ARKEN EPL-4 4-16x44 vs. 6-24x50: Which Scope Is Right for You?

QUICK ANSWER: If low-magnification scanning, field of view, and carry comfort matter most, then the EPL-4 4-16x44 is the better choice. If you regularly need high magnification to study distant targets or spot your own impacts, then the EPL-4 6-24x50 earns its place. Choose based on the magnification you actually use most and your budget.

Picture this scenario: you hunt primarily, shoot the occasional long-range session, and want to ring steel at 1,000 yards. Should you prioritize the lower starting magnification of a 4-16x scope for hunting or the extra reach of a 6-24x scope for distant targets?

Both belong to the ARKEN EPL-4 series, sharing the same DNA, but offering different magnification ranges and objective lens sizes. The better choice depends on how you use your scope, not simply how high it magnifies.

The key is to choose based on your minimum and most-used magnification, not just the maximum. Here’s how the ARKEN EPL-4 4-16x44 and 6-24x50 compare for hunting and occasional long-range shooting.

What Both ARKEN EPL-4 4-16x44 and 6-24x50 FFP Scopes Share

   ARKEN EPL-4 4-16x44 and 6-24x50 FFP scopes showing shared design features

Before comparing, let’s look at their similarities. Both EPL-4 models are built on the same foundation:

• 30 mm tube, FFP reticle: Holdover and ranging subtensions stay accurate at any magnification, so you can hold the same way at 6x or 24x without recalculating.

• Premium Japanese ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) fluoride glass: Helps reduce color fringing and keep contrast cleaner on distant targets and in low light.

• Red illuminated reticle (6 brightness settings): Keeps the reticle visible against dark colored backgrounds like dark woods at dawn or dusk.

• ARKEN Zero Stop (AZS): Dial up for a long shot, then return to your zero fast without the need to look at it, which is handy when a closer target appears.

• Side focus parallax, 10 yds to infinity: One scope for close-range hunting setups and long-range steel.

• Same reticle options (VPR / VHR, MIL or MOA) and the same turret values: Whichever scope you pick, your reticle and dialing habits carry over.

Since optics and core mechanics are shared, your decision comes down to magnification range, objective diameter, field of view, size, weight, and turret travel.

ARKEN EPL-4 4-16x44 vs. 6-24x50: Key Differences

For a more detailed look at the differences, see the full comparison page.

Since both scopes share the same optical and mechanical foundation, the decision comes down to a handful of numbers. Here is what they mean in practice:

• Magnification and FOV: The two scopes overlap from 6x to 16x. The real difference is at the ends: 4-6x is where the EPL-4 4-16x44 helps you pick up moving game in woods, while 16-24x is where the EPL-4 6-24x50 helps you read the wind and see small targets.

• Exit pupil (objective ÷ magnification): At 16x, the EPL-4 4-16x44 gives about 2.75 mm and the EPL-4 6-24x50 about 3.13 mm. That is a modest edge for the 50 mm at dusk. At 24x the EPL-4 6-24x50 drops to about 2.08 mm, so the image dims as you crank it up.

• Weight and length: Under an ounce and about half an inch. It matters most if you carry the rifle all day or are building a light setup.

How to Choose Between the ARKEN EPL-4 4-16x44 and 6-24x50

These three questions separate the two scopes faster than any spec sheet. Work through them with your own hunting and shooting habits in mind.

Does a 4x low end really matter for hunting?

Short answer: It does when shots are close and fast. At 4x, the EPL-4 4-16x44 shows 30 ft at 100 yd. The EPL-4 6-24x50 bottoms out at 6x with 18.55 ft, so you give up roughly 11 ft of width right where you need it for locating and tracking game in woods, brush, or a blind.

The 4-16x44 lets you start wide and stay wide, instead of dialing down from a higher setting. It is also 0.9 oz lighter and 0.6 in shorter, which adds up on a rifle you carry all day.

Bottom line: If most of your shots are inside 200-300 yards in cover, the EPL-4 4-16x44’s 4x low end is the better fit. If you hunt open country and rarely need under 6x, the 6-24x50 loses little here.

What does the 50 mm objective actually get you?

Short answer: A bigger exit pupil at a given magnification, with a small cost in length and weight.

