New Scope Review: Meet the Vortex Venom 1-6X24 SFP

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Vortex has just unveiled its latest offerings for 2024, and among them is the Venom 1-6X24 LPVO scope. Boasting a second focal plane (SFP) design, this rifle scope is equipped with Vortex’s AR-BDC3 reticle, meticulously crafted to enhance speed and accuracy in short to mid-range engagements. The scope features an illuminated reticle, coupled with capped windage and elevation adjustments. With a true 1X magnification at its lowest setting, the Venom 1-6 ensures an expansive field of view and a comfortable eye box. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the Strike Eagle 1-6, the Venom 1-6 sets itself apart with superior glass quality, turrets, and field of view – all at a more budget-friendly price, coming in $50 cheaper than the original Strike Eagle.

While I was able to spend over a month testing out this new optic, shown below is a quick video of GunsAmerica’s Editor-in-Chief, True Pearce giving his initial impressions:

Vortex Venom 1-6 Specifications:

Magnification: 1-6x
Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
Reticle: AR-BDC3
Turret Style: Capped
Tube Size: 30 mm
Adjustment Graduation: 1/4 MOA
Parallax Setting: 100 Yds
Max Windage Adjustment: 140 MOA
Max Elevation Adjustment: 140 MOA
Travel Per Rotation: 25 MOA
Field of View: 126′-20.2′
Eye Relief: 3.7″
Length: 10.3″
Weight: 19.5 oz

Out of the Box

From the factory, Vortex provides all the needed accessories for this scope minus the rings themselves. In the box is a sunshade, throw lever, CR2032 battery, 2mm hex wrench, lens covers, a lens cloth, and the scope itself. Also included is an owner’s manual and reticle pamphlet.

Mount

Every scope requires a reliable mount to squeeze out every ounce of performance possible. For this reason, I chose to pair the Venom 1-6 with Vortex’s own 30mm Precision Extended Cantilever mount. This rugged one-piece mount proved to be a great pairing for this scope review. I spent a lot of time shooting with a 45-70 and the scope/mount combo never lost its zero.

Reticle

When it comes to scopes, the most interesting thing in my mind is the reticle. While good glass and other features definitely make a difference, the reticle can make or break the scope for me. The AR-BDC3 is designed to “facilitate rapid shooting at distances from 20-650 yards with popular .223/5.56mm and .308/7.62mm loads.” Precise holdovers vary for every rifle/ammunition combo. However, this reticle will get people on target when using rounds with the proper velocity. The reticle is optimized for shooting 60gr .223 at 3050fps, or even 168gr .308 at 2650fps. This is shown in the image below.

One very important thing to remember with the second focal plane of SFP scopes is that the holdovers are only correct at a specific magnification setting. For the Venom 1-6, this is at the maximum magnification. That means that if you try to take a 600-yard shot using the 600-yard hold while only zoomed in at 4X, you will miss the target. However, when zoomed in at 6X, all the holds are true. While the reticle remains constant at any given magnification, I found it quite easy to use when zoomed in all the way. The holds worked well for me, and the AR-BDC3 reticle is a very quick system to use. While bullet drop compensated or BDC reticles may be less flexible than MOA or MIL-style systems, they are definitely quicker when paired with the correct rifle/ammunition setup.

While these holds work great at a distance, this reticle is amazing when used at 1x magnification. I am able to have both eyes open due to the true 1x magnification, and the thick outside lines really draw my attention to the center of the reticle. The illuminated horseshoe provides good contrast, and the center 1 MOA dot provides a very fine aiming point. I enjoyed using this LPVO on 1x while running and gunning with it.

Ranging

Vortex has incorporated a ranging tool into the top of the reticle for swift distance approximation. The horizontal lines are calibrated to the 18″ width of a silhouette target’s shoulders, standing at a height of 40″ at various distances. To utilize this feature, align the horizontal hashmark with the target’s base and observe which reference line corresponds to the top of the target. The numerical markings (3, 4, 5, and 6) on the reticle signify the target’s range in hundreds of yards. For visual guidance, Vortex has thoughtfully included the image below in the reticle pamphlet accompanying this scope

Venom 1-6 Illumination

To help provide fast target acquisition in any lighting scenario, Vortex utilizes an illuminated reticle with the Venom 1-6. Six brightness settings can be picked from using the left-hand side turret. There is an off position between each setting allowing for quick activation of the last used brightness setting. This is powered by a single CR2032 battery.

