First Focal Plane or Second Focal Plane?

by
posted on July 10, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
focal_plane_debate.jpg

A riflescope’s reticle is placed in either the first focal plane (FFP) or the second focal plane (SFP). The main difference between them is that an SFP reticle will appear to be the same size regardless of magnification. With an FFP reticle, the size of the reticle will appear to change as the scope’s magnification is changed.

Most American hunters are familiar with SFP, as that style has been the most common in American hunting scopes for generations. The FFP reticle has become very popular with long-range shooters, and as we are adopting their techniques, this reticle is gaining favor with hunters wishing to shoot at long range.

With an SFP reticle, the spacing for holdover in the reticle is only correct at one magnification, usually the highest setting. If the scope’s magnification is set lower, the size of the reticle relative to the target changes and the increments of the spacing will change. You can use a mathematical formula to figure out the spacing for each of the power settings, but it becomes complicated and confusing and is no good for hunting.

If you do all your long-range shooting only at the highest magnification, this is not an issue and an SFP scope will work fine. One advantage is that you have a strong and easy-to-see reticle even at the lowest magnification.

An FFP reticle appears to grow larger or smaller as the scope’s magnification is increased or decreased, respectively. In reality, the reticle maintains the same perspective with the target size throughout the magnification range. That means the holdover points remain the same throughout the range of magnification. For example, the 6 MOA line is at 6 MOA on the lowest setting, the highest setting and everything in between.

The downside of an FFP reticle is it appears small and thin at low power and gets thicker at high power, so it can be hard to see at the low settings and can cover too much target at the highest setting. For hunters, the low-magnification setting is often just as important as the high-magnification setting, so make sure you look at the reticle at all power settings before buying an FFP scope. Some have illuminated reticles, which help at low power.

If you use the dial-up technique for long-range shooting both reticles will work just fine as the dial adjustments are not affected by the type of reticle.

Latest

VX6 HD Gen 2 Lede
VX6 HD Gen 2 Lede

Hardware Review: Leupold VX-6HD Gen 2

This year Leupold introduced the VX-6HD Gen 2 series of scopes. Read our Hardware review of it here.

First Look: MDT Timbr Core Rifle Stock and Core Bottom Metal

MDT has announced that the Timbr Core Rifle Stock and Core Bottom Metal are now available.

#SundayGunday: Burris Signature HD 15x56mm Binocular

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re taking a break from things that go bang and setting our sights on a key piece of gear for spotting your quarry, the Burris Signature HD 15x56mm Binocular.

First U.S. Citizen Contracts New World Screwworm

On Aug. 24 HHS confirmed a Maryland resident—who recently traveled to El Salvador—is the first documented human case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States. Presence of the parasitic larvae (maggots) was confirmed on Aug. 4 after studies conducted by the CDC and the Maryland Department of Health.

Thermal Hogs: Armasight After Dark

In the Red River region of East Texas and Oklahoma, Brian McCombie sorts heat signatures with Armasight thermal optics.

How to Navigate the Backcountry Without Batteries

Whether it’s a lack of connectivity, or the dreaded dead battery, things can get hairy when the electronics aren’t working and you are deep in the unknown. We look at some simple means of finding direction to be used as a backup to electronic devices.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.