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Rifle Scopes what should I get SFP or FFP?

Grizzdude

Grizzdude

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I'm getting ready to buy my scope for the 338 lapua. I'm wondering what would be a better choice for me. I'm thinking the FFP reticle will be bigger at full power magnification than the SFP 5.5-22 nxs? if you were primarily shooting 1 mile to 2000 yards what would you prefer, the FFP or the SFP?
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

Shooting at those distances you would be at max. Magnification so go SFP. Your subtensions will be correct.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

The MLR reticle in the NXS is 1/16 of a mil at 22x, and thicker if you have to turn down due to mirage. But the reticle in say the SS 5-20 is .05 or 1/20th of mil, no matter what power the scope is on... FFP reticles do not get thicker with mag, SFP reticles do when you turn them below the correct setting.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

I have two scopes that I would recommend.

Bushnell Elite Tactical 3.5-21 with GDMR2 reticle $1200

Leupold Mk4 6.5-20 TMR reticle $1200

Both are front focal
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

i would agree with hawkerpilot, just mounted my vortex razor hd, on 7mm wsm yesterday, it`s the first ffp i`ve owned, jury`s out on how i feel about the reticle at full magnification, i am mounting a s&b 5-25 on my new lapua 338 build
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

I tend to agree. If all you will ever be shooting with it is long distances (1,000 yards or more), I can't really see the benefit of getting the FFP scope.

If you think it may ever go on another rifle that will shoot shorter distances and will do some ranging with it, by all means go with an FFP scope.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

"The MLR reticle in the NXS is 1/16 of a mil at 22x, and thicker if you have to turn down due to mirage. But the reticle in say the SS 5-20 is .05 or 1/20th of mil, no matter what power the scope is on... FFP reticles do not get thicker with mag, SFP reticles do when you turn them below the correct setting."


I think the reticles in my FFP scopes get thicker / larger as I turn the power up.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

I prefer to do any range estimations with full magnification. So I personally save the funds for the difference, as first focal is not really needed. It is nice, like with my SWFA 5-20, but not a necessity.

DK
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: z71rat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I prefer to do any range estimations with full magnification. So I personally save the funds for the difference, as first focal is not really needed. It is nice, like with my SWFA 5-20, but not a necessity.

DK </div></div>

Do you never range on days with lots of mirage? Do you never use the reticle to hold for wind? Do you never hold over/under rather than dial?
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Icallem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I think the reticles in my FFP scopes get thicker / larger as I turn the power up.</div></div>

And you would be wrong. FFP reticles cover the same amount of the target at their lowest setting as they do at their highest. That's what makes them useful in that they keep the mil/moa the same no matter the power setting as they stay the same size in relation to the target.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

Yes. It's just appears to be getting larger. It is not actually getting larger or covering more of the target.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

I have been looking at the illusion, and not using my brain.
I hate when that happens!

Thanks
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grizzdude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm getting ready to buy my scope for the 338 lapua. I'm wondering what would be a better choice for me. I'm thinking the FFP reticle will be bigger at full power magnification than the SFP 5.5-22 nxs? if you were primarily shooting 1 mile to 2000 yards what would you prefer, the FFP or the SFP? </div></div>

SFP 5.5x22 NXS with either the MLR or MOAR depending how fine a reticle you like and if you're a mil or MOA guy. <span style="font-weight: bold">*Unless*</span> that occasional other use was a tactical match, then I would get either a Razor with EBR2B and use one of the "Christmas Tree" dots as an aiming point for ELR work, or if the HDMR has enough elevation for you, get the Gap G2 reticle as it is .03 mil and plenty fine for ELR precision work.

If you *ever* hold wind at anything other than max power, you will appreciate FFP. It can be done with SFP, but you have to rely completely on your reticle and ignore any absolute measurement calls by your spotter.

John
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you never range on days with lots of mirage? Do you never use the reticle to hold for wind? Do you never hold over/under rather than dial? </div></div>

Yes, I use hold overs constantly for windage. I hate using my trigger hand to dial for windage. I almost always dial for elevation though.

DK
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

FFP or fixed. I'll never again miss a shot for not knowing where my magnification is, PERIOD!

Now that dual focal plane reticles are on the horizon, the idea of having a fine aiming point all the time in my beloved FFP USO MPR reticle gives me a chubbie....
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: z71rat</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you never range on days with lots of mirage? Do you never use the reticle to hold for wind? Do you never hold over/under rather than dial? </div></div>

Yes, I use hold overs constantly for windage. I hate using my trigger hand to dial for windage. I almost always dial for elevation though.

