First Focal Plane vs Second Focal Plane Scopes

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy want to go over the difference between first focal plane and second focal plane scopes. These two styles of scopes dominate the market and come in many shapes and sizes to fit a variety of needs and roles. Our goal here is to define these two types of scopes and discuss some of their traits and help you decide which one is best for you and the shooting you do. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

What is a First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope?

A first focal plane (FFP) scope will have a reticle whose scale is dependent upon the level of magnification used. At the lowest magnification level, the reticle will appear small and will be at its biggest when the scope is at its highest magnification level. Essentially, the size of the reticle is dynamic and is dictated by the given level of magnification on the scope.

What is First Focal Plane (FFP) Good For?

If you’ve got the coin, you will be well-served by a FFP scope. FFP scopes thrive in the realm of competition and long-range precision shooting. The detailed reticle visible at the highest magnification level in FFP scopes will often feature ways to estimate range and hash marks that aid in holdovers at different distances. While low power variable optics (LPVO) exist in FFP form, they truly excel with higher magnification ranges. With an FFP scope that has a higher magnification range, one can truly squeeze a high degree of accuracy out of their rig and make use of a dynamic reticle if they have the skill and know-how.

What are the Pros of a First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope?

Due to the dynamic size of the reticle at different magnification ranges, FFP scopes have distinct sight pictures at the lowest and highest magnification levels. For this discussion we are going to consider the 1-6x24mm FFP EOTECH Vudu offering with the SR1 Reticle. At 1x magnification, the displayed reticle features a small, but distinct crosshair in the center surrounded by a large “speed ring”. At the 6x magnification level, the crosshair in the center of the reticle now takes up the entire sight picture and has distinct hash marks on each axis. The 1x sight picture allows for up close target acquisition and engagement while the 6x sight picture provides a reticle more appropriate for ranging and precision-oriented shooting. The hash marks will aid in helping a shooter calculate their holdovers for different ranges These distinct reticle profiles allow for one to utilize a single optic for close-range and extended range shooting. While SFP scopes can also be used in this way, they do not have the benefit of distinct reticle sizes for different types of shooting.

What are the Cons of a First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope?

An immediate con to some regarding FFP scopes is going to be the price attached to optics of this type. This is thanks in part to the technology which allows for variable reticle sizes but also the additional features which usually come on FFP scopes such as zero stops, larger scope body tubes, and illumination just to name a few. The inclusion of these additional features will also generally make FFP scopes heavier than their SFP counterparts.

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What is a Second Focal Plane (SFP) Scope?

A second focal plane (SFP) scope will feature a reticle which features a reticle that stays the same size regardless of the level of magnification. Whether you are at the lowest power of magnification or zoomed all the way in, the reticle shall stay the same size at all levels.

What is Second Focal Plane (SFP) Good For?

An SFP scope can absolutely be utilized for shooting at extended distances, but they truly shine in closer-range shooting applications. A consistent reticle size at all ranges allows a shooter to truly get familiar with the sight picture of their given SFP scope. These scopes, with a relatively simplistic reticle, excel at close range, such as the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6x24mm scope.

What are the Pros of a Second Focal Plane (SFP) Scope?

An immediate benefit of going with an SFP scope is their simplicity. If you don’t see yourself shooting at extended ranges or making use of features such as hash marks or range estimations, you can save some money and get a scope more tailored to your specific shooting needs. LPVO scopes in SFP form, such as the aforementioned Vortex Razor HD Gen II model, are very popular scopes for shooters these days. While these types of scopes can reach into the 6x or 8x magnification range, people generally aren’t doing any shooting at extended ranges with these optics. These scopes, with a consistent and clear reticle, are excellent choices for close range shooting. They can provide a shooter with a degree of magnification that makes a shot at 50 yards all the more accurate and can be the difference between a general A-Zone hit and a precise and centered shot. Granted, this can also be achieved with an FFP LPVO.

What are the Cons of a Second Focal Plane (SFP) Scope?

Simple reticles commonly found on SFP scopes are beneficial due to their non-busy nature, but their simplicity also means that certain creature comforts and benefits are omitted. One will need do more work on their part as far as learning and applying holdovers for shooting at different distances.

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What’s Better? A First Focal Plane (FFP) or a Second Focal Plane (SFP)?

Ultimately, determining which style of scope is best will mainly depend on an end user’s specific use case for the optic and firearm it is going on. If you are wanting to do some serious long-range shooting and see yourself making use of hash marks and range estimations on a reticle, an FFP scope will be a good fit for you. The market is filled with a variety of solid options in both styles that encompass a variety of magnification ranges, giving shooters a myriad of options to consider when scoping their firearm. If you are going to be doing some closer range shooting or hunting, you would benefit from the simple and consistently-sized reticle afforded by an SFP scope. Both FFP and SFP scopes can be acquired with bullet drop compensation (BDC) style reticles which are set for specific loads or calibers. Some scope manufacturers, such as Leupold, even offer custom turrets for select scopes which can be tailored to a specific load of your tuning. Essentially, if you have a preferred hunting load or target load, you can tailor your scope to better fit your specific load. Regardless of your use case, you can find ammunition to best fit your needs. Regardless of whichever scope you choose, we here at True Shot are here to support you with ammunition and information to keep you shooting and help you become a better shooter. Happy shooting. Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options. View more posts about gear:

First Focal Plane vs Second Focal Plane Scopes