closer (as if it were only 25 yards away). If this seems overkill, then perhaps 4x will be reserved only for shots much further than 100 yards.
The maximum range for a 1-4x scope will depend on your intended use and the factors already discussed. In general, however, the purpose of this type of scope is intended for use at close to mid-range targets.
Final Verdict
While there are many excellent scopes on this list, as well as plenty of others that weren’t listed, my top pick is the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 1-4×24. This scope is durable, weatherproof, and features a simple reticle style that will work well for most shooters. There are other scopes that have these kinds of features, but the lifetime warranty offered by Vortex, and the relatively low price point of this optic, really set it apart. You simply get a lot of scope for your money with the Crossfire II.
Price aside, the Trijicon Accupoint TR24 1-4×24 is a scope that clearly delivers. The fiber optic and tritium technology of its battery-free illuminated reticle, along with its extreme level of durability and weatherproofing makes it a very advanced scope. However, the much lower prices of the Crossfire II put it at the top of the list.
The Bushnell 1-4×24 is another scope that is full of features that might appeal to certain shooters. Its adjustable turrets can be used to adjust elevation and windage between shots. This isn’t a feature that everyone needs in a scope, and that’s why the Crossfire II made the top of the list, but if you need this level of adjustable precision, the Bushnell 1-4×24 might be the clear winner for you.
When it comes to selecting the right 1-4x scope for you, it’s important to look at your specific needs. While the Crossfire II might be a great place to start your search, you might find that you need features that this scope just doesn’t offer. For example, if you want bullet drop compensation (BDC), a First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle, battery-free illumination, or on-the-fly adjustable turrets, then you’ll need to look beyond the Crossfire II.
