Top 5 Best AR 15 ACOG Scopes in 2023 Reviews

Many of you will probably be reading this and thinking to yourself – what exactly is an ACOG scope, and do I need one?

Maybe you have one already, or you’ve seen an ACOG scope in action, and that’s what has brought you here?

Well, in this article we are going to run through 5 of the Best AR 15 ACOG Scopes that will fit well with AR 15 rifles. The AR 15 style rifle is ideal for combat scenarios, so a combat level scope should be a fitting addition.

However, before we shoot through the review items, let’s explain what makes these scopes unique and their defining characteristics…

What Is An ACOG Scope?

For those of you who don’t know, the ACOG stands for Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight. This basically means its a sight made for combat situations and therefore combat style rifles.

ACOG scopes are the brainchild of Trijicon, a company reputable for all their gun gear and accessories.

How It Started…

The original intentions of Trijicon were to provide a combat style scope for M16 rifles and M4 carbines – which they did. Now, however, they have developed a full range of ACOG scopes and accessories that will fit numerous gun types in a variety of ways.

We’ll obviously be focusing on the best ACOG scopes that will fit and work well on your AR 15 rifle. Additionally, though, we’ll explore which of the scopes are adaptable for use in the target shooting and hunting realms.

Anyhow, with several armed forces and military units around the world that have adopted these scopes as standard issue, there must be some strong reasons why…

Why ACOG?

If you want a scope that has proven combat capabilities, the ACOG really should be a number one choice. It has been used on countless tours by military personal, and some will even claim to trust their life with this piece of kit.

Strong in the field…

An ACOG scope stands out from the crowd because it is made to be incredibly sturdy and reliable in the field. The scopes are also designed to be very simple yet effective in taking out targets and to provide you with the powerful visuals you need when your life depends on it.

Most ACOG scopes utilize a non-battery powered illuminated reticle for use in both night and day so that the shooter will always have enough light to target effectively. Others, however, use batteries for powerful daytime illumination too.

Acquire targets Bindon style…

In fact, there is a special aiming style called the Bindon Aiming Concept that was specifically made for ACOG scopes. This concept allows the shooter to use both eyes for targeting and acquisitions. The idea is one eye is looking outside the scope, taking on a very wide field of view – which is for spotting targets easily and rapidly.

Your other eye will be looking through the ACOG illuminated reticle and will be able to acquire the target once you’ve lined up your rifle.

The Bindon Aiming Concept is one of the main reasons why many combat specialists are actually drawn to using an ACOG scope over other options.

Rugged and adaptable…

It’s also worth mentioning that ACOG scopes can be made waterproof to just over 10 meters in depth and they can withstand heavy shocks. Plus, they can be mounted in different ways, making them more adaptable for use in the field.

Many designs differ in magnification, size, reticle layout, pricing, and actual power of illumination. But in essence, they are all made to serve the purposes of combat, alongside the powerful weaponry they are mounted onto.

AR-15-ACOG-Scopes

Top 5 Best AR 15 ACOG Scopes You Should Buy In 2023 Reviews


1 Trijicon TA02 ACOG Battery Illuminated LED Scope

First off, we have this Trijicon TA02 ACOG Battery Illuminated LED Scope, which comes in a black finish.

Battery-powered…

This particular ACOG scope uses one AA battery to power its illuminated LED set-up.

Given that only one battery is needed, it’s quite incredible to know that the battery will potentially power this scope for 12,000 hours. This timeframe can only be attained by using setting 4 on the scope.

There are six available light settings that give you different levels of brightness, so you’ll really have some nice control over your visuals.

Lightweight yet sturdy…

Because this scope is made from 7075-T6 aircraft-aluminum-alloy, you’ll be getting a super strong and lightweight scope that should really last the test of time. The spec on the aluminum-alloy used really makes this scope one of the sturdiest compared to other popular brands on the market.

Rapid targeting…

Another feature with this scope is that you can utilize the Bindon Aiming Concept for targeting and acquisitions. This is a special method designed to find targets and acquire them rapidly with both eyes open. One eye is used for the wider field of view and the other for aiming.

