FFP Scope used for presicion shooting

Zey

Zey

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In the recent thread where the guy got his new 5R and put a FFP style scope on it, Obtunded asked why. I'm curious as to the reasoning. Wouldn't it be much nicer to use this style of reticle focus?

Side note, I small game hunt and target shooting for fun, so that's where I'm coming from.
 
About the only reason for FFP is so mildots can be used consistantly throughout the power range.
Downside is that as power increases, the reticle becomes magnified. Basically the opposite of what would desirable.
 
I shoot a S&B with P4 fine reticle in FFP in F Class. I would not switch back to SFP. When using a FFP scope, the point of bullet impact does not change at different magnification as it does with a SFP. Big deal for me when using a 50x scope that I do need to dial down to account for mirage on occasion.

A fine reticle at full mag in FFP is no more thick than a 'standard' reticle in SFP. I was waiting for a March 8 to 80x scope until the manufacturer told me that no FFP would be offered initially. I bought another S&B.
 
The big advantages aren't for ranging. This is the 21st century, we use laser range finders or GPS for ranging.

The advantage of FFP is that the mil dots are true at every magnification. If you have mil based turrets, your dope will be also be in mils (MOA is also fine if you have an MOA based reticle). This makes it easier to use the reticle for hold-overs, wind compensation and target leads. If you miss, you don't need to think about or calculate how many click you're off by, you just measure it with the reticle and dial it in directly. Its meant for speed... for field use. Not for shooting the tiniest groups when you have all of the time in the world and distance is always known. For tactical shooting or hunting, its far superior to SFP.

That being said, I have no problem with precision with either of my Premier scopes. The reticle is nice and fine. If it gets lost on a dark background, I just turn on the illumination.
 
I am having a very nice time testing a higher end FFP scope.

Definitely tactical in every way shape and form.

BUT the reticles are designed to be very useable for precise work at LR at full mag.

how about putting the center cross hair on a door knob at a little over 1100yds?

When dialed down to low mag, the reticle becomes 'solid' as the markings get really tiny.

Very nice and solves many of the issues of FFP scopes.

Jerry
 
The question seems to have been answered, but FFP scopes are used in mildot or reticle ranging. This is a "sniping" or hunting requirement. Fullbore sports are shot at known, precise, ranges. The issue is that with FFP scopes the reticle is magnified along with the image.

F-Class and BR shooters want the finest reticles at the highest possible magnifications. The last thing they want is a reticle that gets bigger with higher powers.
 
Obtunded said:
F-Class and BR shooters want the finest reticles at the highest possible magnifications. The last thing they want is a reticle that gets bigger with higher powers.
Click to expand...

This has not been an issue for me as with clear glass the vast majority of shooting occurs at full mag. If starting with a fine reticle, at full mag, it is no larger than a SFP reticle.
 
You use mildots for ranging only as a last resort (backup) these days.

If you plan on using your rifle for all around use, go mil/mil (or MOA/MOA) with FFP and 25x magnification. But know that it isn't the most advantageous/competitive setup for shooting Fullbore.
 
Another issue to consider with FFP vs SFP variable scope - is reliability. FFP tend to be more reliable then SFP scopes because there are less parts inside of them. Poorly made SFP scopes can also have a shift in the POI at different magnifications whereas this is not an issue for FFP.
 
mightyhunter said:
Who needs to use that to range anyway I don't get it. LASER RANGE FINDER quick and easy. The military don't even use that method.
Click to expand...

The military does use this method as redundancy incase the range finder fails. It is used for quick corrections once the range is known, as well for windage hold offs. It is also a method used for closer range shots where the range/mildot realationship becomes obvious. Never put all your eggs in the range finder basket, when speaking of military use.

R.
 
Splatter said:
Come-on Jerry, tell us about your new glass.
Click to expand...

No can do right now...

FFP or SFP can have exactly the same issues with POI shifts as you move the mag levels. That has to do with the erector tube and how well it is put together.

Now some wire reticles can break but that is an entirely different story.

Many scope manfs are going to etched glass reticles so that really can't break....easily :)

Different styles for different applications.

Choose the one that suits your needs.

Jerry
 
I have a falcon menace 4.5-14x with a FFP. I really really like it, but the reticle is pretty thick at max magnification. I'm happy with it, but I think I could shoot better with a thinner reticle. It's SO nice to have metric turrets and mildots though. Each mil is 10 clicks, and the scope has 1/2 mil marks so each mark is 5 clicks. This of course is also 10 cm and 5 cm at 100m respectively.

Before this I always shot with a scope with mildots and turrest in MOA or 1/4" clicks. I ALWAYS had trouble adjusting, metric is much better.
 
TargetNorth said:
I have a falcon menace 4.5-14x with a FFP. I really really like it, but the reticle is pretty thick at max magnification. I'm happy with it, but I think I could shoot better with a thinner reticle. It's SO nice to have metric turrets and mildots though. Each mil is 10 clicks, and the scope has 1/2 mil marks so each mark is 5 clicks. This of course is also 10 cm and 5 cm at 100m respectively.

Before this I always shot with a scope with mildots and turrest in MOA or 1/4" clicks. I ALWAYS had trouble adjusting, metric is much better.
Click to expand...

MOA adjustments are preferred in Precision fullbore sports that use ICFRA targets, as their V's are .5MOA
 
Don't mix mildots with MOA turrets when you have FFP... that's a mall ninja setup. It just broadcasts to the world that you don't understand how a tactical scope is used, but wanted the cool look.

It doesn't matter how big your target is because you can MEASURE the offset with the reticle and just dial it directly when things match. Forget the mildots if you insist on MOA turrets and don't want to spring for a scope with an MOA based reticle. Just get a fine crosshair, the mildots give you nothing but the thickness disadvantage in that setup.
 
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