sfp/ffp for hunting

[rjackh]

i would like to hear yalls opinions on whether or not ffp scopes are worth the extra money if theyre going on a hunting rifle. ive read people say that sfp is a waste of time with the reticle for hunting because you have a reticle with graduations, meaning you should get a ffp scope. wouldnt that really depend on the kind of hunting you do?

ex: hunting situations in which you have time to power up to full magnification and range the target, then dial in dope/hold over and shoot- here a sfp seems like it would be ok. in hunting situations where you have to more quickly range, dial dope/hold over and make a kill shot- here it seems like a ffp scope would be a much better choice. hunting some animals might present certain situations that other animals might not.

NF NXS F1's are just out of my price range. however, im looking at the sfp mil/mil nxs's and they are do-able. i definitely will be hunting with my rig, it will actually be my go to gun for most everything i hunt- whitetail, pigs, varmints etc. i dont plan on ever shooting competitions or matches. im also concerned about the reticle in a ffp scope 1) being too thin for my liking when im hunting in brush and have the scope on low power and 2) being almost invisible in low light situations when the scope is on low power.

 

[kcebcj]

I am waiting for the Viper PST that has the option of being MOA dial MOA marks first focal plane. I use a drop chart so if you don't have time to fool with the dials and the scope is a first focal plane scope you can just hold over no matter what the power setting is. I think that is a real plus in a hunting rifle that's carried and is set to the lowest setting while hiking.

For the reason above I think it's money well spent!

 

[rjackh]

i was set on the viper pst but have read some pretty bad reports about it. when you think about it, they have to cut corners somewhere to have a scope with all those bells and whistles everyone wants and still have it be $800. now ive decided to wait longer to save more, then buy the best i can afford the first time around.

but besides that, anyone else have opinions on ffp vs sfp for hunting?

 

[Poodleshooter1]

A lot depends on the actual reticle being used.
Generally speaking, FFP reticles can be harder to pick up at close range in a busy background,since the reticle is usually very thin and small at low power. Basically you either have a too small/too thin reticle at close range that is well sized for long range, or you have one that is too large at long range,but is sized ok for short range work.
If all of your shots are going to be 100yds or further, FFP is great,and has the aforementioned ranging advantages,and is more useful with a ranging reticle than an SFP scope.
If you want to use a rifle for shots inside of 100yds in a background like eastern woodlands as well as for longer ranged work, an SFP is preferable. The reticle will appear to be the same size for both long and short range, though it can only be used properly for ranging at one given power. SFP reticles can be used as ballistic reticles by matching drop/line combinations at different magnifications,but that's a band-aid approach compared to the easier "this load shoots to stadia line 3 at 400yds and line 6 at 500yds,...) method used with a FFP scope.

I hunt eastern woodlands, so all of my scopes are SFP.

 

[kcebcj]

i was set on the viper pst but have read some pretty bad reports about it. when you think about it, they have to cut corners somewhere to have a scope with all those bells and whistles everyone wants and still have it be $800. now ive decided to wait longer to save more, then buy the best i can afford the first time around.

but besides that, anyone else have opinions on ffp vs sfp for hunting?

The reports you are referring to about the Viper PST scope....could you post a link or point me in their direction. Would be very interested in reading them as most everything I've been able to find has been positive.

 

[davewilson]

personally i'll take a 2fp any time over a 1fp for a hunting rig, especially one that's a carry gun. you've already stated the down side of 1fp, the reticle is always the wrong thickness for what's needed. the trend is they've made these hairs too thin so they can be used on the higher magnifications and then, as you've stated, on lower magnifications, are barely able to be seen.
and how long does it take to put the magnification on the highest, or whatever setting, it can be used to range/holdover with? a couple seconds at the most. i'll take a second focal plane.

