Hey there, fellow night stalkers and precision shooters! Joel Mccartan here, back with another deep dive into the world of hunting optics. Today, we’re taking a close look at the Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope – a piece of glass that’s been turning heads in the long-range community. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Trijicon? Aren’t they the ACOG guys?” Well, buckle up, because they’ve got a lot more up their sleeve than just combat sights.
First Impressions and Build Quality
Right out of the box, this scope screams quality. The packaging is top-notch, with a nicely padded box that includes a lens pen, 3″ sunshade, and a bikini-style scope cover. It’s like Christmas morning for grown-ups who like to shoot far!
The scope itself has a nice heft to it – not too heavy, but substantial enough to feel like a serious piece of equipment. Trijicon hasn’t skimped on materials here. The 30mm tube is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, and while it’s not a single-piece construction (the forward part attaches at the turret shoulder), it feels rock-solid.
The matte black finish is so non-reflective, it’s like looking at a black hole. Trijicon claims it’s hard-coat anodized per MIL-A-8265, Type III, Class 2. In layman’s terms, that means it’s tough as nails and won’t give away your position with unwanted glare. Perfect for those of us who don’t want to spook game with a random glint of sunlight.
All the markings are in a slightly dulled white that’s easy to read without being obtrusive. The overall appearance is tactical yet refined – this is a scope that means business but doesn’t feel out of place on a hunting rifle.
- Advanced fiber-optics and tritium aiming-point Illumination speeds target acquisition and extends available Shooting hours
- Dual-illumination System automatically adjusts aiming-point brightness to existing lighting conditions. Bindon Aiming Concept – No
Optical Clarity: Crystal Clear Views
Let’s talk glass, because that’s where Trijicon really shines. The AccuPoint offers edge-to-edge clarity that’ll make your eyes thank you. I’ve compared this bad boy to some other high-end scopes like Nightforce, Nikon Tacticals, and Leupold Mk4s, and let me tell you, it holds its own.
The 50mm objective lens gobbles up light like a black hole, providing bright, crisp images even in challenging conditions. The multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission and reduce distortion, resulting in excellent performance across a wide range of lighting scenarios.
During a recent dawn hunt, I was able to pick out a bedded deer in heavy shadows that I might have missed with lesser glass. The contrast and light transmission are seriously impressive, especially in those crucial low-light hours when game is most active.
Illumination: No Batteries Required
Here’s where things get interesting. The AccuPoint uses a combination of fiber optics and tritium to illuminate the center dot of the reticle. It’s like having a mini sun and a glow stick working together to light up your crosshairs.
The coolest part? You can adjust the brightness by sliding a cover over the fiber optic strip on the eyepiece. Too bright? Slide it closed a bit. Need more light? Open it up. It’s simple, effective, and there are no batteries to die on you at the worst possible moment.
Now, I’ll admit, that green fiber optic strip does stick out a bit and might not be everyone’s cup of tea aesthetically. But Trijicon thought ahead and made that sliding cover capable of completely hiding the strip if you’re worried about it compromising your concealment.
During a recent dusk hunt, I was able to keep my crosshairs on target well past the point where I’d usually be packing up. The tritium keeps that center dot visible even when it’s dark enough to need a flashlight to find your truck keys. It’s worth noting that the tritium has a lifespan of about 15 years, after which it’s not covered by warranty. But given how long that is, I’d say it’s a fair trade-off for never having to worry about batteries.
Reticle and Adjustments
The AccuPoint 5-20×50 comes with a few reticle options, but the one I’ve been using is the tried-and-true mildot. It’s crisp, clean, and perfect for ranging and holdovers. The reticle is set in the second focal plane, which means it stays the same size as you zoom. At 20x, each dot represents 1 MIL, but dial it back to 10x, and each dot becomes 2 MILs. It’s like having two reticles in one!
The crosshairs themselves are a bit thicker than some target scopes, which I actually prefer for hunting. They’re easier to pick up against dark backgrounds or in low light, though it might not be ideal if you’re trying to shoot tiny groups at close range.
