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10 Best 1 4x Scopes 2026 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Nightforce NX8 4-32x50mm F1 30mm Tube Illuminated ZeroSet Parallax Adjustable First Focal Plane Hunting Gun Scope, Moar F1 (C624)

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,395
Magnification
Turrets and Adjustments
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
77 reviews

Magnification
Versatility across magnification ranges makes it suitable for both close and long-distance targeting.
Turrets and Adjustments
Precision turret adjustments track flawlessly, ensuring reliable and accurate shot placement.
Durability and Weather Resistance
It combines rugged construction with ease of use, making it a dependable choice for serious shooters.

The Nightforce NX8 4-32x50mm F1 scope offers an impressive magnification range from 4x to 32x, making it very versatile whether you're aiming at close or distant targets. Its large 50mm objective lens helps deliver bright and clear images, even in low light. The first focal plane MOAR reticle is designed for precise shooting with easy-to-read markings and illumination, which is helpful for both day and dusk hunting. Eye relief at 3.5 inches is comfortable enough for most users, providing a safe distance between your eye and the scope. The field of view varies from a wide 26 feet at 4x to a narrower 4.6 feet at maximum zoom, balancing broad visibility with detailed long-range focus.

Turret adjustments with 0.25 MOA clicks and the ZeroStop feature allow quick and accurate zeroing, important for consistent shot placement. The scope is built with a durable 30mm aluminum tube, and it offers parallax adjustment from 11 yards to infinity to keep targets sharp at any distance. On the downside, the scope weighs nearly 1.8 pounds and is fairly long at over 13 inches, which might be a bit bulky for smaller rifles or for users looking for a lightweight setup.

This scope represents an excellent choice for those wanting a rugged, high-performance optic with a broad magnification range and precise aiming features for hunting or long-range shooting. Its price and feature set are best suited for serious hunters or shooters rather than casual users.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,395
Magnification
Turrets and Adjustments
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
77 reviews

Magnification
Versatility across magnification ranges makes it suitable for both close and long-distance targeting.
Turrets and Adjustments
Precision turret adjustments track flawlessly, ensuring reliable and accurate shot placement.
Durability and Weather Resistance
It combines rugged construction with ease of use, making it a dependable choice for serious shooters.
#2

Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm First Focal Plane (F1/FFP) 34mm Tube Durable Precise Waterproof Fogproof Hunting Gun Scope, 1 Mil-Radian DigIllum PTL Mil-XT Reticle

Rating
10.0
Magnification
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle

Most important from
2 reviews

Magnification
This model strikes a great balance for medium to long-range shooting, especially on AR-style rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Objective Lens Diameter
The large 56mm objective lens ensures bright and sharp images even when lighting is less than ideal.
Reticle
Illuminated reticle enhances visibility in low-light conditions, providing a significant advantage during dawn or dusk shooting.
Eye Relief
Eye relief and field of view provide comfortable and practical use across the zoom range.
Field of View
Eye relief and field of view provide comfortable and practical use across the zoom range.
Turrets and Adjustments
The first focal plane reticle combined with zero-stop turrets enables rapid and precise target acquisition.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Built with exceptional sturdiness, the scope withstands demanding field conditions without compromising performance.

The Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm is a high-quality hunting and tactical scope with a strong zoom range of 5 to 25 times magnification, making it versatile for mid- to long-range shooting. Its large 56mm objective lens helps gather plenty of light, delivering bright and sharp images even in low light. The scope uses a first focal plane Mil-XT reticle, which stays properly scaled at any zoom level, making it easier to use the holdover points accurately without guesswork. Eye relief is about 3.5 inches, offering comfortable viewing space and reducing the risk of recoil injury. The field of view narrows from roughly 19 feet at low zoom to about 5 feet at maximum zoom, which is typical for this magnification class.

Turrets provide precise and repeatable adjustments with .25 MOA or .1 MRAD clicks, supporting accurate shooting at various distances. Built with rugged materials, the scope is waterproof and fogproof, able to handle tough weather and rough handling in the field. It weighs 2.4 pounds and has a 34mm tube, balancing durability and ease of mounting on most rifles. The scope might feel a bit heavy for some users, and the price point could be steep compared to simpler models.

This scope is best suited for hunters and shooters who want premium optics and robust build quality for reliable, precise shots at medium to long ranges.

Rating
10.0
Magnification
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle

Most important from
2 reviews

Magnification
This model strikes a great balance for medium to long-range shooting, especially on AR-style rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Objective Lens Diameter
The large 56mm objective lens ensures bright and sharp images even when lighting is less than ideal.
Reticle
Illuminated reticle enhances visibility in low-light conditions, providing a significant advantage during dawn or dusk shooting.
Eye Relief
Eye relief and field of view provide comfortable and practical use across the zoom range.
Field of View
Eye relief and field of view provide comfortable and practical use across the zoom range.
Turrets and Adjustments
The first focal plane reticle combined with zero-stop turrets enables rapid and precise target acquisition.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Built with exceptional sturdiness, the scope withstands demanding field conditions without compromising performance.
#3

Nightforce ATACR 4-20x50mm First Focal Plane (F1/FFP) 34mm Tube Durable Precise Waterproof Fogproof Hunting Gun Scope, 1 Mil-Radian DigIllum PTL Tremor3 - Illuminated Reticle

Rating
9.1
Turrets and Adjustments
Durability and Weather Resistance
Turrets and Adjustments
The solid build and precision adjustments make it a dependable choice for serious shooters.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The quality and craftsmanship of this scope are immediately evident, reflecting Nightforce's reputation.