DK </div></div>

Then you would appreciate FFP so you can use holds at any power. Get mirage at 20x but not 14x? Holds still work without doing any math on the fly.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

I am not saying that FFP wouldn't be nice to have. I don't shoot tactical matches, so it isn't a big deal to me. I wish that I could afford whatever glass I wanted, but that isn't the case.

DK
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

I'm leaning towards the NXS 5.5-22 with the MLR reticle. My main concern is that my cross hairs are still fine enough at max power when shooting ELR. I will also be using it to range targets, but I would almost always be using max magnification.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

I like FFP scopes b/c 1 mil is 1 mil no matter the magnification. It's just one less thing to have to remember / calculate.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Now that dual focal plane reticles are on the horizon</div></div>

Please enlighten me!
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

Its a personal choice and part of it is dependent on what type of shooting your into. I use a Vortex PST SFP, it work very well for punching paper or shooting at steel. Using the higher mag levels it works great for ranging. Another thing I like about the SFP, is the reticle size remains consistent. The cost savings gives funds for other things.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

Its a personal choice and part of it is dependent on what type of shooting your into. I use a Vortex PST SFP, it work very well for punching paper or shooting at steel. Using the higher mag levels it works great for ranging. Another thing I like about the SFP, is the reticle size remains consistent. The cost savings gives funds for other things.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

It's already been said, but I'll reiterate because it seems there's some confusion: FFP scopes' reticle remains constant. SFP, it grows as you turn it down. Also, you'll find you can't always use max magnification due to mirage. What's nice about the 5.5-22x MLR is that you can run it on 11x when there's mirage and can use the reticle as if the hashes are 1 mil rather than .5.


It doesn't matter "your shooting style", the FFP advantages remain...steel, F class, hunting, tac matches, etc. the ability to use holds at any power isn't a disadvantage.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's already been said, but I'll reiterate because it seems there's some confusion: FFP scopes' reticle remains constant. SFP, it grows as you turn it down. </div></div>

You've got that backwards.

SFP reticles remain the same size, FFP reticles change as magnification changes.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's already been said, but I'll reiterate because it seems there's some confusion: FFP scopes' reticle remains constant. SFP, it grows as you turn it down. </div></div>

You've got that backwards.

SFP reticles remain the same size, FFP reticles change as magnification changes. </div></div>

FFP reticles stay the same size <span style="font-style: italic">with reference to the target.</span> But grow and shrink with reference to the eye. SFP reticles stay the same size <span style="font-style: italic">with reference to the eye.</span> But grow and shrink with reference to the target.

John
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's already been said, but I'll reiterate because it seems there's some confusion: FFP scopes' reticle remains constant. SFP, it grows as you turn it down. </div></div>

You've got that backwards.

SFP reticles remain the same size, FFP reticles change as magnification changes. </div></div>
No, a FFP reticle will always cover the same no matter magnification is on. This why you can range or use the reticle for hold-offs no matter what magnification the scope is on. If a target is 3 mils on 5x, it will be 3 mils on 15x. Where a SFP is only correct a one magnification,and extra math is required for all others...
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrob300</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FFP reticles stay the same size <span style="font-style: italic">with reference to the target.</span> But grow and shrink with reference to the eye. SFP reticles stay the same size <span style="font-style: italic">with reference to the eye.</span> But grow and shrink with reference to the target.</div></div>

I just had an 'aha' moment...thanks for the clear explanation.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

Personally, I like SFP for target guns cause the reticles are usually thinner.

On my hunting guns I like FFP because who knows what zoom I will be at when I need to shoot and if I hold it will be correct no matter the magnification.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

I am in the exact same situation right now, and after giving it some thought, I am going with a FFP. The main reason is for the simple communication between the shooter and the spotter. No matter what power the rifle scope or spotting scope are on, communication is always in the same language. My spotter and I can both speak in MILs and everything makes perfect sense. As its already been stated, a FFP reticle always covers the same amount of the target regardless of the power. The reticle appears thicker because the target also gets bigger. If you ever want to shoot under 1760 yards (and believe me, you will), go with a FFP.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

I would get an FFPp for your setup. I have a SFP with a reticle that's kind of a TMR/BDC and when used right it's the best hunting set up for me. But an FFP would be more helpful for you with dialing in shots.
 
Re: what should I get SFP or FFP?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes. It's just appears to be getting larger. It is not actually getting larger or covering more of the target. </div></div>

FFP reticles subtend the same angle relative to the field of view, but they "grow larger" relative to the shooter's view - both the FFP reticle and target images are magnified by the same amount and grow and shrink together.

SFP reticles subtend a constant angle relative to the shooter's view, while the target subtention changes with the magnification.
 
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