FFP for prarie dog and rock chucks

[Ryan55555]

Any use a FFP scope for prarie dogs or rock chucks?

I have S3 6-24x50 LRMOA and really like it on my 7WSM, very good glass. Would be perfect if it had a zero stop.

Also have a Vortex 4-16x44 HS LR on a 6.5 x 284, decent glass, awesome turrets, and love the zero stop.

Considering a Vortex 6-24x50 HS LR FFP or another Sightron S3 for my newest gun, a Savage 223 (soon to be a 223ai).


Interested in people's thoughts on the FFP scopes for varmint guns.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Broz]

You indicated you like zero stops, so I assume you dial in, at least for elevation. This is a varmint rifle in a smaller caliber so small targets at distance. Most, not all, but most FFP's have a thicker crosshair on higher magnifications so I would not want one for a varmint designated rifle. Not to mention that the FFP 24X PST has a reticle that is so small on the low end it is hard to use below 10X.

jeff

 

[X-man]

You indicated you like zero stops, so I assume you dial in, at least for elevation. This is a varmint rifle in a smaller caliber so small targets at distance. Most, not all, but most FFP's have a thicker crosshair on higher magnifications so I would not want one for a varmint designated rifle. Not to mention that the FFP 24X PST has a reticle that is so small on the low end it is hard to use below 10X.

jeff

Right on the money.

My PMII was terrible for gophers!
Head shots were out of the question.
For small targets at long distance FFP is not the way to go in my experience.

 

[Kurt]

I use the 6-24 hs with the xlr reticle to shoot pdogs all the time and the reticle is very usable at 8 but I mostly run it in the 18 -20 range. Dial elevation and hold for wind. I don't like to worry about what my mag is on so I went ffp and will never go back. At 6 it is a cross hair that will work just fine for any close work. Thursday I shot them from 87 yards to 442 and never wished I had a sfp scope

 

[Mikecr]

I agree with Broz
There is no way I could use a FFP at 25x(which I need) on Groundhogs..

I prefer SFP in 8.5x25 MK4s

 

[joseph]

Here is a picture in Wyoming where 3 of us were shooting at a 7" steel target at 700 yds. It is my Savage Duel Port Target action with a Brux 26" 1 in 8" twist S/S barrel in 6mm Norma BR. If I remember correctly we needed to make 4 clicks into the wind. We were shooting 105 Berger VLDs. There was about 15 to 20 mph right to left wind. The scope is a Vortex PST 6-24x50mm FFP with a custom turret set at 24 power. We shot 45 rounds between the 3 of us and I think we missed less than 5 times.

When increasing the power with a FFP scope the target enlarges the same amount as the reticule. If you can hold on a bullet hole at 100 yds. you can hold on a bullet hole at any distance if you can see it.

Joseph

PS: Once you get used to even the 6 power you can see it perfectly. And you can always turn on the illumination if you desire.

 

[joseph]

Here is my Savage with the Vortex PST FFP MOA scope with a custom turret. It is a 6mm Norma BR. I had built by Kevin Rayhill of Stockade Gun Stocks to hunt Antelope in Wyoming.

I built the table so I could take it apart and put it in the trunk of my Toyota Corolla. I used it when shooting at 1,000 yds.

joseph

 

[Broz]

7" steel target at 700 yds.

If I remember correctly we needed to make 4 clicks into the wind.

There was about 15 to 20 mph right to left wind.

Better try to remember harder on that one Chief.

15 mph FV wind at 700 yards would be closer to 7 moa or 28 clicks with that 6br, not 4 clicks.

That's why I use a Ballistic app over a ballistic turret. It gives you both elevation and windage.

Jeff

 

[joseph]

Better try to remember harder on that one Chief.

15 mph FV wind at 700 yards would be closer to 7 moa or 28 clicks with that 6br, not 4 clicks.

That's why I use a Ballistic app over a ballistic turret. It gives you both elevation and windage.

Jeff

You are correct as usual Broz. At 68 years old my memory is terrible. If you don't believe me ask my wife. According to her I'm wrong about everything.

joseph

 

[Broz]

If you don't believe me ask my wife. According to her I'm wrong about everything.
joseph

I can relate to that.....

Jeff

 

[joseph]

I can relate to that.....

Jeff

Now I think I remember. It must have been 4 mph wind and 4 clicks or maybe 10 mph and 7 clicks or no wind and 11 clicks. Oh **** I think my wife is right AGAIN like always.

joseph

 

[Mikecr]

When increasing the power with a FFP scope the target enlarges the same amount as the reticule. If you can hold on a bullet hole at 100 yds. you can hold on a bullet hole at any distance if you can see it

This is you rationalizing what doesn't pass tests..
THE problem: You can't hardly center bullet holes at 100yds with FFP set at 24x, because the reticle is too large. A groundhog at distance(like 500) is like a bullet hole at 100. So to center on the target area a GH provides at 500yds, you would need to turn the power down.

With SFP, NONE of this is an issue(just the opposite). SFP targeting resolution increases with power.
And what is the advantage of FFP scopes for a hunter? There may be something in a stretch.
But there does not exist, a FFP scope(even the $best of the $best), that is as precise an aiming instrument at distance as SFP scopes like NXS, Mk4, March, etc.
And whatever results you can produce at 700 with FFP, you could do better with SFP.

I think HUNTERS should consider this

 

[joseph]

Mikecr,

When I hold on the center of the X ring at 1,000 yds. at 24 power I think the cross hair is 1/2" or less from dead center. My rifle is a pretty good shooter, but my biggest problem is getting 5 shots off as fast as I can to hopefully have all 5 shots go down range with the wind exactly the same. It is not easy with a single shot rifle. This target is the second time I ever shot at 1,000 yds. I did change the scope to a 18 power SFP with EXTRA FINE reticule I used for bench rest shooting. I did not do as good with that scope only because the wind was changing back and forth very fast.

The target was shot with my FFP PST at 24 power. Not to bad for the second try with the smallest group of 8+1/8 inches. My best group was shot the 5th. time I competed and one group was 3+1/4". I was going to hang it on the wall, but my darling wife threw it out while I was at work. GRRRRRRRRRR.

I'm also posting the first target I shot to test my new custom turret which was at 400 yds. and only 3 shots. I was just trying to see if it was on the paper.

Testing new Vortex custom turret. - Georgia Outdoor News Forum

joseph

PS: If you don't think you can shoot good with a FFP scope at high power that is your choice. I personally have proved to my self that I can shoot just as good as with a SFP scope.

 

[Kurt]

with this I have no issues aiming at pdogs at distance. Just aiming at deer at 800 yards it is very simple to pick a spot. if mirage is bad I can dial it back and hold wind with out a worry about where the power ring is. It really comes down to personal preference and I prefer the ffp for my self.