FFP vs SFP

[Mike in Oregon]

Okay, I can not wrap my head around this issue! So, here it is.

I'm a varmint hunter that is not 100% set up yet. I need to put glass on all my rimfires. Theses will be primary rat patch guns. I have a slew of high power FFP scopes, but I'm unsure about them working on a sage rat. I would be shooting out to 150 to 200 yards with the HMR's and even less withe the others rimfires.

Will the reticle really come into play at that close of range?

 

[Sniperhandle]

Okay, I can not wrap my head around this issue! So, here it is.

I'm a varmint hunter that is not 100% set up yet. I need to put glass on all my rimfires. Theses will be primary rat patch guns. I have a slew of high power FFP scopes, but I'm unsure about them working on a sage rat. I would would be shooting out to 150 to 200 yards with the HMR's and even less withe the others rimfires.

Will the reticle really come into play at that close of range?

If you aren't going to be using the reticule for ranging, Then FFP is not a good system for you. The reticule is too small usually at low powers and too big and Highest powers, For shooting long range, A SFP is best because the reticule stays the same size and does not obstruct the target, I really don't know how FFP scopes became as popular as they are.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

If you aren't going to be using the reticule for ranging, Then FFP is not a good system for you. The reticule is too small usually at low powers and too big and Highest powers, For shooting long range, A SFP is best because the reticule stays the same size and does not obstruct the target, I really don't know how FFP scopes became as popular as they are.

There new to me. I got out of the varmint scene once in early 2000's. So I hear you!

 

[mdram]

I really don't know how FFP scopes became as popular as they are.

because prs guys say if its not ffp and mil its trash, and prs is popular.

 

[alf]

Okay, I can not wrap my head around this issue! So, here it is.
I'm a varmint hunter that is not 100% set up yet. I need to put glass on all my rimfires. Theses will be primary rat patch guns. I have a slew of high power FFP scopes, but I'm unsure about them working on a sage rat. I would be shooting out to 150 to 200 yards with the HMR's and even less withe the others rimfires.
Will the reticle really come into play at that close of range?

I voided anything FFP for everything in the past for my prairie dog rigs, but 3-4 years ago I made the total transition to FFP, which also included my Bergara B14R rimfire for general plinking & targets around home.

The pox on FFP is the reticle being so fat on high powers, but because I had found in the past that 14-16X was the happy medium in the dog towns for power versus FOV, I found around a 5-25 FFP would also hit the same sweet spot of power versus FOV, plus the reticle being great for size in the mid powers as well. The bonus also was the christmas tree reticle for drops and wind holds for as far as you want to shoot.

No pics of any of the PD rigs with their new scopes, but here's the B14 R:

 

[dantiff2]

Jumped on the FFP bandwagon when it started and quickly jumped back off. I do not use a reticle to range find anything, so for me it's not worth the extra price of admission. If I'm close enough to shoot on low power, then bullet drop is not and issue. If it's a little farther shot- I'm using the zoomies anyways, so the reticle is calibrated at max power and no issues. I love a 4-24x max with 2nd focal plane. 2nd focal plane scopes are often lighter than First Focal but not always.
Dan

 

[charlie b]

If you use the reticle for ranging then FFP might work for you. I don't so I like SFP better. Constant reticle width. Only time I change magnification is for mirage or if I'm having a hard time seeing the bullet impacts.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

I voided anything FFP for everything in the past for my prairie dog rigs, but 3-4 years ago I made the total transition to FFP, which also included my Bergara B14R rimfire for general plinking & targets around home.

The pox on FFP is the reticle being so fat on high powers, but because I had found in the past that 14-16X was the happy medium in the dog towns for power versus FOV, I found around a 5-25 FFP would also hit the same sweet spot of power versus FOV, plus the reticle being great for size in the mid powers as well. The bonus also was the christmas tree reticle for drops and wind holds for as far as you want to shoot.

No pics of any of the PD rigs with their new scopes, but here's the B14 R:

Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 FFP EBR-7C (MOA) Reticle 34 mm Tube.

This is what I have just sitting around, originally for all my rimfires and centerfires. I got scared on what'll I was hearing then pulled them and went with SFP's for the CF's. Now I'm debating going back to the FFP's for the RF's??? I honestly thing I'll be safe using the mentioned scopes when only shooting out to the 250-yard mark. I just wanted to post again and see if I could wrap my head around it better. For some reason I'm just not comprehending this.

 

[alf]

This Votex reticle has hash marks every half mil, so with my guns with a 200 zero, starting at the 1 mil mark, every mark corresponds to roughly every 50 yards of drop out to as far as you'll likely shoot in the dog patch.

Best shot this past year was a 2nd round hit at 650 using the reticle.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

I have decided to just do it and hope for the best. Thanks guys.

 

[Rick Richard]

I made the switch a while back to FFP since I like to shoot long, however I don’t use the reticle for ranging. I use rangefinder and twist for elevation, but use reticle for adjusting for wind calls…that is what most folks do.

 

[alf]

Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 FFP EBR-7C (MOA) Reticle 34 mm Tube.

This is what I have just sitting around, originally for all my rimfires and centerfires. I got scared on what'll I was hearing then pulled them and went with SFP's for the CF's. Now I'm debating going back to the FFP's for the RF's??? I honestly thing I'll be safe using the mentioned scopes when only shooting out to the 250-yard mark. I just wanted to post again and see if I could wrap my head around it better. For some reason I'm just not comprehending this.

