FFP or SFP for Kids Rifle?

[OV11]

Looking for recommendations for FFP or SFP for a kids rifle build. Anyone have experience with their kid having better success with one or the other?

Thanks.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

My experience suggests that ...
Fixed power is less stuff for the kid to have to manage, and
Parallax-free red-dot scopes are handy too depending on usage.

If using a scope setup for a maximum point blank range then it doesn't matter what focal plane (simple for the kid), and if dialing then the scope should be FFP (but is your kid dialing?).

 

[Nine Banger]

I'm watching this thread.

My boys rifles are at LRI getting fluted to reduce weight.

They've been running red dots.

They want scopes.

I picked up 3-9x42 SWFAs but will probably put fixed 6's on them if they restock soon.

I like the idea of simplicity but I imagine the boys will love screwing around with the zoom feature on the 3-9x.

 

[Bugger]

Following.
I’ve been kicking around what to get for my kids to learn on too. So far thinking a 2-10ish duplex with the small illuminated red dot and exposed elevation turret. That way they just put the dot on the target and it can dial to eliminate thinking of holdovers.
Curious to see what’s worked for others.

 

[philson208]

simplicity rules. I put a fixed six on the rifle my kids shoot, and help with dialing if needed, but less to mess with is best in my opinion. point and shoot.

 

[passinggas33]

Simplicity is good. But for now, IF my kid wants to dial, I use a SFP. I think it is is initially easier for them to understand. But we aren’t currently dialing long distances.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I'm watching this thread.

My boys rifles are at LRI getting fluted to reduce weight.

They've been running red dots.

They want scopes.

I picked up 3-9x42 SWFAs but will probably put fixed 6's on them if they restock soon.

I like the idea of simplicity but I imagine the boys will love screwing around with the zoom feature on the 3-9x.

i don't think my kids have realized that the 3-9's can zoom.

 

[HuntHarder]

SFP is much easier to see at all magnifications if you chose variable. My kids aren't allowed to shoot long range yet, as I want them to develop some hunting skills first, before they rely on shooting skills. I am in the process of getting my 6 Y.O boy's gun set up. A simple 3-9 with capped turrets is what he will get in SFP.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Fixed power scope is what works very well for younger and inexperienced shooters. They don't need to be worrying about "zoom" as apart of the shot process, truthfully neither do adults unless targets are VERY small.

There's a recipe for success with shooting rifles and building good fundamentals... Worrying about zooming a scope in and out is not apart of this recipe. That's a niche need for shooting in general.

 

[jfk69]

The less they have to think about the better. I’d do a fixed magnification, lower power scope. Teach them to shoot first before they get overload with zoom, PA and dialing.

 

[Ajsomp]

Fixed powers are generally the easiest to get behind for new shooters- but a FFP 3-9/3-15 that you set a power for them and leave it at gives them a scope they can learn and grow into without having to change it later. That being said - I use a 6x scope and it still works plenty fine for me hunting.

 

[Shortschaf]

fixed power until they learn how to put their head behind a scope on demand (can't teach that, practice makes perfect)

Then a 3-9 SWFA for a budget friendly, good FFP scope that they won't outgrow until they can buy their own scope.

skip the SFP unless you only ever shoot MPBR and don't need wind holds

 

[SloppyJ]

I pit a 3x9 credo on my son's 223 tikka. It's perfect and in SFP. For now, that's all he needs. Try to keep it as simple as possible and it worked out really good last year.

I would like to take him to the range to shoot steel. I feel that SFP will help him have less variables and start to learn how things work. Plus if he is going to use holdovers, 9x isn't crazy. I would never give him a 25x SFP scope. The 3x9 is approachable and will have accurate holds at full power when we're ready.

I'm sure he will see me dialing and want something similar. If he gets into it and shoots with me often he will get a FFP in mils. I'm not going to subject this poor boy to MOA just to learn mils later in life like my dad and grandpa did. But to be fair, they didn't know better.

 

[TaperPin]

For a new shooter I’m with the others and the fewer things to think about the better. I don’t hesitate locking a power ring down with electrical tape. There’s so many things going through their mind, it’s one less thing to worry about.

Kids or inexperienced adults - without the experience and good judgement to know when to crank the power up, they will automatically dink with it every shot, as if zooming in is a prerequisite of a good shot. It is funny to watch though. lol

 

[Jbuck]

I used sfp for teaching my oldest boy and ffp for my younger two boys. I think the ffp is easier to teach on IF THEY CAN CLEARLY SEE THE RETICLE. Coaching on holding over vs taking time to dial is easier with FFP. Granted my youngest is 8yo now, he started getting the hang of it. My 12yo can be given calls and he will know what to do. I usually have them dial or hold elevation and we always hold for wind.

So the ffp nx8 was a little hard to see at the bottom end, but the Vortex pst gen2 3-15 was great. The leupold illuminated TMR was another good ffp reticle we used.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Keep It Stupid Simple