Heya, which would be better in optics, moa adjustments or mil adjustments? First or Second Focal Plane? Any particular reticle is well suited to this? What kinds of magnifications are recommended?
Thanks.
Thanks.
F T/R Competition F class optics
- Thread starter stubbicatt
- Start date
1) MOA with 1/8th minute turrets is the most common by far. The finer adjustment comes in handy for F-Class, where 1/4 minute or 1/10th mil "clicks" can be enough to put you out of the 10-ring on the other side.
2) 2nd focal plane; typically, FFP reticles are thicker relative to the target when set in the upper mag ranges. This tends to obscure more of the target than you really want for F-Class. Further, no ranging is required for F-Class, so FFP is not needed.
3) I have several NF scopes on F-T/R rifles; 8-32x56s with the NP-R1 reticle, and 12-42x56s with the NP-2DD reticle. Both reticles have their pros/cons. The NP-2DD is basically a dot reticule, which I really like for LR (>600 yd). It is easy to use and very open (uncluttered). However, estimating holds with it is more challenging than with a typical hashmark reticle. The NP-R1 is also a great reticle; it has hashmarks and so is a little more cluttered in the center than the NP-2DD, but can be used more easily to estimate holds. A lot will depend on the type reticle you prefer. Whether you like dot or hashmark, simpler and less cluttered is generally better for F-Class.
4) I would recommend upper mag of 32X-42X range; 22X is not enough. You can go higher than 42X, but mirage can quickly become an issue, and the risk crossfiring goes up dramatically with the smaller field of view. I usually run mine between about 30X and 42X depending on mirage conditions (NF 12-42x56).
Edited to add: You may need to think about overall scope weight if your rig will be close to the limit; also, total elevation adjustment may need to be taken into consideration. The 45 MOA total elevation adjustment on the NF 12-42x56 wouldn't be enough for my .308s without a 20 MOA base. The newer "Competition" models have 60 MOA. Just be aware, for a .308 you'll probably need somewhere from ~28 MOA to as much as 35 MOA to get to 1000 yd, depending on your load, barrel length, etc. Other calibers will obviously vary from that but just be sure whatever you go with has enough adjustment. Rule of thumb is that you'll get slightly less than half the total elevation adjustment advertised for the scope, plus whatever extra your base may provide.
2) 2nd focal plane; typically, FFP reticles are thicker relative to the target when set in the upper mag ranges. This tends to obscure more of the target than you really want for F-Class. Further, no ranging is required for F-Class, so FFP is not needed.
3) I have several NF scopes on F-T/R rifles; 8-32x56s with the NP-R1 reticle, and 12-42x56s with the NP-2DD reticle. Both reticles have their pros/cons. The NP-2DD is basically a dot reticule, which I really like for LR (>600 yd). It is easy to use and very open (uncluttered). However, estimating holds with it is more challenging than with a typical hashmark reticle. The NP-R1 is also a great reticle; it has hashmarks and so is a little more cluttered in the center than the NP-2DD, but can be used more easily to estimate holds. A lot will depend on the type reticle you prefer. Whether you like dot or hashmark, simpler and less cluttered is generally better for F-Class.
4) I would recommend upper mag of 32X-42X range; 22X is not enough. You can go higher than 42X, but mirage can quickly become an issue, and the risk crossfiring goes up dramatically with the smaller field of view. I usually run mine between about 30X and 42X depending on mirage conditions (NF 12-42x56).
Edited to add: You may need to think about overall scope weight if your rig will be close to the limit; also, total elevation adjustment may need to be taken into consideration. The 45 MOA total elevation adjustment on the NF 12-42x56 wouldn't be enough for my .308s without a 20 MOA base. The newer "Competition" models have 60 MOA. Just be aware, for a .308 you'll probably need somewhere from ~28 MOA to as much as 35 MOA to get to 1000 yd, depending on your load, barrel length, etc. Other calibers will obviously vary from that but just be sure whatever you go with has enough adjustment. Rule of thumb is that you'll get slightly less than half the total elevation adjustment advertised for the scope, plus whatever extra your base may provide.
Last edited:
There are a lot of threads discussing this in this forum. Read up.
Short Answer, 2FP, 1/8 MOA clicks, and more magnification than you have ever considered for any other purpose.
Short Answer, 2FP, 1/8 MOA clicks, and more magnification than you have ever considered for any other purpose.
Thanks GSTaylorG. Your advice is on point and helpful.
gstaylorg knows of what he speaks. My first match this year I was using an SIII 6-24x50LRMOA. It is a great scope, but not really for Fclass. The .250MOA dot is too big and the 1/4moa clicks make it hard to adjust if you feel the need. Now I have a March 10-60x52 with the 1/16"moa dot and 1/8moa clicks. Shot it today for the first time and it was MUCH easier to use than the SIII. Looking forward to the next match!
Is there a Leupold scope which will meet these needs? The March is nearly $3k, which may be worth every penny, I don't know. The Nightforce looks swell, and a friend has one. I have peered through it, and it is really very nice.
This is disheartening. I just bought a Viper PST 6-24x50 w/ 1/4 MOA clicks for a 308 I have yet to decide on.
x2
shot with fellow in a F class shoot at Connaught ranges in Ottawa This fellow has set the bar high, his scores and V count was way higher than all open class rifles,shooting F/TR class
Stolle Action,34" Bartline 308win small primer Lapua and 200gr Begers at 2700+ fps
He could see bullet holes at 600m in the black with his new 80x March
It shouldn't be...that scope will work. It may not be the absolute best most optimal scope for F-Class in terms of max mag and turrets values, but some actually prefer 1/4 MOA turrets. Your scope will definitely do the job and if/when you decide it's time to upgrade, you can sell it and get something else. I would use it and not beat myself up too much for the purchase. I just shot in a match a couple weeks ago with my DTA SRS Covert for kicks and giggles. It was wearing a NF 5.5-22x50 MLR reticle with 0.1 mil turrets. It worked just fine.
Last edited:
