Rifle Scopes FFP or SFP question.

[buccaneerfan]

Ok, I have read the stickys about scopes and looked through several other posts. I feel like I know the difference between the two in theory but not in realistic terms. If I am looking for a scope mainly for 800-1000yd ranges, which should I be looking for? I don't want the whole target covered by the crosshairs when I go to full magnification. Help please!
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[Donr13]

Ffp gets my vote at those ranges. I myself never really understood the need for a second focal plane optic. Just seems to be more of a hassle to calculate holdovers at different magnifications. I can understand 2nd focal plane if you run between the magnification range quite often at shorter distance as a ffp reticle does get small at low magnifications.

Maybe someone who uses a sfp can chime in about what they like.

 

[South tx]

Basically ffp will mean your mils in your reticle are reading true to their size against your target, no matter what power the scope is set on. Sfp scopes reticle a will only read correctly on 1 particular setting. This is not an in depth explanation I know, but I wanted to keep it very simple if possible.

I think if you have the option to get ffp, it is defiantly a bonus, and you will be better for learning to range with your reticle. Regardless of what people claim, it is actually most effective inside 800-1000 yds. Hope I don't get scolded for saying that, and hope it is helpful

 

[jdr724]

To address your concern about the reticle thickness relative to the target.

Different companies make reticles with different line thicknesses so you'll have to investigate that separately.

Second focal plane: The size of the reticle is constant so as you increase magnification the reticle will cover less of the target.

First focal plane: The size of the reticle is always at a 1:1 ratio to the target. This means that the reticle always covers the same amount of the target at all magnifications. At highter magnifications the reticle increases size at the same rate the target increases size hence 1:1.

You should probably tell us more about what you plan to use it for since distance alone doesn't provide enough info.

-What size are your targets.

 

[buccaneerfan]

To address your concern about the reticle thickness relative to the target.

Different companies make reticles with different line thicknesses so you'll have to investigate that separately.

Second focal plane: The size of the reticle is constant so as you increase magnification the reticle will cover less of the target.

First focal plane: The size of the reticle is always at a 1:1 ratio to the target. This means that the reticle always covers the same amount of the target at all magnifications. At highter magnifications the reticle increases size at the same rate the target increases size hence 1:1.

You should probably tell us more about what you plan to use it for since distance alone doesn't provide enough info.

-What size are your targets.

I have used regular sheets of 8x11 paper on a half sheet of plywood out to 700ish yards and it seemed as though the reticle covered the whole piece of paper. I can't remember which scope I had on but it was at least 16 power. If I really get serious about shooting at ranges past 600, I don't want this to be an issue. Up to this point, I have done all of my long range shooting with my heavy barrel AR (which will easily stay on the paper at 700yds) or my browning abolt in 7mm-08. I have a rifle in mind to build in 6.5 Creedmoor strictly for the challenge of 800yds and beyond, but have just now started to consider scopes. The options out there are daunting and I don't want to spend 800-1500$ on a scope that won't give enough detail to see the target. All that being said, got any suggestions of brands, etc. on where to start? Or whether ffp or sfp would be best for my situation?

 

[kombayotch]

There is no rule that says an FFP reticle will always cover more of the target than an SFP one. You need to look at the specifications of the reticles you're interested in and determine whether or not they are too thick for your needs.

Example:

The MLR reticle NF offers in its 5.5-22x NSX SFP scope is 0.093 MOA thick at 22x (D). However, as you lower magnification, it covers more of the target, as you can see from the spec:

Makes sense when you think about it... If the reticle appears the same size, but the target appears smaller, the reticle covers more of it.

The Gen2 XR in an FFP Premier Reticles 5-25x is 0.025 mil (0.086 MOA) thick (K) at every magnification:

In this case, the SFP reticle always covers more of the target than the FFP reticle. But, they both cover less than an inch at 1000 yards when on their highest magnifications. You could quarter a 3" indicator with either scope. If you're missing the target, it won't be because of reticle thickness.

Every manufacturer lists specs for their reticles. Its easy to calculate how much of the aiming point is going to be covered by the reticle. Some reticles like the TMR, EBR-2B(or C) have apertures, so the reticle will never cover the aiming point on the target.

 

[buccaneerfan]

There is no rule that says an FFP reticle will always cover more of the target than an SFP one. You need to look at the specifications of the reticles you're interested in and determine whether or not they are too thick for your needs.

Example:

The MLR reticle NF offers in its 5.5-22x NSX SFP scope is 0.093 MOA thick at 22x (D). However, as you lower magnification, it covers more of the target, as you can see from the spec:

Makes sense when you think about it... If the reticle appears the same size, but the target appears smaller, the reticle covers more of it.

The Gen2 XR in an FFP Premier Reticles 5-25x is 0.025 mil (0.086 MOA) thick (K) at every magnification:

In this case, the SFP reticle always covers more of the target than the FFP reticle. But, they both cover less than an inch at 1000 yards when on their highest magnifications. You could quarter a 3" indicator with either scope. If you're missing the target, it won't be because of reticle thickness.

Every manufacturer lists specs for their reticles. Its easy to calculate how much of the aiming point is going to be covered by the reticle. Some reticles like the TMR, EBR-2B(or C) have apertures, so the reticle will never cover the aiming point on the target.

Awesome! Thank you!