Question about ACOG scopes.

[KDoug00]

I'm looking for a Trijicon ACOG scope for my 7.62mm rifle. So far I think I've narrowed it down to three:

TA33R-9:
http://www.militarywarfighter.com/Triji ... a33r-9.htm

TA648-308G:
http://www.militarywarfighter.com/Triji ... 8-308g.htm

TA648RMR-308:
http://www.militarywarfighter.com/Triji ... mr-308.htm

Does anyone have any suggestions on these? Thanks.

[grumpyMSG]

Personally I think ACOGs are great scopes for ARs, kind of pricy for what you are getting, but good, tough scopes. You list a 3X scope and two 6X scopes as your possible choices. I think you will find the 3X scope a little too low on magnification. As for the 6Xs they are very big scopes. the objective lens is almost 2 inches across and the cast housing used for the scope's body would add considerable bulk on top of that, it would probably be close to 3 inches wide and about 4 inches tall and weighs more than 2 pounds. Throw in the price being above $2000 and I wouldn't encourage anybody to spend that kind of money on a 6X scope. The illumination is powered by tritium at night and it will slowly go dimmer over time. That is something that an owner would have to send it back to the factory for service after 10 or 15 years. If I recall correctly the original intended purpose of those big 6X ACOGs is to be mounted on Machineguns.

For a rifle, I would encourage you to take a look at the Mark IV series of scopes by Leupold. Here is a good example of one 3.5 to 10X with an Illuminated reticle for about $1300 plus rings and possibly a mount and you are looking at around $1500:
http://www.militarywarfighter.com/Leupold_67930_67935_p/leupold-67930-67935.htm
You will be amazed by the quality of the Leupold. It is an expensive scope, but the Mark IVs are tested tough and in use on the Army's Sniper rifles.

[gunderwood]

It depends on what you want.

The ACOGs are very good battle rifle scopes. If you are looking to punch center of mass hit on steel I think they are very effective. I've hit steel out to 800 easily with one. Their strenth is also their weakness. The are simple. I really like the drop compensated chevron. Under 300, just point and shoot. Above 300 yards, find the reticle line width that matches the target and shoot. I.e. The width of the hash marks is 19" at that distance. Perfect for a short (16") 308 with a 3.5x. Not ideal for a DMR 20" IMHO. Get a 2.5-10x NightForce for DMR.

3.5 is plenty of magnification for hitting a man sized target out to 800 yards. Heck, you can do that with irons, but it is slow. The ACOGs are good fighting scopes, poor precision marksman scopes. On a battle rifle, in a fight, simple fixed power (enough to hit anytarget with ease from 0-800 yards), no batteries is awesome. Just don't expect to do 1 hole groups.

[KDoug00]

Thanks, your replies have been extremely helpful!!

[gunderwood]

What rifle do you have? Live around NOVA? Want to try one out? I have friends with AR10s and ACOGs, I might be able to barrow them.