FAL with ACOG range report

[ScottFN308]

I went to the range today, and zeroed the ACOG (TA01B),
that I had mounted on my FAL.
I mounted this optic using the LaRue Tactical QD mount,
and the DSA scope mount for the FAL.

The ammunition was South African surplus purchased from
Aim Surplus. The lot numbers were as pictured below.

http://www.americanminuteman.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_ACOG%20FAL%20003.jpg

All shooting was done at 100yds, from a bench for initial
zero.

The first group that I fired was just off the target and
measured 1-1/4" C to C. It is pictured below.

http://www.americanminuteman.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_ACOG%20FAL%20004.jpg

This group was way to the right, but elevation was almost
perfect. I then proceded to bring the POI left.

This next target shows that progression.

http://www.americanminuteman.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_ACOG%20FAL%20005.jpg

The group next to the orange dot was the last one I fired
before I switched targets, due to the fact that there were
so many holes I couldn't tell which were which in my spotting scope.

The largest group that I fired was 2" C to C, and the
smallest was 1" C to C.
That is an average of 1.5 MOA.

This I believe is proof enough that the FAL is a lot more
accurate than an average of 2-3 MOA that most claim.

The final target pictured here is my last group and some
other offhand shooting that I did after the initial zero was
done. The final group was the 2 rounds touching and the
one on the other side of the orange dot.

http://www.americanminuteman.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_ACOG%20FAL%20006.jpg

Those 3 rounds measure 1-1/4" C to C.
Not bolt-gun sniper grade accurate, but plenty good enough
for a battle rifle thrust into the Designated Marksman role.

You will notice however that one group I fired measures
2-1/2". That group was fired with FNM Portugese surplus.
This is normally very accurate ammunition. This lot however,
is not. I did not fire anymore of this ammunition after that group.

That being said,

The FAL is a very accurate and capable rifle.
I urge anyone looking for a battle rifle, to give the FAL some
serious consideration.

Sources,

www.dsarms.com
www.riflescopes.com
www.laruetactical.com
www.aimsurplus.com

Regards,

Scott

[Windustsearch]

SCOTT!!!!!!

http://www.alanjohns.fsnet.co.uk/goldmember/frau-farbissina.jpg

[EMDII]

Please show a pic of your mount and rifle. Some have asked about using the ACOG. You can help!
:wink:

[ScottFN308]

Here ya go.

http://www.americanminuteman.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_ACOG%20FAL%20002.jpg

Regards,

Scott

[dasu]

have you played with their bullet drop aim points at all? i had an acog that i played with years ago on a M1A with portuguese ammo (and then sold because i had no FAL back then) and it seemed way off, as in high. i think the scope is calibrated for a 168 grain coming out at 2650. is that right?

you have any problems with cheek weld?

[dasu]

Originally posted by Windustsearch
SCOTT!!!!!!

http://www.alanjohns.fsnet.co.uk/goldmember/frau-farbissina.jpg


uhh...whats that for???

[ScottFN308]

Originally posted by dasu
have you played with their bullet drop aim points at all? i had an acog that i played with years ago on a M1A with portuguese ammo (and then sold because i had no FAL back then) and it seemed way off, as in high. i think the scope is calibrated for a 168 grain coming out at 2650. is that right?

you have any problems with cheek weld?

I have ordered a cheekpiece to take care of that problem,
and the farthest I have shot it was 350yds at steel plates.

It was right on as far as elevation goes, and windadge was
off due to the fact that it was windy as Hell that day, but only
about 2 moa's worth. Easy enough to compensate for.

I think you are correct about the BDC being calibrated for the
168GR at 2650fps, my rifle is a carbine firing 150gr at about the same
or a bit more, so it should be close, if not within MOA.

Regards,

Scott

[Lostinthewoods]

Were thare any issues with the relatively short eye relief?

[ScottFN308]

Originally posted by Lostinthewoods
Were thare any issues with the relatively short eye relief?

Not really.
But you do have to hold the rifle tight into your shoulder, or the ACOG
will wake you up.

