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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Long Range Scopes and Other Optics
FFP vs SFP
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<blockquote data-quote="Jon A" data-source="post: 201242" data-attributes="member: 319"><p>They come in all sizes, but most tactical FFP reticles are much smaller than that. The IOR 3-18 has one of the thicker (still very easy to see at low power!) and its lines are only 6" wide at 1500 yds. Not a good choice for varmints at that range, but for any big game/tactical use I can think of it's fine. Better than fine, actually. No steel practice target I use at those ranges is going to be anywhere near that small.</p><p></p><p>But they do come in all sizes, some better for some uses others better for others. You just need to pick out the correct one for your application.</p><p></p><p>To answer your question, FFP isn't that big a deal if you don't use the reticle for anything. If all you do is aim with its center any ol' duplex is all you need. If you use it for other things, pretty much for anything else FFP offers some advantages. The biggest advantages of FFP for my use is for windage hold off and quick elevation hold over/under being accurate on all powers. </p><p></p><p>I much prefer holding windage and some summer days there's just too much mirage to want to use the highest power (not really a big problem for 10X or less scopes). You can dial to 1/2 power so the math you need to do for the hold offs is simple enough but I don't like that nearly as much as it simply being correct. Also, you may want to just dial down a little and not have to go 1/2 way and the math/accuracy can get really messy.</p><p></p><p>Or when you're hunting in low light there might not be enough light left for the highest power (especially with really high power scopes). Plenty enough light left to make the shot, just not at high power.</p><p></p><p>I'm a more of a still hunting/spot and stalk type hunter than a sit and watch guy so when I'm walking around the scope sure as heck isn't on its highest power. You never know when somethings going to jump out in front of you. If I need to make a shot quickly (which obviously won't be at too extreme a range but may be "long") it's really nice to be able to simply hold and shoot and not worry about what power the scope is on. If you need to mess with the power ring before you can do that you might as well just dial elevation instead.</p><p></p><p>There are some subjective/personal preference issues as well. Since other brands/reticle designs won't necessarily be the same, know mine are based primarily on using similar scopes with similar reticles--IOR's with the MP-8; two SFP and one with the SH FFP MP-8. I can tell you even without all the advantages above I would still like the FFP the best. It's just so much easier to see, quicker to get on--at all power levels. Not just because of the thickness of the lines, the reticle stays darker, blacker, has better contrast with the target. It just jumps out at you better, even on low power where the lines are no longer thick. If I'm trying to shoot golf balls at 1000 yds on a nice sunny day, the SFP's are the better choice. That's not the type of shooting that concerns me though.</p><p></p><p>Those are just my opinions. Obviously not everybody agrees. But like you, I've been using SFP scopes (often cussing their nature) for eons. After getting a taste of FFP done well, I'll never go back.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jon A, post: 201242, member: 319"] They come in all sizes, but most tactical FFP reticles are much smaller than that. The IOR 3-18 has one of the thicker (still very easy to see at low power!) and its lines are only 6" wide at 1500 yds. Not a good choice for varmints at that range, but for any big game/tactical use I can think of it's fine. Better than fine, actually. No steel practice target I use at those ranges is going to be anywhere near that small. But they do come in all sizes, some better for some uses others better for others. You just need to pick out the correct one for your application. To answer your question, FFP isn't that big a deal if you don't use the reticle for anything. If all you do is aim with its center any ol' duplex is all you need. If you use it for other things, pretty much for anything else FFP offers some advantages. The biggest advantages of FFP for my use is for windage hold off and quick elevation hold over/under being accurate on all powers. I much prefer holding windage and some summer days there's just too much mirage to want to use the highest power (not really a big problem for 10X or less scopes). You can dial to 1/2 power so the math you need to do for the hold offs is simple enough but I don't like that nearly as much as it simply being correct. Also, you may want to just dial down a little and not have to go 1/2 way and the math/accuracy can get really messy. Or when you're hunting in low light there might not be enough light left for the highest power (especially with really high power scopes). Plenty enough light left to make the shot, just not at high power. I'm a more of a still hunting/spot and stalk type hunter than a sit and watch guy so when I'm walking around the scope sure as heck isn't on its highest power. You never know when somethings going to jump out in front of you. If I need to make a shot quickly (which obviously won't be at too extreme a range but may be "long") it's really nice to be able to simply hold and shoot and not worry about what power the scope is on. If you need to mess with the power ring before you can do that you might as well just dial elevation instead. There are some subjective/personal preference issues as well. Since other brands/reticle designs won't necessarily be the same, know mine are based primarily on using similar scopes with similar reticles--IOR's with the MP-8; two SFP and one with the SH FFP MP-8. I can tell you even without all the advantages above I would still like the FFP the best. It's just so much easier to see, quicker to get on--at all power levels. Not just because of the thickness of the lines, the reticle stays darker, blacker, has better contrast with the target. It just jumps out at you better, even on low power where the lines are no longer thick. If I'm trying to shoot golf balls at 1000 yds on a nice sunny day, the SFP's are the better choice. That's not the type of shooting that concerns me though. Those are just my opinions. Obviously not everybody agrees. But like you, I've been using SFP scopes (often cussing their nature) for eons. After getting a taste of FFP done well, I'll never go back. [/QUOTE]
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