A hunting scope will spend most of its time on the lowest power setting. because you can always dial up if you need to shoot long range. The problem with FFP is the reticle often struggles in low light.
You responded to this point yourself:
best advice is look carefully at the scope you intend to buy some reticles work better at certain powers. for instance I love the MOAR reticle….
FFP or SFP, selecting a good reticle for your application is key. The FFP scopes I use for hunting, since I also hunt with them in the thick brush until dark occasionally, are very easy to see on low powers in low light (even without illumination). They're easier to see than many of the most popular SFP reticles are. They would not make the best choice for a varmint scope. For that, as the OP is asking, there are other FFP and SFP reticles that work very well.
Generalizing that "FFP reticles _____" or "SFP reticles _____" only guarantees whatever you're saying is wrong, since there are many styles of either that vary widely.
The other problem is those wonderful subtentsions that don't change with power aren't use able at low power anyways.
That's really missing the point. You don't need to use the tick marks at 3X or 4X as whatever you're shooting at should be close so it's "point and shoot" just as if you were using a duplex. Where they're useful is when you turn down your 24X or 25X scope to 18X, or 15X or even 10X, as the conditions dictate and still use them as intended.
I'll agree FFP isn't as needed for this use on scopes 10X or less as it's pretty rare to run into conditions on a long shot where 10X is too much. It can be nice, though, as some like to walk around with a scope set on 6X and not have to crank it up on a longish shot just so they can hold wind. With the right reticle, this can work fine.
FFP is the latest and greatest thing cooked up by the tactical crowd. Many of these guys carry their 20# rifle including a 40mm tubed 3# scope to the range and never shoot in real field situations, with all the conditions that go along with that.
Wow, you've never been to a tactical match have you? In my experience, there is absolutely no better training for long-mid range hunting in existence. Shooting "in real field situations, with all the conditions that go along with that" is
EXACTLY what you do.
The competition and time pressure simulate "buck fever" better than anything else, many stages require running/climbing something against the clock before shooting so you have to deal with heavy breathing/pounding heart, and since you don't usually have any idea what a stage is going to be like until you're there, being able to "adapt and overcome" to undesirable terrain, shooting positions, etc, as often happens in hunting is rewarded in a way that relaxed practicing on a "square range" where you're in control of everything simply cannot replicate.
But the really good part is you're shooting against other people and they're keeping score. So for the guy who knows everything, has equipment and techniques that'll work brilliantly in every circumstance and has skills that would be legendary if only everybody knew about them….when shooter after shooter scores better on the same targets with the same conditions as he does, we have what we call a "teaching moment." Or "learning opportunity."
Since it takes a bit of pride-swallowing and open-mindedness to make the most of such opportunities, some are sure to avoid them. But I highly encourage every hunter who does anything more than shoot something out of a stand at close range to sign up for and shoot some long range/tactical PRS-type matches in your area. Beyond being an incredible amount of fun, the amount of experience and learning they afford simply can't be found elsewhere.
Those who badmouth them and the people who participate are extremely misguided.
