Scope for long range shooting??

[DesertBull]

OK

 

Huskemaw uses a 1st focal plane

Grey Bull uses a 2nd focal plane

 

What are the advantages of each?

[Red Rabbit]

In a first focal plane scope, the reticle increases in size along with the image as the magnification increases. Thus a BDC type reticle can be used at any power.

 

In the second focal plane scope, only the image increases, not the reticle, as magnification increases. Thus a BDC reticle is calibrated to one certain power, usually max. Most US scopes are 2nd focal plane.

[DesertBull]

Is there any advantage to one or other when using turrets?

[Red Rabbit]

Jeff,

Not sure on the first focal plane as I have not seen one, but I think that as the reticle increases in size with magnification, it continues to cover up as much of the target, which could be a problem with distant targets.

 

Maybe 308nut or someone else has seen a ffp scope to give an opinion. I thought Gino got a huskemaw, but don't know if it's ffp.

 

Doug

[firstcoueswas80]

Like I have posted many times, IME, Zeiss is the only way to go!

[TAM]

I noticed the Huskemaw scope is 20X. From what I know, you must set your scope to max power to use the turret. Is this correct?

 

Seems a little high on the magnification for say a 300-400 yard shot. Do you find that it's a disadvantage to be at 20X for a 350 yard shot?

 

I noticed the Grey Bull is a 14X scope. Seems more versatile, IMO

 

 

I think RR did a pretty good job answering the first part of your question, but as for there being any disadvantage on using 20x for a 350 yard shot... I say no way!

 

I shot my coues deer this year at 198 yards with my Huskamaw on 20X and had no trouble finding him in the scope or holding on him once I found him... perfect shot!

 

I also shot my coues deer last year at 201 yards on 20X with no problems at all.

 

As long as you have a good rest I really don't see there ever being any problems.

[308Nut]

As far as FFP versus SFP reticles, I dont have a preference. Most guys choose a side so they can beat up on shooters that are on the other side, but I really dont care. I have used a couple of FFP and quite a few SFP. I am very familiar with SFP scopes. The reason I dont care is because my long range scope is just that, a long range scope. I use it while sitting on a mountain top waiting to pick something off. It is on maximum power at all times except when I have to get really close to something. If the situation is such that I need to get 1 on 1 with the critter then my scope becomes minimum power. Since it is zeroed for close shots and I am going to use the center crosshair it is dead on regardless of power. Most guys that prefer FFP scopes use holdovers versus dialing. They prefer holdovers because they dont trust the mechanisms in their scopes. My advice is if you cant trust the dials, then it isnt worth having. Dial problems is not somethig I personally have ever dealt with except on a springfield armory scope which I had of course before I knew any better.

 

The bottom line for me is that if it is far enough away for me to need a holdover or adjustment, it will be on full power anyway regardless of the focal plane status. When it is on full power, it simply does not matter. If it less than full power it is because I am close to the critter and will be using the middle. Again, it just doesnt matter. Some may argue that it may prevent you from making a mistake which is true, but where do you draw the line? You can make a mistake by using the wrong holdover by mis-counting because you were in a hurry. NOTHING is fool proof. If you make something idiot proof all you really do is make a better idiot.

 

Choose the scope you want and learn how to use what you do have. The focal plane on a scope isnt high on my list of priorities where repeatability, reliablity, consistency and durability are.

 

I also agree that there is no disadvantage to using 20X at 350 yards or 250 for that matter. It all depends on what youre doing for a given shot. For offhand shots at 100 yards 20X may be a bit cumbersome. When you have a steady rest, high power is not much of a concern unless youre less than 100 yards. If youre in that position with such a scope, youre probably in the minority as most of the time having a scope that big AND knowing what to do with it your shots will be 300 yards+.

 

 

FWIW, my 'go to' scope for years has been a fixed 10x. The original Leupold Mark 4 with M1 turrets and Mil-Dot. I have shot all my best 1000 yard groups with that scope. I think the old saying, "aim small miss small" applies here, albiet I did find this last December while adequete for coues bucks at 1/4 mile, was not as good as I would have liked. That said, I am going to give the 10X to my wife and I am going to get a Mark 4 fixed 16X with M1 turrets. My 338 Edge sports a 22X. I dont use the Edge much which is probably why I dont use the 22X much. I prefer my Mark 4, so it stays on the rifle I use the most.