You can then add Leupolds renowned Twilight Max HD Light System. Robert has over 15 years in Law Enforcement, with the past eight years as a senior firearms instructor for the largest police department in the South Eastern United States. Here are some rough benchmarks for what to expect. Close X. As for eye relief, this varies between 3.5-4.25-inches, which should be more than adequate for experienced hunters. There is a donut hole in the long-range, exposed turret scope market. When it comes to comparing this system with SFP (second focal plane) or Rear Focal Plane reticles, it's a matter of preference. This article contains affiliate links. There are a lot of options out there when it comes to FFP scopes. Another great scope, in my opinion, that was not included in this review, is the Nikko Stirling Diamond 4-16x43, HMD (half mil-dot) reticle. You can get a MOA version or an MRAD version. Overall, with all the different reticles Primary Arms generates, the simple mil dot has been a long-lasting option. It is this coating that affects light transmission. To justify a generous budget for an FFP scope, you should also look for other features and overall quality that will support your shooting requirements. What loyalists love about the brand is that they're extremists. Those new to the world of rifle scopes have a tendency to go for top-end variable magnification that is too high for their needs. You must look at other features that would be appropriate for your type of shooting. Free shipping for many products! Its popularity shows why many hunters place it in their best first focal plane (FFP) scopes list. In terms of recommendations, anyone on a tight budget (or shooters wanting to test the FFP waters) will do well to take a very close look at the, SLx3.5 4-14X44mm FFP Rifle Scope With Illuminated R-Grid 2B Reticle From Primary Arms. It's much easier to do this when you can actually see the marks and dots on your crosshairs. Choosing a scope based on the FFP reticle alone is a mistake. Its overkill just for hunting with, but its your prerogative. This means that when using an FFP reticle as you zoom in on your target, the reticle becomes larger. Leupold certainly does not stand still when it comes to offering customers choice. 24 MIL elevation and windage adjustment travel, HD glass, Zero stop. 5. The illuminated BDC Segmented Circle FFP reticle is powered by an included CR2032 battery. Thanks to the multi-coated ED optics, quality imaging is yours in any environment or light conditions. This quality optic has been tested to exacting military standards and protocols. To help you narrow down that choice, lets take a look at five key factors that need to be considered. The side adjustable parallax feature allows instantaneous adjustments while allowing you to keep your shooting position. The MIL-XT reticle version comes with red DigIllum illumination only. 292.99. The included EOTech Red LED illuminated Speed Ring reticle is powered by an included CR2032 battery. This is a must-have feature for those in PRS matches and long-range, precision shooting. Look for a scope that has high-quality materials and features. Arken stands behind their product 100%: 1) they provide a lifetime . While any of the scopes on this list will serve most shooters well, theres no denying that Vortex Optics Viper PST is the best front focal plane scope that you can buy. This will give around 500 hours of use. All content cited is derived from their respective sources. The larger the zoom ratio, the more versatile one scope can be. That being the case, there are variable magnification FFP scopes just waiting to be part of your armory! It's not cheap nor is it for the faint of heart shooter. Not all shooters are blessed with bottomless budgets. Our testers found this scope to be an excellent value for the money, but its not the least expensive option showcased here. Investment is certainly a consideration with the Mark 5HD 5-25X56mm optic. Top-end options easily run to ten times that cost (and much more!). He is the owner of Brave Defender Training Group LLC, providing advanced firearms and tactical training. The super fine APMR FFP IR MIL reticle is glass etched. The first image is from the $500 4-1444 Atibal Apex. . It is not as robust as our testers would have liked to see, so we would suggest upgrading it at some point, especially if youre doing any kind of backcountry hunting where your gear can take a true beating. The difference in models relates to non- and illuminated options with a wide reticle choice. As the popularity of long-range shooting (generally over 500 yards) has increased, so has the need for optics that enable shooters to get on target at greater and greater ranges. A zero stop is also a feature that is considered a premium add-on, so it's no surprise that you're not getting it here. Coming with variable magnification of between 1 and 6x, it has a 30mm main tube diameter and a 24mm objective lens. This FFP scope gives shooters top-quality materials, build quality, and premium features at a fair price. Adding to its value is the additional technology Vortex puts into the glass and image quality. Sig Sauer TANGO-DMR 3-18x44mm MOA Milling 2.0 Illum 1/4MOA FFP Mark 6 Riflescope | Leupold Measuring just 10.63-inches in length, 2.6-inches in width, and 2.1-inches in height, it weighs in at only 19.75 ounces. Made in Japan, it has a durable hardcoat anodized black finish and is waterproof as well as shock and fog-resistant. If