Re: FFP on lower power scope
I have no use for an SFP scope in any magnification range. Implemented properly, an FFP reticle will be visible down at lower magnification. Case in point, IOR's MP8-X1 at 1x:
The reality is, that when you've dialed down to a magnification below 3ish, you're likely shooting at a close distance where even a duplex reticle would do the job.
The real advantage of FFP is speed, and to fully take advantage of all of it's uses, you need a reticle like the one above. Something like the regular MP8 lets you measure and correct, which is nice. But, you're not going to see a huge difference between shooting an SFP scope and an FFP one if all of your shooting is deliberate type shooting where you have all of the time in the world to think about math and adjust turrets. Is just makes things a bit easier and more convenient.
Where you will see a huge difference between the two is in situations where you don't have time to make a turret adjustment, when making one cost you the opportunity to get off a shot before your target disappears. This may be a target that's running for cover, is just exposing itself momentarily, or maybe you want to engage several targets at multiple distances very quickly. That is where FFP (with a proper reticle) really shines. With a reticle like the one above, you have something that you can use like a BDC at any magnification, instead of touching the turrets. Just keep your turrets zeroed when you're moving, and if you need to engage something quickly, you can just shoulder the rifle, start firing and use the reticle for lead, elevation and wind holds.
I wouldn't buy an SFP scope, but I also wouldn't buy an FFP one with a simple reticle like the MP8. If you want all of the advantages of FFP, you need a reticle that lets you do combinations of elevations + target lead + wind holds.
