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Posted: 10/21/2015 1:43:39 PM EDT
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So I am selling off a build I did currently to fund an optic for one of my other rifles. I have decided that I want an ACOG, but I'm unsure which one. I have only used one ACOG ever (served when we still used A2s with iron sights) and I really liked it. Because I have only that one experience, that is the only reticle/system I've known.
So my question is, which ACOG should I get? This will be one of my SHTF rifles. 14.5" bbl. I am planning on piggybacking a Docter on it. I know I don't want another RDS/magnifier combo and definitely don't want a variable rifle scope (unless someone has an Elcan the want to sell me for about $1k  ). I am also 99% sure I want a red illuminated reticle. If I am missing something great with the amber or green, please someone let me know.
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Semper Fi brother, I too used A2's and it wasn't until later that we got Acog's.
I own an Acog (that is actually homeless right now) and it's a TA11-E. Reason why I went with this vs what I used in the marine corps is due to the 2-4" eye relief. With this Acog I can comfortably shoot with both eyes open. Btw, I did find this interesting even if these aren't on your list - http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=654467 |
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What's the purpose of the rifle? HD? 3-gun? Casual target shooting?
The answers will guide you to the right optic. I like the calguns writeup. He does a pretty good job addressing the pros and cons of each. I have a TA31 on a 20" rifle. It's my primary Appleseed rifle - it's used for target shooting from 25 to 500 yards, and I'll also use it if we can get back out to Custer's 50-350 yard popup range. I love the chevron/BDC reticle. It has the red chevron. I would not use that rifle for 3-gun or HD. |
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I'm partial to the TA11, love the eye relief and eye box. I've only had Red and Amber and between those two I preferred the Red. I bought a Green TA11 from another member, when it arrives I'll try it out and see how I like the color.
I think the human eye is naturally more sensitive to green though. I've noticed I can spot a green traffic light a mile away much quicker than a red. We'll see how well that translates (for me) to illuminated reticles. Eta: This is a great comparison of ACOGs: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=654467 |
| I voted other because I didn't see the TA11 as an option. That's the one I have and recommend. I've had a TA31F but didn't care for the short eye relief. Also, I prefer the green reticle as I can find it much easier on night hunts. It also seems brighter when shooting from low light into a well lit target. |
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iv'e had the 31,33 and 648
33 was green chevron, 31 was red chevron. kind of prefer the red reticle myself. the 33 was indeed much more forgiving. but it's lower magnification. the strange thing is i still feel like i can see for miles whether 3,4,or 6x, the glass quality makes a huge difference. if you shoot NTCH all the time, like it's ingrained in you, for for the 31, if not the 33. |
| I voted TA02 since it is what I'm looking at getting. This would be for a mini-recce type rifle. The idea of no Tritium to dim and actually being able to use it in dark conditions sounds good to me. There's no reason to not get a 4X on an AR. I like the TA31F/M150, the TA31 ECOS (without RMR), and the new TA31 ACSS as well. For close quarters combined with long range the ACSS would be best followed by the TA31F IMO. |
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Other - TA11.
IMO, the TA31's weight and FOV didn't make up for the short ER. The TA33 was light and fast (especially the green horseshoe) but the FOV was pretty narrow. Eyebox and ER were great. TA55 is a brick and is huge but has great low light ability. TA11 blended the best attributes of the ACOGs I've owned without giving up too much. |
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Quoted:
Other - TA11. IMO, the TA31's weight and FOV didn't make up for the short ER. The TA33 was light and fast (especially the green horseshoe) but the FOV was pretty narrow. Eyebox and ER were great. TA55 is a brick and is huge but has great low light ability. TA11 blended the best attributes of the ACOGs I've owned without giving up too much. I agree with everything he said about the TA-11 when compared with most other ACOGs. The TA-50 has a bigger field of view then the TA-33 and about the same as the TA-11, but is a much smaller optic. Look at the specs of the TA-50 VS the TA-11 and the TA-33 on the Trijicon website. It is the bees knees. |
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After much deliberation, I finally bought my first ACOG - a TA33 with green crosshair reticle. I have used the 4x32 in the Marine Corps, and I have used the 3.5 with both green crosshair and green horseshoe. I went with the TA33 green crosshair for many reasons:
1) size and weight. I have a couple of Aimpoint T2s, and I really like the small profile that gives you more situational awareness. The TA33 is almost the same diameter, and it is very light. 2) fov. I actually prefer the small fov because I can see around the optic and use both eyes open. 3) eye relief and eye box. This optic really excels here in my opinion. Eye relief on this model blows away the other ACOGs, especially the TA31. 4) reticle. I used to prefer the horseshoe, but the crosshair has proven it's worth with this model. The thick bars of the crosshair draw your eye into the reticle more efficiently than the horsehoe IMHO for quick shots. The fine crosshairs are much more precise than the 2 moa dot of the horsehoe as well. The green really glows compared to the red I used in the Corps. 5) cost. Obviously the low cost compared to other ACOG models is a plus too. I used the "blue star" discount from Trijicon and got 40% off of MSRP. 6) mount. I switched out the mount for a Larue QD mount. I suggest doing so for any ACOG. I am very pleased with this optic. depending on your needs, this might be the one for you too. I attached a couple pics of the reticle, but they don't do it justice. If you are considering an ACOG, I suggest you go look through a couple and see what reticle is best for you. |
| I shot an early TA01 with crosshair dot on my 3 gun rifle for about 10 years... last three years switched to the TA31F... very uncluttered reticle, but it took a couple of matches to get used to the BAC up close... I was on target and ready to shoot before my brain gave me the go ahead...the 10" of windage hold off provided by the stadia lines is a great help as I shoot 55 grain bullets that get moved around a bit |
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If you are going to piggyback a Docter, then go for a TA01 with its crosshair reticle that is better than horseshoe or chevron for distance shooting. Green is bright, but I tend to lose it against foliage. I had a TA33 on my 5.56 go-to carbine, but sold it and replaced it with a SWFA 1-6X. I wanted an ACOG on my lightweight Grendel hunting rifle, and the TA01 seemed to fit the bill alot better than the TA33. Maybe there are other ACOG's with fine crosshair reticles. The TA01 was used and offered at a good price, so I bought it. It also has a reflex sight piggybacked. |
I received my first green TA11 w/horseshoe reticle and first impression is that the green during the day is bright and eye catching without blooming so much. At night I was most impressed... the green is quite visible, almost like its battery powered, even aiming into a brightly lit room from outside the green is still easy to pick up. Very noticeable improvement over Red. Any future ACOG purchases will definitely be green! 
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I have the TA31 with Green Chevron. I prefer green as the human responds to it better than any other color but I wouldn't refuse the red either. At first I enjoyed the horseshoe reticle but after using a buddies for a while I realized that it covered up too much of my target at times and didn't make precision shots as easily as the chevron. I like the 4X that the TA31 gives you but you must be willing to give up some eye relief for it, if you shoot NTCH it won't be an issue.
Best of luck with your decision. |
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