Thought this was very interesting and informative. I am not the author, just sharing as others might find it helpful and interesting.


http://www.scout.com/military/snipers-hi...ffp-rifle-scope


Re: Do you really "NEED" a FFP rifle scope.
Wednesday at 10:44 AM


FFP certainly has its application. As a law enforcement sniper and competitive shooter, I tend to separate my requirements. I DO NOT use FFP for work. I use SFP. For Tactical competitions, I absolutely use FFP.

For ELR shooting and hunting I prefer SFP.

For LE, having tried to use FFP, I found too many negatives. The environment for an LE sniper is not as dynamic as one would think. We are in a position of security and overwatch and 9 times out of 10 I am 120 yards or less with the majority being within 70 yards or less. We always want to minimize the containment zone and a larger containment zone typically means more civilian/non-threat presence. So closer is often better for the LE Sniper. Being closer requires more FOV and less magnification. On FFP, less magnification, often even minimum, means very thin crosshairs. Add in low light, shadows, dark trailer parks, wooded areas and the reticle is very hard to pick up quickly for a reactive shot.While an illuminated reticle is a benefit, is not always practical. For LE work, I can't remember when I had to utilize holds outside of training. I dial everything so FFP was negated. Due to liability concerns, we do not take long shots although we regularly train out to 600 yards. As LE Snipers our ROE and Liability are always at the forefront of our decision making process. We are not military snipers nor is our mission anything alike.

I much prefer the constant line thickness of the SFP riflescope for LE precision work.

For competitive purpose, FFP is invaluable as the situations that match directors like to utilize DO fully test your equipment and it IS a HUGE benefit.

While the FFP reticle has its advantages, it has its disadvantages on lower magnification too. So if you are an LE Sniper or hunter who may operate a good portion on lower magnifications at shorter distances, consider the mission and the environment and let that drive the equipment. My agency rifle has a Nightforce ATACR 5-25 SFP on it. I often operate at 5-12x and have been as close as 70 feet on glassfor prior deployments. I dial everything. I use higher mag for observation and identification if/when necessary. I have tried the Bushnell DMR3-21 and NF 15x F1. They were terrible choices and the entire team was in agreement. Other local teams have purchased FFP thinking that because the internet says FFP is a must for LE use, they had to have them only to find they had wasted their money and was to their detriment. It was not easy for them to get back in a good SFP scope which better fit their mission.

I am a firm believer in using an FFP when it fits. I have a few NF 4-16x42 F1's now and recently got rid of a Kahles 6-24. They are great for the tactical competition application and would be awesome if I was a military sniper. I personally would not choose them for LE work.

There is a lot of truth in that. His LEO/SNIPER experience is spot on with how my dept operates. Train for everything, and the longest distance you can, but try to minimize the room for error and get as close as you can. I like how he differentiates the need for FFP vs SFP, something a lot of Internet warriors will refuse to believe.

Good read.

Bottom line, use the right tool for the job, what ever the job is.

Makes sense. I have a FFP that is just hard to use for hunting (it's also 1-6) which just seems unnecessary

Which scope is it?

Not being a tactical sniper type, I prefer a sfp. If I'm going to shoot farther than 200 yards, my scope is going to be at max power.

Good thread. I do not anticipate ever taking a shot over 400 yards so FFP is out for me. If I were to be shooting at targets 600 yards and out I would have FFP.

Ok, I know I'm not the only one so I'll ask. WTF do the acronyms stand for?

Poison...FFP - first focal plane. SFP - second focal plane.

I have both types of scopes. I used SFP for decades, but switched to FFP on my primary hunting rifle a couple of years ago. I don't have any problem using either type. All I can see that's a big difference is that FFP will allow for much more precise bullet placement at distance (400 yards and beyond).

Thanks