Sfp scope field target confusion.

The brief manual which (should have) come with the scope, should specify at what magnification the mill dots/MOA are accurate. The rest are either increased or decreased depending upon your magnification setting.

I typically do a "box test" twice with a scope. If it is spot-on repeatable, I zero the knobs and then use clicks for hold-over. If it isn't, then I use holdover for that scope.

What you have said is essentially correct. If you change the power on a second focal plane scope the only thing that remains unchanged relative to the target is the center of the reticle (cross hair) The MOA reticle is only "true" at one power. What that power is would have to be stipulated by the scope manufacturer. These very high power variable scopes with complex reticles can challenge a new shooter. I'm a pretty active varmint hunter and one of the things that will really "mess up" my shooting is to change the power on the scope. When you do that you completely screw up your hold overs. You really don't need 25 power. I'd shoot the scope at 16 if that is when your reticle is actually a true MOA and then figure from there. Remembering once you change powers you have to start all over with the ranging. I've found for my use shooting varmints 10 power is right for me. You have to be able to spot your misses and if you are at real high power it's difficult to see your shots. Rim fire and air rifles of course don't recoil. The only time I use real high power is shooting groups to test ammo.

So yes you could range at one power and then run the scope up to higher power dial the "adjustments" in to the tarret and hold the center cross hair on target. That's not the way I would do it but you could. I'd learn to shoot the scope one power.

Hi guys I recently bought a maurader field and target rifle and an aztec emerald 5.5-25x50 side focus scope for shooting hft at my local gun club. I was told that I could operate said scope on 16x and do just fine. However I am super new to this concept and am not sure how that would work on a second focal plane scope. I thought they only ranged at full power? Are they going to let me range at full power but shoot at 16x? In which case I would not be able to use the moa reticle and instead do all my holdovers with the turrets correct? Anyway thanks guys really appreciate the help im really trying to learn to be decent at hft this year.

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Hi and welcome to the Field Target game. Lots of fun ahead of you. I shoot Open PCP FT so I use clicks... However, there are some rules and things to do for Hunter FT that I am aware of. 

First, you will pick your magnification and are not allowed to touch the scope magnification again for ranging. In other words, select 16x as your magnification and do all of your target ranging at that level. (Technically, your scope MUST have a 16x mark on it.) I do not know if the Aztec you have does or not but most clubs will allow deviation. If they do not allow deviation, you will be required to adjust down to the next MARKED magnification on the scope. You are correct that most scopes range better at higher magnifications but the HFT game requires all ranging be done at your chosen setting (16x or 12x, whichever your scope has)

Second, based on your chosen magnification, you should practice/shoot as many different range distances as you can and actually verify where your pellet is hitting and where your hold-over should be on your particular reticle. Most competitive Field Target shooters will shoot in 1 or 2 yard increments up to about 35 yards and then 5 yard increments there after. 

I hope this helps more than if confuses.

ps You can download a rules book from the American Airgun Field Target Association here....http://www.aafta.org

Best,

Gary
Venice, FL

... instead do all my holdovers with the turrets correct? ...

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AAFTA does not allow turret adjustments for Hunter Division shooters.

For SFP scopes, sub-tension spacing varies with magnification. Set your scope to the 16x mark to establish your sub-tension spacing. Don't change it during the match.

If the target is at your zero, you could go to any magnification and still shoot dead-on. Hunter Division shooters sometimes do that, though the rules imply that if your scope is capable of going over 16x, you should not touch the magnification setting during the match.

I shoot HFT using a FFP scope.

you cannot “click” in HFT. You have to use holdover and cannot adjust the elevation or windage turrets during competition.