At 16x, the EPL-4 6-24x50 gives about 3.13 mm of exit pupil versus 2.75 mm on the EPL-4 4-16x44, a modest edge at dusk. But that advantage shrinks as you zoom: at 24x the 6-24x50 drops to about 2.08 mm, so the image dims at the top of its range. The 50 mm lens also adds 0.6 in of length and 0.9 oz of weight.

Keep in mind: Both EPL-4 models use the same Japanese ED glass, so the objective size is only part of the picture. Coatings and optical design also affect how the view looks in the field.

Do you really need 24x to shoot 1,000 yards?

Start by separating three jobs: aiming, reading target detail, and spotting your own impacts.

For aiming and hitting, 16x is enough for many shooters to put rounds on a steel plate at 1,000 yards, so the EPL-4 4-16x44 isn't out of its depth there.

What 24x adds is the ability to read the wind, resolve small targets, and see your own splash. The cost is a narrower field of view and more noticeable image shake due to movements from your body. That makes the EPL-4 6-24x50 particularly useful when high-magnification observation is part of the session.

Bottom line: If long-range observation is part of every session, the EPL-4 6-24x50 is worth the extra $30. If 1,000-yard days are occasional, don't pick 24x for the distance number alone. For many hunters who occasionally shoot steel at 1,000 yards, the EPL-4 4-16x44 can still provide enough magnification.

Which ARKEN EPL-4 Scope Is Best for Your Hunting and Shooting Needs?

With the numbers settled, the next step is matching each scope to the situations where it fits best. Here is where each model fits best.

ARKEN EPL-4 4-16x44 and 6-24x50 FFP scopes for different hunting and shooting applications

Choose the EPL-4 4-16x44 if:

• You hunt in woods, brush, or mixed terrain and want to find game fast.

• Hunting is your main use and long-range steel is an occasional bonus.

• You’re building a lighter, more compact rifle.

• You often want 4x–5x for a wider field of view and faster target acquisition.

[Shop the EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP for $299.99 with code ARKEN]

Choose the EPL-4 6-24x50 if:

• You regularly study targets or check impacts at high magnification.

• You shoot mostly from a bench, bipod, or fixed position.

• You want more elevation and windage travel for a dedicated long-range build.

• You regularly shoot above 16x and want more magnification for long-range observation and target detail.

[Shop the EPL-4 6-24x50 FFP for $329.99 with code ARKEN]

For occasional 1,000-yard shooting, the EPL-4 4-16x44 can provide enough magnification for aiming and hitting. If long-range observation is a regular part of your shooting, the EPL-4 6-24x50 gives you more magnification headroom.

Either one works if you hunt open country and glass at distance. Pick based on the magnification range you’ll actually use most. If you're deciding between these two FFP riflescopes for hunting and occasional long-range shooting, the better choice depends on your needs, not a fixed rule for any platform.

FAQs: ARKEN EPL-4 4-16x44 vs. 6-24x50

Do the two scopes look identical at 16x?

Not necessarily. At 16x the EPL-4 6-24x50 has a slightly larger exit pupil, and both share Japanese ED glass, but perceived image quality also depends on coatings and optical design, so “same glass” doesn’t mean an identical view.

Is 16x enough for 1,000 yards?

For aiming and hitting, often yes. It depends on target size, conditions, and how much detail you want to see. Spotting your own impacts is where extra magnification helps most, which is why some shooters prefer a 6-24x scope for 1,000-yard shooting.

What’s the practical difference between 44 mm and 50 mm objectives?

Mainly exit pupil size at a given magnification, roughly a 0.4 mm advantage at 16x, plus a small increase in length and weight. It doesn’t automatically mean better image quality.

How do I choose between VHR and VPR reticles?

VPR offers a structured 12 MIL / 40 MOA holdover grid for precision work like PRS and range shooting; VHR uses an open-center design built for speed in hunting and dynamic scenarios.

Which one for an AR-10?

Both scopes are compatible with an AR-10. Choose based on use: a general-purpose or hunting AR-10 leans toward the EPL-4 4-16x44; a dedicated precision build benefits from the EPL-4 6-24x50’s magnification and turret travel.