• Winner! Quick Shot Challenge: Caption This Sniper Fail Meme

    View thread

Rifle Scopes FFP vs. SFP question

ilmonster

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 5, 2012
278
92
61
So lets say I have a Mil-Mil FFP scope (don't have any scope yet, still learning before pulling the trigger on a rifle/scope). I take a shot at a target and hit low. In the reticle I see the dirt signature hits one mil down from dead center. So I adjust the elevation turret up one mil and am dead on with the next shot.

Would I be able to do the same thing with a SFP Mil-Mil scope, or would I only be able to make that type of correction at the highest magnification with a SFP scope?
 
Re: FFP vs. SFP question

The SFP scope would have to be in the right power where the reticle sintered correctly. Whether that's the highest power depends on the scope.
 
Re: FFP vs. SFP question

Thanks for the insight guys! That's what I thought.

I'm debating whether I need to spend the extra $'s for a FFP scope if I'm a beginner, just shooting paper and steel which at my local range which is only out to ~ 240 yards max. Then again, if the max power is where the mil dots are correct (assuming my hypothetical scope is correct at max power), I can figure the hold if the scope is at half power for instance.

The only thing I might compete in is a silhouette shoot, where we're shooting at 50, 75,100 & 200 yds. where a less expensive SFP scope with a BDC feature and parallax adjustment might be all I need (like a Leupold Mark AR 4-12x40).
 
Re: FFP vs. SFP question

I would not get a BDC. The BD variable will change based on weather & altitude so you will still need to fudge a little. A standard reticle will do you just fine. If you will be shooting 200 and in, there will not be much drop anyway. If you shoot slow and dial scope, SFP is fine. If you will be varying engagements, and quickly, FFP will do you better than SFP. At 200 and in for steel, either will work great.
 
Re: FFP vs. SFP question

It seems like SFP adds a bit more versatility if you set it to fractions of the power the reticle is set at you can have the dots distances other than 1 mil.

I think FFP is ideal though.
 
Re: FFP vs. SFP question

Shawn, I was looking to spend around $500 on glass. The rifle I am thinking of is a .223 Remington 700P LTR. You're right in that a BDC reticle is calibrated for only one load (say a 55 gr .223 round). Maybe something like a Vortex HS 5-15x40 mil-mil with a SFP from Midway USA might be all I need then (plus an EGW 0' base and TPS rings).
 
Re: FFP vs. SFP question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Randoman5</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It seems like SFP adds a bit more versatility if you set it to fractions of the power the reticle is set at you can have the dots distances other than 1 mil.

</div></div>

Try doing that under any sort of stress. Sounds good in theory but not in application.
 
Re: FFP vs. SFP question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Randoman5</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It seems like SFP adds a bit more versatility if you set it to fractions of the power the reticle is set at you can have the dots distances other than 1 mil.

I think FFP is ideal though. </div></div>

The Vortex HS SFP Scopes have the ranging factors right on the scope, 1x 2x 3x and 4x. I have SFP on my hunter/shooter and FFP on my target & Steel.

vortex_VHS4303_04.jpg
 
Re: FFP vs. SFP question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Randoman5</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It seems like SFP adds a bit more versatility if you set it to fractions of the power the reticle is set at you can have the dots distances other than 1 mil.

</div></div>

Try doing that under any sort of stress. Sounds good in theory but not in application.</div></div>
very true and one other thing is the scope marked for those power setting that you want to use. I understand the thinking because if have been kicking the same idea around.