The point of the original post was S&B's missing a measured FFP hunting reticle in a scope that should have it. I should have stayed on point.
I've been using them for a very long time.
I was pretty shocked when they upped there eye relief from 3.15 to 3.6. that was 20 years ago.
They just don't respond to the market. I've talked to the guys in Virginia. The home office has been told what would fly off the shelf here.
You don't see it .
And you probably won't.
It's just the way they roll.
The fixed 10x PMII is excellent if you can live with ,10 power..
I've taken a shine to the fixed 8x56.
But then I'm not clicken and dicken.
Dave
They do pay attention to the market, but S&B is not a very large company and they take their time.
I did ask them whether they plan to offer this model in FFP, but there are currently no plans to do so. That having been said, I still plan to test this one and I should be able to do so toward the end of the year. I think they are supposed to hit the market around SHOT Show of thereabouts, but I have a mule deer and elk hunts in November, so I am scheming to get one here in time for that.
I would also prefer it in FFP, to be honest, but as is, it caught my interest because it is notably lighter that typical from S&B. I really want to see how well they pull it off.
As far as whether they will ever make something like this in FFP, I would not discard it right out of hand. I think they can be persuaded if the market is there. Once I have it in my hands, and if I like the scope, I will look into it a little bit and see if I can make a good argument for them. Personally, I think the crossover market is there. A good example of that is the success of Vortex Razor HD-LHT 4.5-22x50.
ILya
Yes, the weight was one of the reasons it caught my eye. Lack of FFP and measured reticle made me look away.
The "crossover market" of hunters who like to shoot, often and at distance, that you mentioned is an area that a lot of scope companies are missing. Different preferences for different people but the following should be a rough outline for the crossover market scope:
1. Reliable - perfect adjustments, return to zero, and zero retention. The ability to take a beating should be a given.
2. FFP
3. Measured reticle in mil's with adjustments in the same. Should be designed to be visible in low light with bold outer bars limited in width from center - no more than 5 mils from center. Inner sections fine enough for holds at distance. If illuminated, limited illuminated area with extremely low illumination for use in low light. Overall, illumination shouldn't be a requirement for the reticle to be seen, only to pinpoint point of impact in low light.
4. As light as possible while still maintaining reliability.
I think Tangent Theta's Long Range Hunter is a really, really good design, though I'd prefer a 42 mm objective for a little less weight and trimmer scope, perhaps finer inner section and limit the illumination to only the inner mil, but it's a really good design overall.....reliability and toughness being the biggest "if".
Bushnell's LRHS is a really good design as well.
S&B's Klassic 3-12 FFP P3 with a BDC is close but could use more elevation adjustment. A 30mm PMII 3-12x42 would be very nice.
NF's 2.5-10x42 NXS would be great if it was FFP and had better reticle options.
Again, different preferences for different people, just my $.02
