The best LPVO for under $300 - SIG SAUER TANGO MSR 1-6X

LPVOs or Low Powered Variable Optics have taken the shooting world by storm in recent years. Much like red dots, as LPVOs hit the consumer market and more and more manufacturers began producing them, the price point of entry dropped significantly in recent years.

Full Review: https://crackshot.tv/lpvo-review-sig-sauer-tango-msr-1-6x/
Where to get it: https://www.amazon.com/Sig-Sauer-Tango-1-6x24mm-Rifle/dp/B09RNFZTB5/ref=sr_1_3?crid=26TBHGEGTUF96&keywords=tango%252Bmsr&qid=1689858255&sprefix=tango%252Bmsr%25252Caps%25252C141&sr=8-3&_encoding=UTF8&tag=crackshot00-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=255c45083e5006ff23ab4394bd558e86&camp=1789&creative=9325&th=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=crackshot00-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=ed93cea59bd3c8f048cd9efcd73bfdab&camp=1789&creative=9325

However, that has created a market where LPVO offerings can be had for as low as $160 on the low end, and the high end easily coming to thousands of dollars. Quality in between varies as highly as the price range.

So when an LPVO with an MSRP comes on the market for $300 from a company as well respected as Sig Sauer, the community takes notice. Enter the Sig Sauer Tango MSR, which is short for Modern Sporting Rifle.

The Tango MSR is a second focal plane low powered variable optic that definitely surpasses expectations at the price point. It comes in 1-6x or a more expensive 1-10x varieties. Today I'll be reviewing the 1-6X version.

The scope is durable, it's very heavy built and has a very durable finish. The scope mount itself is also very heavy duty and feels like it could take a beating. However with the heavy build, the scope is massive. Its heavier and larger than any other LPVO I own or have encountered. The scope alone weighs 1.24 lbs without mount, and 1.6 lbs with mount, adding a bit of weight to your rifle. So while it is durable, it adds a bit of weight to your rifle compared to other optics.

I also appreciate the level line on the side of the optic. The line functionally allows you to level the scope when mounting against the rings, which I verified using an actual level. This allows you to easily level the scope when installing, as well as to quickly see if the scope has shifted at all while shooting.

The MSR has pretty clear glass for a $300 optic. I also own Primary Arms LPVOs of a similar price point and the Tango MSR has those beat. Mine is incredibly clear both on 1X and still fairly clear at 6x although you start to see distortion and haze at 6x. It's not Japanese glass clear, the tango MSR is made in China, but it is still very good for this price point of optic.

The MSR ships with Sig's BDC6 MOA reticle. The reticle has a simple BDC pattern with adjustments for windage. The dot surrounded by a horse shoe also makes it very easy to pick up and focus on targets at close ranges, especially with the illumination engaged.

Speaking of which, The Tango MSR has 11 brightness settings. The illumination isn't the brightest on this optic. I've found that I often need to turn this up to max brightness on a sunny day, but it does provide enough contrast against dark backdrops.

Being a second focal plane scope, the reticle doesn't change in size when flipping from 1x to 6x. I also appreciate that Sig desnged the throw level handle integrated directly into the magnification ring, so you don't need to deal with any detachable levers.

The turrets on scope aren't the best. They are a little bit mushy, but they're typical of this price range. They do audibly click and do seem to line up to the suggested 0.25 MOA.

The biggest issue on this scope is the eye box at 6x. Your cheek weld has to be absolutely perfect, and there is very little margin for error before you lose the image entirely, which makes transitioning between targets a little bit difficult over time.

However, at 1x the eyebox is much more forgiving. I have no issues transitioning shots quickly between targets. So overall the eyebox is okay. It's better on a few other LPVOs in the price range that I've tried, and worse on others, so in this regard the Tango MSR is pretty middle of the road regarding its eyebox for inexpensive LPVOs.

I haven't had the chance to shoot it out past a few hundred yards, but I haven't had any issues with the scope not holding zero and I'm able to shoot 1MOA typically quite easily with this optic.

Overall I really like this scope. It's priced really well for what it is. It isn't as nice as the Burris RT6 for a little bit more money, and definitely not as good as the Vortex viper gen 2 PST for a couple hundred dollars more, but given its incredibly low price tag for what it is, its definitely a great value LPVO. Hats off to Sig for providing an LPVO that is very affordable for the average consumer and the modern sporting rifle. It very much lives up to its name.