FFP & SFP Scope Question

[Richard]

Sorry to jump in , what is ffp and sfp? I'm fairly new to optics

[ScoutSnyper]

Sorry to jump in , what is ffp and sfp? I'm fairly new to optics

It has to do with where the reticule is placed in the scope. Most scopes are second focal plane, meaning the reticule is always the same size regardless on what magnification the scope is one. Like mentioned above, if the reticule is calibrated and in the second plane it's calibrations only work at one magnification. On my scopes that is the maximum. If the scope has the reticule in the first focal plane, then it changes sizes with the magnification and any calibrations work regardless of magnification.

By calibrations, I mean a calibrated reticule, Mil-dots or MOA markings.

[yobuck]

It has to do with where the reticule is placed in the scope. Most scopes are second focal plane, meaning the reticule is always the same size regardless on what magnification the scope is one. Like mentioned above, if the reticule is calibrated and in the second plane it's calibrations only work at one magnification. On my scopes that is the maximum. If the scope has the reticule in the first focal plane, then it changes sizes with the magnification and any calibrations work regardless of magnification.

By calibrations, I mean a calibrated reticule, Mil-dots or MOA markings.

As good an explanation as you will get and still understand it.

Remember this, those that argue first focal plane are saying in effect that good shooting wasent possible untill they came to be.
And thats been a very short time.
If your dialing a scope with a plain cross hair reticle, it makes no difference which focal plane as for point of impact. A 1/4 min click is a 1/4 min click.
On the other hand, my old vx3 3.5x10 in which i had a custom reticle having multible dots installed, which were calibrated to
the actual load i use, (must) be used on the power i selected which was 10 in order for them to be accurate.
Whereas with a 1st focal plane any power could be used, althought the dot size would change as power was changed.
The ranging aspects of the scopes in my opinion is a different argument. For my type use ill take a rangfinder.

[darkker]

Remember this, those that argue first focal plane are saying in effect that good shooting wasent possible untill they came to be.
And thats been a very short time.
If your dialing a scope with a plain cross hair reticle, it makes no difference which focal plane as for point of impact. A 1/4 min click is a 1/4 min click.
.

Here in the USA consumer market, yes. But FFP scopes have been around for quite some time, they just haven't been the "popular" thing so not many know about them.

Yes the 1/4 click SFP's always move 1/4, but because the reticle changes size with Mag, RELATIVE to the target, it isn't as intuitive to have a reference as to how much that is on target; unless you know exactly how big the target it.

For people who don't dial, range, or want a reference of relative size; there is no reason to concern yourself with the focal argument. If you do want to do those things, it is easier to do with a FFP.
As you say, many will pack around a range finder. I am more of a minimalist, and don't like packing a bunch of different things around.
So it comes to what makes you happy.

[yobuck]

Here in the USA consumer market, yes. But FFP scopes have been around for quite some time, they just haven't been the "popular" thing so not many know about them.

Yes the 1/4 click SFP's always move 1/4, but because the reticle changes size with Mag, RELATIVE to the target, it isn't as intuitive to have a reference as to how much that is on target; unless you know exactly how big the target it.

For people who don't dial, range, or want a reference of relative size; there is no reason to concern yourself with the focal argument. If you do want to do those things, it is easier to do with a FFP.
As you say, many will pack around a range finder. I am more of a minimalist, and don't like packing a bunch of different things around.
So it comes to what makes you happy.

A Leica 1600 is about the size of a pack of king size cigerates, so thats pretty minimal.
And using one, ill beat you 10 times out of 10 for both speed and accuracy in that department.
Otherwise i could care less what others prefer, and i wouldnt argue i might like 1st ffp
myself should i ever try one.