And no, these terms are not for aerospace engineers. They're simple things, so we'll look at the differences between these two important features of a viewfinder.
What is a riflescope with a reticle in the near focal plane?
In a riflescope with a reticle in the first focal plane you see, when you move the zoom wheel, both the target image and the reticle change size, always maintaining the same proportion between them, and so the measurements are accurate, no matter what magnification you are at. As riflescopes with a reticle in the first focal plane we have the following: - Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS3 - Burris XTR II Long Range - Leupold Mark 6
What is a riflescope with a second focal plane reticle?
In a riflescope with a second focal plane reticle you see, when you move the zoom wheel, only the target image changes, but the reticle remains the same, so the measurements are only accurate at a certain magnification range.
The second focal plane viewfinders are:
The Bushnells:
- Nitro the Sig Sauer Tango MSR
- Sig Sauer Tango MSR Los Delta Optical
- Titanium HD 2.5-15x50 IR SideFocus
And also the Vortex:
- Viper
- Viper PST GEN II
Most hunters are familiar with second focal plane reticles, as they have been the most common for a long time. But first focal plane reticles are becoming popular for long-range shooters.
Most hunters are familiar with Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticles, as they have been the standard for a long time. However, First Focal Plane (FFP) reticles are becoming increasingly popular among long-range shooters.
As mentioned before, measurements and subtensions in SFP reticles are only accurate at certain magnification levels—usually at the maximum setting. Mathematical formulas can be used to determine the spacing between the reticle and the magnification, but it is more complex and confusing, which is not ideal for hunting. However, if you constantly use your scope at maximum magnification, using an SFP reticle is not an issue.
One advantage of the SFP is that you will have a reticle that is easy to see even at very low magnification. On the other hand, an FFP reticle "grows" and "shrinks" as you increase or decrease the magnification, respectively.
In reality, the reticle always maintains the same proportion relative to the target, which means the measurement points remain consistent throughout the entire magnification range.
Which reticle to choose? First or Second Focal Plane?
The benefits of a Second Focal Plane reticle are that you can have a much finer and more precise reticle that works at any magnification range, but the adjustments and holdover marks are typically only accurate at the maximum magnification setting.
With the First Focal Plane, you will only see the reticle at full scale at the highest power level. At lower zoom levels, the crosshairs will likely be visible, but the finer hashmarks used for ranging may be too small to be useful. Some scope manufacturers have turned this into a benefit.
As certain reticle designs shrink, they begin to function more like a red dot optic, as the dense area in the center of the reticle becomes a small, solid object.
In the end, the decision will be determined by your hunting style and your specific needs. What do you prefer to use? Do you use a first or second focal plane scope? And from which brand?
Let us know in the comments!
