Posted: 2/25/2015 7:13:09 PM EDT
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i was wondering if i could get a little education on first focal plane scopes . i understand for long range applications we want a first focal plane due to the reticule changing sizes.
as far as finding out which scope are first or second focal plane seems to be an issue. It seems most scope descriptions don't specifie which one they are. i noticed today the night force scopes don't advertise a focal plane in their specs except the f1 and beast. does this mean the other scopes they produce are second focal plane? sorry if this is a dub question |
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Yes, they are second focal plane. I am not even going to bother opening the FFP vs. SFP can of worms. There is a thread on it in this forum somewhere where you can read about the pros and cons. ya i know the worms, just wanted to make sure what is not specified is probably sfp |
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Usually scope descriptions have it in there if the scope is FFP or SFP but if it doesn't I would make the assumption that is is a SFP scope as most manufacturers want people to know they offer a FFP. What scopes are you looking at? first a little info the scopes im looking at are for my weatherby .338 lapua . bought it out of pure want . i have access to shoot out to 1200 yards in Vermont but that will be far and few between, maybe a few times a year. im also planning on a few hunting trips in Colorado and Wyoming so i plan to also do some shooting out there as well. for the most part, i shoot out to 400-600 yards here in ct. so im kind of at a crossroads as far as glass. being realistic , i will be using the rifle mostly at 600 yards and under with some chances to shoot and hunt farther out. i dont want to over scope my rifle, but then again, i dont want to go too short. the scopes ive looked through are the nightforce 3.5-15 and 5-25. although i haven't looked through it, the us optics 3.2-17 interests me as well even though its far more expensive. i suppose the viper pst line also grabs my eye because of the cost, but i already know its a step down from the scopes i mentioned above. . the reason why i asked about ffp scopes is i feel like im on the fine line of being just fine with a second focal plane, or just going for the first focal plane. . hope i made sense |
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Actually lots of long range guys don't like the FFP since the "apparent" size ( its size relative to what you are looking at stays the same ) of the recticle increases as magnification . In either words it covers more of the target which for paper punching some guys don't like
For what you are doing though, the biggest advantage of FFP is that the recticle size / graduations is the same regardless of magnification I had a NSX 5.5-22 on my 338 Lapua for a hunting rig for years. The Nightforce recticle's calibration is calibrated for 22X ( their 3-15 is calibrated @ 15X etc ) . Problem with that is its one more thing you need to check on if you are using the recticle for holdover . Granted often when you are reaching out far you have lots of time to dial in come ups on the turrets but you never know for real world hunting what happens next ! Also, 22X is great when shooting paper, but IMO too high power to leave your scope on when hunting I have since gone to a FFP and now , regardless of the power my scope is on, I can use the recticle for hold over in a pinch ( generally have time to dial in come ups , but on one occasion in the excitement it was easier to use recticle for holdover FYI : for my 338 Lapua hunting load 500 yards is just about 2mils, 600 yards is hair over 3 mils etc . So its pretty fast when my hunting buddy calls out range and I can do holdover regardless of power scope is set on , all without taking my eye of the game You have one of the flattest shooting hunting cartridges around.....you might as well use it to its potential by having a scope you can use much easier for holdover Lastly, when you choose a picatinny base , make sure you get one with about 20 MOA slope . The options are the Farrel and NEAR . I prefer the NEAR ( have one on my Weatherby Accumark ) . Don't buy the STD Farrel...it does not have a recoil lug . Only the Farrel FG Force does . The NEAR has recoil lugs Don't let the store sell you Remington LA bases....they are NOT compatible with the newer MKV actions If you want a killer 3-12X FFP , EuroOptic has killer sale on Steiners . It has illuminated recticle , ZERO stop etc These sold for $2000 last year ! http://www.eurooptic.com/steiner-3x-12x-50mm-g2-mil-dot-rifle-scope.aspx |
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Actually lots of long range guys don't like the FFP since the "apparent" size ( its size relative to what you are looking at stays the same ) of the recticle increases as magnification . In either words it covers more of the target which for paper punching some guys don't like For what you are doing though, the biggest advantage of FFP is that the recticle size / graduations is the same regardless of magnification I had a NSX 5.5-22 on my 338 Lapua for a hunting rig for years. The Nightforce recticle's calibration is calibrated for 22X ( their 3-15 is calibrated @ 15X etc ) . Problem with that is its one more thing you need to check on if you are using the recticle for holdover . Granted often when you are reaching out far you have lots of time to dial in come ups on the turrets but you never know for real world hunting what happens next ! Also, 22X is great when shooting paper, but IMO too high power to leave your scope on when hunting I have since gone to a FFP and now , regardless of the power my scope is on, I can use the recticle for hold over in a pinch ( generally have time to dial in come ups , but on one occasion in the excitement it was easier to use recticle for holdover FYI : for my 338 Lapua hunting load 500 yards is just about 2mils, 600 yards is hair over 3 mils etc . So its pretty fast when my hunting buddy calls out range and I can do holdover regardless of power scope is set on , all without taking my eye of the game You have one of the flattest shooting hunting cartridges around.....you might as well use it to its potential by having a scope you can use much easier for holdover Lastly, when you choose a picatinny base , make sure you get one with about 20 MOA slope . The options are the Farrel and NEAR . I prefer the NEAR ( have one on my Weatherby Accumark ) . Don't buy the STD Farrel...it does not have a recoil lug . Only the Farrel FG Force does . The NEAR has recoil lugs Don't let the store sell you Remington LA bases....they are NOT compatible with the newer MKV actions If you want a killer 3-12X FFP , EuroOptic has killer sale on Steiners . It has illuminated recticle , ZERO stop etc These sold for $2000 last year ! http://www.eurooptic.com/steiner-3x-12x-50mm-g2-mil-dot-rifle-scope.aspx wow, thank you for taking the time to write that up. its a big help. i thought i was crazy for thinking the way i am but i guess im on the right page |
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Where in CT are you? I could let you look through a Vortex Razor 5-20x50 and Razor II 4.5-27x if you wanted. Also that 400-600 yards private land? I'm in montville . 400 yard range is ledyard gun club which my father in law is a member. Out to 600 is private land. I'm in niantic sportsmans club but we only go out to 200 yards. Where abouts are you ? Thanks for the offer. If we arnt too far apart id gladly take you up on it |
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Right down the road in Groton. I am a member at Ledyard and the steel at 400 yards is mine that I put up. I used to be a member at Niantic but only because Ledyard's range was shut down for that supposed rounds hitting houses.
Got a busy week coming up with EMT refresher but next Saturday morning the 7th I should have some time. Let me know. |
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Right down the road in Groton. I am a member at Ledyard and the steel at 400 yards is mine that I put up. I used to be a member at Niantic but only because Ledyard's range was shut down for that supposed rounds hitting houses. Got a busy week coming up with EMT refresher but next Saturday morning the 7th I should have some time. Let me know. small world! been pounding that buffalo and 9 inch plate quite a bit. we used to go every week till the snow hit. ill send ya message! |
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gee I thought my FFP was a front focal plane....... learn something everyday....... What sounds like it goes together? First and second focal plane ---OR--- Front and second focal plane? lol I don't know which is proper. But I know that Nightforce calls theirs first focal in their F1 series. |