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Posted: 7/20/2010 5:34:03 PM EDT
| I've been trying to read up as much as I can and I have the general meaning of what determines FFP and SFP is in a scope. My brain is fried at this point in trying to make a decision on which to get and what would be the most beneficial for my intended application. I currently have a NF 2.5-8 x 24 NXS with a FC-2 reticle and I plan on sending it in the NF to get that changed to the new velocity reticle. The optic will be used on my upcoming KAC Sr25 EMC and I would like to use both the optic and rifle to it's fullest potential. I just can't decide whether or not to get FFP or SFP. Most of my shooting will be at a maximum range of 200 yards but, there will be a few times that I will be able to get it stretched out to 1000..I also will be using this rifle occasionally in local rife matched where targets are anywhere from a few feet away out to 50-100 yards. Please chime in with any information or opinions you can pass along to help me decide what would benefit me most given the information I posted. Thanks.. |
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FFP (First Focal Plane) scopes are great because you don't have to worry about which magnification you are if you're trying to range targets, esp movers. No matter what magnification you are on, the reticule is going to be the same size, per say.
SFP (Second Focal Plane) scopes are only accurate on the power specified by the manf. (for ranging). It'll usually be the maximum power of the variable power scope. While it's not a problem to most people, it may get confusing if you don't break down the reticule. In your case for matches, you'll have to keep a mental note at what power you are on while ranging, and then shooting if you end up purchasing a SFP scope. |
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FFP (First Focal Plane) scopes are great because you don't have to worry about which magnification you are if you're trying to range targets, esp movers. No matter what magnification you are on, the reticule is going to be the same size, per say. SFP (Second Focal Plane) scopes are only accurate on the power specified by the manf. (for ranging). It'll usually be the maximum power of the variable power scope. While it's not a problem to most people, it may get confusing if you don't break down the reticule. In your case for matches, you'll have to keep a mental note at what power you are on while ranging, and then shooting if you end up purchasing a SFP scope. Thanks for the response and I pretty much understand that much of it even though I never had to range anything before. Up until now, the furthest I've shot was out to 200 yards but, like stated earlier, I'm going to be trying out known/unknown distances out to 1000 yards and would like the best option possible. |
| FFP would be the least confusing. With practice, if you take time to map out the reticule at different powers (half, quarter, etc) a SFP can be just as effective. Though like I said earlier, you'd still have to keep a mental note on what power you are on. If you're under timed conditions, it could get a little tricky too. |
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FFP would be the least confusing. With practice, if you take time to map out the reticule at different powers (half, quarter, etc) a SFP can be just as effective. Though like I said earlier, you'd still have to keep a mental note on what power you are on. If you're under timed conditions, it could get a little tricky too. Thank you Deeeviant..I'm just getting a little deeper into the precision aspect of firearms and it's definitely a whole different ball game in comparison the bench rest at 200 yards with stationary targets..I've been browsing over at snipershide's forum and after reading the past few days, I've come to realize that precision shooting is way above my skill level as far as range estimations, terminolgy, and understanding goes..I'm a pretty decent shot off the bench but, that probably pales in comparison to real world shooting..Any other suggested reading you can recommend? |
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Important note to remember is the reticle of FFP scope enlarges in relationship to the target as the magnification increases. This may cause issue with small targets as they may be obscured by the reticle itself. with the new NF velocity reticle, it only has hashes on the bottom half of the glass and horizontal lines that that divide the lower and upper half. The top half of the glass isn't obscured and I'm wondering if that makes a difference with what you stated.. |
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Important note to remember is the reticle of FFP scope enlarges in relationship to the target as the magnification increases. This may cause issue with small targets as they may be obscured by the reticle itself. I don't think it's so much that it enlarges, but it stays constant in relation to you through the scope. jboy, what 223rem is referring to is the actual "+" of the scope (cross hairs). Since it stays the same size in relation to you through the scope regardless of magnification, the reticule might obscure the target if it's really small. Though it all depends on what you're shooting, and at what distances. I'm still getting into precision shooting myself. SH is a great starting point. Lots of useful information. The online training is very useful as well, I'd highly recommend it. Aside from that, like anything else, practice practice practice. |
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Important note to remember is the reticle of FFP scope enlarges in relationship to the target as the magnification increases. This may cause issue with small targets as they may be obscured by the reticle itself. I don't think it's so much that it enlarges, but it stays constant in relation to you through the scope. jboy, what 223rem is referring to is the actual "+" of the scope (cross hairs). Since it stays the same size in relation to you through the scope regardless of magnification, the reticule might obscure the target if it's really small. Though it all depends on what you're shooting, and at what distances. I'm still getting into precision shooting myself. SH is a great starting point. Lots of useful information. The online training is very useful as well, I'd highly recommend it. Aside from that, like anything else, practice practice practice. Thanks again for all the info..All the optics I;ve ever shot with have been SFP and hopefully I can get some time behind one with a FFP to see which one I prefer,, |
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If you dial all your ranges and use the main/center crosshair it doesn't matter what magnification power you're on. This is also the most accurate way to shoot. Holdovers are used in a rush or maybe windage.