Regards,

Scott

[v42]

When people say that an FN FAL is usually a 2 - 3 m.o.a. gun, they are usually referring to 5 shot groups and open sights.

[Windustsearch]

And surplus ammo.

[JSchwab]

Great info on the the ACOG, Scott. I really appreciate it. For my new FAL project, I have narrowed the scope choice down to the ACOG TA11E. Your review was very informative and insightful, and helped validate what I already knew was the right choice for this weapon. Question for you: I see you purchased the DSA FAL mount as well as the LaRue QD . Would I need both? When looking at the DSA mount, it appears to be made for the ACOG scope. I guess the LaRue QD mount would give me other options too, but is it necessary?
Thanks!

[enforcer22]

Originally posted by ScottFN308


I have ordered a cheekpiece to take care of that problem,
and the farthest I have shot it was 350yds at steel plates.

It was right on as far as elevation goes, and windadge was
off due to the fact that it was windy as Hell that day, but only
about 2 moa's worth. Easy enough to compensate for.

I think you are correct about the BDC being calibrated for the
168GR at 2650fps, my rifle is a carbine firing 150gr at about the same
or a bit more, so it should be close, if not within MOA.

Regards,

Scott

Scott,

What cheek piece are you going to use. Ive got a SS 10x mounted and Ive been looking at Karstens adj version (it looks like the one on an A5) the only problem is it mounts with holes through the stock and I may run into problems where the recoil spring is. I may end up having to mount it with four seperate mounting screws rather than the two long ones it comes with.

Joe

[goldenspurholderx2]

enforcer, don't know if this will help since your rifle is already built but on the build I'm doing now I'm using para internals with a highly modified X-stock that way I don't have to worry about the drive springs getting in the way.

[ScottFN308]

Originally posted by JSchwab
Great info on the the ACOG, Scott. I really appreciate it. For my new FAL project, I have narrowed the scope choice down to the ACOG TA11E. Your review was very informative and insightful, and helped validate what I already knew was the right choice for this weapon. Question for you: I see you purchased the DSA FAL mount as well as the LaRue QD . Would I need both? When looking at the DSA mount, it appears to be made for the ACOG scope. I guess the LaRue QD mount would give me other options too, but is it necessary?
Thanks!

Dsa makes a mount that is recessed for the ACOG, however, I
already had this on and used the LaRue tactical mount so I would
have the capability to take the ACOG off with a couple of throw levers
in case the scope crapped out on me.

It is not nessessary though, it is just what I wanted.

Regards,

Scott

[JSchwab]

Thanks for the input on your mount, Scott. The DSA mount you mentioned is the one I had in mind. I think I'll order it on-line today. Maybe the brass saver too. It's only another 30 bucks or so. I've got a bunch of non Berdan primed surplus that I may want to reload. It's a shame the scope is so much, but then again, cheap stuff isn't good and good stuff isn't cheap! Thanks again for a great post.
-Jim

[shunkanumpa]

Scott,

I have had a similar great experience with my ACOG (the donut of death reticle) on my para. I would actually prefer the chevron reticle like I have on my AR, but that reticle is mighty scarce in .308 these days, cause the military has first dibs.

AND, I received my Grenadier Precision scope mount in the mail last week so I installed it, then put on my ACOG via a dual throw QD A.R.M.S. mount and put it through the paces. Six shots later it was dialed in as precise as I needed for shots out to 400 M. I cleaned and disassembled the rifle that night ,( including removal of the GP mount ) and returned to the range the next morning. There was a semi gusty 5 mph wind blowing right to left , so I cannot claim scientific proof of absolute return to zero, but for my observation there was a true return to zero. ( the group was approximately 1 minute left of previous days grouping and zero and I estimate the wind as being a 1-2 minute factor)

Yeah, an ACOG is a lot of coin, as is a GP scope mount dust cover ($120 w/o the group buy discount) but worth it?????? I think so. This is rock solid kit that works.

Sorry if I moderately highjacked this string, but it seemed related and I am not ready to do my long term report on the scope mount with pics.

shunka numpa