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FFP vs SFP

Very few people range with their reticle these days; with the affordability of LRFs (Laser Range Finders) it has become a “legacy skill”.

Where FFP scopes shine is when shooting through at random distances and having the ability to dial your turrets to make an immediate correction. Having the reticle measure “true” regardless of magnification allows us to do so without involving math or having to use a specific magnification. Downside of FFP for some, especially paper shooters, is that the line-weight of the reticle gets heavier as the magnification gets higher. Steel shooters don’t usually care but when shooting for score the thicker reticle can obscure parts of the target used for holds and whatnot.
 
300 yards, SFP. Unless its a 22 Hornet there’s not enough drop and wind drift to bother with FFP.
 
Ranging, or when having a spotter give you a mil/moa correction for which you plan to hold. Or, for when you want to engage targets at multiple distances and you want to hold for the diff.
Agreed, but he said max 300 yards so I wouldn't really consider that very important. If I was only shooting out to 300 and didn't need ranging, I'd go SFP.
 
It depends on the shooting discipline. If shooting paper targets I would use 2nd if shooting steel off baracades like prs go 1st focal plane.
 
Shooting PRS at longer ranges a FFP is a must, I use the reticle/ruler to measure the windage or elevation corrections needed to make an impact. For 300 yards that is really not relevant.

Another benefit for FFP scopes is they do not change the POI with magnification changes.

People think of FFP reticle size changes but it really stays the same compared to the magnification.
 
For my primary use I prefer FFP but can totally understand SFP being preferred for the majority of hunting and target shooting.
 
Shooting PRS at longer ranges a FFP is a must, I use the reticle/ruler to measure the windage or elevation corrections needed to make an impact. For 300 yards that is really not relevant.

Another benefit for FFP scopes is they do not change the POI with magnification changes.

People think of FFP reticle size changes but it really stays the same compared to the magnification.
If you have a SFP scope that changes it's POI with magnification changes it's either CHEAP or Broke!
 
If ranging is needed, FFP. Otherwise SFP.
Nope. FFP is not about ranging. That is the same mantra that has been used for decades but people who don't use or understand FFP. FFP is about using the reticle for more than just a center aiming point. If you need to use holds or make fast corrections FFP is what you want. If you just need a center aiming point with very high magnification for games like F Class or BR then SFP will work better. All about what is needed is what comes down to choice and not ranging.

And the reticle in FFP does not change size. It stays the same size in relation to the target which is what is important when using it. One mil is one mil no matter what power you are on and the reticle lines/dots cover the same amout of target whether on 10x or 36x so dialing down does nothing to cover less of target and it's only tricks the eye to think so. The SFP reticle actually changes in relation to the target and will cover more or less of the target depending on power and can only be used for holds on one power set by the manufacturer. Yes you can do halves or doubles and figure out where you can do holds on different powers but more of a hassle and a FFP would be easier.

Bottom line is it comes down to use and needs.
 
Rob01 has the right answer.

Over the weekend, I was shooting my older 223 bolt gun which has an 8-32X NF NXS. It is a great piece of glass for target shooting, and I keep it on the R setting, around 20X, when I want to use the reticle for holds.

When letting other people shoot the rifle, they kept messing with the magnification for finding targets between 100 and 600 yards. I had to keep reminding them that they had to move the mag adjustment back to R if they wanted to use the reticle for holdovers, etc.
 
Nope. FFP is not about ranging. That is the same mantra that has been used for decades but people who don't use or understand FFP. FFP is about using the reticle for more than just a center aiming point. If you need to use holds or make fast corrections FFP is what you want. If you just need a center aiming point with very high magnification for games like F Class or BR then SFP will work better. All about what is needed is what comes down to choice and not ranging.