Finally, this scope used a specially designed ranging reticle which can allow for bullet drop compensation up to a distance of 600 meters.

Trijicon TA02 ACOG Battery Illuminated LED Scope
Our rating:5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)

Pros

  • 7075-T6 aircraft-aluminum-alloy.
  • Battery illuminated.
  • 12,000-hour battery usage.
  • Six light settings.
  • Lightweight.
  • Rapid targeting.
  • 600-meter bullet drop compensation.

Cons

  • You may not like battery-powered illumination.

2 Trijicon ACOG 4 X 32 Scope Dual Illuminated Chevron .223 Ballistic Reticle

Next up we have a Trijicon ACOG which uses a 4×32 magnification. It has a Dual Illuminated Chevron .233 Ballistic Reticle, which uses an amber color.

No batteries needed…

This particular ACOG scope goes down the classic lines of not using a battery to power the illumination in the reticle. Instead, this reticle is tritium and fiber optic illuminated, which in combination will adjust the brightness depending on your available light.

As well, this scope is built to last with its 7075-T6 aircraft-aluminum-alloy casing making it incredibly strong, durable, and resistant to the elements.

The Bindon Aiming Concept can also be applied with the use of this ACOG scope due to its CQB sight. You’ll be able to quickly sight and then acquire targets if you use this method in conjunction with the ACOG system.

Bullet drop compensation…

To make sure that your bullets are reaching their targets, Trijicon has added their trademark bullet compensating technology into this reticle. This particular scope allows for 800 meters of bullet drop compensation.

A major plus point to this scope is that it has been proven to be highly effective in combat situations and warzones. If you don’t want the worry of losing battery power in the field, and you like amber-colored optics, this could be a sure-fire option.

Trijicon ACOG 4 X 32 Scope Dual Illuminated Chevron .223 Ballistic Reticle
Our rating:5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)


Pros

  • 4 x 32 magnification.
  • Amber-colored optics.
  • Tritium and fiber optic illumination.
  • 7075-T6 aircraft-aluminum-alloy casing.
  • CQB sight.
  • 800-meter bullet drop compensation.
  • Lightweight and durable design.

Cons

  • You may have a preference for other colored optics.

3 Trijicon 3.5×35 LED ACOG Riflescopes

Moving on, we’re looking at this ACOG scope that features a 3.5×35 magnification, and it uses LED illumination.

Green light…

The reticle on this scope is the .233 Horseshoe/Dot Reticle, which uses a battery-powered green LED technology to illuminate your visuals.

Even if the battery was to run out, the reticle still remains clear and bright for day time targeting. This is because the reticle uses multi-layered lenses to absorb as much light as possible, giving you incredible visuals.

Having a solid scope in the field should really be a must. The casing on this reticle is extremely strong and durable, using 7075-T6 aluminum which is claimed to be almost indestructible.

A reliable scope option…

A major plus point with this ACOG scope is that it utilizes a fixed magnification. With this feature, you have less moving parts than a variable lens, which can be an important factor for longevity, and a lifesaver in combat.

Finally, like nearly all ACOG designs, you’ll have the ability to employ the Bindon Aiming Concept because of CQB sight built-in. Proven to be a very efficient concept for combat scenarios, it’s a benefit to be able to target in this way.

Trijicon 3.5x35 LED ACOG Riflescopes
Our rating:5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)


Pros

  • 3.5 x 35 magnification.
  • Green light LED Illumination.
  • Multi-layered lenses.
  • Bright clear visuals.
  • Strong and durable.
  • 7075-T6 aluminum.
  • Fixed magnification.
  • CQB sight built-in.

Cons

  • You may want a variable magnification.

4 ACOG 1.5 X 16 Ring and Dot Reticle with Short M16 Base Housing

This next scope on the agenda is this ACOG with a short M16 base housing. It uses a 1.5 x 16 magnification and has a dot reticle incorporated into the design.

