Hawke Sidewinder scope

First focal plane scopes are becoming the choice of more and more rifle shooters. Mat Manning tries out the new FFP addition to Hawke’s popular Sidewinder range

It wasn’t very long ago that first focal plane (FFP) scopes were regarded as something of a niche product. There has been a shift over the years as more shooters cotton on to the advantages these optics offer. Hawke is never slow when it comes to offering customers exactly what they want, so it is no surprise to see its proven Sidewinder range bolstered by a pair of FFP scopes.

For those who aren’t familiar with FFP scopes, these optics are configured with the reticle in front of the magnification lens. This means that, as the level of magnification is wound up or down, the size of the reticle changes in proportion with the target. The result is that the various aiming points you use to apply hold-over or hold-under to ensure that shots remain on target over varying ranges remain exactly the same whatever magnification setting you use. This is very handy for shooters like me who like to zoom in and out for different shooting scenarios. I’ve found it useful with my rimfire and even more so when compensating for the curved trajectory of a sub-12ft/lb air rifle.

The Sidewinder FFP is available in 6-24x50 and 4-16x50, and the latter is the subject of this review. Tipping the scales at 810g and measuring about 37cm from end to end, and equipped with a substantial 50mm objective lens and chunky 30mm tube for improved light transmission, it is not a compact scope but it didn’t feel unwieldy when mounted on my Weihrauch HW100 carbine.