A solid optic is essential in maximizing a rifle’s performance by enhancing its speed, reach, and precision. While the scope’s construction and materials play a pivotal role in its performance, its effectiveness also hinges on the reticle it uses. To meet the diverse needs of different scenarios and applications, Primary Arms Optics offers a wide array of unique rifle scope options and an advanced reticle system that combines multiple elements to form various functional reticle designs.
Within the Advanced Combined Sighting System (ACSS®) reticle series, the ACSS NOVA® is easily one of the most popular in the lineup—featured prominently on optics such as the Primary Arms Optics SLx® 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope Gen IV. With its unique fiber-wire construction, Red Dot Bright™ Illumination, and effective ranging capabilities, the ACSS NOVA truly is one of the most adaptable reticle systems on the market.
ACSS Reticle System
For those who are new to the Primary Arms Optics rifle scope lineup, it’s important to note that their optics use the ACSS reticle system across a wide range of different optics.
Each ACSS reticle is designed to offer different advantages for different applications, calibers, and shooting disciplines. For example, ACSS reticles designed for their variable power optics offer a wide array of sighting information, including either BDC holds, MOA or MIL subtensions/grids, or at times, a combination of these elements. Meanwhile, their red dot sights use reticles like the ACSS CQB to provide you with an infinitely precise chevron for better accuracy, three BDC dots for holdover, and an outer horseshoe for quick target acquisition.
No matter what your rifle’s intended purpose is, there’s likely an ACSS reticle designed to meet your needs. As such, reticles like the ACSS NOVA have garnered immense popularity for its performance and usefulness across multiple shooting disciplines.
Features and Benefits of the ACSS NOVA Reticle
Fiber-Wire Reticle
The ACSS NOVA reticle stands out for many reasons, but one of its standout features is its construction. While many modern optics utilize etched reticles, the ACSS NOVA reticle utilizes a unique fiber-wire construction.
We have another guide going over the differences between fiber, wire, and etched reticle options, but to sum them up, fiber reticles incorporate fiber optic tubes into the reticle construction for illumination and subsequently greater visibility in any lighting condition.
The NOVA reticle goes a step further and uses a fiber-wire reticle, meaning it incorporates both traditional wire and fiber optic reticle elements. The reticle stadia are made of a thin metal construction while the center dot is made up of a fiber optic tube that can be illuminated, giving the NOVA its unique design and red dot-like utility.
Due to this construction, optics that use the NOVA reticle are only offered in a second focal plane. Unlike etched reticles, where the reticle is laser etched directly onto the optic’s lens, fiber-wire reticles can’t be made small enough to be used on an FFP optic. SFP optics are still a solid choice for many applications, but if you aren’t already familiar with their characteristics, we go more in depth on the differences and utility of each in our first focal plane vs. second focal plane guide.
Red Dot Bright™ Illumination
When illuminated, the ACSS NOVA reticle offers true Red Dot Bright™ illumination, performing much like a red dot sight when at 1x magnification. Although an LPVO won’t offer the same speed and agility that a red dot sight provides, LPVOs come close, especially when they house the NOVA reticle system.
Long Range Performance
The NOVA excels in close range applications, but it’s no slouch when it comes to long range performance either. The NOVA is available in two distinct variations: a BDC reticle variant calibrated for both 5.56 NATO and .308 Winchester, and a standard MIL variant.
The standard ACSS NOVA BDC reticle is remarkably versatile. Despite its simpler design, the auto ranging BDC incorporates holds out to 600 yards, plus, it even comes with moving target holds on the horizontal stadia that can be used out to 300 yards for more dynamic shooting disciplines. The MIL NOVA variant is a more complex reticle that keeps all the moving target and auto ranging elements of the earlier BDC iteration but features MIL subtensions for target holdovers and ranging.
Regardless of which reticle style you look at, the BDC and MIL stadia below the center dot are sized to match an 18-inch measurement (roughly the shoulder-to-shoulder width on a silhouette target) at different distances, allowing you to better estimate your target’s range.
