First or Second Focal Plane Scope?

[Big Browns]

I'm hoping some of you guys can help me decide what type of Focal Plane I will need. I know that in first focal scopes, the reticle shrinks and grows depending on magnification. Second Focal plane reticle does not change with magnification.

 

I want a scope that keeps the same point of impact on all magnification settings. Does that mean I want a First Focal plane?

 

 

[Evan]

You are correct, on a FFP scope your mil or moa markings will stay true and any magnification, vs a SFP scope markings only being true at the magnification the manufacture has set it for. Having a FFP is nice when trying to figure unknown distance at longer ranges (if you know your target size).

 

With a FFP scope, at full or higher magnifications the reticle will cover/hide more of the target. But if you know the distance you will hold the target at any magnification.

 

There has been a lot of talk over the years with the big influx of FFP to the american market. Basically is comes down to personal preference.

 

I have both FFP and SFP scopes and enjoy using both.

[AverageJoe]

The point of impact stays the same at any setting on either scope if you just use the crosshairs. If you use mil dots to range your target a ffp keeps the distance between mil dots the same at any power setting where second plane scopes do not. I only like second plane scopes cause i dont like a big ol reticle in my view when magnified but some do. I dont use my scope to range anything. I have a good rangefinder for that and i prefer regular plex style crosshairs.

[Big Browns]

I thought second focal scopes point of impact only stays the same if you keep the magnification setting on whaterver setting you sighted the gun in at. My Vortex Viper 6-20x50 impact does change depending on magnification. I have the scope sighted in on max power, when I try to shoot the same target at a lower magnification setting the point of impact changes.

[kwp]

Averagejoe hit the nail on the head. The POI of the crosshair will not change with either scope. If you are using mil dots or holdovers then the adjustment will be the same at any magnification using a first focal but will only work at your highest magnification with a second focal. The benifit to second focal is that the crosshairs will always be the same size. With first focal they adjust with magnification so you can get a big fat crosshair that will make it more difficult to precisley aim at a small target or a really fine crosshair that may be impossible to see during low light conditions.

 

I prefer the second focal because I have a good rangefinder and use turrets to make my adjustment so I want the consistent crosshair.

[Big Browns]

Thanks for setting me straight guys. Apparently I was completely wrong. Good for me, because a second focal plane scope is cheaper:)

[cbryant11]

The thing i look at is that sfp is cheaper and i have a range finder so i wont be trying to range with the scope and more than likely my power will be on the highest setting any ways

[AxisWorks LLC]

They both have there pros and cons.

 

Some don't like the thick reticle of the FFP scopes for precise shooting when on lower magnification.

With a SFP reticle, your wind holds are lost when you come off max magnification.

Its whatever works for you. Just make sure whichever one you buy you understand how it works. Especially if you go with a SFP and plan on using holdover for longer shots. (Mil dots, BDC etc.)

 

Now for my opinion for whatever its worth.

I personally like a FFP scope better for the consistent windage marks at all magnifications. I dial turrets for elevation and hold for wind. WIn Win that way in my opinion. I did shoot a javalina a couple weeks ago at 100 yards so I had to turn the scope all the way down to 6X and had no trouble with the thickness of the reticle when making the shot. Its not a big deal on the FFP to me but again to each their own.

 

Speedy.

[Dan]

I thought second focal scopes point of impact only stays the same if you keep the magnification setting on whaterver setting you sighted the gun in at. My Vortex Viper 6-20x50 impact does change depending on magnification. I have the scope sighted in on max power, when I try to shoot the same target at a lower magnification setting the point of impact changes.

Your POI should not change at from one magnification to another with a SFP or a FFP. I would get the scope checked out.

[Gr8 White Jr]

I thought second focal scopes point of impact only stays the same if you keep the magnification setting on whaterver setting you sighted the gun in at. My Vortex Viper 6-20x50 impact does change depending on magnification. I have the scope sighted in on max power, when I try to shoot the same target at a lower magnification setting the point of impact changes.

Your POI should not change at from one magnification to another with a SFP or a FFP. I would get the scope checked out.

 

 

+1

 

If your POI is changing when you change the magnification on the scope then there is something wrong with the scope.

 

-Tracy

[cbryant11]

Could be moving your head to get the site picture right and thats what changes poi