Best 1-4x Scope – Top 10 Best Rated 1-4x Scopes Review

A 1-4x scope is the perfect option for a lot of shooters. They strike an excellent balance between close range precision and just enough magnification to accurately reach out to mid-range targets.

They function well for hunters, target shooters, and even competition shooters and provide a sleek look when mounted on a bolt-action rifle, shotgun, or AR-15. Check out the list below to find the best 1-4x scope for your needs.

What to Look For in a 1-4x Scope?

There are a lot of rifle scopes out there on the market today. It can get really overwhelming to figure out which one to choose. The last thing you want is to spend your hard earned money on the wrong scope. Then you have to deal with the hassle of returning it and starting the entire process all over again.

Reticle

The reticle in your scope is the connection between you and your target. It can make all the difference between a well-placed shot and an off-target shot. Pay close attention to the reticles that each of the scopes on this list have. Think about the type of shooting that you plan to do with your new 1-4x scope and make sure the reticle in the scope you choose is compatible with it. There will be some information about each scope’s reticle in the list below.

Focus

Having the ability to quickly and easily focus the image that a 1-4x scope presents is something that will come in handy for all shooters. Clarity and focus are very important when shooting at ranges that a 1-4x scope can cover. A scope that features a focusing eyepiece offers shooters the ability to instantly dial in their preferred focus.

Turrets

The turrets on a scope are the gateway to excellent accuracy. Having the ability to fine tune shot placement at 1-4x compatible ranges is invaluable. There are several different types of turret designs on scopes. Some important features to look for include the adjustment increment of the turrets, whether or not the turrets lock, if they can return to zero after adjustment, and the texture or grip of them.

Eye Relief

Eye relief is an important consideration in a 1-4x scope. It is especially important if the firearm the scope is intended to be mounted on has a lot of recoil. The ideal amount of eye relief will vary from person to person and weapon to weapon. For example, the eye relief of a 1-4x scope intended for a rimfire rifle is nowhere near as important as the eye relief for a shotgun or high recoil rifle mounted scope.

The above list of things to look for in a 1-4x scope isn’t exhaustive by any means, but it should give you a really good place to start in your research. Now let’s figure out which is the best 1-4x scope for your needs by using the top ten list below!

Best 1-4x Scope on the Market Review

 1   Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint 1-4x24 Dual-Illuminated Riflescope

In the world of 1-4x scopes, the Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint is hard to beat. This illuminated riflescope is perfect for mounting on an AR-15. This scope offers all of the features found in high end scopes including a hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum body, fully multi-coated optics, and an illuminated glass-etched reticle. The BAC Triangle Post reticle is available with either a red or green triangle color and combines perfectly with the magnification range of this scope.

Rivaling scopes that sell for double the price, the Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint does not require batteries for illumination. Instead, it employs fiber optics to illuminate the reticle during adequate lighting conditions and a self-luminous Tritium lamp that allows the reticle to glow in low light conditions to make target acquisition fast and efficient. If you want a scope that won’t let you down in any conditions, the Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint is an excellent option.

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

With a first focal plane (FFP) illuminated reticle, a tactical design, and included mounting rings, you would be hard pressed to find a better 1-4x scope for under $200 than the Monstrum G2. This scope features ample eye relief and a 24mm objective lens diameter. The etched reticle can be seen at all times, but red or green illumination can be turned on to deal with low light conditions.

The bullet drop compensating FFP reticle offers range finding and hold over estimation at any magnification level. That is an ideal feature to have when you are changing magnifications on the fly. The Monstrum G2 has fully multi-coated optics and the 30mm tube is nitrogen purged for water and fog resistance. This tactical scope ships with Picatinny scope rings, a honeycomb filter sunshade, flip-up lens covers, a cleaning cloth, and one battery.

 3    Vortex Optics Crossfire II 1-4x Scope

The Crossfire II 1-4x scope from Vortex Optics is an excellent option for the budget or value minded shopper. Vortex has a rock solid reputation for making quality gear and they stand behind their gear with a lifetime warranty. This 1-4x scope in the Crossfire II line is constructed from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum. It is sealed with O-rings and is nitrogen purged to make it both waterproof and fogproof.

The V-Brite Illuminated reticle utilizes the V-Plex format and adds an illuminated center dot allowing shooters to easily stay on target in low light conditions. With a brightness control knob conveniently located on top of the eyepiece, the Crossfire II can be adjusted for any lighting conditions quickly and easily.

