Quoted:


Buying a scope just based on reticle focal plane location seems odd to me.  What power range are you wanting?  What distances and target sizes will you be shooting?  What will the purpose of your rifle be?  Why is one focal plane reticle position more or less important to you than another?

Quoted:


Buying a scope just based on reticle focal plane location seems odd to me.  What power range are you wanting?  What distances and target sizes will you be shooting?  What will the purpose of your rifle be?  Why is one focal plane reticle position more or less important to you than another?

Quoted:


FFP is not a good choice until magnification is much higher than 9x.  Your reticle will be compromised and too difficult to see at lower power.  That is what I was afraid of when posing my questions.  

Most 3-9x and lower powered scopes are not FFP for a reason.  Only at higher powers where mirage or flare are issues is it typical to vary magnification while long range shooting.   Lower power scopes do not have this issue.  They usually do long range shooting only at max power, where reticle subtensions are accurate.  At lower power you need a reticle you can see, especially in low light.

When you see what a FFP recicle looks like at 3x in low light, you will understand.

If seeking a 3-9x40 you do NOT want FFP.  Too many negatives and virtually no positives.

Quoted:

This was my logic going with a Weaver Classic V9 3-9x. I figured 9x isn't much magnification and wouldn't be so great past the normal 250 (or so) yard range of minimal bullet drop anyway. Since it's all within about 2" (+/- drop) within that range, BDC was useless for me, and the SFP reticle was clearer. I often wonder why so many get caught up in the BDC (and FFP) thing when using lower/mid power scopes, as the lower magnification does not really warrant FFP or BDC reticles. While I do agree that FFP is better for BDC reticles (consistent though out, no differing charts based on power selection), I think they really only come into play for absolute precision shooting and/or at much longer distances and higher power magnification.
Just my .02

Quoted:


Good advice.  If shots do not exceed 300 yards, then neither tactical turrets nor BDC is needed with a proper 50 yard zero.

But, with the 18" barrel, OP might be wanting to try some precision shooting out beyond that distance or want to hit tiny targets.  If so, SFP is still best, but a MRAD based scope with matching turrets and reticle might prove useful.

One such scope, highly regarded here, and which is in my collection, is the Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x40.  It is a MidwayUSA exclusive and a steal when on sale at $300.  Normal price is $400.

Another, in the same class is the Leupold Mark AR 3-9x40 with Firedot TMR reticle.  Also MRAD system.  Motion activated dot reticle at about $450.

I have the VX-R Patrol 3-9x40 with the same turrets and reticle but with higher quality glass and 30mm main tube at $600.

Frankly, if illumination is not needed, the Weaver GST is hard to beat.  While its glass is not as good as my VX-R, at twice the price, it is equal or slightly better than the Mark AR.

Japanese made Weaver scopes have very high quality glass at reasinable prices.

There are VX-R models within his budget if he does not need the tactical turrets and BDC reticle, and optical quality is as good as it gets in the $500-600 price range.