The Nightforce ATACR 4-20x50mm rifle scope is a solid choice for serious hunters and precision shooters who need flexibility across different distances. Its 4 to 20 times magnification range covers a wide variety of shooting situations—from scanning broad areas at lower magnification to making detailed, long-range shots at higher power. The large 50mm objective lens allows plenty of light in, helping with clarity and brightness, especially in low-light conditions like dawn or dusk.

This scope features a first focal plane (FFP) reticle, meaning the reticle scales with magnification, which is great for accurate range estimation and holdover no matter the zoom level. The illuminated Horus Tremor3 reticle is designed for quick target acquisition and precise wind calls, useful for both tactical and hunting scenarios. Eye relief is a comfortable 3.5 inches, which helps protect your eye from recoil and makes it easier to get a full sight picture.

The field of view ranges from about 24 feet at 4x to just over 6 feet at 20x, balancing wide sight pictures with detailed zoom. Turret adjustments are precise with .1 mil clicks and include ZeroHold technology, allowing you to quickly return to your zero setting even after dialing adjustments. This is a handy feature for maintaining accuracy during dynamic shooting. Built tough with a durable aluminum body, this scope is waterproof and fogproof, able to withstand harsh weather and rough handling. Weighing 2.2 pounds, it is not the lightest option but feels solid and well-made. The scope's price and weight might be more than casual shooters want to handle, and the 4-20x range might be limiting for some users seeking very low magnification below 4x. Designed for experienced shooters and hunters, this scope delivers durability, precise adjustments, and versatile magnification suitable for various shooting conditions.

Rating
9.1
Turrets and Adjustments
Durability and Weather Resistance
Turrets and Adjustments
The solid build and precision adjustments make it a dependable choice for serious shooters.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The quality and craftsmanship of this scope are immediately evident, reflecting Nightforce's reputation.

Buying Guide for the Best 1 4x Scopes

When choosing a 1-4x scope, it's important to consider how you plan to use it. These scopes are versatile and can be used for a variety of shooting activities, from close-range target shooting to medium-range hunting. Understanding the key specifications will help you select the best scope for your needs. Here are the main specs to consider and how to navigate them.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears through the scope compared to the naked eye. A 1-4x scope means you can adjust the magnification from 1x (no magnification) to 4x (four times closer). This range is ideal for close to medium-range shooting. If you plan to shoot at varying distances, a 1-4x scope offers flexibility. For close-range shooting, 1x is sufficient, while 4x is useful for targets that are further away.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens, measured in millimeters. It affects the amount of light that enters the scope, impacting brightness and clarity. A larger diameter (e.g., 24mm) allows more light, which is beneficial in low-light conditions. However, larger lenses can be bulkier. For general use, a diameter between 20mm and 24mm is a good balance between light transmission and size.
ReticleThe reticle is the crosshair or aiming point you see when looking through the scope. There are various types, such as duplex, mil-dot, and BDC (bullet drop compensator). The choice depends on your shooting style. A simple duplex reticle is great for general use and hunting, while a mil-dot reticle is useful for range estimation and tactical shooting. A BDC reticle helps with long-range shooting by compensating for bullet drop.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope where you can see the full field of view. It's important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil firearms. Longer eye relief (3-4 inches) is better for high-recoil guns, while shorter eye relief (2-3 inches) is sufficient for low-recoil firearms. Choose a scope with adequate eye relief to avoid eye strain and ensure a comfortable shooting experience.
Field of ViewField of view (FOV) is the width of the area you can see through the scope at a specific distance, usually measured in feet at 100 yards. A wider FOV allows you to see more of the target area, which is beneficial for tracking moving targets. At 1x magnification, a wider FOV is useful for close-range shooting, while at 4x, a narrower FOV is acceptable for focusing on distant targets. Consider your shooting environment and choose a scope with an appropriate FOV.
Turrets and AdjustmentsTurrets are the knobs on the scope used to adjust windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down). Precise adjustments are crucial for accuracy. Look for scopes with easily adjustable turrets that offer tactile feedback. Some scopes have capped turrets for protection, while others have exposed turrets for quick adjustments. If you need to make frequent adjustments, exposed turrets are convenient. For set-and-forget use, capped turrets are more durable.
Durability and Weather ResistanceDurability and weather resistance are important for ensuring your scope can withstand harsh conditions. Look for scopes made from high-quality materials like aircraft-grade aluminum. Features like waterproofing, fog-proofing, and shock resistance are essential for reliable performance in various environments. If you plan to use the scope in extreme conditions, prioritize these features to ensure longevity and consistent performance.

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