Military-grade construction…

Made with 7075-T6 aluminum, this scope stands strong with many other ACOG scopes to be incredibly solid, reliable, and resilient in the field. Additionally, this model is waterproof up to 50 meters.

This is also a battery-free operation, which uses fiber optics to give you stunningly clear visuals, needed for fast-paced combat or even other applications such as hunting. Essentially, this scope is ideal for acquiring fast-paced targets.

Additionally, the fiber optics on this will automatically adjust the brightness levels depending on how much light is available at a given time. The lenses are also multi-layered, which ensures that you get a distortion-free and super clear field of view. The lenses are anti-reflective too.

Use the Bindon Aiming Concept…

Like many ACOG scopes, again with this one, you’ll be able to enjoy practicing the “two eyes” targeting method pioneered by Glyn Bindon. Learning and applying this method with a scope like this one could really make a difference out in the field.

Other features include exceptional eye relief, especially when mounted onto an AR 15 rifle. Plus, you do get Trijicon’s lifetime warranty with this product as well.

ACOG 1.5 X 16 Ring and Dot Reticle with Short M16 Base Housing
Our rating:4.2 out of 5 stars (4.2 / 5)


Pros

  • 1.5 x 16 magnification.
  • 7075-T6 aluminum construction.
  • Waterproof to 50 meters.
  • Battery-free operation.
  • Automatic brightness leveling.
  • Fiber optic illumination.
  • Multi-layered lenses.
  • Long eye relief.

Cons

  • Best only for short-range targeting.

5 Trijicon ACOG TA648-G Trijicon 6×48 Scope

Finally, we’re taking a look at this ACOG TA648-G Trijicon Scope. It features a Dual Illuminated Chevron .223 Ballistic Reticle. Plus included in this package is a TA75 mount and M1913 rail.

Excellent bullet drop compensation…

This is a ranging reticle which has an exceptionally long bullet drop compensation of up to 1200 meters. So if you are looking for a more mid to long-range combat style scope, this could be a great choice for your AR 15 rifle.

Also, this scope has two types of illumination. For night time shooting you have the tritium illumination, and in daylight, you get the fiber optics that kick in. This means if you will have excellent visuals on your targets no matter what the light levels happen to be, or even with absolutely no light at all.

A solid choice…

We should mention that this reticle is protected with a high-grade aluminum-alloy casing, and is made to work in some of the most extreme conditions.

It’s also waterproof up to 500 meters, free of batteries and the Bindon Aiming Concept can be applied for use with this high-quality piece of kit.

Trijicon ACOG TA648-G Trijicon 6x48 Scope
Our rating:4.2 out of 5 stars (4.2 / 5)


Pros

  • 1200 meter bullet drop compensation.
  • Green Chevron technology.
  • Tritium illumination.
  • Fiber optic illumination.
  • High-grade aluminum-alloy casing.
  • Waterproof 500 meters.
  • Battery-free.

Cons

  • You might not need a longer ranging scope option.

So What Are The Best AR 15 ACOG Scopes?

In conclusion, we’ve checked out our 5 best choices of ACOG scopes for your AR 15 rifle. All of these scopes have a very similar construction which makes them excellent for use in the harshest of elements in nearly all combat scenarios.

The key to choosing which of these best AR 15 ACOG Scopes is perfect for your AR 15 however, should be in the more finer details, like the bullet drop compensation distance and the illumination preferences you may have.

Ultimately, we hope you found this article informative enough to help you choose the best ACOG scope for your particular needs. Of course, these scopes a prime technology for use in combat, but can be utilized exceptionally well in a hunting environment too.

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About Nick Oetken

Nick grew up in San Diego, California, but now lives in Arizona with his wife Julie and their five boys.

He served in the military for over 15 years. In the Navy for the first ten years, where he was Master at Arms during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He then moved to the Army, transferring to the Blue to Green program, where he became an MP for his final five years of service during Operation Iraq Freedom, where he received the Purple Heart.

He enjoys writing about all types of firearms and enjoys passing on his extensive knowledge to all readers of his articles. Nick is also a keen hunter and tries to get out into the field as often as he can.

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