SFP or FFP

[ExtremeX]

Is price usually the biggest determining factor when picking SFP vs FFP?

Or are there actually applications when one is better off with a SFP scope?

[mceod]

I would think that if you were shooting strictly known distance targets (ie: benchrest type shooting) that a SFP scope would be more than adequate.

An FFP really shines when you are using the reticle to range targets at an unknown distance.

As far a price goes, the are some manufactures, SWFA is one example, that offer FFP scopes at a price point comparable to some, like NightForce, SFP. I've had the chance to shoot through both the NF and the SWFA, with both optics having very high quality glass and turrets.

[Short Action Precision]

If you plan on just simple target shooting of the bench or prone SFP is fine. Only major thing that SFP has better then FFP is the thickness of the reticle. Most of the times its not super thick or to thin(reticle stays the same no matter what magnification you are on). Also price is usually cheaper. If you plan on doing multiple hold overs in a short period of time that would be the only reason I would get a FFP scope. If your just starting out I would look at the Vortex Viper PST's or the new Bushnell HDMR with the G2 reticle.

[ExtremeX]

Application: Target shooting

Im not starting out... I have a couple SFP scopes right now but im looking to upgrade to something nicer. I already know which brands I like so I dont want to turn this thread into a "which scope should I buy" thread.

The only thing I see people really say is when you are target shooting, the FFP scope crosshairs apear to be larger. From some research on various brands it sounds like a FFP scopes crosshair is about .20 MOA thick. So at 400 yards its only covering up something less than an inch in size...

In my mind I thought the FFP might be easier when target shooting and you need to correct for wind or drop without a drop chart. If I can get an idea of how much correction I can either hold over or dial it in. I never used a FFP, not sure how I would really utilize it of if its going to really benefit me.

Anyone have some real world examples of their use?

[Josh3239]

IMO, if you are using some sort of mil-dot or measuring reticle, again IMO, FFP is the way to go. I recently made the switch to FFP with a Vortex PST and don't wish to go back to SFP with a precision rifle/scope rig. The FFP has an obvious advantage in ranging and holdovers. There are a lot of people who find mil-dot or some sort of measuring reticle to be too busy and don't like the reticle thickness. I personally prefer the FFP, it makes zeroing a 2 shot ordeal and I still have the ability to estimate target size or range. The reticle growing or shrinking with the image just makes sense to me.

[ExtremeX]

I did talk to a couple scope manufactures... I'm teetering because of what we discussed...

My figures and ratios could be off, as this was just a discussion over the phone, but it went something like this. It should get the point across...

At 16x the reticle is 1:1 accurate.
At 8x the reticle is 2:1, so multiply MOA x 2. 4 MOA = 8 MOA
At 4x , 4:1, MOA x 4...
ect....

So if I know I will be shooting at 4x or 8x, I can still make use of ranging and the reticle, even though its not a FFP scope. Giving thought to that, makes the SFP sound pretty useful.

One of the reasons I am changing scopes is because I want MOA/MOA. My existing scope is MOA/MIL. + I just want a better quality scope. The Vortex PST is among one of the scopes under consideration, but im looking at other options as well.

[Short Action Precision]

Your correct. But not every SFP scopes Reticle is set to that. Just have to find out what they are supposed to be set at for the reticle to work. Most of the time it is at max magnification. You can range with a SFP scope no problem. That is not the disadvantage with SFP scopes. You just have to make sure that you are set on the right magnification to be able to range. You can call corrections with a SFP scope as well again just make sure you are on the right magnification. But if you zoom out to be able to see your impacts better then you wont be able to call corrections. I would suggest if you can afford the FFP scope over the SFP get the FFP. It just makes things a lot easier. Like you said who cares if its MIL/MIL or MOA/MOA just as long as it is matching. But if your buddy runs MIL/MIL then I would try to get that. That way he can also call corrections for you and you wont have to do any math.

[ExtremeX]

IMO, if you are using some sort of mil-dot or measuring reticle, again IMO, FFP is the way to go. I recently made the switch to FFP with a Vortex PST and don't wish to go back to SFP with a precision rifle/scope rig. The FFP has an obvious advantage in ranging and holdovers. There are a lot of people who find mil-dot or some sort of measuring reticle to be too busy and don't like the reticle thickness. I personally prefer the FFP, it makes zeroing a 2 shot ordeal and I still have the ability to estimate target size or range. The reticle growing or shrinking with the image just makes sense to me.

Did you get the 4-16 or 6-24?

Do you find the FFP scopes a little thick on the reticle side on max mag? Or in practice / real world use its not that big of a deal.

[ExtremeX]

Your correct. But not every SFP scopes Reticle is set to that. Just have to find out what they are supposed to be set at for the reticle to work. Most of the time it is at max magnification. You can range with a SFP scope no problem. That is not the disadvantage with SFP scopes. You just have to make sure that you are set on the right magnification to be able to range. You can call corrections with a SFP scope as well again just make sure you are on the right magnification. But if you zoom out to be able to see your impacts better then you wont be able to call corrections. I would suggest if you can afford the FFP scope over the SFP get the FFP. It just makes things a lot easier. Like you said who cares if its MIL/MIL or MOA/MOA just as long as it is matching. But if your buddy runs MIL/MIL then I would try to get that. That way he can also call corrections for you and you wont have to do any math.

Everyone I shoot with runs MOA, so ill stick to that. I also like it better myself. I just want it matching.

The SFP might be the ticket. Im a bench shooter, once im dialed in I usually dont mess around with it. Ill call the manufacture tommorw and get the correct ratios, if I can live with it, ill just get the SFP. I shoot at max magnification with my current 4-16x50 optic. And at 4 x or 8x the math is easy enought to do in my head. x 2 or x4 of the MOA value in the scope.

Off Topic Do they make spotting scopes with MOA markers for usage like you mentioned above?

[Scotty]

Keep in mind when you dial down to 8x or 4x, that zoom amount may not correspond exactly with the reticle.

I prefer to run mil/mil FFP. It is so much easier to use. MOA/MIL is much more difficult to use since you have to convert between MOA and MIL for your holds.

US Optics is the only company that I know that make a spotting scope that is FFP and MOA reticle. Everyone else makes a MIL reticle.

If someone is spotting for you using a mil reticle spotting scope, it is so much easier to make corrections when you are running a mil/mil FFP scope. You can either hold or dial the exact number of mils to make your correction.