ACOG vs Scopes – Which is Better? (Question Answered)

Trijicon Acog vs Nikon P-223

One of the most common questions we receive in our feedback section is ‘ trijicon acog vs scopes which is better. Let me begin by saying that this difficult question since ‘choice’ can be very subjective and it all depends on personal preference.

By saying this I’ m not trying to run away from the responsibility of answering this question of ACOG vs scopes I’ m just giving a general caution that my opinion on this question may be subjective.

Nonetheless, I will try to remain as impartial as possible and deliver the facts. As an active shooter who is crazy about all the guns, I would like to approach this subject by explaining with specific models to help you learn how to make the choice regarding ACOG vs scopes.

Best AR 15 Scopes Vs ACOG

Using this specific example will help us eliminate the doubt about what we are comparing and help us narrow down to specific features and capabilities that define each of these two rifle optics. Personally, I hate being vague. I would rather use an example to drive the point home.

I have decided to use the bestselling ACOG – Trijicon ACOG 4×32 so that we put this debate to rest and help understand the features. It’s my hope that this post will help you to better understand the differences of ACOG vs Scopes and put this debate to a rest or serve as a good starting point for more insights.

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

trijicon acog vs scopes

Trijicon ACOG is one of the most popular rifle optics rated by thousands of users who by the time of writing this review all agree on one thing – Trijicon ACOG is the best Acog. It has been well tested both in leisure shooting and active combat and it’s a perfect optic for .223.

Previously, we reviewed the best scopes for 223; you can check that review too and see out best picks. Trijicon ACOG is designed with the fixed power system and the 4X power is an amazing or perfect choice for both mid-range shooting as well as close quarters combat shooting.

One of the most remarkable features of Trijicon ACOG is the illuminated reticle that is highly reliable, unique and all-purpose – it is not dependent on batteries.

I always like to list the features of a scope since it helps us to put into perspective the capabilities and it also helps readers who want to skim through to see in a quick glance what is on offer. Let’s outline the features of Trijicon ACOG.

Trijicon ACOG Features

  • It’s designed with a ballistic reticle that takes the shooting range to high levels. You can hit the targets 800 yards away especially if you have a good caliber that is effective for 500 yards and beyond. This feature puts Trijicon ACOG in the list of the best rifle optics for long range shooting.
  • It works well for long range shooting using the .223 or 5.56 calibers. It’s very effective for targets that are 500 yards or closer.
  • The illumination is not dependent on batteries making Trijicon ACOG a perfect war or battlefield rifle optic.
  • This is a tough optic that has been tried and tested in battles and they simply do not break no matter the extreme condition where they are used.
  • Trijicon ACOG is waterproofed and it functional up to 500 feet which qualifies this optic for Marines and other special forces.
  • The 7075-T6 casing is designed from the material used to make AR 15 lower receivers and therefore you can expect the Trijicon ACOG to withstand any harsh condition.
  • This is a perfect combat equipment that takes long range shooting to the next level irrespective of the shooting conditions –muddy, water, desert hit …you name it this is an optic made to go to war.
  • It is also a great optic for hunting, sports shooting and also perfect for personal defense.

One thing you may not like about Trijicon ACOG is the price which is reasonably high.  Of course, the quality that Trijicon ACOG brings to the table matches the price tag and you cannot get any better optic with similar features for that price.

Now let’s compare Trijicon ACOG with different best scopes to see how it fairs and if its better than each of these scopes.

#1) ACOG vs Scope – Trijicon Accupoint

ACOG vs Scope - Trijicon Accupoint

I would like to make the first comparison with the scope that is from the same brand to see how they compare. In this regard, I have picked Trijicon TR24G AccuPoint 1-4x24mm Riflescope, 30mm Main Tube with BAC Green Triangle Post Reticle, Matte black which is fairly a high-quality scope from Trijicon.

Trijicon Accupoint Riflescope Features

  • The magnification is 1-4 power its good for rapid firing and at close range.
  • The objective lens is 24mm good for the AR rifles
  • It’s designed with a battery-free illuminated reticle that utilizes the Trijicon’s famed fiber optics system. You do not require batteries for the illumination which is a great feature for all-weather use.
  • The reticle is triangular with an easily adjustable mechanism that controls the brightness using a rotation of the cover over the optics.
  • The magnification ring is made with a small throw lever that is designed to make magnification adjustment easy and smooth.
  • Trijicon Accupoint is designed to be a high-quality scope that is durable and can be used for several shooting needs.

Now let’s pick another best scope from a different brand and see what features and capabilities it has to offer compared with the Trijicon ACOG. I have decided to pick my all-time favorite scope since it’s very common and the ordinary rifle user can afford this scope – Nikon P-223.

#2) Acog vs Scope – Nikon 8496 P-223 3×32 Matte BDC Carbine

ACOG vs Scopes

Nikon P-223 rifle scope has several similar features to the Trijicon ACOG and it makes it a perfect scope for comparison of ACOG vs scopes. The first feature is the fixed power and the objective lens which is the same. Nikon P-223 is also designed with a BDC reticle which is an awesome feature for comparison of the strength of ACOG vs scopes. So let us outline the features of Nikon P-223 to see what makes it stand out as a good scope that can match the features of Trijicon ACOG.

Nikon P-223 3×32 Matte BDC Carbine Features

  • BDC reticle that has a series of dots for bullet drop at the range of 200 yards, 400 yards, and 600 yards. This allows the shooter to take on targets that are beyond 500 yards with lethal accuracy.
  • The objective lens is 32mm which is the same as that of Trijicon ACOG
  • The fixed power of 3X is slightly lower than the power of 4X in the Trijicon ACOG.
  • Easy fingertip adjustable turrets for both windage and elevation make Nikon P-223 adjustment match up to the throw lever adjustment in the Trijicon ACOG.
  • Nikon P-223 is designed to be waterproof, shockproof and can be used in extreme weather conditions but Trijicon ACOG will, of course, do better in durability score.

Conclusion – ACOG vs Scopes

In this comparison, it is evident that there are a number of features that the best common scopes have to share with Trijicon ACOG but the ACOG stands out for its reliability and the toughness. I would like to compare more scopes with Trijicon ACOG to see how they match up but for today, I will rest the case here and conclude – Trijicon ACOG is superior in quality and durability compared to several low budget rifle scopes.

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