After spending some time shooting with this scope in multiple different lighting conditions I will say that the illuminated reticle is not “daylight bright.” Vortex even admits to this on its product page. However, while it is not as bright as a red dot, the illumination is still beneficial and helps provide contrast when aiming at dark backdrops.

Turrets

Both the elevation and windage turrets for the Venom 1-6 are capped. This helps prevent accidental adjustment when the scope gets bumped around which is common in a duty or competition type of situation. While some scopes feature uncapped turrets to dial in shots at a distance, the Venom features all of these holds out to 650 yards for the cartridges it was designed to be used with. However, the turrets need to be used when initially zeroing the scope. Each turret utilizes 1/4 MOA adjustments which are tactile and crisp.

One drawback I observed with this scope is the lack of alignment between the turret adjustments and the AR-BDC3 reticle. Typically, with most scopes, achieving a one-shot zero is feasible. This involves taking an initial shot, holding the crosshairs at the center of the target, and using the reticle to precisely measure the distance in MILS or MOA from the point of impact. After obtaining this measurement from the reticle, I dial in the exact value and confirm with another shot. However, the Venom 1-6, employing a ballistics drop compensation (BDC) reticle, presents a challenge as the visible hash marks do not directly correspond to a change in MOA. The image below illustrates the MOA values associated with the etched yardage holds for common 223 and 308 rounds.

Magnification and Clarity

Utilizing a magnification range from 1-6x, the Venom 1-6 provides a lot of capability. When used at 1x, this scope proved to be an effective LPVO. The AR-BDC3 reticle is quick to pick up and does not get as distracting as other reticles can be. When pushed to its maximum 6x magnification, the Venom 1-6 reveals enough detail for engaging targets at distances up to 650 yards, matching the reticle’s designated holds. Enhancing its usability, the scope comes equipped with a well-functioning throw lever. This lever remains unobtrusive when not in use but offers swift and easy adjustments when needed.

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Featuring fully Multi-Coated lenses, the Venom 1-6 ensures enhanced light transmission and optical clarity. The scope’s nitrogen purging effectively prevents fogging, proving its reliability throughout my testing. Examining the scope, I observed no distortion in the center, with slight blurring limited to the outer 15% of the glass. The overall light transmission appears good, making the Venom 1-6 a compelling choice given its price point.

Field Testing the Venom 1-6

Throughout my testing, I never had a single issue with the performance of the Venom 1-6. I am a fan of the AR-BDC3 reticle and found it works great on 1x, while still having enough information to engage targets out to 650 yards with ease. The illuminated horseshoe reticle is quick, while the 1 MOA center dot is precise. The clarity is good, and as with all scopes Vortex produces, I believe the Venom 1-6 has some serious bang for your buck. I even ran it for a while on a Marlin 45-70 and while the holdovers are not correct at distance, the reticle worked great for quick target acquisitions at a 1X.

The only trouble I had with this scope was due to what looked like a reticle manufacturing defect. There is a weird-looking horseshoe-shaped thing on the upper left-hand side of the glass. It was there since I took it out of the box so it wasn’t related to the heavy recoil of the 45-70. However, rare issues like this are covered by the Vortex VIP warranty. I reached out to Vortex about this and they replaced the original scope with a brand new one. Additionally, they had it back in my hands within 2 weeks. Great customer service over a fairly minor issue. The new scope had no debris or defect in the reticle, and everything worked out just fine.

Summary of the Vortex Venom 1-6

With capped turrets, robust housing, an included throw lever, and an exceptional AR-BDC3 reticle, the Vortex Venom 1-6 stands out as a high-value offering in its price range. As mentioned earlier, I think a reticle can make or break a scope, and the AR-BDC3 has won my favor for its quick performance at 1x and holdover information extending up to 650 yards. The added ranging tool for distance estimation on standard-sized silhouette targets adds to its practicality. While this scope is not well suited for all guns and calibers, I believe it excels with 223 or 308 rifles firing ammunition at velocities around 3050fps or 2650fps, respectively. Priced with an MSRP of $450 but available for around $300, the Vortex Venom 1-6, when paired with the right rifle and ammunition, proves to be a formidable choice.

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