having a hard time picking an ACOG

[Parabellum9x19mm]

rob_s & USMC03, thank you. you've both been very helpful. USMC03, i hope you get your shoulder healed so you can AAR your T&E findings with the TA33-8 for everyone

last newbie ACOG question.: i'm going to be using an LT mount on a flat top upper no matter what i pick. do i have to pick a "flat-top ready" version of the ACOG with the 1913 adapter (TA51 mount), or will the carry-handle style work with the LT mount as well?

also, i ASSume the BDC is identical between the carry handle and flat top versions of the same ACOG model. is this correct?

[Gutshot John]

As long as I kept up with it, the BAC worked reasonably well for me and I didn't have any problems with targets at contact distance out to 130+. If you forget, however, at close range and close one eye you can easily wind up tagging a non-threat or losing your place in line after a reload. The real lesson here is that BAC requires a fair amount of sustainment training to be effective and the "skill" perishes very quickly if not kept up.

Rob could you go over BAC. I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about what it does and doesn't do. I use it, but I'm not sure I understand how to explain it properly.

My understanding has been that the reticle works as an OEG for snap shooting during movement/CQB, and then when static, your eye/brain will choose the magnified image for stable, more precise shots but I'm sure that's imperfect.

[rob_s]

rob_s & USMC03, thank you. you've both been very helpful. USMC03, i hope you get your shoulder healed so you can AAR your T&E findings with the TA33-8 for everyone

last newbie ACOG question.: i'm going to be using an LT mount on a flat top upper no matter what i pick. do i have to pick a "flat-top ready" version of the ACOG with the 1913 adapter (TA51 mount), or will the carry-handle style work with the LT mount as well?

also, i ASSume the BDC is identical between the carry handle and flat top versions of the same ACOG model. is this correct?

At least with the compacts, which is where the majority of my experience lies by a long shot, you want the carryhandle base as the Larue mount is made to mimic a carry handle with a channel for the ACOG to ride in and a bolt hole to secure it with.

[rob_s]

Rob could you go over BAC. I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about what it does and doesn't do. I use it, but I'm not sure I understand how to explain it properly.

My understanding has been that the reticle works as an OEG for snap shooting during movement/CQB, and then when static, your eye/brain will choose the magnified image for stable, more precise shots but I'm sure that's imperfect.

that's more or less it.

here is Trijicon's official answer.

Personally, I tend to close one eye at distance and leave both eyes open close up, so I'm not using the BAC "correctly", strictly speaking.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Let's say I'm at 6000ft ASL, along with bullet choice (from XM193 to something like a 77gr .223 PRVI load), out of a 16 inch barrel, how is that going to affect the accuracy of the reticle? Does it really matter?

I read the JP article about his custom reticle, and that is really intesting, but I'd like a lit reticle.

Had a hard time with the model numbers, finally came up with.

TA31: 3+1=4power
TA33: 3s= 3 power
TA11: the one I can't come up with a numer-monic for so it is 3.5

At least H stands for Horseshoe

[rangertab1]

I practice target acquisition thru my ACOG scopes all the time: moving/stationary, short/long range, large/small sizes. I do this daily or at least a few days per week, whether i am live-fire or dry-fire. I even have a cheap 4x30 that I keep in my truck and I routinely scope while out and about. The more you look thru the scope, the better you will get. I personally feel in my bones that civilization's collapse is coming before I am a grandpa and I am a freak about drills and readiness. The learning curve with my ACOG 3x was not automatic.

I choose the ACOG 3x/3.5x for all scenarios. It handles most distances, but I really don't won't anyone close, so I expect 75+ meter shots, much shorter distances are very easy with practice. I sometimes spend hours of my day walking around the house and property scoping and acquiring various targets w/ a mounted TA33 with Red Chevron. The eyes-thru-optic-to-target visual learning curve was not and is not natural to me or anyone I know, but it becomes nearly instinctive after lots of practice and a few headaches. Practice! Whatever you get, practice with it every day until you become one with it. Merry Christmas.

PS. If you are losing your young man vision, which I haven't yet, or you can't figure it out, stick with iron sites or a shotgun.

[Parabellum9x19mm]

PS. If you are losing your young man vision, which I haven't yet, or you can't figure it out, stick with iron sites or a shotgun.

i lost my young man vision when i was about 12, i'm afraid. i'm pretty used to glasses at this point.

i started out with irons when i was in the service. we had M2 M68 CCOs as well, so most of my trigger time is on irons and RDS. i have some EOs and aimpoints on some of my ARs already.

also, i have a couple telescopic sights on two ARs as well, but they are both variables. this is my first time trying to pick an ACOG (or other fixed power telescopic). i have a little time behind the TA31F, but that is all.

right now its back to my original pick, the TA33. i think i am going to have to go with a flat top version, because the carry handle versions don't seem to have BDC reticules.

its looking like the TA33-8 right now, but i'll probably change my mind 15 more times before i actually drop the pesos on the sight.

still confused why you'd recommend i pick up a shotgun instead of a carbine if i don't have great eyes tho? does having bad eyes somehow turn the shotgun into an effective combat weapon?

[rangertab1]

Parabellum, sounds like you got a great knowledge/experience base on optics. I spent a lot of time using other's optics before I committed to the TA33 ACOG. I am a whore. The 3x and 3.5x ACOG are the best all around on the market, so far, for me. Durable, no battery, cover most distances. My only desire is that I had crosshairs.

Eyesight is key and I mention shotguns cause alot of guys dismiss them, especially when they have no business wasting money, time and blood on a rifle due to deficiencies, including poor vision. 12gauge with 00buckshot are king at close range where I come from and they forgive many of our aiming/reflex defects.

Sounds like you are above average in experience so you will make the right choice. The optic decision dillema is a bitch and I try not to 'what if' my decision. I won't even shoot with anyone elses optics anymore because I don't won't to doubt. I like to see guys wrestle with the choice, cause it is not/should not be an easy one. There is lots to think about. You can only bring one to a fight, so I stick with my choice.