Hawke Frontier FFP 5–25x56 MIL PRO Scope
THE HAWKE FRONTIER FFP 5–25x56 MIL PRO is a long-distance scope with reticle in the first focal plane (FFP). It has a 30mm aluminium tube and overall length is 365mm without the supplied sun-hood. It weighs only 678g – rather light for a long-range scope.
For mounting purposes, you should note that the outer diameter of the objective housing is 64mm. Eye relief is 102mm – sufficient for use with heavy-recoiling rifles. The eyepiece has an adjustable diopter and can be locked in position by a locking ring.
The tactical-style turrets are milled for a secure hold and the white marks and numbers are easy to see. The elevation turret features a zero-lock stop. To make adjustments, you have to ‘unlock’ the turret by pulling it outwards before proceeding to make changes; clicks are tactile and audible. To lock it on the new setting, simply push the turret down. To set the elevation turret, zero the rifle using the turret adjustments until the point-of-impact coincides with point-of-aim. Now loosen the three screws on the turret cover until it rotates freely, lift the cover slightly and rotate to the 0 (zero) position, push it down and tighten the three screws.
To set the elevation zero-stop, remove the turret cover completely so that you can adjust the zero-stop ring. Loosen the three screws that hold the ring and then rotate the ring clockwise until it stops. Tighten the three ring screws. Replace the turret cover and make sure the 0 marker is aligned with the marker on the housing before tightening. The windage turret can now be set with the 0 mark aligned with the housing mark. The parallax adjustment ring is incorporated in the illumination adjustment ring on the left side of the turret housing. Parallax focus is from 14m to infinity and the CR2032 coin-style lithium battery is housed within this knob.
The glass is fully multi-coated (21-layers). I tested it on targets at 500m and the images were sharp and clear.
The magnification ring is clearly marked and fairly wide for convenient purchase, though a zoom lever is also supplied – fitting it is a one-minute task and it makes adjustments very easy. The scope housing is water-, fog- and shock-proof, and protected by a durable matte black finish.
THE RETICLE IS an illuminated Mil Pro offering six illumination levels with an OFF setting between each brightness level. The elevation and windage increments are 0.1MRAD with a total elevation and windage adjustment range of 19MRAD. Mounted on my 7x64 Brenneke equipped with a 0MOA Picatinny this would enable me to reach targets up to 1000m. I found the Christmas-tree style Mil Pro reticle clear and uncluttered. During bright sunny conditions, with the red illumination at its brightest, I could use the ‘Christmas tree’ effectively.
The reticle sub-tensions are spaced in 1, 0.5 and 0.25MRAD increments for use during range-finding and aiming off. A number marks every second MRAD increment on the lower vertical section to ensure fast acquisition when using the reticle for adjusting point-of-impact. The centre portion of the reticle has additional 0.25MRAD marks for fine windage aim-off.
The reticle also has a thicker outer post at the edge of the glass that helps with measuring target sizes. The lines on these outer posts indicate 0.2MRAD, 0.3MRAD, 0.5MRAD and 1MRAD.
With the scope mounted on my 7x64, I first zeroed it at 100m. Using a ballistic app, I calculated holdovers at 200m and 300m, dialled in and scored hits at both distances. Dialling back to 100m, I scored a hit within 25mm of the first shot. I repeated the exercise and the tracking remained true throughout.
Given the 14m parallax focus, I also mounted the Hawke on an Air Arms S400 air rifle for gong shooting at 25, 50 and 75m. After zeroing the air rifle at 25m, I made use of a wind-meter and ballistic app to calculate holdovers and windage corrections. I ran the same exercises as before and the scope tracked perfectly. Shooting out to 75m necessitated an elevation adjustment of 4.2MRAD and returning to zero (at 25m) resulted in shots landing on top of each other. The 4.2MRAD adjustment is roughly the same as that required for shooting at 600m with a .308 using 155gr bullets.
The wind was blowing fairly strongly, sometimes up to 14mph, and at stages up to 4MRAD windage adjustment was needed to get lead on the 75m gong. This was possible by dialling the adjustment in on the windage turret and when using the reticle only. It was clear that the turret and reticle were perfectly calibrated.
Studying the online reticle manual, I found guidelines to help shooters using .223 Rem, .243 Win and .308 Win, .17HMR rim-fire, .22LR HV, .22LR Subsonic and two categories of air rifle ammo.
Retailing for R15 469, it is good value for money given its quality glass and ability to track consistently, further enhanced by its user-friendly and practical first focal plane reticle. Locally, the Hawke Lifetime Guarantee applies provided you can produce proof of purchase. This scope is ideal for longrange shooters, whether novice or experienced. For more information or to find a stockist, contact National Cartridge Company on 065-964-9161.