And the reticle in FFP does not change size. It stays the same size in relation to the target which is what is important when using it. One mil is one mil no matter what power you are on and the reticle lines/dots cover the same amout of target whether on 10x or 36x so dialing down does nothing to cover less of target and it's only tricks the eye to think so. The SFP reticle actually changes in relation to the target and will cover more or less of the target depending on power and can only be used for holds on one power set by the manufacturer. Yes you can do halves or doubles and figure out where you can do holds on different powers but more of a hassle and a FFP would be easier.

Bottom line is it comes down to use and needs.
Yes, I'm aware of how a FFP reticle works, I've been using one in PRS for many years. I didn't say FFP is only about ranging. My answer was based on the OP's requirements. He said 100-300 yards...at that distance the benefits of FFP for holdover are not much of a benefit at all. I can holdover at that distance with a SFP easily. Therefore, my opinion was to get the FFP if ranging was needed. If it was me and I was only shooting 100-300 yards and did not need ranging, I'd get a SFP scope.
 
Yes, I'm aware of how a FFP reticle works, I've been using one in PRS for many years. I didn't say FFP is only about ranging. My answer was based on the OP's requirements. He said 100-300 yards...at that distance the benefits of FFP for holdover are not much of a benefit at all. I can holdover at that distance with a SFP easily. Therefore, my opinion was to get the FFP if ranging was needed. If it was me and I was only shooting 100-300 yards and did not need ranging, I'd get a SFP scope.

You can hold if it’s on the right power. Otherwise you can’t. Saying if ranging is not a good answer. That is far from the most useful use of FFP as you should know if using one in matches. I have shot PRS matches for 20 years myself and where I know that from also.
 
You can hold if it’s on the right power. Otherwise you can’t. Saying if ranging is not a good answer. That is far from the most useful use of FFP as you should know if using one in matches. I have shot PRS matches for 20 years myself and where I know that from also.
I think you are missing my point...So I will just say ok and move on
 
I think you are missing my point...So I will just say ok and move on

I am not missing your point. That 100-300 is no need for FFP but that depends on how he plans to use it as he can still do holds from 100-300 and also use it for wind holds as well. Comes down to what he needs for it's use. If he is just sitting at a bench and shooting groups at 100-300 then that's similar to BR or F Class so a SFP will be fine but if he plan to do anything else or may in the future then he should look at FFP.
 
I am not missing your point. That 100-300 is no need for FFP but that depends on how he plans to use it as he can still do holds from 100-300 and also use it for wind holds as well. Comes down to what he needs for it's use. If he is just sitting at a bench and shooting groups at 100-300 then that's similar to BR or F Class so a SFP will be fine but if he plan to do anything else or may in the future then he should look at FFP.
....and for the moment that is all I am doing, sitting at a bench getting comfortable with the rig and punching paper and steel at 100 to 300 yards. Thanks folks.
 
....and for the moment that is all I am doing, sitting at a bench getting comfortable with the rig and punching paper and steel at 100 to 300 yards. Thanks folks.

That's the key phrase. What do you plan to do over time is what you need to figure to save you from having to buy another scope? Think about it before buying. FFP doesn't mean you can't shoot accurately with it. I have shot on a 12" plate at a mile with a FFP optic with no problems. Just figure it out before buying to make your life a little easier in the future.

Inches into wind? LOL
 
Inches into wind? LOL
I don't dial for wind.
I hold off
I generate a local click card which gives me the wind hold-off (in inches) per 5mph per range.
It tells me how many elevation clicks to dial per range, based on actual click value (not merchandised value).

With laser ranging this system has set my GH accuracy capability to 500-650yds.
A couple of my guns have been accurate enough to extend that -with V/H Coriolis, Spin Drift, and slope.
But I like the little card w/ranging binoculars only. It's simple, and stalking is hunting.

Perfect for me is a simple med-fine crosshair at 25x+.
As far as IPHY, MOA, or MILs, I take it to clicks, so it doesn't really matter.
1/4 clicks seem good enough for IPHY/MOA. I don't know what I would need for MILs.
 

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