For those who don't know, are interested, or generally confused; hopefully this may help you.
FFP = First Focal Plane
SFP = Second Focal Plane
The scopes that most everyone here knows, are SFP scopes. This means that regardless of what magnification you are on, relative to the target, the reticle always stays the same size.
A FFP scope has the reticle grow or shrink in size, relative to the target, as you zoom.
What's the difference?
SFP scope reticles match their adjustments at only one magnification; usually max. Any other magnification, and your adjustment is different. Most scopes aren't exact anyway, so if your scope says it's a 3-9x, is it actually? Or is it really a 2.5-8.5x? If you don't know, you can't do some math and know the difference. So if you are shooting at something, and you miss by 2 hash marks in the reticle, how far did you really miss by? Unless at the calibrated zoom level, you don't know.
If you use a FFP scope the reticle grows and shrinks with zoom, BUT relative to the target, it never changes size. So at ANY magnification, if you see that you missed your shot by 2 hash marks, simply adjust that amount.
Here are some visual examples. Trying to hold a rifle, and a cell phone isn't easy, but you'll get the point
First Focal Plane, 4x and something like 10x
As you can see at either magnification, the horizontal bars are slightly over 1 mil in height.
Now let's look at the SFP scope, this scope says 2.5x & 10x
Here we see less than 1 mil in height, and then about 1.5 mils once zoomed.
If you don't shoot distance, or don't need accurate adjustments/measurement, then do whatever makes you happiest. If it does matter to you, SFP makes little sense.
Regardless of what you choose, make sure your reticle and adjustments match. Having a mil reticle with moa adjustments is something much worse than ridiculous
Hopefully this helps someone.
Cheers
FFP = First Focal Plane
SFP = Second Focal Plane
The scopes that most everyone here knows, are SFP scopes. This means that regardless of what magnification you are on, relative to the target, the reticle always stays the same size.
A FFP scope has the reticle grow or shrink in size, relative to the target, as you zoom.
What's the difference?
SFP scope reticles match their adjustments at only one magnification; usually max. Any other magnification, and your adjustment is different. Most scopes aren't exact anyway, so if your scope says it's a 3-9x, is it actually? Or is it really a 2.5-8.5x? If you don't know, you can't do some math and know the difference. So if you are shooting at something, and you miss by 2 hash marks in the reticle, how far did you really miss by? Unless at the calibrated zoom level, you don't know.
If you use a FFP scope the reticle grows and shrinks with zoom, BUT relative to the target, it never changes size. So at ANY magnification, if you see that you missed your shot by 2 hash marks, simply adjust that amount.
Here are some visual examples. Trying to hold a rifle, and a cell phone isn't easy, but you'll get the point
First Focal Plane, 4x and something like 10x
As you can see at either magnification, the horizontal bars are slightly over 1 mil in height.
Now let's look at the SFP scope, this scope says 2.5x & 10x
Here we see less than 1 mil in height, and then about 1.5 mils once zoomed.
If you don't shoot distance, or don't need accurate adjustments/measurement, then do whatever makes you happiest. If it does matter to you, SFP makes little sense.
Regardless of what you choose, make sure your reticle and adjustments match. Having a mil reticle with moa adjustments is something much worse than ridiculous
Hopefully this helps someone.
Cheers
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