Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Burris FF II vs FF E1 vs FF IV

So I am looking at a new scope for my groundhog gun. It is a 17 hornet, I want the capabilities of shooting 350 yards max. I had a Weaver Grand Slam on it, but could not get used to the fine crosshairs. I was looking at the Fullfield II and the Fullfield E1. I am thinking the 4.5-14 power should be about right. Seems like the main difference between the 2 models is the parallax adjustment is on the objective lens for the II and the E1 is a side adjustment. Any other real differences between the 2? I assume glass quality is the same? Also saw some Fullfield IV's in the 3-12x42, but am I right that those do not have a parallax adjustment?
Along with that question, if I were able to bump my budget up to $350, is there another scope that I should be looking at or will the Burris still be my best bet in that price range? I saw that Athlon has a Argos HMR 2-12x42 - BDC 600A SFP MOA for $339, or a Talos BTR 4-14x44 - APLR2 FFP IR MIL for $299....would either of these be gaining me much more than the Burris for my needs?

4-16, Japanese made, FFP and $300 bucks
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020618738

The E1 is a great scope in all regards. Have several…..Among dozens of others. I find the eye relief a smidge short comparatively but it’s a non-issue. You can find them for around $200 occasionally….

I like the FF II reticle more for big game rifles. For varmint shooting, I think the E1 reticle is probably better. It's a little finer, and floats in the middle. Should work great on a .17 Hornet.

I agree with bowmanh about the FFII reticle. It's a little heavy for varmints/target.

You could get a SWFA 6x or 10X for your budget.

I have shot a pile of moose and caribou with both. I did not like the oversized scope caps on the E1. The windage cap bites into your wrist when carrying the gun by the receiver with the right hand. Low rings, it is also awkward topping off the internal mag of a hunting rifle.

The standard ff scope has the better ergonomics.

You can find them right now for $179.99 shipped.
Deal at Dunns
And this is the model with the full sized Ballistic Plex reticle, not the little floating Christmas tree.

Rex

tag

You can find them right now for $179.99 shipped.
Deal at Dunns
And this is the model with the full sized Ballistic Plex reticle, not the little floating Christmas tree.

Rex[/quote]

Saw that thread after posting. I’m $180 poorer…..

Went to a gun shop near me amd looked through the E1, and really liked it. One followed me home! I could have gotten it cheaper online, but like supporting the small shops near me!

Yesterday I chatted with a Burris rep and they told me that the IV model has the same dual spring setup that makes the previous Fullfield models hold zero so well. Apparently the dual springs is universal to all Burris scopes. From my conversation with the Burris rep, it sounds like the IV is a sound design and maybe even an improvement (take that with a grain of salt), but the real question will be whether or not the quality of manufacturing and quality control is there. The illuminated model is tempting, and the scopes are impressive in the store. They look nice and I thought the image quality was very good. I bet these scopes will sell well, since most buyers probably don't care where it's made.

If the IV scopes were Philippine made I would buy one in a heartbeat to try one out. The E3 ballistic reticle is similar to the E1 but improved as far as I can tell. As is, I am on the fence and leaning against buying one. The Fullfield II ballistic plex and the E1 reticle both are good enough, and they are tried and proven designs.

If the FFII has dual springs, it’s not currently listed in the description. No matter, they hold fine it seems. I would be more interested if the coatings were better on the newer ones.

I believe Burris was one of the first to use dual bias springs n their scopes or at least the first to advertise it in their FULLFIELD 2 models.

Might be they just wanted to make the E1 look better, so they stopped mentioning it.

I used to have a picture of a FULLFIELD 2 with a cut-out view of the internals if the scope. The FULLFIELD 2 does have have Dual-Bias springs.