The biggest advantage of a FFP scope (for me anyway) is the hold over is the same regardless of magnification. This can used to your advantage by setting your scope on its highest magnification while ranging your holdover.

this is what I do:

I start by installing a large side wheel on the SWAT turret. Then I put a piece of white electrical tape around the wheel. Using a 55 yard measuring tape (don’t use a range finder here.) I put target holders from 10 to 20 yards in one yard increments and five yard increments thereafter out to 55. The target holders have writing on them. Starting with the 10 yard marker, I focus the side wheel to where the letters of the words are sharp and clear. Then I mark the tape with that distance just above the pointer. I do this on each and every target holder. 

Through practice, trial and error, I have found the flattest zero trajectory over the 10 to 55 yards distance is at 35 yards. 

With zero set, I put targets with a 1” grid drawn, down from 10 to 20 yards in 1 yard increments. I then set my magnification at max (in my case x24)

i then shoot at the aim point. Then I look to see exactly where the point of impact is compared to point of aim. (I.e. 1-1/8 hold over)

I make a range card with the image of the reticle noting where the point of impact is. I have many POI that are the same so I group them together.

Of course this was done on x24 and max magnification in HFT is x16. But remember, when using a FFP the hold over remains the same regardless of magnification. This is not true with SFP scopes. So now I can turn down the magnification to x16 and know the holdover is the same. 

Basically, you can use the additional magnification to enhance the accuracy of the POI. Now you know the holdover is 1-1/8 mildot and not 1-1/2.

This works for me and your mileage may vary.

welcome to the most fun you can have with your clothes on; HFT

Hi and welcome to field target sport. I have same Aztec scope set up on one of my rifles for HFT.

Like others said, you set it to 16x and don't touch it. You also don't click during the match.

You need to make yourself range card with picture of reticle and write down hold over points for 16x magnification. On left side from 10 yards to 0 and on right side from 0 to 55 yards.

You would look thru the scope at 16x at the target, move the wheel until target is in best focus, take distance reading from the side wheel and use appropriate hold over for aiming point.

I've made myself bigger 3-d printed comma wheel to get better resolution for distance reading, PM me if you would like 3-d file to print one for yourself.

Sounds like you’re ready to go shootin’ !

nm

set at 16x and make range marks there.

and you quick and easy rules ( for others that come along in the future)

http://aafta.org/Assets/handbook/2018/AAFTA_Handbook_2018.pdf#page=26

First focal plane gives less depth of field you want second plane for optical ranging.

I am certain there are several people at your local club that would be happy to help get you scope all set up. Someone likely owns the program to make nice turret/wheel tapes, ... .





Sounds like your wanting to use both focus ranging and bracketing and while it's good to know both just use one method ( focus) at least until you hit full size KZ's ( hate em, still should have some tiny targets at range darnit) once you hit full size KZ bracketing may be useful with unknown KZ's at closer range bracketing is harder.. 



John

Probably a dumb question but if Ffp gives you less depth of field, wouldn’t that be more accurate for ranging than a sfp scope? I am looking to purchase a new scope for hunter ft. I am leaning towards the swfa 16x42 for the price and quality but I am wondering about ranging with a rear focus scope. Any advice is appreciated thanks 

Hi Ron,

Less depth of field is worse for field target, you want more. With less depth of field focus will not be very snappy and it will be hard to determine exact rotation of focus wheel for particular distance.

Check out Nikko 4-16x50 scope and Sightron 4-20x50 both of which are Springer rated and have lifetime warranty.

For focus range finding you do want the shallowest depth of field you can get. You want the target to be in focus in a narrow/short span. Most scopes that will focus to 10 yards will work well at close range but as the range increases so does the depth of field making the long targets hard to range accurately at 16 power. The more magnification the shallower the dof, that is why in the classes where it is allowed shooters use high power scopes. With 50 to 80 power scopes it is possible to range to 1 yard +- accuracy out to 55 yards.

This is also opposite to what the HFT shooters in Europe want where they can't use focus ranging and can't adjust the focus of the scope during a match so they need the deepest field possible. They set the focus to some intermediate range that works for them and have to shoot both the close and far targets somewhat out of focus.