Optic Overview
As we’ve discussed thus far, the ACSS NOVA offers a lot in terms of its overall utility, with each choice tailored to offer a blend of speed and precision. So, now that you have an idea of how this reticle system performs, it’s important to look at the optics that house it. Currently, Primary Arms Optics offers three different optics that house the ACSS NOVA reticle: the SLx 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope, the SLx 1-10×28 SFP Rifle Scope, and the PLxC 1-8×24 SFP Rifle Scope.
SLx 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope
The SLx 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope is a lightweight LPVO that uses an aluminum construction, so it weighs only 17.9 ounces while still being resistant to general wear from regular use, as well as use in harsh conditions. This optic is packed with a plethora of features that make it a solid addition to any rifle. This optic comes standard, mil based, and the BDC variant of the NOVA reticle and is pre-calibrated for 5.56 NATO and .308 Winchester. Additionally, it has a total adjustment range of 120 MOA for both windage and elevation, a total field of view of 120 (1x) to 20 (6x) yards, and it comes standard with a UML compatible magnification throw lever, as well as scope caps.
All these features make the Primary Arms SLx 1-6 NOVA a solid choice for both the AR-15 and AR-10. Plus, being a part of their SLx line of optics, this optic is affordable too. Priced at $339.99, it comes with all the features of a premium optic at a much more affordable price.
SLx 1-10×28 SFP Rifle Scope
Next up is the Primary Arms SLx 1-10×28 SFP Rifle Scope. Boasting many of the same features, this optic provides additional magnification, further enhancing its long-range capabilities. Additionally, this optic uses a 34mm tube diameter, allowing a larger 28mm objective lens diameter. Aside from these differences, both optics are remarkably similar dimensionally, with the SLx 1-10 NOVA having a similar total length and weight, measuring 10.5 inches long and weighing 19.1 ounces (only .1 inches longer and 1.2 ounces heavier than the SLx 1-6 NOVA).
Overall, this is a rock-solid optic that’s packed many of the same features as the SLx 1-6 NOVA. If you need the additional magnification, the SLx 1-10 NOVA is a great choice, and priced at $449.99, it’s excellent for enthusiasts on a budget.
PLxC 1-8×24 SFP Rifle Scope
One of the most popular LPVOs in the Primary Arms Optics lineup is the PLxC 1-8×24 SFP Rifle Scope. PLxC optics are a top-tier professional-grade choice, equipped to meet and exceed the needs of professional use. Like the SLx NOVA, the PLxC also utilizes an aluminum construction that’s been reinforced to make it weather, water, fog, and shock proof, and it also comes standard with premium Japanese ED glass for enhanced clarity and light transmission. Additionally, as mentioned, these optics use the MIL variant of the ACSS NOVA reticle, which provides much more data with its MIL subtensions and windage holds.
If you’re looking for a professional grade optic that’s built to perform in all conditions, the Primary Arms PLxC NOVA is a great possibility that’s ready for everything from duty and competitive use to simpler recreation. Being a more premium option, these optics are priced at $1,499.99, but they offer unparalleled performance.
Conclusion
The ACSS NOVA reticle stands as one of the most versatile reticles offered in the ACSS family of reticles. Combining quick target acquisition at close range with ranging capabilities that reach out to 600 to 800 yards, it’s an incredibly adaptable reticle option—ideal for a plethora of different shooting disciplines.
The balance of simplicity and adaptability makes the ACSS NOVA an incredible reticle system, with the optics that house it further adding to its versatility. Optics like the Primary Arms Optics SLx® 1-6×24 and SLx 1-10×28 SFP Rifle Scopes, for instance, offer utility and affordability, making them well-suited for recreational shooting, hunting, and competition. However, for more rigorous demands, the PLxC® 1-8×24 SFP Rifle Scope is designed to be capable of withstanding harsher use with its reinforced construction, while providing excellent glass clarity.
Regardless of which you look at, both are well-rounded optics that offer a high degree of utility. If you’re still on the fence about which optic is the right one for you, we recommend checking out our optic-focused articles like, “Red Dot Sights vs. LPVOs”, to get a better idea of what other optics are available for your rifle, as well as how they perform.
