66 SEPTEMBER 2019 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
TRIJICON ACCUPOWER
Finally, the compartment for a CR2032 watch-style bat-
tery is located on the end.
Moving back toward the eye box that terminates in the
diopter adjustment, the AccuPoint features a magni cation
ring that contains two points of attachment for its remov-
able throw stud. This is a nice touch, as is the fact that the
stud threads in an O-ring to prevent it from backing out
and being lost over time.
Magni cation is written on the power ring that cor-
responds to a single white dot, but if I had one complaint
about this scope (and most other long-range scopes) it is
this: For second-focal-plane scopes, the reticle subtension
values depend on the magni cation chosen. While full
power is easy to nd—simply rotate the power ring until
it will move no further—lesser-power settings need to be
precise. So, I wish the AccuPower’s magni cation range
numbers were marked with a precise point, rather than
only numbers. For example, if your scope is dialed to use
its reticle setup at 10X, you’ve got to be sure it’s 10X and
not 10.2 or 9.9. Do you dial to the 1, to the 0, or between
the two? At ultra-long-distance, this could make a differ-
ence. Of course, a workaround is to mark the dial yourself.
What is most signi cant here, however, isn’t the power
ring that all variable power scopes have, rather, it’s the
power range itself. Traditionally, a 3.5X to 12X or 14X, or
more recently 18X, was a wide range that gives the scope
versatility for short- and long-range applications. The
AccuPower is available in a 4.5-30X model and a ridiculous
5-50X model! The reason I say ridiculous is that I’m not
sure how useful any scope used above about 35X magni ca-
tion can be considering the effects of mirage, shake and
the physical limitations of the scope’s size in terms of exit
pupil as a product of its objective size divided by magni-
cation. Even giant spotting scopes are rarely effective
above about 40X. However, as I found during my long-range
shooting class, at 30X the AccuPower can be used as a
spotting scope in most conditions. It was nice having the
ability to examine targets as well as the spotter could with
his dedicated spotting scope.
What the high power really means is that the scope
can be used to great effect without losing critical eld of
view at close distances inside 500 yds., while still allow-
ing the shooter to aim small at ultra-long range. Indeed,
at 4.5X with the illumination turned on, you can even use
the Bindon Aiming Concept with this scope. What you gain
with this new optical technology, then, is versatility. It’s
downside? Cost. Scopes of similar quality in the 3.5-18X
range are signi cantly less expensive.
Trijicon engineers chose to use a giant 34 mm main tube
body to house the guts of the scope, allowing its erector tube
a great deal of leeway to move, hence the 100-m.o.a. eleva-
tion range. It also allows for a beefed-up erector assembly
that is touted to be tougher (and heavier) than others. What
I can say for sure is that I let the ri e and scope fall over ve
times on grass, and it pained me more than it did the scope.
I re- red and the scope was still zeroed. But, to be fair, most
reputable 1" and 30 mm scopes also pass this test. It does,
however, lend an added level of con dence for serious shoot-
ers and operators, especially when shooting big magnums and
.50 BMG-chambered guns. Trijicon also touts that the scope
is waterproof to depths of 10 ft. I dropped mine in a 9-ft.
swimming pool, and it’s still brilliant.
Optically, the Trijicon is right in there with the best. With
the power set on a moderate magni cation of 10X, I could
see a white target well enough to shoot it at 200 yds. under
moonlight—and this is where the illuminated reticle, set on
its lowest setting, shines. Resolution is outstanding—on par
with the European greats thanks to extra-low-dispersion glass.
All lenses, of course, are fully multi-coated to ensure maxi-
mum light transmission. During the morning shoot at Texas’
renowned JL Bar Ranch, we shot directly into the morning
sun. Of course, any such scenario is challenging with any
scope, but the lens coatings did a good job of mitigating lens
are. Then, as the sun rose higher around 10 a.m., use of the
sunshade worked wonders.
It is evident the company put great thought into the
design of its etched reticles. Both scope models are available
with either an m.o.a.- or mil-based reticle, and in either a
rst- (FFP) or second-focal-plane (SFP) arrangement. I chose
the m.o.a. reticle in the second focal plane because I like
that at low power the reticle isn’t overly large, and because
it can be more versatile if you learn the subtension values
for various powers. Other folks will prefer a rst-focal-plane
reticle for its set values across the power spectrum.
The m.o.a.-based reticle is useful and straightforward.
It features a crosshair with vertical and horizontal stadia
lines every one m.o.a. (at 30X), with subtension values for
common lesser powers etched on the bottom of the glass
for easy reference. Every other stadia length is the same
size, so the risk of choosing the wrong one as you’re engag-
ing various targets is mitigated.
The mil version is a little more complicated. Below the
main crosshair is a second crosshair of diamonds and dots
midway down for precise wind holds at long distance. Every
continued on p. 86A trip to the JL Bar
Ranch afforded the
author the opportu-
nity to wring-out the
Trijicon AccuPower
4.5-30X 56 mm atop
Sabatti STR ri es.