FFP vs SFP.. does it really matter on a 1-6

Ian's Dad

Ian's Dad

Happy to be here
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
481
Location
Cabarrus County, NC
Rating - 100%
23   0   0
This is going to be way more wordy than it needs to be because I'm not sure exactly how to say what i'm wanting to ask.

I understand the difference in FFP and SFP. My particular 1-6 scope has a bdc type reticle. Let's assume for a moment that it is absolutely spot on with the 100, 200 and 300 yard marks (300 is as far as i'll shoot with this rifle). I know that the bdc is only "accurate" at 6x since it's an sfp scope. But the question I have is how far off would it likely be at 300 yards if i had it on 3X? I'm not looking for a precise number, but more an order of magnitude... would i be 1" off at 300 yards if on 3X or 6"?

hoping that question makes sense. My hunch is that for "minute of pie plate" type accuracy, the difference between 3x and 6x (or any other setting) will be neglibible. Thoughts?
 
I think it should be a factor of how not-zoomed in you are if that makes sense.

So for example, the vortex strike eagle 1-6 has a 2.4 MOA hold for the 300 yard.
2.4 moa at 300 is roughly 7.2”

At 1x, that reticle is 6 times bigger than it should be meaning that hold is 14.4 moa
So 14.4 moa at 300 is roughly 43.2”

At 3x, that reticle is 2 times bigger than it should be meaning that hold is 4.8 moa
So 4.8 moa at 300 is roughly 14.4”

That also is assuming the zoom markings are correct which they might not be. It may be better to know what your drop is at 300 and hold appropriately regardless of the reticle when you aren’t at full zoom.

I think that math and logic checks out, someone correct me if I am wrong.
 
@Nebowictz it should horrify you that I actually did follow that. Hadn't thought of it that way but it seems logical. At the end of the day, it seems like the question I really need to be asking myself is if i'm going to use this 1-6 scope as a fixed 6x (which is likely)
 
Ian's Dad said:
@Nebowictz At the end of the day, it seems like the question I really need to be asking myself is if i'm going to use this 1-6 scope as a fixed 6x (which is likely)
Click to expand...

Not necessarily, It's just knowing where your bullet is going to hit and when your group sizes are. With a 50 yard zero, my center aiming is within a 4" circle out to 250 yards. I'm a little under 2" high at 100 and a little over 2" low out to 250.

So if I'm shooting an 10" target or bigger, I don't really care about whether I am at 1x, 2x, or 4x unless that target its further than 250 yards or If I am starting to shoot something smaller. At that I need to be more careful in my zoom and holds. But that is a smaller percentage of my shooting with that gun/optic.
 
Fred said:
But some of the Primary Arms reticles are too fine and become useless on 1x for fast shooting.
Click to expand...

I have exactly the opposite experience, proving that it's all relative.

I like the 'minimized' reticles at 1x for fast engagements. At 1x I'm not even considering the mil/bdc drops. Those things are out of my way at 1x. When I need to reach out for distance or precision, I can dial it up and bring the reticle into play.
 
FWIW, after running FFP for so long I decided to try out the 1-6 SFP Strike Eagle. Ran it in 1 Run n Gun where I couldn't make my 600 yard hits dialed about 1/2 way through the zoom. I took that optic off in the parking lot and sold it same day.

All because I'm 'used to' FFP and not having to worry about where I am in the zoom range for the subtensions to be accurate.
 
3/3 because I'm too lazy to edit my previous posts...

I REALLY REALLY like the reticles on the older Burris XTR2 1-8. That has a hybrid reticle, I think they called it Dual Focal Plane, where the 1X 'ring' for close engagements stays a fixed size throughout the zoom. Then as you zoom in the BDC/mil hashes re-size.

It's awesome. I still hold onto 2 of those scopes even though they're chunky telescopes.

Edit...here's how Burris described it:

  • Dual focal plane design allows the crosshairs to change size with magnification so mil measurements and trajectory lines are accurate at any power; illuminated broken circle remains a constant size for easy transition between short-and long-distance shooting
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Frack N Cylons said:
I'm not really worried about holdovers on my 16" 556 until maybe 300 yards. If I'm at or beyond 300 yards, I'm going to be at my maximum magnification. Given that, a FFP has no value added for me.
Click to expand...

Max magnification limits field of view which can make target acquisition problematic. Sometimes, 4-5x is enough to make the ID and the hit.
 
I use vortex strike eagles, i have the 1x6 and 1x8. I seem to use them at either 1x or at max. At 1x I use a 50/200 zero, so I’m good to make its hits out to 300 yards with just a center the dot aim.
 
SFP on 1-4 and 1-6 scopes.
8 power and beyond that I'd want the FFP.

Personally, LPVO are really red dot sights with zoom ability to me. I use them on 1X most of the time. So there are certain features I have learned to like. Simple BDC, 200yd zero, daylight bright dot, capped turrets, and no superfluous stadia or stuff. It's dumb proof, which suits my special needs.
 
To me, it depends on how far you plan to shoot out to with the 1-6. The main advantage, to my knowledge, of an FFP is the ease of range estimation.
 
Decter said:
To me, it depends on how far you plan to shoot out to with the 1-6. The main advantage, to my knowledge, of an FFP is the ease of range estimation.
Click to expand...
The FFP keeps the unit of measure (moa, mil, bdc) the same subtension throughout the full magnification range.

This aids the shooter in holds, ranging etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom