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Focal planes
- Thread starter nathaniel
- Start date
First Focal Plane, the reticle is in the same focal plane as your target meaning that the reticle can change size with magnification.
Second Focal Plane, the reticle is not in the same focal plane as your target meaning that the reticle stays the same size no matter the magnification.
I don't know of any cheap first focal plane scopes.
Jimro
Second Focal Plane, the reticle is not in the same focal plane as your target meaning that the reticle stays the same size no matter the magnification.
I don't know of any cheap first focal plane scopes.
Jimro
mapsjanhere
New member
First focal plane scopes allow you to easily judge the size of the target (and the distance) at any magnification (since the reticle and image stay the same size regardless). Typically only used in tactical scopes where fast target distance estimation is essential.
FFP scope reticles measurements are the same regardless of magnification. On my USO SN-3 for instance at 3x a Mil is a Mil at 17x a Mil is still a Mil. Second plane scopes also magnify the target as zoom in, and the milling reticle or MOA reticle can only be used on a certain magnification. So if your milling a target or using hold overs you had better be on the correct magnification (usually the highest). One might think they will use their scope on the highest power most of the time, which shooting at a given distance on a paper you would. But out in the field you will want your power down a little to spot splash or a wind change, yet still being able to use the reticle holdover without taking the time to adjust the magnification. As stated above mostly needed for tactical or practical long range shooting situations. You wouldn't need or necessarily want one per say for benchrest. The reticle seems to "Grow" when increasing magnification, it varies from person to person.
There are some very pricey SFP scopes out there (NF) but generally FFP scopes will run you more, but after using one I wouldn't have it any other way and if i could i would never go back to SFP, that being said i would have to be a wealthy person, non the less a SN-3 1.8-10x37mm would be so wicked on my SPR.
There are some very pricey SFP scopes out there (NF) but generally FFP scopes will run you more, but after using one I wouldn't have it any other way and if i could i would never go back to SFP, that being said i would have to be a wealthy person, non the less a SN-3 1.8-10x37mm would be so wicked on my SPR.
So the scope I have right now you have to have it on 10x to use the mils correctly. I have it on a 308 win and at 300 yards I have to use the first mil dot on 10x to hit dead center. If I had a first facal plane scope I would have to hold 1 mil dot on any magnification to hit dead center at 300 yards. Or am I misunderstanding you guys?
More than likely yes your magnification at which you could mil and use your reticle is 10x, but some scopes do specify. I have a Nikon buckmasters 6-18x40mm if you look at the magnification adjustment measurements it has MIL written parallel to the measurement 12x, so therefore to use my reticle holdovers or mil a target i would have to have the scope on 12x. If your scope doesn't specify and your maximum power is 10x it more than likely is the magnification you would Mil at.
Yes if you had a FFP scope and you knew your holdover for a 300 yard shot was 1 Mil @ 300 yds, you could hold over 1 Mil regardless of magnification.
Yes if you had a FFP scope and you knew your holdover for a 300 yard shot was 1 Mil @ 300 yds, you could hold over 1 Mil regardless of magnification.