It's pretty rare I shoot my long range rifles on any power other than the power the scope is set for milling. |
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Not a problem. See if you can look through someones scope at the range if they don't mind, if you know someone, better yet. Another option is the SWFA line of scopes. For the price you can't go wrong. I already have the scope (NF 2.5-10 x 24 NXS)..Currently it has the FC-2 CQB reticle and I'm going to send it in to NF to get the new velocity reticle but, i'm not sure if I was going to get the FFP or SFP one so, that's why I'm researching what would work best.. |
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Not a problem. See if you can look through someones scope at the range if they don't mind, if you know someone, better yet. Another option is the SWFA line of scopes. For the price you can't go wrong. I already have the scope (NF 2.5-10 x 24 NXS)..Currently it has the FC-2 CQB reticle and I'm going to send it in to NF to get the new velocity reticle but, i'm not sure if I was going to get the FFP or SFP one so, that's why I'm researching what would work best.. Imho, the FFP is def. not needed in your application. Considering the V rets are the "smart" or simple...stupid reticules you will not see the FFP's inherit benefit of having to not have full power to use marks given you have far less overall marks in the V reticules than you would a mil dot or np-r1/r2. |
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Not a problem. See if you can look through someones scope at the range if they don't mind, if you know someone, better yet. Another option is the SWFA line of scopes. For the price you can't go wrong. I already have the scope (NF 2.5-10 x 24 NXS)..Currently it has the FC-2 CQB reticle and I'm going to send it in to NF to get the new velocity reticle but, i'm not sure if I was going to get the FFP or SFP one so, that's why I'm researching what would work best.. Imho, the FFP is def. not needed in your application. Considering the V rets are the "smart" or simple...stupid reticules you will not see the FFP's inherit benefit of having to not have full power to use marks given you have far less overall marks in the V reticules than you would a mil dot or np-r1/r2. TRIDENT to the rescue..I was wondering when you were going to steer me in the right direction..Do you think the Velocity reticle will be a good option for my NF and EMC? |
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I love mine in the x32 on the SPR, Its lightning fast and its such a clutter free sight picture.....given you did your homework with the NF ballistic calcs and sighted it at the appropriate distance, its really the "smart" reticule and takes all the hard work out of it in respect to the math with doping targets with mrad or moa math in conjunct with NPR1/R2's or Mil Dot reticules.
I figured I could be cool with the mrad/mil dot and zstops and slow on target......or boring and lightning fast with deadly precision using the LV "V" reticule. I personally think the x24 w. LV "V" ret. and moa adjustments...no zstops is perfect for your upcoming badass emc....and that is the direction I will be going in with a nxs 3.5 for the MWS, just with the hash marks to 1000m. Bottom line, NF glass and an EMC is gonna make me go bonkers, and is only the most premium fuel in my eyes 
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Most scopes have the reticle fitted in the second focal plane (near the eyepiece). While, presently it has always been the practice to fit the reticle in the first focal plane (the reticle increases its size when change the magnification from low to high). Each system has its advantages.
The FFP advantage with telemetric reticles (like rangefinder & Mil-dot etc) is that the target image and distance between dots remains constant even when changing magnification. It is the system that is widely used by the TOP military suppliers now, such as: schmidt and bender. The FFP disadvantage is that if the reticle size will increase its size very big when you change the magnification to high power and it may cover the whole target, which may block your sight FYI |
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