FFP Scope at 1000 Yards

[anonymous308]

I plan to mostly use my scope for shooting known distances. My question is at 800-1000 yards will the reticle cover too much of the target if I am shooting at a 10"x10" target?

Because my uses for the scope may change at a later point and should I ever get into competition shooting I would like to have the capability of a FFP scope but I am concerned the cross hairs may hide too much of my target for my current use?

[thegrayham]

It will depend on the scope of course, but generally no, this is exactly what they are designed for.

[brando]

A lot of the older reticles were pretty thick and therefore could obscure small targets when fully magnified. Incidentally, this was the reason S&B first had the P4 reticle, then added the P4F (which has thinner lines).

So ultimately it depends on the reticle. I think you'll also find that cheaper scopes tend to have reduced optical quality as you approach full magnification, so reticle thickness may not be your only concern.

[bsumoba]

depending in the thickness of the reticle, it could.

My 3.5x21 bushnell HDMR at the highest magnification is getting close to covering the 10 ring at 1K, which is a 10" circle.

[bsumoba]

depending in the thickness of the reticle, it could.

My 3.5x21 bushnell HDMR at the highest magnification is getting close to covering the 10 ring at 1K, which is a 10" circle.

[killshot44]

Get back to work, Bryan!

[Iggy]

This is a common misconception of FFP scopes. The reticle size does not change relative to the target. A FFP reticle covers the same amount of target at 5x as it does at 25x.

What's changing is the perception of thickness because you are magnifying, when in reality everything is constant.

On a SFP scope the reticle is only calibrated at one magnification and it's usually the highest. So as you zoom out, the reticle gets larger relative to the target, meaning at lower magnifications the reticle covers more of the target.

Like others have posted above a thinner reticle will help at higher magnifications in reducing the amount of coverage on the target. But also keep in mind that if you go too thin at lower magnifications you will have a harder time seeing the reticle.

In my opinion the P4F has been one of the most practical reticles I have seen. It's simple, but gets the job done beautifully.

[CK_32]

Probably not, but each reticle is different.

Only way to tell is try and see your self unless you have the exact reticle specs.

With a 10x10 I think seeing it isn't going to be your only issue lol

[postal]

Trying to accurately mil out a 10x10 target is going to be a HUGE challange with any reticle at 1000 yards.

I have enough trouble milling my 24x20 at 800 yards... Let alone farther and smaller.

OP asked specifically about the usefulness of FFP AT 1k.... I assumed shooting known distance- not actually trying to mil a small target for unknown distance....

In which case, most modern mil reticles are fine enough and not 'in the way' really... and you would be using the mils to hold wind...

[CK_32]

That's why I reread the OP and changed my reply.

[ar15barrels]

I plan to mostly use my scope for shooting known distances. My question is at 800-1000 yards will the reticle cover too much of the target if I am shooting at a 10"x10" target?

Because my uses for the scope may change at a later point and should I ever get into competition shooting I would like to have the capability of a FFP scope but I am concerned the cross hairs may hide too much of my target for my current use?

If you primarily shoot at known distances and you can leave your scope set on the magnification where the reticle is accurate, a 2nd focal plane scope will give you a finer reticle to aim at very small targets.
A 10" square target at 1000yds would qualify as being very small.

Where the FFP REALLY helps is when you want to turn the magnification DOWN lower to make it easier to find targets, spot for your buddy or shooting unsupported or poorly supported positions.
An FFP scope will give you consistent wind holds at any magnification.
With a SFP scope, you will have to hold (apparantly) different amounts of windage at different magnifications in the same conditions at the same distances.

[JMP]

Incidentally, this was the reason S&B first had the P4 reticle, then added the P4F (which has thinner lines).

I like the P4 fine. It's a nice and simple, but works well.

http://www.eurooptic.com/PDF/Schmidt-Bender-PMII-Reticle-P4L-Fine-5-25x56.pdf

It may be a little old fashion, but I prefer it to all these new fancy Horus reticles.