First Vs Second Focal Plane Scope

There are many factors to consider when choosing a optic for your firearm. One important factor is whether you want a first or second focal plane scope. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before making a decision.

A first focal plane (FFP) scope has the reticle placed in the front of the optics. This means that the size of the reticle will change as you zoom in and out. This can be advantageous because it allows you to estimate range more accurately at any magnification.

The downside is that the FFP reticle may appear too small or too large at certain magnifications, which can make it difficult to use. A second focal plane (SFP) scope has the reticle placed in the rear of the optics. This means that the size of the reticle will stay constant as you zoom in and out.

The advantage of this is that the SFP reticle will always appear at a consistent size, making it easier to use. The downside is that you can only estimate range accurately at one specific magnification setting. Which type of scope is right for you depends on your preferences and needs.

If you need to be able to estimate range accurately at any magnification, then an FFP scope is a good option.

When shopping for a new scope, you may come across the terms first focal plane (FFP) and second focal plane (SFP). But what does this mean? And which is better for your needs?

Let’s take a look at the difference between these two types of scopes. First focal plane scopes have the reticle placed in front of the magnification lenses. This means that when you increase or decrease the magnification, the size of the reticle will also change.

This can be beneficial because it allows you to use the same point of aim at different magnifications – meaning you don’t have to re-zero your scope every time you change the magnification. However, one downside to FFP scopes is that they can be more expensive than SFP scopes. Additionally, because the reticle is constantly changing size, some people find it more difficult to use at lower magnifications.

Second focal plane scopes have the reticle placed behind the magnification lenses. This means that when you increase or decrease the magnification, The size of your crosshairs stays constant . Many shooters prefer SFP scopes for this reason – especially at long range where holdovers are critical.

However, because the reticle doesn’t grow or shrink with changes in magnification, if you’re using an SFP scope on a high-powered rifle like an AR-15, you’ll need to re-zero your scope each time you change magnifications. So which is better – FFP or SFP? Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what type of shooting you’ll be doing most often.

If you plan on doing a lot of long range shooting or regularly changing your magnification, an FFP scope might be a good choice for you.

Understanding First Vs. Second Focal Plane Reticles

Is First Or Second Focal Plane Scope Better?

In order to decide whether a first focal plane or second focal plane scope is better for you, it is important to understand the difference between the two. A first focal plane scope has its reticle placed in the front of the optical path, before the magnification lenses. This means that when you change the power setting on your scope, the size of your reticle will also change.

This can be an advantage because it allows you to use your reticle at any power setting and still be accurate. Second focal plane scopes have their reticles placed behind the magnification lenses. This means that when you change the power setting on your scope, the size of your reticle will stay constant.

Some people prefer this because they feel it makes it easier to estimate range. However, if you are using a holdover or BDC reticle with a second focal plane scope, then you will need to re-zero at different power settings which can be inconvenient. Ultimately, it is up to personal preference as to which type of scope is better for you.

Do Snipers Use Ffp Or Sfp Scopes?

When it comes to choosing a scope for their rifle, snipers have two main options: FFP (first focal plane) or SFP (second focal plane). Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so it really comes down to personal preference as to which one is best. FFP scopes are generally more expensive than SFP scopes, but they offer the advantage of being able to hold their zero better at different magnifications.

This is because the reticle is etched onto the glass lens itself, so it scales with the image as you zoom in and out. This means that you can make accurate shots at any magnification, whereas with an SFP scope the reticle will appear to be in a different place relative to the target at different magnifications. One downside of FFP scopes is that they can be harder to use in low light conditions due to the smaller field of view at higher magnifications.

They also tend to have a shorter eye relief, which can be an issue for some shooters. SFP scopes are less expensive than FFP scopes and offer a larger field of view at all magnifications. This makes them easier to use in low light conditions and they usually have longer eye relief too.

However, because the reticle is not etched onto the glass lens, it will appear in a different place relative to the target when you zoom in and out. This means that you need to re-zero your rifle every time you change magnification settings if you want to maintain accuracy.

