I think CitizenPete bought one of the PA sights and has the 7.62x39 ACOG, and I'm actually really looking forward to his take comparing those...
RSR,
The PA 1x6 is the only optic I purchased, and currently that is zeroed on a Saiga SGL-21. I intend to test it utilizing the Mag-wedge rail on a VZ2008 with the scope in the future. The PA1x6 scope worked well at 200-250-300 yards - glass is clear and ballistics reticle elevation was not off that much within 300 yards using Brown Bear JHP. There are some oddities with the ACSS reticle at 50,100 to 200 yards using the top and bottom of the center dot for targeting at 100 -- don't know if the 4x optic is the same (prob not). But I need to spend more time with it with M67, which I consider a milspec 7.62x39 baseline. (Just need to be in the right state of mind to test M67, since I would be forced to wash the gun out afterward.)
Blue text and lines added by me:
The Trijicon ACOG also has ballistics up to 600 yards, however the bright (light/tritium) illuminated horse shoe and dot at 3x make this one of the premiere battle optics at 100-300, IMO.
I am always surprised when I look through an unmagnified EO Tech optic, of how pixelated and holographic it is. For me the ACOG is the way to go on a battle rifle - note about reticle color: while the green horseshoe is great, the reticle disappears with NV add-on scopes (green on green). I took the green reticle ACOG off another rifle (SIG 556r - 7.62x39) for use on a Vz.58 and bought a new red reticle ACOG on for that rifle so I could adapt it with a low-end Gen2 ATN NV scope.
Long distance shooters and trainers balk at the ballistics reticles (as both the ACOG and the PA have) and they used developed charts from the cartridge manufacturers (or custom developed bullet drop charts) utilizing Mil dot or MOA reticles. The PA 1x6 comes with a chart for a few manufacturers that match the reticle (only for 300AAC Ballistics), however it does not touch on the popular bulk Russian 7.62x39 steel case or surplus M43 or M67. I believe that ballistics reticles could be utilized effectively on any specific rifle when tested thoroughly with a specific round(s) with proven consistency at 50,100,200,250 and 300 yards. Any deviation from the reticle hold over should be consistent and probably insignificant for minute of man within 300 yards anyway.
What ammo brands are referenced in the user manual for the 4x PA optic reticle? Same as PA 1x6 prob.I have no budget or time for a 4x PA purchase and test currently. It should prove to be a great bargain optic if it is anything like the 1x6. Most the the online reviews have been positive and several people including
AK Operators Union 47-74 did successful freeze/torture tests on it. So while it's still not an ACOG it should be more than sufficient for weekend battles at the range.