youre just going to the range, then the mount may be just fine. From the outset, decide on a sensible upper price limit of what you are prepared to pay. No problem at all, just check out our reviews of the Best Scope for M1A M14, our Best Scout Scope Reviews, the Best 300 Win Mag Scopes, the Best 223 Scope for the Money, the Best Armasight Thermal Imaging Scopes, or the Best Scope for AR 10 on the market in 2023. The ATACR scope is heavy. Sightron SIII PLR 6-24x50 FFP Zero Stop Scope Review by BigJimFish - Snipers Hide | Sniper's Hide Forum Disclaimer Important! Users will find it quite easy to see and maintain subtensions regardless of the zoom magnification setting they are on. Move to higher power and excellent accuracy along with quality image resolution is yours. You are getting a scope that is honed from quality aluminum. However, anyone who is prepared to invest more will surely benefit from the, Viper PST Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescopes From Vortex Optics. Rifle Scopes - Cheapest FFP 34mm scope with Zero Stop turrets? It is also packed with useful features that include laser-etched turrets, adjustable parallax, the Vortex RZR zero stop feature, and a fast-focus eyepiece. The FFP R-Grid 2B Red LED illuminated reticle is powered by an included CR2032 battery. If your scope is defective, fails to perform, or suffers non-cosmetic damage that affects its function, during normal use - we will replace your scope at no charge to you! Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD, comparing this system with SFP (second focal plane), How to Sight In A Scope & How To Mount A Scope (Includes Videos), Nikon ProStaff 4-12X40mm Black Matte Riflescope (BDC) - Model 6729, Nikon Monarch 3 4-16x42mm BDC Rifle Scope with Side Focus (Model 6770), Nikon Prostaff 7 4-16x42 BDC Riflescope w/ 30mm Body (Model #16324), Simmons 8-Point Truplex Reticle Riflescope 3-9x40mm (Model 510513). Both features will quickly give confidence when it comes to precise targeting over those more testing long-distance shots. The details matter when shooting long-range targets, and having a first focal plane riflescope helps you get the details right. Sightron SVIII ED 5-40x56 FFP IR Zero Stop - Optics-Trade - United States It also eliminates up to 90% more glare than other scopes offer. 30 mm tube, Zero stop, 20 MIL adjustment travel, XD glass elements. Bench rest shooters may not be too concerned about the optimal weight a scope will add to their weapon. Magnification range on the scope is 6.5-2050. This is further enhanced by easy access LED brightness settings that have an off position between each setting level. The included fiber optic rotation indicator also means ease of turret tracking position. Once you've read this article and when you're looking for more, I highly suggest our write up on the best 1-8 ffp scope options on the market today. Every hunter is familiar with Vortex and especially their Diamondback line of optics. With the RZR zero stop system, 30 mm tube, and 20 MILS in adjustment travel, it falls right in line with other high-end FFP scopes for the money. A final FFP scope benefit worthy of mention comes through its effectiveness at virtually any range. When talking about FFP and SFP scopes, this refers to where the reticle is situated. Leupold offers six different reticle choices. The heat-treated one-piece 30mm tube is constructed from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. For tactical rifles, then, we prefer something with a beefer reticle, preferably one that is illuminated, to give the greatest flexibility when shooting in poor light conditions. One such scope is the Ares BTR 4.5-27x50. Many FFP reticles are laser-etched onto glass further adding to the expensive costs of a scope. Learn how your comment data is processed. This comes through good quality optics that come in at very attractive prices. Extreme high power and a side focus give you the ability to see further with more detail and focus at any range. FFP scopes can get shockingly expensive. We got our hands on one to physically test out in the field. Many hunters find that the variable magnification of between 4-16x and 44mm objective lens is ideal for their needs. 3-inch Sunshade. The Argos might just be the solution optic to your shopping dilemma. The reticle is a simple, non-illuminated mil-dot reticle with 1 mil dot increments. This is because they are generally far more robust and durable than SFP scopes and are ready to withstand the most testing of hunting conditions. This past week, the newest Ares series in 2.5-15x 50mm is supposed to have arrived. 34 mm tube, wide 120 MOA elevation and 80 MOA windage adjustment travel, MOAR reticle. 40 mm mount rings for Picatinny Rail. Athlon is a welcome brand to many shooters who need high quality without being ripped off in the process. If the sound of ringing steel from a distance is a sound you live for, an FFP reticle might be for you. No problem, illuminating the reticle could not be easier. It will work for hunters and it will work for long-distance range shooting or competition shooting. How Do You Use a LPVO Scope: All You Need to Know FFP scopes with high power are best suited for those shooting long-range distances. Without getting too technical, the major difference between the two is that the size of an FFP reticle appears to change as you move through the levels of magnification. More Reading: Best 1-8 FFP Scopes. Any shooter on a tight budget (or those just testing the FFP water) will love this scope! Crosshairs will increase in size as you crank up the power. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Arken Optics EP5 5-25X56 FFP MIL VPR Illuminated with Zero Stop - 34mm Tube at the best online prices at eBay! Turrets are superbly crisp and tactile. When choosing a rifle scope, you have a host of considerations to take into account. Sponsored. Shooters will benefit from a quality eyepiece featuring enhanced engraving as well as two trademark features an integrated Power Throw Lever (PTL) and an XtremeSpeed thread to allow rapid diopter adjustment. Quality glass is a must, but that needs pairing with quality lens coating. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm MOA Riflescope - 13 Models - Most Versatile First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope NightForce ATACR 5-25x56mm F1 ZeroStop Riflescope - 6 Models - Best Premium First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope EOTech Vudu 1-624 FFP Precision Riflescope - 7 Models - Best 3 Gun Competition First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope Not a bad compromise considering everything else you're walking away with on the Argos! While there are tons of cheap optics available within your price range, finding the gems within the junk is the trick to a good buy and making the most out of your budget. This can be a problem depending on your mounting configuration and accessory set-up. . The cost savings must be seen somewhere, right? Depending upon the variable magnification chosen, you then have a choice of MOA or MRAD reticles. The RS.1 combines the high-end features of a premium rifle scope and a tactical rig to make it suitable for hunters in the field or shooters getting into the long-range game. The 9 Best New Hunting Binoculars Put to the Test The 8 Best New Spotting Scopes Put to the Test 1. This compact optic is a perfect match. Allen wrench for knob and zero stop adjustments. With a 30mm tube, you have 17.5 mils in elevation and windage travel. Once youve decided that you want a first focal plane optic in general, and determine the price point and application is a good fit, the thing I look for next is the kind of reticle that it comes with. What to look for in an FFP rifle scope, The American Firearms Guide to Shotgunning, Illumination of reticle could be brighter, Illuminated Focal plane reticle in both red and green, The included scope mount isnt super sturdy, Lacks some of the features of high-dollar options, Illuminated rangefinding focal plane reticle. The scope is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, and our testers experience with Leupold products made it clear that this scope will withstand the beating of a multi-day backwoods hunt with ease. Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50mm I knew nothing of Athlon Optics before one of my friends purchased the scope seen here. For an explanation on the differences between the two, check out our Reticle Guide here. Wind/Elevation travel at 100 yards is classed as 70 MOA. It gives excellent recoil resistance and has been tested to withstand 1,000G recoil for 1,000 rounds. DISCOVERY HD 4-24X50SFIR FFP Zero Stop Hunting Rifle Scope for .50BMG Still, the Athlon Optics Argos scope is priced considerably lower. Free shipping. It is an effective combination of a horseshoe shape with a chevron center. It's not as difficult as you may think to wrap your head around FFP scopes. Besides, who are you kidding? Our testers found the RZR Zero Stop feature of the Viper to be excellent. There is a choice of reticles, and the one this review will concentrate on is the ACSS Raptor M2 version. Arken Optics SH4 GEN2 4-16X50 Rifle Scope FFP VPR Illuminated Reticle with Zero Stop 34mm Tube Brand: Arken Optics 22 ratings | 6 answered questions -28% $29999 List Price: $414.99 Size: NO SHIRT Style: Scope Only (MIL) See more About this item Reticle Details: VPR MIL Turret Adjustment: 1/10 MIL Elevation Adj. The FFP reticle is going to increase in size as you crank up the power, and you'll need to pay attention to the glass-etched, illuminated MRAD reticle if you're serious about taking advantage of accurate holdover points. How we select gear. You're on a hunt for a bargain but you're not going to compromise on specific features you need to get out further and practice holding over. You get between 5 and 25x variable magnification, a 35mm main tube, and quality 56mm objective lens. This highly effective system gives an extra 30 minutes of shooting light at the beginning and end of the day. As for the non-illuminated Ballistic Plex E1 FFP reticle, this gives hunters the ability to accurately compute target distances at any magnification while also providing trajectory and windage reference points. With its max of 15x magnification, 30 mm tube, and 100 MOA of elevation travel, it's still a very attractive and impressive scope, and it all helps to keep weight down. Its price is justified due to the fact that its quality is so high. Best Overall: Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Best Value: Sniper ZT Most Affordable: Monstrum G2 Best Build Quality: Leupold VX-3i LRP Easiest to Use: Athlon Optics Ares BTR FFP Scope Reviews 1. Those who put themselves through harsh and testing hunting conditions will also benefit from FFP scope use. The Ares ETR First Focal Plane rifle scope is loaded with features that will allow you to take your long range shooting to another level.