What are the odds of liking it? While I'm at it, never owned a mil/mil scope, only mil/moa ( I know, keep the reticle and turrets the same) . Can I get used to it after using MOA?
Never owned a FFP scope
- Thread starter cmatera
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The 'dots' on the reticle are just that for me, Just aiming points regardless of their name. So I'll stay out of that part.
I will say that I just mounted my first FFP scope today. Prob depends to some extent on the brand but I find the reticle to be on the verge of being 'too thick' on higher magnification, and virtually invisible / tiny on the lower part of the magnification range. Seems to limit the functionality of the scope...
I'll never really use the lower portion of the mag range but I'm undecided on the reticle as I was planning to use ~12x and ~ 25x for different reasons.
I have the same SFP scope on all but one of my guns and I really like the fact that I'm looking at the same reticle on each, even if at different mag settings between them. I guess I'm just not sold on the realities of a FFP scope.
(edit for a bit of clarity)
I will say that I just mounted my first FFP scope today. Prob depends to some extent on the brand but I find the reticle to be on the verge of being 'too thick' on higher magnification, and virtually invisible / tiny on the lower part of the magnification range. Seems to limit the functionality of the scope...
I'll never really use the lower portion of the mag range but I'm undecided on the reticle as I was planning to use ~12x and ~ 25x for different reasons.
I have the same SFP scope on all but one of my guns and I really like the fact that I'm looking at the same reticle on each, even if at different mag settings between them. I guess I'm just not sold on the realities of a FFP scope.
(edit for a bit of clarity)
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+1 JCD
What he said. I have found on low magnification, the reticle is useless on FFP scopes.
What he said. I have found on low magnification, the reticle is useless on FFP scopes.
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It will depend on the reticle. There are some new FFP reticle designs that somewhat remedy that problem. At high mag, when the center of the reticle is filling the FOV, they have thinner lines and finer subtensions. At low magnifications when more of the reticle is in view, the rest of the lines are thicker and subtensions are larger. In that way, the FFP reticle is useful even at low magnifications.
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I think every one needs to try a FFP scope. I've had several and I've returned them. Reason? At low power the reticle is useless. The concept sound great and it works in theory . When using the scope you pretty quickly see the limitations. Some people do like them.
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Appreciate the input. Guess I need to stay in the SFP. Problem is, with everyone thinking they're going to be a Marine sniper, seems like there are less and less SFP choices with good reticles, that focus at close distances. When will this fad be over?
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I really like my athlon Midas TAC, I feel the cross hairs are still usable at 6x and the fine center dot is really good at 24x. I personally like ffp, but you should look a a few before you completely knock them off your list. It also focuses at 10yards and to my eyes is better then my weaver 4-20x50 tactical, Nikon monarchs, or my Steiner predator. It is probably the best glass I’ve got and 5/8 the price of my weaver or Steiner.
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That reticle actually looks pretty nice! I like that Althlon puts up a pic of the reticle at low and high magnification. Not a big fan or illuminated reticles, but it doesn't look like the weight penalty is as great as it is on some scopes.
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Yeah it’s a little heavy, not illumated either. In my opinion, you get weight with better, more precise adjustments. The tac version has much better turrets then my other scopes, I also have a area spotting scope and I’m fairly impressed with it. I feel both the TAC and ares are excellent for the price point.
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Joe (cyclops video) on YouTube did a review on the TAC. He does a good job and his videos are worth watching.
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My cheapie ($140.00) FFP has spoiled me. It is only a 4-12 x40mm. The retical does not dissapear on low power and does not dominate on high power. I shoot mainly at 6x and around 20-35 yards. Past 35 yardsI will go to 8-10 power. At 80+ yards I may max out if I don't need field of view to find the target.
My biggest reason is that the sub tensions are the same spread on all levels of magification. Knowing how big my target is, beit squirrel or rabbit or dove, I can range the shot almost instantly no matter what zoom level I am on. I recently got out the P-rod, which has a name brand 50mm SFP scope. I had to relearn how to shoot. That scope is good stuff, but I like the FFP better.
My biggest reason is that the sub tensions are the same spread on all levels of magification. Knowing how big my target is, beit squirrel or rabbit or dove, I can range the shot almost instantly no matter what zoom level I am on. I recently got out the P-rod, which has a name brand 50mm SFP scope. I had to relearn how to shoot. That scope is good stuff, but I like the FFP better.
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Buying any scope sight unseen (excuse the pun} is not ideal, and with FFP scopes the reticle choice you make is critical ! Due to different applications and variable visual acuity, scope preferences are a very personal choice and purchasing a optic merely because someone else likes it is a fools game. If at all possible,try before you buy.
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Buy from some one who will accept returns. I like midway and this year I've returned two scopes. I also returned a scope to AOA not too long ago. I very rarely make returns but scopes ARE personal choice and until you get them on the rifle it's hard to know.
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I like mil/mil. But it’s mainly a personal preference, i sight at 35 yards and it’s close enough to 1 mil at 50yards and 5 mil at 100yards
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Shooting at 12x-16x with FFP, either can work. Though the 1moa reticles tend to be reserved for the higher mag scopes.
FFP, reticle/turrets with mil/mil when shooting up to about 16x are OK. At 16x and up, I prefer my FFP scopes to be moa/moa.
For SFP, I kinda prefer mil/0.25" with a 10x mil reticle. And that is the most common type of SFP scope.
I know there are also 1/2mil reticles and 2moa reticles that work well at the higher and lower magnifications. I'm talking about 1mil-dot and 1moa reticles. For mil, I prefer standard mild-dots, though with more than the typical 5 subtensions. For moa, I prefer 1 moa subtensions spanning the entire FOV, preferably with additional divisions or numbers every 5 to 10moa.
Note: moa turrets are sometimes lumped in with 0.25" and 0.125" turrets. There is a subtle difference in their increments and their use.
FFP, reticle/turrets with mil/mil when shooting up to about 16x are OK. At 16x and up, I prefer my FFP scopes to be moa/moa.
For SFP, I kinda prefer mil/0.25" with a 10x mil reticle. And that is the most common type of SFP scope.
I know there are also 1/2mil reticles and 2moa reticles that work well at the higher and lower magnifications. I'm talking about 1mil-dot and 1moa reticles. For mil, I prefer standard mild-dots, though with more than the typical 5 subtensions. For moa, I prefer 1 moa subtensions spanning the entire FOV, preferably with additional divisions or numbers every 5 to 10moa.
Note: moa turrets are sometimes lumped in with 0.25" and 0.125" turrets. There is a subtle difference in their increments and their use.
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I relented after a few years and bought my first FFP a couple months ago. For my forest squirrel hunting (I’m not a pester), it is going to be perfect. It is a 1-8x March with IR. It’s on a Steyr .22 Hunter Scout.
So clear and I’ll us it mainly at 6-8x. Love the reticle!
I will readily admit, I’m no more or less effective in the woods than with my various Leupolds.
So clear and I’ll us it mainly at 6-8x. Love the reticle!
I will readily admit, I’m no more or less effective in the woods than with my various Leupolds.
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Going with MOA above 16x makes sense to me, now that I think about it. It's similar to the general rule that a 3-9x scope does not need AO, but 10x or more does.
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