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FFP vs 2nd focal plane scopes
Hi guys, I've been busy this summer traveling and leaf and fruit sampling ( I'm a crop consultant for fruit growers in MN and surrounding). So… Now that things are slowing down a bit I can focus on the important stuff- namely shooting and hunting!
As some of you may know I bought a 6.5×55 T3 Sporter this summer and have been waiting on the MT gen 2 +20 pic rail so I can share my Vortex PST 6-24x FFP with this 6.5 and my .223 in same model.
I just today got the rail and can see that I will want to get a dedicated scope for this rifle.
My question to you folks is: should I get a similar scope with 2nd focal plane instead of 1st For long range target and hunting. I don't need the ranging advantages of the FFP and the retical of the FFP PST is quite small at low magnification, and somewhat large at high magnification.
Any thoughts?
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6 Replies
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Hi I could go on and on about which scope you should get ( Minox Zp / S&b pm11) but if you're happy with the Vortex just get another one , there a good midrange scopes you could do a lot worse,
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Hey Eric,
My personal preference is 2nd FP for precision range shooting, and a FFP for hunting.
I shoot pretty well with either scope but a 2nd FP scope with a thin reticle line seems to be the winner when target shooting. I bought a Vortex Viper as a 2nd scope (6.5 -20) and love it, much cheaper then the HSLR FFP I have on my hunting rifle but same great glass. Its my new go to for target shooting and I've shot it out to 1000yrds with no problems.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-6-5-20×50-pa-riflescope-dead-hold-bdc-reticle/reticle -
Thanks for the replies! I am thinking the 2nd focal plane for the newer scope and if I need I can swap em.
I am working on the 6.5 as we speak, the light trigger spring from Earnie the gunsmith is not working well-I.e. The striker is following the bolt down. Putting the original spring in now. Odd since the same spring in my .223 works like a champion.
Thanks again for the insight on scopes – Eric
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There are many advantages of using an FFP scope for long range hunting and target shooting. Why wouldn't you have any use for an FFP scope if you're shooting long range?
I have this reticle and it works at any magnification:
http://www.precisionrifleworkshop.com/mil_dot_reticle.gif
I can scale my targets at any magnification. If this was an SFP reticle it's pretty well useless to have division lines. That being said I wish my scope was a 25x not a 15x because at 300 yards I can't see the holes I'm punching in paper and therefor cannot measure distances with my reticle.
An SFP scope would be useless in all but the 1 magnification so it gets confusing trying to scale anything.
I have quick detach Leupold rings on my scope which will be great if ever I purchase another rifle. I can remove the scope in seconds and it seems to keep zero, so that may be an alternative to spending another $750 on a dedicated scope.
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First focal plane has become dominant in Precision Long Range shooting matches. I would recommend that you consider that. If you have a reticle that you can use for windage it will only be accurate at a specific magnification if you go with 2nd focal plane. If your reticle does not have a windage scale it is a non issue.
OB -
All greats points on the FFP scopes (agree with all…) but the OP mentioned he didn't need the ranging capabilities of a FFP scope, he already as one in the Vortex PST. I'm interpreting his post as he's just looking for a 2nd scope for target shooting. He can always switch if he needs a FFP ranging reticle if he's ever in a shooting situation that requires it.
For paper punching and target shooting at pre determined ranges a 2nd focal plane scope will do everything you need it to. You can even stretch this out considerably if you know your target dimensions and practice. I've shot a 2nd FP scopes for years in all hunting and target shooting situations before I finally bought my FFP scope. I only use my FFP scopes for hunting, I don't shoot any competitive long range so to have all my scopes as FFP's is complete over spending for my shooting.
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