 

[rjackh]

kcebj- i will have to go back and find them, then pm you. i only talked to one person through pms, so cant link you to that. real busy with school right now ill get to it asap.

i have read that a huge advantage in ffp is in matches where your pressed for time and/or shooting moving targets. you can power to whatever magnification provides the FOV/sight picture you want. then you can use the reticle and not worry about it being accurate. i will not ever be in that situation, or i dont think i will.

i have heard a few people say that ffp scopes are not worth the money if your shooting inside what they consider as "point blank range" which might be out to 300-350 yds. why is this? the gun is a .308, will the drop at those ranges be so minimal that i will not need to worry about dialing in dope?

 

[joseph]

You can read and see some of the experiences I have had with my Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm MOA FFP scope with the Vortex custom Turret. Oh by the way I LOVE this scope. You can also get them in SFP for less money.

Field test: Vortex Viper 6-24x50mm PST MOA FFP scope. - Georgia Outdoor News Forum

Testing new Vortex custom turret. - Georgia Outdoor News Forum

PST in auto crash. - Georgia Outdoor News Forum

Vortex Viper PST mounted with pics. - Georgia Outdoor News Forum

When the power is set at 6x yes the reticule is thin, but once you get used to it you will like it. Besides it can be illuminated very fast which makes it even more visable than a SFP scope.

"Aim small miss small",

joseph

 

[davewilson]

Besides it can be illuminated very fast which makes it even more visable than a SFP scope.

you can illuminate a SFP reticle just as fast as a FFP, and it's more visible!

 

[joseph]

Besides it can be illuminated very fast which makes it even more visable than a SFP scope.

You can illuminate a SFP reticle just as fast as a FFP, and it's more visible!

With the SFP PST you probably do not have to illuminate the reticle.

joseph

 

[davewilson]

now there's something we can probably agree on! you're one of the few select individuals that have one of these scopes, and countless others are basically jealous. i've read your reports, although it's been a while. did you shoot groups cranking that thing up and down with each shot to see if it would repeat and move the POI exactly the distance you were adjusting the turrets? with a hard kicking gun?

 

[joseph]

davewilson ,

One of the guys in the picture at the 2,000 yd. range was shooting his 338 which is a real kicker. They quit shooting their rifles and shot mine. It was easier to hit the gongs from 200 yds. all the way out to 1,200 and back to 200 yds. just by turning the custom turret to the yardage.

It sounds like you want to find out how it will stand up to the big kickers which I do not know because I shoot a 6mm Norma BR with 105 gr. Berger VLDs out of a 14+ pound rifle. The guy that hit my car from behind totaled his car and the impact did not affect the PSE at all.

Maybe when they are back delivering the PSTs with the tighter turrets and better QC of the vertical on the reticle someone will put one on a 50 BMG and we will find out.

Personally I have not used a NF or other expensive scopes.

As for shooting a group at a distance and turning the turret in between shots and then back to see if it will track perfectly I think it would have to to be able to go from 200 to 1,200 and back to 200 yds. in 100 yd. changes. Example: shot at 200 then 300 then 400 and so forth up to 1,200 and then back down to 200 yds.

"Aim small miss small",

joseph

PS: I am very happy with this scope. Oh I have had to adjust the windage turret at long distances to move the impact to the right and left and the clicks seem to be perfect.

 

[rjackh]

glad to hear good things about the pst. i am eager to hear more about them when they come back out. given my budget, it might be my only option. i hope i can afford to go with an IOR though. i think QC will be better and i know the glass in IOR's are great

 

[rjackh]

The reports you are referring to about the Viper PST scope....could you post a link or point me in their direction. Would be very interested in reading them as most everything I've been able to find has been positive.

here are some reviews i dug up on the hide. not sure if there is negative stuff in there or not, but here is what i found

Vortex Viper PST 4-16X50 FFP Initial Impressions - Sniper's Hide Forums

Another Viper review 4-16X50 updated range report - Sniper's Hide Forums

Box testing a PST 6-24 SFP thru scope pics added - Sniper's Hide Forums

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