Buying first acog need help

[TruEdge]

So I finally have enough to buy an acog but had a few questions I was hoping you guys can help with. I have a 16" ar that it will be going on and I shoot mostly 62 grain m855. I noticed some acogs are made for 14.5" barrels or 20" but I haven't seen one for 16". I was looking to buy the ta31hg but not sure if it's calibrated for 62 or 55 grain. Also would it be compatible with a 16" barrel? Any help or suggestions on which would be best for my rifle would be greatly appreciated. The green horseshoe is the reticle I am hoping to get. Lastly anyone have a good place for me to pick one up for a good deal? If anyone has pictures looking though this optic or experience with it would be great too. Thanks guys!

[Sumo99]

Yeah, most ACOG's are either calibrated for 20" or 14.5" barrels. Most ACOG's that were designed for use with 20" barrels are calibrated for 55 grain while the 14.5" ones were calibrated for 62 grain.

I wouldn't worry about using an ACOG on a 16" AR. The BDC's are just an aid and I highly doubt that the targets you will be shooting at are exactly 300M, 400M, etc. from your shooting location. Also, if you ever plan on switching to a different mount, that will change the point of impact as well. Bottom line, just get the model you want and have fun.

[EvolutionGSR]

Its never going to be really exact, its just a guideline. I put 20" calibrated acog on a 14.5 in barrel gun, got a good deal. You'll learn where to aim at each distance using the hash marks, its not too far off. Remember its not a precision optic.

[TruEdge]

So what kind of groups are you guys getting at say 100 yards?

[ExtremeX]

I don't want to sound rude, but its kind of a silly question... even more so considering your choice of reticle. On top of that M855 isn't exactly match ammo...

Horseshoe = Speed over being Precise
Chrosshairs = Precision over Speed
Chevron = combination of the two

Asking about group sizes makes me think you are not really thinking about or understand the application... an ACOG is a combat optic which fills a niche roll, its purpose is to increase hit potential on man sized targets and fast/accurate ranging of your targets using the reticle.

If you are buying an ACOG with the intent on target shooting you are probably buying the wrong optic. I have a TA31F, and a 1-4x scope. I love them both, for very different reasons.

As much as I love the ACOG, its got its own downfalls and limitations...

The 1-4x scope for most shooters will end up being a more useful and cost effective solution that would probably fill majority of the applications we have. The scopes I like are tactical scopes where I am able to dial in correction for any type of bullet, including match ammo. With my own DOPE chart and drop sheet, I can be more effective at target shooting than with an ACOG.

I'm not trying to steer you away from the ACOG, its a fantastic optic if you understand its pros and cons.

[Sumo99]

What ExtremeX said.

I have the TA33 with green horseshoe and I'll maybe get 4moa while shooting it, but I never really measured my groupings.

[darmog]

Bought my TA31F from this place. Nice prices, free Fed Ex 2 day shipping/insurance. They have your TA31H-G in stock, too.

http://www.4scopes.com/4x32_dual.htm

[SuperSet]

Someone should post the subtensions so the shooter can match that to his load and barrel FPS.

[TruEdge]

Thanks for the help guys. Yes extreme I know m855 is not match ammo nor did I state anywhere in the op that I was trying to do any type of tack driving. That is simply the ammo I run because I have a lot and it's much cheaper than match ammo. Also I asked about group sizes out of curiosity to see what you are all doing with yours. As stated in the title I am new at acogs that's why I threw this post up. I do agree you have good points on the 1x4 scope and appreciate your points extreme. Also thanks for the link darmog I'll take a look at it. If anyone else has experience with the acog please post. Thanks again.

[EvolutionGSR]

So what kind of groups are you guys getting at say 100 yards?

I am getting 2-2.5 moa at 100 with xm193 and i put some prvi match 75 grain through the rifle to see what i would do and I got 1.75 MOA. 16" DD barrel.

[TruEdge]

I am getting 2-2.5 moa at 100 with xm193 and i put some prvi match 75 grain through the rifle to see what i would do and I got 1.75 MOA. 16" DD barrel.

Which model are you currently using?

[darmog]

Forgot to answer your original question. With my RRA Elite Operator 2(16" barrel, RRA says its 1 MOA at 100 yards) and TA31F, I managed about 3" groups with XM 193. When I switched to AE .223, I was doing better at 2" groups. Don't know why. Maybe I just got more relaxed as the day went by. Keep in mind I'm also not a long time rifle owner. Barely owned the RRA, my very first rifle, for 2 months and have only shot it twice, once with irons and once with the ACOG. With irons, I was having problems seeing the target that far away. Could only really make 8-10" groups. With my buddy's AR which had a higher power scope, I managed to do sub MOA. The 4x power of the ACOG, fo me, isn't enough to make very precise shots, but then that's not what I got it for. So, I'm still very happy with the ACOG as its precise enough for what I need it to do. Will I get a variable scope later down the line? Sure, probably will as its also fun making very precise shots with a rifle, but I think I'll put that on a longer barrel rifle instead of my RRA which will be my all around rifle.

[TruEdge]

Forgot to answer your original question. With my RRA Elite Operator 2(16" barrel, RRA says its 1 MOA at 100 yards) and TA31F, I managed about 3" groups with XM 193. When I switched to AE .223, I was doing better at 2" groups. Don't know why. Maybe I just got more relaxed as the day went by. Keep in mind I'm also not a long time rifle owner. Barely owned the RRA, my very first rifle, for 2 months and have only shot it twice, once with irons and once with the ACOG. With irons, I was having problems seeing the target that far away. Could only really make 8-10" groups. With my buddy's AR which had a higher power scope, I managed to do sub MOA. The 4x power of the ACOG, fo me, isn't enough to make very precise shots, but then that's not what I got it for. So, I'm still very happy with the ACOG as its precise enough for what I need it to do. Will I get a variable scope later down the line? Sure, probably will as its also fun making very precise shots with a rifle, but I think I'll put that on a longer barrel rifle instead of my RRA which will be my all around rifle.

Good to hear your happy with it. I take it you don't mind the eye relief on the ta31? That's the only thing making me think I should go with a ta11 or ta33.

[EvolutionGSR]

Which model are you currently using?

On that gun i have a ta-11f-g. On the 14.5 in barrel i have a rco-ta31a4. I should also mention my 1.75 MOA group is a 10 shot group with prvi match in which i included what I think was an off shot flier. That one shot was off to the side away from the others. Without it, its closer to 1.25 moa. Not exactly sure because I always counted in the flier. I think it was a flinch on my part.

[ExtremeX]

Shooting for groups is fine and dandy, you are going to have to do it to zero the ACOG anyways... but keep in mind, everyones results will vary depending on the barrel / ammo combination... The shooters marksman ship skills also come into play.

I have a 1:9 twist chrome line barrel that loves .223 Rem 55gr, XM193 55gr and hates the M855

I have a 1:9 that does better than the above barrel with both types of ammo.

I also have stainless 1:8 that gives me different results than the above two barrels, and generally groups tighter than either one. I typically don't shoot 193 or 855 thought it because its a match barrel, but I have in the past just for testing purposes.

I bought an ACOG with a Chevron reticle as a compromise between the horseshoe and crosshair TA31-CH. I had the chance to try the TA31-CH at the range on another members rifle... It is easier to shoot and be more accurate with it at 200 and 300 meters when shooting clay pigeons. Ive considered selling the TA31F, but I really like it too, chances are one day ill just pick up another ACOG. Either a TA31-CH or the TA11J

I talk to a lot of people who prefer the crosshair to the chevron or horseshoe... but they tend to be used to using scopes anyways.