I had a couple of those Strike Eagles in the past, but sold them to stick to 30mm tubes & rings, so I replaced them with the 5-25x50 Viper HD's instead.

I regularly shoot out to 400 with my rimfires, typically SFP I dial, FFP I hold, I'm comfortable either way. I never use the reticle to range or measure. I just have a cheat sheet laying on the bench. Here's one setup I like to do, shooting half liter Pepsi bottles filled with colored water. I start at the bend with the puddle at 100 or so, & go to the gravel pile at 375.

 

[alf]

Two of my LR PD rifles and the B14 R have this scope on top:

ARES BTR GEN3 HD 4.5-27x50 APRS13 Riflescope - Athlon Optics

When you want the best features from the top-tier rifle scope but not break the bank, look no further than the new Ares BTR line of scopes.

athlonoptics.com

 

[dusterdave173]

I made the switch a while back to FFP since I like to shoot long, however I don’t use the reticle for ranging. I use rangefinder and twist for elevation, but use reticle for adjusting for wind calls…that is what most folks do.

This ^^^^^^^^

I don't know anyone that ranges with the reticle in the PD field
The FFP marks are a blessing for windage holds which is usually most of your shots

Once you get a set of range finding binoculars

Range dog
Dial ( have great dope chart handy)
good bye Dog
repeat

I love my FFP scopes but when I started shooting bench rest and went to SFP with very simple reticles --I am sort of a convert--Eagleman is always saying FFP reticles are Too Busy and I agree
A FFP with a much simpler reticle with windage marks and no Tree would sell fast I bet---with my old eyes I have never been bothered with FFP reticle being "too big" though I see how if target / bulls eye shooting it would be but on a PD at 400 I like the bigger reticle

FFP reticles are about useless at lower powers

 

[Rick Richard]

This ^^^^^^^^

I don't know anyone that ranges with the reticle in the PD field
The FFP marks are a blessing for windage holds which is usually most of your shots

Once you get a set of range finding binoculars

Range dog
Dial ( have great dope chart handy)
good bye Dog
repeat

I love my FFP scopes but when I started shooting bench rest and went to SFP with very simple reticles --I am sort of a convert--Eagleman is always saying FFP reticles are Too Busy and I agree
A FFP with a much simpler reticle with windage marks and no Tree would sell fast I bet---with my old eyes I have never been bothered with FFP reticle being "too big" though I see how if target / bulls eye shooting it would be but on a PD at 400 I like the bigger reticle

FFP reticles are about useless at lower powers

I just purchased an ATACR 4-16X42 and honestly say the reticle is very useful no matter the magnification. I also have a few NX8 4-32X50 and can’t say the same…bottom and top end are useless.

 

[SEMO Shooter]

Not many shooters use FFP scopes to range targets. The biggest advantage for FFP is that you can use the reticle for elevation or windage holds at any magnification. SFP scope reticles are only correct at a specific magnification.

 

[Rem06]

Ffp all the way! May a well get a get a fixed power in 2nd. As most always use the highest power setting anyhow. Dont make sense?
As far as not being able to use close....lmao. yeah right.

 

[Springer2]

I am showing my age but I can recall when the early variables most all were FFP. Later the makers figured out how to make a practical SFP where the reticle did not "grow" as the magnification was increased. That was stressed in ads for the SFP scopes. I still have a B&L FFP like that. Now FFP is considered by some to be more advanced. What was old is new again.

 

[Rob01]

Okay, I can not wrap my head around this issue! So, here it is.

I'm a varmint hunter that is not 100% set up yet. I need to put glass on all my rimfires. Theses will be primary rat patch guns. I have a slew of high power FFP scopes, but I'm unsure about them working on a sage rat. I would be shooting out to 150 to 200 yards with the HMR's and even less withe the others rimfires.

Will the reticle really come into play at that close of range?

FFP has nothing to do with ranging as the first poster said. You can range with it but with the cheap LRF now no one does. That is the old line from about 20 years ago. FFP is about being able to use the reticle on any power for holds. Hold overs/unders, wind holds or both.

Also the FFP reticle covers the same amount of the target at any power. So if someone says that at 10x it works and at 25x it’s too thick then they don’t know what they are talking about. My FFP scope has a .03 mil center dot and lines. That will only cover about 1.08” at 1000 yards so no it will not be too heavy at any magnification.

For your use, if you don’t plan to use the reticle for elevation or wind holds then a SFP will work but a FFP will as well.

 

[Rob01]

Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 FFP EBR-7C (MOA) Reticle 34 mm Tube.

This is what I have just sitting around, originally for all my rimfires and centerfires. I got scared on what'll I was hearing then pulled them and went with SFP's for the CF's. Now I'm debating going back to the FFP's for the RF's??? I honestly thing I'll be safe using the mentioned scopes when only shooting out to the 250-yard mark. I just wanted to post again and see if I could wrap my head around it better. For some reason I'm just not comprehending this.

The Strike Eagle will work great on a .22. I use one on my Vudoo to shoot matches to 400+. I run mine on a 40 moa base so I have plenty to dial but can use the reticle if needed after that.