Now, let’s talk turrets. The elevation and windage knobs are large, exposed designs that are a joy to use. Each click is a positive 0.25 MOA adjustment, and boy, are those clicks satisfying. They’re tactile enough to feel easily even with gloves on, yet the audible click is muted enough not to spook nearby game.
The elevation knob gives you 12 MOA per revolution, with clear markings to show how many full rotations you’ve made. The top of the knob is nicely ribbed for easy gripping, and there are three set screws for zeroing once you’ve got your rifle dialed in.
One small gripe – the total elevation adjustment is limited to about 47 MOA on my example. It’s enough for most hunting situations, but extreme long-range shooters might want to look at adding a canted base to squeeze out some extra elevation. Personally, I’d love to see Trijicon bump this up in future models, even if it meant dropping the magnification a bit to something like 4-16x or 4.5-18x.
The windage knob mirrors the elevation in design and function, with numbers that only count up in one direction. Some might prefer bidirectional markings, but I find this setup clean and easy to read.
On the left side of the tube, you’ll find the parallax adjustment knob. It’s a bit shorter than the elevation and windage knobs and has a knurled top instead of ribbing. The resistance is perhaps a tad light for my taste, but it moves smoothly and precisely, allowing for crisp focus from 40 yards to infinity.
Magnification and Eye Relief
The power ring rotates independently of the eyepiece, which is great news if you like to use flip-up scope caps. The 5-20x range covers just about any situation you’re likely to encounter, from dense woods to open plains.
The eye relief is generous at 3.8-4.1 inches, providing plenty of safety margin even with hard-recoiling calibers. At full 20x magnification, you’ll need to be a bit more precise with your cheek weld to get the full sight picture, but that’s par for the course with high-powered scopes.
Real-World Performance
I’ve had this scope mounted on my trusty Remington 700 in .308 for a few months now, and it’s become my go-to for everything from prairie dog control to elk hunting.
The 5-20x magnification range is versatile enough to handle just about any hunting scenario. At 5x, you’ve got a wide field of view for tracking moving game, while 20x lets you place precise shots at extended ranges. The side focus parallax adjustment is smooth and precise, allowing for crisp images from 40 yards to infinity. I’ve found it particularly useful when shooting from unconventional positions in the field.
During a recent high-country elk hunt, the AccuPoint’s clarity and low-light performance really shone. I was able to glass distant ridgelines effectively even as the sun dipped below the horizon, giving me extra precious minutes of hunting time. The illuminated center dot was a godsend as the light faded, allowing me to maintain a precise aiming point without washing out my night vision.
In terms of accuracy and repeatability, the AccuPoint doesn’t disappoint. I put it through its paces with a “box test” at the range, shooting groups at each corner of a 5 MOA box. The adjustments tracked true, and my final group neatly overlapped the first, demonstrating excellent mechanical consistency.
The Verdict
Is the Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20×50 perfect? Not quite. The power ring can be a bit hard to read from behind the scope, and as mentioned, the elevation adjustment range might limit extreme long-range use without additional equipment. Some users might also find the illuminated dot a bit small for their liking, though I’ve found it to be just right for precise aiming.
But for the vast majority of hunters and shooters, this scope is a winner. It offers exceptional optical quality, innovative illumination, and rock-solid reliability – all in a package that won’t require a second mortgage. The Japanese-made glass is on par with scopes costing significantly more, and the build quality is everything you’d expect from a company with Trijicon’s reputation.
If you’re in the market for a high-end hunting scope that can pull double duty for long-range target work, the Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20×50 deserves a serious look. It’s become an indispensable part of my hunting kit, and I bet it’ll do the same for you.
Remember, good glass is an investment in your hunting success. The AccuPoint might not be the cheapest option out there, but in my experience, it’s worth every penny. It’s a scope that’ll serve you well from your backyard range to the most remote wilderness hunts.
So, whether you’re looking to reach out and touch steel at 1000 yards or make that perfect shot on the trophy buck of a lifetime, the Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20×50 has got you covered. It’s a versatile, reliable, and high-performing optic that’s earned a permanent place in my gear lineup.
Happy hunting, and as always, shoot straight and stay safe out there!