FFP or SFP??

Z

Z

New member
I have always used second focal plane scopes. Is a first focal plane scope really that advantageous for hunting or long range shooting?
 
The biggest advantage of a FFP is the reticle is the same at all powers. This comes into play when using a reticle to range a target or to use the reticle for hold-over or holding for wind. It will always be the same distance between markers and easier to use for those circumstances.
 
I went FFP and Mil/Mil Long ago, never looked back. Once you shoot distance with a partner and you both are on that simple system you can call each others hits and misses and adjust faster than you can cycle the bolt.
 
I use both. I use a sfp for hunting, if a yote hangs up you usually have time to range it. I use a ffp scope for shooting steel and targets at longer ranges.
 
I too have both sfp and ffp.

To me, the biggest difference is if you plan to use marks on the reticle or not. On a second focal plane, most scopes require the scope to be at, or near, full magnification in order for the marks to be correct. I have a Swarovski Z5 5x25x52 that has MOA windage marks. In order for those marks to be correct, the scope has to be on 25X. If you have any kind of mirage and need to back it down, then the marks aren't correct. With a FFP, this is not the case. The marks and subtentions are the same throughout the magnification of that scope. Even with my 24X scopes on my range rifles, I usually keep them between 18-20X if I'm having to lower for mirage. As was also stated, if you and a partner both have similar set ups (mil/mil, moa/moa) then you can use the reticle and help with shots made or missed and use the reticle for measuring throughout the mag range.

So I'm pretty much like Tugboater and use SFP for most of my hunting and FFP for steel banging. I do however, have a March FFP scope that the reticle post are tapered and quite large when on lower mag ranges and it is not a bad hunting scope. But for a lot of scopes, the reticle on low mag ranges for FFP is hard to see.
 
SFP is better IMHO. A FFP reticle is usually tiny and hard to see on low power for hunting, Even in low light with an illuminated reticle. Typically you don't have time for ranging thru the scope in fact you would be lucky to have time to dial the scope. This advice is of course for predator hunting not long range 600yd +. There u have lots of time to dial and range. I have both types of scopes. I use the FFP for shooting games where ranging thru the scope is a requirement. Otherwise I only take SFP scopes on hunting trips.
 
It's pretty easy to range with an SFP that's not on its designed ranging magnification. It's just one more correction factor in the ranging equation.
 
Originally Posted By: WhoCares I have both types of scopes. I use the FFP for shooting games where ranging thru the scope is a requirement. Otherwise I only take SFP scopes on hunting trips.

Good info right there.
 
FFP is largely pushed by a pack mentality of the tactical community. keep in mind these are the same people buying scopes that weigh 3#'s. the problem in particular in a hunting application is that myself and I am sure most people generally leave their scopes on the lowest power setting. We also tend to hunt in lower light. The problem with an FFP scope is in most cases you CAN'T hardly see the reticle at low power, you also can't use the features of the reticle because they are too washed out at low power. so illuminate is the argument. I am not a fan of turning on a reticle because that also in most cases interfers with a low light situation. also I hate depending on batteries or maybe the scope got left on and the batteries are done.

FFP can have a place and IMO its in very high powered scopes. think 6-24 variables and higher. basically any scope that you could have to dial down from to make the mirage not as heavy. in my mind this means unless the scope is over abut 16x I can't see a situation where if I am needing the features of the reticle I would not be on max power.
 
Coming from a military background and being fluent in both I'll give a short answer and say I run SFP in most cases hunting and FFP for steel and competition. Be sure the reticle matches the turrets!
 
Originally Posted By: Z Is a first focal plane scope really that advantageous for hunting or long range shooting?

Short answer... Yes.
 
Originally Posted By: ZSkinney, you have to explain.

Personally it's a no brainer to me...

Having the reticle to use as holdover at ANY magnification with no additional math? win/win
7 minutes of elevation or 2 mils of elevation, holdover and kill.
I'm moving to FFP in all my optics, it's easier to call your team mates and your own shots...
Some don't like the "thickness" or "business" of the reticle, trust me, it's easy to "see past it".

By all means I'm not trying to demean you in any way, but if you could have the option to run one, for a season, in some legit conditions such as LR shooting/ and hunting, you would probably agree with me.


 
Thanks Skinney. I have never looked through a FFP scope. But I have read discussions about the reticle being hard to see and I don't understand what they are talking about.
 
Originally Posted By: ZThanks Skinney. I have never looked through a FFP scope. But I have read discussions about the reticle being hard to see and I don't understand what they are talking about.

They are talking about when you zoom all the way out, you can hardly see the reticle subtensions, which is true, but there aren't many times in LR shooting or hunting you've got her on her lowest mag, and if you do, you can still use the reticle for a center mass shot, because the target isn't gonna be that far away.
 
At the low end of the magnification range some of the reticles in a ffp optic can get pretty 'fine' and it makes them difficult to see against some backgrounds that you come across in the field. I have a 3.5-21 Bushnell with the HDMR that I use quite a bit for prairie dog shooting and rarely get below 12x and really like it for that. Occasionally I use the same setup on a coyote stand and turn it down to 4-5x in case something come in close. Against a moving coyote in particular it can be a little tough to make out the reticle on the lower powers.
 


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