 4    Primary Arms Classic Series 1-4x24 SFP Rifle Scope

The Primary Arms Classic Series 1-4x24 SFP rifle scope should be one of the top options for rimfire shooters and Ruger 10/22 owners. It features an illuminated duplex dot reticle that can be adjusted through 12 brightness settings. This style of reticle is excellent for plinking and small game hunting. The illumination allows it to be effective in a wide range of lighting conditions.

With very generous eye relief, fully multi-coated optics for waterproof and fogproof performance, and capped adjustment knobs, the Classic Series 1-4x24 scope from Primary Arms is a great option for the money.

 5   Bushnell 1-4x24 Riflescope

If you run a .223/5.56 AR-15 and want a tactical scope from a brand you can trust, look no further than the Bushnell 1-4x24 riflescope. That isn’t to say this scope can only be used on that type of firearm, but the illuminated bullet drop compensating reticle is calibrated to .223/5.56 which makes it easy to account for holdover while shooting.

The adjustable length magnification throw lever adds both tactical looks and tactical performance to this 1-4x scope. The fully multi-coated optics, rugged design for use in all weather conditions, and six brightness settings make this under $300 scope a great value. There is even a version equipped with a reticle calibrated for 300 Blackout cartridges.

 6   Athlon Talos BTR 1-4x24 Riflescope

The Athlon Talos BTR 1-4x24 is a shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof scope that is ideal for use on a variety of platforms including shotguns, AR-15s, rimfire rifles, and even big game rifles. The glass-etched illuminated reticle offers a high degree of shock resistance to recoil.

The Talos BTR features the AHSR14 SFP IR MIL reticle which was designed specifically for the close range shooting situations typically handled by a 1-4x scope. The MIL hash increments allow for rapid target acquisition, holdover estimations, and leading a moving target. For under $200, Athlon has delivered a scope that will perform admirably on a variety of weapon platforms and in a wide range of conditions.

 7   Nikon M-Tactical 1-4X24 Matte MK1-MOA

If you are tired of all the bells and whistles of illuminated scopes with complicated reticles and just want a straight to the point tactical scope, look no further than the Nikon M-Tactical 1-4x24 scope. With a sleek design, matte finish, and oversized, knurled turrets, the M-Tactical will look great on any firearm.

While the MK1-MOA reticle can be used for things like ranging, holdover, and wind drift estimations, it is also simple enough to use for snap shooting on close range targets. The ultra matte anodized finish diminishes reflection and greatly increases the durability of the M-Tactical making it an excellent tactical scope option.

 8   Vortex Optics Viper PST 1-4x24 SFP Riflescope

The Viper PST is another great 1-4x scope option from Vortex Optics. Built with tactical shooters in mind, this scope is durable, waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof. It is machined out of a solid block of aircraft grade aluminum and is outfitted with extra low dispersion glass which increases color clarity and resolution. This provides shooters with a clear and crisp target image.

This scope includes two other features that make it an incredible value for an under $500 scope. One is matching reticle and turret measurements and the other is customizable rotation stop (CRS). The matching measurements allow for lighting fast dialing in during shooting scenarios. The customizable rotation stop makes it a breeze to return to the original zero after making temporary elevation adjustments.

 9   Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4X20mm Riflescope

The Leupold VX-Freedom is a great option for mounting on a classic bolt-action rifle. With a timeless design and the respected Leupold name, the VX-Freedom combines appealing aesthetics with high-end performance.

The lightweight design and one inch main tube make this scope a low profile option when compared to some of the bulkier scopes on this list. The glass features a special coating that can eliminate up to 80% more glare than other similar scopes. The VX-Freedom has an illuminated FireDot MOA-Ring reticle and a finger click dial system for accurate shot placement and easy zeroing.

 10   Sig Sauer Tango4 Riflescope

Tactical and three gun competition shooters look no further! The Sig Sauer Tango4 Riflescope is the perfect option for you. Low dispersion glass offers superior clarity and the first focal plane reticle is ideal for accuracy at every magnification level. This scope is available with several different reticles including one calibrated for .223/5.56, one calibrated for 300 Blackout, a MRAD reticle, or a MOA reticle.

The under $500 Tango4 carries an IPX-7 waterproof rating that means it can handle complete submersion in up to a meter of water. Another impressive feature built into this scope is the Motion Activated Illumination System (MOTAC) which turns on the reticle illumination when motion is detected and powers down when no motion is detected for a certain period of time.

Wrapping It Up

The reticle, focus ability, turret design, and eye relief are all important things to consider when shopping for a 1-4x scope. Luckily, there are a lot of great options on the market today with a wide selection among all of those features. Carefully consider the shooting situations you need your scope to perform in and use the list above to find the best 1-4x scope for those situations.