All posts tagged Tactical Optics

Crosshairs and reticles, precision or speed?

Trijicon TA01NSN for saleSometimes you can have almost all of that in one package but you’ll probable end  up dropping about $2000  or more on an optic.  If I could afford it I would  have an ACOG with the RMR mounted on top but that is too expensive of a package for me when I’m running it on a $600 gun.   For combat and if you are in the military, that is a great weapon, but there are still pros and cons  of using a mounting system like this.  One of the most common things I’ve seen with ACOGS in Iraq is that many of them actually got shot.  Considering that this optic is something that mounts so high on a carry handle or the RMR configuration on a flat top, you will have to think about getting a cheek riser of  you want to be proficient with this system.

The RMR is a really nice red dot that isn’t b ig and bulky like an Aimpoint or Trijicon SRS sight.  IF you get a sighting system like that, it’s a full blown optic, but Trijicon TA01NSN for sale are probable the next step down but with basically the same benefits.   I always have iron sights on my guns because I  have know all too well that optics can break, shatter or get shot and if you want to get it off you better have a backup sighting system.   I’ve shot guns that didn’t have rear sights and it is very difficult to hit anything.   If you want speed a red dot optic is good but if you want precision, a Chevron or crosshair reticle, especially a thin crosshair one like the TA01.

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Dots, Chevrons, Crosshairs and horse shoes

Rifle scopes  and gun optics have gotten easier to use in some regards, but the diversity of the reticles from various manufacturers is something that is starting to give me a headache.   Things were much simpler when it was about a thin crosshair a duplex, European reticle with a pole, illuminated reticle, dot or Eotech gun sight.   Its far more complicated now, but somebody finally realized that not all rifles are designed for the same thing.   When ACOGS started getting a lot of notice and showing up on a firing range I was in awe, but then I realized that the eye relief on them was a limiting factor in close range fighting and you really might want to keep those iron sights on the gun just incase.

I really don’t like deviating from thin crosshairs on a rifle scope because I’ve already seen one too many time that many reticles can obscure your target and what is the point of not being able to see an enemies head pop out behind a tree at 200yds  because your red dot is blocking the entire target.   If you get a CQB optic you may be limiting your rifle scopes ability to see further out and now you’ve got a problem with medium to longer range targets.   The TA01NSN will always be my favorite Trijicon ACOG just because you can quickly transition from glass to iron sights with very little movement.  Mechanical devices like the Eotech magnifier are nice but that is one more thing that can break or come loose on your gun when a simpler approach might be a better option.

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My Ranch gun and configuration

If you learn how to match your ammo to the barrel twist and do some serious slow fire testing you should be able to get MOA with a 3 shot group from one of these guns.   I use the Weaver Grand Slam on another Mini 14 if I think I might have to deal with prairie dogs.   If I am going specifically to hunt these animals, I’ll take a 22-250 and plan to setup for an afternoon with a packed lunch.   I’m a big believer in having a good a pair of binoculars with me just for getting a better field of view.

 

Even though I own more  than a few combat worth AR 15 rifles,  I still got back to my trusty Ruger Mini 14 for the job it was intended to be used for.  As I was discussin previously when it came to what types of footwear to use throughout the year, It would be nice if we could take a light version of what many of us carry when we know we don’t need the standard setup.   The great thing about the Mini 14 Ranch guns is that they are light and short, and they are also already setup for optics.   I have a few of these  guns with different Weaver rifles scopes, but I think the most applicable would be a fixed power 28-30mm optic.

 

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Combat Optics and profile

Trijicon ACOGKeeping a scope cover on your objective and being aware of your flash is extremely important.  I highly recommend a flash kill cover for any combat optics and also suggest a cover for your flashlight.  Even something like a red lense will help avoid giving away too much reflection.   Flashlights are probable the biggest giveaway in low light even if you don’t turn them on.   Next time your at the range, put your rifle on the bench and walk down range and look again.   Keep in mind that even though you may be 50-100yds away and wearing camoflauge, your fancy schmancy M4 has various points of reflection and even moonlight will have an impact.

One trend that I haven’t jumped on the bandwagon with is the all of the battery operatored doodads on a rifle.    There are defintely reasons for putting lights on a gun and for 40mm objective lenses optics on your rifle, but many of those will stick out like a lighthouse in the field.   I remember a clear safety violation of a gun operator who was handling his rifle during a cease fire.   I was downrange about 500yds and turned and saw the flash of his Trijicon ACOG at that distance.   I knew he was handling his rifle, but it was too far for me to scream back and tell him to put his gun down.   It dawned on me that if I was the enemy, that guy would have been outed from 500yds away just because of how much his optics refected light.  He was actually  in the shadow of building and not in direct sunligh, nor was the sun shining from my direction on him.

 

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Armed with 91yrs of Experience

Nikon RiflescopeChoosing the right riflescope is as important as choosing the right rifle – many experts agree that it can be even more critical to the success of a hunt. The fact that most rifles today no longer come equipped with iron sights is testament alone to the need for a telescopic sight, but it is the quality of the sight that can make the difference between getting your riflescope’s crosshairs on a trophy or going home empty handed.

Armed with 91 years of experience and a clean sheet of paper, our engineers created a flagship Nikon riflescope that shattered the limits of what a riflescope should be. Hunters lined up to get their hands on the new Nikon Monarch scope and experience this pioneering technology.

 

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