Rifle Scopes Reticle Plane??
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Re: Reticle Plane??
A SFP reticle subtends correctly at one power setting. For example a Leupold 3.5-10 with a MILDOT reticle would work for ranging and hold at the 10 power.
A FFP reticle subtends correctly at any power. The reticle gets smaller on the lower power and larger on higher power. It can be used for ranging or holds at any power.
Which is better? Depends on how you want to use it. However, the FFP would be my choice. I just got a Vortex Razor and I can already tell you I won't be buying another SFP scope, or one with mismatched turrets.
A SFP reticle subtends correctly at one power setting. For example a Leupold 3.5-10 with a MILDOT reticle would work for ranging and hold at the 10 power.
A FFP reticle subtends correctly at any power. The reticle gets smaller on the lower power and larger on higher power. It can be used for ranging or holds at any power.
Which is better? Depends on how you want to use it. However, the FFP would be my choice. I just got a Vortex Razor and I can already tell you I won't be buying another SFP scope, or one with mismatched turrets.
Re: Reticle Plane??
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: whit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Which is better to have the Reticle, First Focal Plane or the Second focal Plane and why? I have heard people say that FFP is better but I don't understand why, I have an idea but don't know if its the reason so I wanted to know for sure. </div></div>
It is not a matter off one better than the other. It is about which is suitable to the job at hand.
When you have a fixed magnification both area about the same . When you have a variable magnification A FFP can be useful as any mil ranging type reticule will subtend the same amount at any power setting so you can range and aim anyplace that is convienient to see the target properly. If the reticule is placed in the SFP on a variable then there will be only one power where the reticule subtends the correct mil size and you have to use that one power to range but if that power is too low to see the target properly and you have to crank up the power to aim it means you have lost your reticule size to aim off . Usually they make the ranging power of a SFP scope around 10 power or at the top power . I usually range at the correct power and then if I have to crank the scope up more to take aim , dial the eleavtion in for the range but that takes time .
The FFP makes it easier and quicker I believe as the mil hold overs are correct at any range but the reticule will be very fine at the middle at low power and increase in size as you crank the power up. The FFP is realy a long range system where the scope is used mainly at high powers and the SFP is for shorter ranges and general hunting but you can get used to both with practice . Not many snipers are wanting to pop targets at 200 meters as it is a bit close for comfort even if the scope power can focus down to 200 meters so the FFP is going to be mainly used at 500 and out at high powers , in military situations anyway . You got to look at what type of shooting you are going to do and on what type of gun you are mounting the scope to geta clearer picture of what system suits best.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: whit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Which is better to have the Reticle, First Focal Plane or the Second focal Plane and why? I have heard people say that FFP is better but I don't understand why, I have an idea but don't know if its the reason so I wanted to know for sure. </div></div>
It is not a matter off one better than the other. It is about which is suitable to the job at hand.
When you have a fixed magnification both area about the same . When you have a variable magnification A FFP can be useful as any mil ranging type reticule will subtend the same amount at any power setting so you can range and aim anyplace that is convienient to see the target properly. If the reticule is placed in the SFP on a variable then there will be only one power where the reticule subtends the correct mil size and you have to use that one power to range but if that power is too low to see the target properly and you have to crank up the power to aim it means you have lost your reticule size to aim off . Usually they make the ranging power of a SFP scope around 10 power or at the top power . I usually range at the correct power and then if I have to crank the scope up more to take aim , dial the eleavtion in for the range but that takes time .
The FFP makes it easier and quicker I believe as the mil hold overs are correct at any range but the reticule will be very fine at the middle at low power and increase in size as you crank the power up. The FFP is realy a long range system where the scope is used mainly at high powers and the SFP is for shorter ranges and general hunting but you can get used to both with practice . Not many snipers are wanting to pop targets at 200 meters as it is a bit close for comfort even if the scope power can focus down to 200 meters so the FFP is going to be mainly used at 500 and out at high powers , in military situations anyway . You got to look at what type of shooting you are going to do and on what type of gun you are mounting the scope to geta clearer picture of what system suits best.
Re: Reticle Plane??
Just a clarification: A fixed mag scope is FFP by definition. In my experience, SFP works fine on a scope with a top end 10X or less. It's hard to range without being on 10X or higher anyway. Overall, I prefer FFP because, in a 3-15 for instance, I might be able to range or...more likely...take a follow-up shot or adjust POI to match POA on a target without ever worrying about ranging power.
Just a clarification: A fixed mag scope is FFP by definition. In my experience, SFP works fine on a scope with a top end 10X or less. It's hard to range without being on 10X or higher anyway. Overall, I prefer FFP because, in a 3-15 for instance, I might be able to range or...more likely...take a follow-up shot or adjust POI to match POA on a target without ever worrying about ranging power.
Re: Reticle Plane??
Shooter that do holdovers for elevation, wind or "movers" benefit from first focal plane because the mil marks are the same at all magnifications. The downside is the APPARENT size of the reticle changes. The reticle gets thicker at higher magnifications. Also at the lowest magnification the mil marks can get really tiny and hard to see. But... a mil mark is a mil mark at any magnification with FFP.
Typically, tactical shooters like FFP, target shooters like second focal plane. Certainly the trend has been, with tactical shooters, towards FFP.
Shooter that do holdovers for elevation, wind or "movers" benefit from first focal plane because the mil marks are the same at all magnifications. The downside is the APPARENT size of the reticle changes. The reticle gets thicker at higher magnifications. Also at the lowest magnification the mil marks can get really tiny and hard to see. But... a mil mark is a mil mark at any magnification with FFP.
Typically, tactical shooters like FFP, target shooters like second focal plane. Certainly the trend has been, with tactical shooters, towards FFP.
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