In the realm of those who loves guns, the concept of long-range shooting tends to have wildly varying definitions. To some shooters “long range” means anything beyond 250 yards; to others it means 1000 yards and beyond. And, of course, finding the space to make truly long range shots can be difficult for many gun owners. But if you are fortunate enough to have access to some wide open spaces you might be in the market for a solid precision long-range scope or long-range hunting scope (which are really quite similar things).
Enter the Trijicon Accupower 5-50×56 Extreme Long Range Riflescope.
Trijicon is one of my preferred scope manufacturers.They’ve hit a few home runs as of late, at least by my standards, so I was interested in trying out the new scope. The newest Accupower offers a variety of features designed to assist shooters in acquiring and engaging targets at greater distances than standard scopes allow. It isn’t just for PRS precision rifle guys, either, it’s geared toward long-range shooters both in the hunting and precision worlds and should definitely appeal to them all.
The optic’s aluminum body is manufactured from aircraft-quality, hard-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum with a matte black finish. This is a durable optic capable of withstanding scrapes and bangs on hunts or at the range; if you accidentally bounce your gun off a tree or platform, the Accupower is highly unlikely to fail. I’m not suggesting you drive over it with your truck, only saying it’s well-made, tough, and rugged.
As for optics, this Accupower has multi-coated glass extra low dispersion glass to reduce glare and increase light gathering. It has a 56mm objective lens, too, meaning light transmission in low-light conditions is truly superior. What you see through the glass will also remain true to color thanks to the Extreme Low Dispersion glass.
The MOA reticle has 0.5 MOA and 1.0 MOA stadia heights to facilitate speed ranging targets and 1/32 MOA stadia lines (stadia lines are the crosshairs and stadia height refers to the distance between lines). Each click is 0.125 MOA.
This is a second focal plane optic which basically means the reticle remains the same size as you bump up magnification thanks to its being placed closer to your eye, behind the magnification lens. That also means you cannot use holdover like you would with a first focal plane optic with the upside being you do have the ability to make more precise adjustments and will have a clearer, uncluttered view of your target. As with any skill, long-range shooting with a second focal plane optic requires practice.
So, how does it function while shooting? It seemed appropriate to mount it to the Palmetto State Armory .224 Valkyrie. Long story short, I’ve run it out to 1250 yards with fantastic success; say what you want about PSA but their Valkyrie has proven itself as one of the most capable models chambered in that cartridge currently on the market.
The Trijicon Accupower 5-50×56 Extreme Long Range Riflescope has exceptional clarity and a fantastic field of view. The company reports FOV – field of view – as being 21.2 to 2.1 feet at 100 yards which translates to a broad FOV, making it easier for hunters to see what’s coming and track movement of potential targets with minimal shifting.
It also has an illuminated reticle, a feature I love, and has five red and five green brightness settings. Those options allow you to adjust illumination to suit your specific needs rather than being stuck with only “on” or “off.”
This scope will add some weight to your gun; without the sunshade the optic weighs 38.4 ounces, a not-inconsiderable size (and of course I want the sunshade). Trijicon has won me over in the past with heavy scopes, though, with my skepticism at weight giving way to being impressed by the optic’s performance. This is another one of those times. Yes, it’s a bit heavier than some of its counterparts, but in this case it’s worth adding a few ounces to your load. As for specific measurements this optic is 16”x3.6”x2.9”.
Other features include eye relief of 3.5″ to 3.9″ and a parallax adjustment range of 10 yards to infinity. It also has Return to Zero, a feature that comes in quite handy.
How important is your long-range optic? It’s wiser to spend more money on a quality scope than on your rifle. Your rifle can be more budget-friendly; pour your cash into the glass.
Although it’s possible to nail longer shots with budget glass it can be exceedingly difficult. I’ve certainly done it, spent hours on end peering through sub-par glass and still rung steel past 1000 yards, but I don’t recommend it. If you want to be a top-tier shooter and/or a successful, ethical long-range hunter, you need high quality glass.
This particular optic is well worth the expense. If you’re unfamiliar with second focal plane optics it doesn’t take long to become accustomed to it; if you are familiar, well, there you go. I want exceptional clarity and FOV from a long range optic plus easy zero and an ability to hold zero over time. Oh, I also want adjustments to be simple and magnification that enables me to acquire targets quickly and accurately. Those might sound like basic requirements, but they aren’t as easy to fulfill as you might think.
For distance shooting the Trijicon Accupower 5-50×56 delivers. I’ve been pleased with it and look forward to using it at greater length including on a hunt (or two…or three…). If you want to ring steel at 1250 yards consistently, this optic will get you there. If you want to drop a muley at 750 yards, you can do that, too (assuming you have the skills for a single-shot, clean kill). Personally, I love long-range hunting, but that’s a debate for another day.
Bottom line? This is a stellar optic. If you’re a serious long-range shooter looking to invest in a high-quality, durable optic with precise milling, etching, and machining, you should take a closer look at this one.
Specifications: Trijicon Accupower 5-50×56 Extreme Long Range Riflescope
Model Number: RS50-C-1900030
Magnification: 5-50x
Objective Size: 56mm
Weight: 38.4oz (1,088.6g) without sunshade
Illumination Source: LED – 1 CR2032 Lithium Battery
Reticle Pattern: MOA Crosshair
Day Reticle Color: Red/Green
Night Reticle Color: Red/Green
Bindon Aiming Concept: No
Eye Relief: 3.5 – 3.9 in (89-100mm)
Field of View: 4.04° – 0.41°
Field of View @ 100 yards: 21.2- 2.1 ft @ 100 yds (7.1 – 0.7m @ 100m)
Adjustment @ 100 yards (clicks/in): 0.125 (1/8) MOA per click
Tube Size: 34mm
Housing Material: 6061-T6 black hard coat anodized
Batteries: 1 CR2032 Lithium Battery
Focal Plane: Second
Adjustment Range Elev.: 100 MOA Windage Adjustment (total) 50 MOA
Illumination Settings: 5 red and 5 green
Dimensions (LxWxH): 16 x 3.6 x 2.9 in (405.8 x 91.4 x 73.6mm)
Waterproof: 10ft (3m)
Parallax Adjustment Range: 10 yds to infinity
MSRP $2700.00
Ratings (out of 5 stars):
Quality: * * * * *
Trijicon’s quality control and manufacturing processes are undeniably superior.
Durability: * * * *
This optic is designed to withstand all manner of abuse and use. It has not been on the market long enough for me to put it through a true torture test (I’ve only had it for a short time). It is a rugged, well-made optic, though.
Glass: * * * * *
Crystalline clarity and stellar light transmission.
Reticle: * * * *
The MOA reticle and second focal plane design work well together for long-range use. The reticle does not hamper your ability to identify targets and stadia are clear and easy to use.
Overall: * * * * *
This is the third time Trijicon has released an optic I find absolutely fantastic recently. If you’re a long-range shooter or hunter this optic is a worthwhile investment.