Do Snipers Use First Or Second Focal Plane Scopes?

When it comes to choosing a scope for sniping, there is much debate over whether first or second focal plane scopes are better. There are pros and cons to each type of scope, and ultimately it comes down to personal preference. Here we will take a look at the differences between first and second focal plane scopes, so you can make an informed decision about which is right for you.

First focal plane scopes have the reticle placed in the front of the optics, near the eyepiece. This means that when you zoom in or out, the size of the reticle changes along with the image. This can be beneficial because it allows you to estimate range more accurately at different magnifications.

However, some shooters find this disruptive because it makes it difficult to keep track of where the center of the crosshair is located. Second focal plane scopes have the reticle placed near the rear of the optics. This means that when you zoom in or out, the size of the reticle remains constant while the image gets larger or smaller.

This can be helpful because it keeps your point of aim consistent at different magnifications. However, some shooters find this less precise for ranging because they have to estimate how much smaller or larger their target appears compared to when they’re not zoomed in. So which is better?

First or second focal plane? Ultimately, it’s up to you as the shooter to decide what works best for you. Experiment with both types of scopes and see which one feels more natural and provides more accurate results for you personally.

What is the Advantage of a First Focal Plane Reticle?

A first focal plane reticle has many advantages over a second focal plane reticle. The biggest advantage is that the reticle remains the same size at all magnifications, making it easier to range and estimate target sizes. This is especially important when shooting at long range, where even a small error in estimation can result in a miss.

Another advantage of a first focal plane reticle is that the subtensions (the markings on the crosshairs) remain accurate at all magnifications. With a second focal plane reticle, the subtensions are only accurate at one magnification, typically the highest. This can be very confusing for shooters who are constantly changing magnifications while trying to hold onto their target.

Lastly, first focal plane reticles are generally simpler and more robust than second focal plane reticles. Second focal plane reticles often have moving parts (such as the illumination knob on many scopes) which can break or get knocked out of alignment. First focal plane reticles don’t have any moving parts, so they’re much less likely to fail in the field.

Credit: www.shootinguk.co.uk

Do Snipers Use First Or Second Focal Plane

When it comes to sniper rifles, there is much debate over which focal plane is superior. The first focal plane (FFP) places the reticle in the front of the scope, while the second focal plane (SFP) places the reticle in the back. So, which one should snipers use?

There are pros and cons to both FFP and SFP scopes. FFP scopes offer constant holdover/come-up regardless of magnification, but they can be more difficult to see at lower magnifications. SFP scopes are easier to see at lower magnifications, but the holdover/come-up will change as you adjust the magnification.

In general, FFP scopes are better for long-range shooting and SFP scopes are better for close-range or mid-range shooting. However, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what works best for you and your rifle.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing a riflescope, there are two main types of focal planes to choose from: first focal plane (FFP) and second focal plane (SFP). Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand the difference between the two before making a purchase. First focal plane scopes are typically more expensive than second focal plane scopes, but they offer a number of advantages.

One major advantage is that the reticle remains in proportion to the target at all magnifications. This means that you can use the reticle for holdovers and windage adjustments at any magnification, which can be extremely helpful in long-range shooting. Another advantage of FFP scopes is that they typically have larger field of views at lower magnifications.

This makes them ideal for hunting applications where you need to be able to scan large areas for game. However, there are also some disadvantages to using an FFP scope. One downside is that because the reticle is always in proportion to the target, it can appear very small at lower magnifications.

This can make it difficult to acquire targets quickly or shoot accurately at close range. Additionally, FFP scopes tend to be bulkier and heavier than SFP scopes due to their complex optical designs. Second focal plane scopes don’t have as many bells and whistles as FFP scopes, but they are typically less expensive and offer their own set of advantages.

One advantage is that because the reticle does not resize with changes in magnification, it remains visible and easy-to-use at all power settings. This makes SFP scopes much simpler to use than FFP models and ideal for shooters who don’t require all the extra features offered by an FFP scope.