Training and Tech

Sig Sauer TANGO6T 1-6x24mm DVO Riflescope

By: Guy Coursey

Sig’s 3rd DOD contract for the TANGO6T made available to the everyman

While several reticles are available in Sig’s 1-6x TANGO6T line of riflescopes, the first-focal-plane DVO model — the U.S. Army’s new Direct View Optic for their M4A1 carbines — gets the illuminated, bullet-drop / wind compensating DWLR-556 reticle exclusively.

Not long ago, the average grunt utilized iron sights on his fighting rifle. If you had an optic, you were probably a sniper or at least someone who was considered special enough to warrant some kind of telescopic sight. These days, a lot has changed, and Sig Sauer seems to be right in the middle of such things when it comes to equipping the firearms for many of our soldiers. The latest in this trend is the recent adoption of the Sig TANGO6T 1-6x24mm LPVO (low-power-variable optic) by the U.S. Army for their Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR) atop the H&K M110A1 in 7.62 NATO, and the USSOCOM S-VPS (Squad-Variable Powered Scope). While space does not permit a lengthy discussion, a Designated Marksman (DM) is a soldier trained and equipped to closely support the squad with accurate fire on enemy personnel in the midrange of engagement, from 300-600 meters. A sniper is a highly trained specialist who operates in a small team to conduct ISR and provide precision fire out to and past 1000 meters. The optics for both need to be robust, clear, and easy to use, and need to be able to deal with the typical abuse that time in the field and combat conditions require. The TANGO6T DVO (Direct View Optic) model you’re reading about here represents SIG’s third Department of Defense award for the TANGO6T — selected by the U.S. Army for their 5.56mm M4A1 platform.

Capped windage and elevation dials feature zero-stop capability and provide 0.2 MRAD click values with 31 MRADs of total adjustment. The aircraft-grade aluminum tube is Argon-purged and IPX-8 waterproof rated, meaning it will withstand continuous water immersion at a depth of 20 meters.

The Sig TANGO6T is built to the exacting specifications one would expect for the U.S. Army. Utilizing an exceedingly-rugged, aircraft-grade aluminum 30mm main tube, the TANGO6T weighs in at 22.10-ounces, is equipped with a first-focal-plane (FFP) reticle, and boasts a field of view of nearly 106 feet at 100 yards. Of note, the glass lenses are epoxied into

Out back, you’ll find crystal-clear, extra-low dispersion glass and a fast-focus eyepiece. Green fiber-optic tubes in the zoom ring provide quick identification of power-level settings. A power selector ring throw-lever (not shown) is also included. Flat-dark earth is the only available finish in the TANGO6T line, which is fine — it looks outstanding.

their housing groups, which prevents any shift and resulting change of point-of-impact when the scope is knocked about, which it is bound to be. The lenses are also fog proof, and the whole package is IPX8-level waterproof, which means it can withstand continuous water immersion at a depth of 20 meters. Turrets can be zero-locked and are in 0.2 MRAD click values, which allows for relatively precise adjustment within their 31 MRADs of travel for windage and elevation. A left-side dial controls the illuminated reticle — powered by a single and common CR2032 battery — with nine daytime and two-night vision settings. TANGO6T models come only in a flat dark earth finish, and the DVO model includes a very solid and color-matched (ish) ALPHA4 Ultralight aluminum 1.535” cantilever high mount, which was previously unavailable for commercial sale. If you are one of those guys who obstinately refuses to read directions from a manual, Sig has thoughtfully put the torque specs right on the scope mount itself (65 in-lbs for the mount, 25 in-lbs for the rings), along with the torque sequence on the top of the rings.

The illuminated reticle is controlled by a left-side dial and features nine daytime and two night-vision settings. The reticle is powered by a single and common CR2032 battery.

The view through the TANGO6T is crystal clear, with little parallax and practically no distortion that can often be seen in less well-made LPVOs. Several reticle types are available in the standard TANGO6T, including the FL-6 Hellfire, DWLR6 (Dual Wind Long Range 6x), 5.56/7.62 Horseshoe Dot, 7.63 Extended Range, and DWLR-556, but the DVO model gets the latter exclusively. All the reticles have sub-tension lines on the vertical

Magnetic flip-up lens caps and an objective lens anti-reflection device (not shown) are part of the package. Also part of the DVO package, but previously unavailable to the commercial market, is the ALPHA4 mount. Torque values and sequence are laser engraved on the mount, and the scope’s tube has a laser-engraved mounting line for precise alignment with the ring gap, ensuring a level reticle.

stadia below the center dot to assist with rough range estimation and bullet drop. The DWLR-556, however, is a “Christmas tree” type reticle with 0.15 MRAD center dot surrounded by an inverted horseshoe, with stadia lines at 100-meter intervals flanked by dots to assist with holdoffs in 5 and 10mph winds. When using the U.S. Army issue M855A1 5.56mm load, it allows a competent marksman (in theory) to attain good enough accuracy at extended ranges in most circumstances if he does his part. Meanwhile, closer in the horseshoe/dot arrangement works well as an effective red dot at lower magnification. Eye relief is a generous 3.9 inches. The TANGO6T line is available from Sig Sauer with MSRPs ranging from $1,539.99 to $2,859.99. While not cheap, they are as good as similar optics from other manufacturers that are more expensive. Check out the scope our soldiers now use at your nearest dealer, or for more information, contact Sig Sauer; Tel.: (603) 610-3000; Web: www.sigsauer.com.