With the popularity of long range shooting growing, more and more scopes on the market are first focal plane. As more rugged first focal plane optics hit the market it raises the question: Should hunters use first focal plane optics in the field? There are pros and cons to the FFP vs SFP debate and it really depends on what style of hunter you are. But first, let’s take a step back and lay out what first focal plane and second focal plane actually means.
What is a Scopes Focal Plane
The focal plane of the scope depends on where inside the scope the reticle is positioned. First focal plane scopes have the reticle in front of the magnification ring. This means that as the magnification of the scope increases, so does the size of the reticle.
On the other hand, second focal plane scopes have the reticle behind the magnification ring. This means that when you change the magnification on your scope the picture zooms in and out but the reticle stays the same size.
Why Focal Plane Matters
For a long time, the focal plane of an optic did not make much difference. This is because the reticles of the day were simple. Most reticles in the older scopes had a simple crosshair to provide an aiming point in the center and that was that. The standard of this archetype is the Duplex reticle from Leupold, which is still very popular today.
However, scopes with reliable external turrets became more common, so did hold over reticles. These more complicated reticles have markings on the reticle to help compensate for bullet drop, wind drift, or to calculate the range of a target whose size is known. As the reticle became a more important part of a rifle system, the decision between FFP vs SFP became more important.
First Focal Plane Advantages
Riflescopes designed with first focal plane magnification have one major advantage over second focal plane competitors. Because the reticle will grow and shrink in the same proportions as the image, the markings are always correct. That means that no matter what magnification the scope is on the holdovers and range estimation work as intended.
In contrast, a second focal plane riflescope must be on a specific magnification for it’s reticle to be correct. Typically optic manufacturers make this magnification the highest one. This isn’t necessarily a drawback for slow fire target shooting. However, sometimes shooting at game the highest magnification isn’t always ideal.
High magnification also means a small field of view. You can’t shoot what you can’t see. In some scenarios, lower magnification and a larger field of view make finding the animal in the scope much easier. A first focal plane scopes means that your reticle doesn’t become useless if you need to shoot at lower magnification.
Second Focal Plane Advantages
Despite this, second focal plane scopes have been the standard for good reason. In a second focal plane scope, the reticle stays the same size no matter the magnification. This means that the reticle is always at it’s ideal proportions, making it easy to see no matter what the magnification is set to. This can be incredibly useful when shooting with a cluttered background or in low light. Experienced hunters know that low light and dense timber come part and parcel with shot opportunities.
On the other hand, a complicated first focal plane reticle can be challenging to see on its lowest magnification. Textured targets and poor lighting only exacerbate the problem. This can be mitigated to a degree with illuminated reticles. That said, illumination is a feature that typically only comes on higher end scopes.
Besides visibility on low magnification, second focal plane also has two smaller advantages over first focal plane: weight and price. All else equal, second focal plane optics will be slightly lighter and slightly less expensive than their first focal plane counterparts. It is not a huge difference, but for the most ultralight set ups or tight budgets it can be a factor.
When Should You Use Them
First focal plane scopes are the better choice if you hunt an area that is wide open and mid to long range shots are the norm. If spot and stalk hunting the west is your hunt style then consider a first focal plane optic. The reticle scaling with the image will make holding for wind at distance more precise and also allow more accurate follow up shots and range estimation at distance. Furthermore, the extra weight of the first focal plane may actually benefit you when it comes time for a long shot. If your average shot is 150 yards and out, first focal plane has some advantages.
On the other hand, if you hunt dense timber, second focal plane is likely the better option. The reticle will be easy to see on low magnification even with bare fall tree limbs filling the background. Pair your optic with a maximum point blank range zero and hold dead on and you’ll hit a deer as far as you can see through cover. Additionally, the lighter weight means you’ll have a slightly handier rifle for the fleeting shot opportunities that happen at close range. For hunters who shoot most of their game inside of 150 yards, the second focal plane optic offers a ton of performance.
Closing Thoughts
In the FFP vs SFP debate both styles have their advantages and drawbacks. For longer range open country hunters the first focal plane offers long range performance. For hunters hunting denser woods, a second focal plane reticle is easy to pick up even in adverse conditions. Both systems have their time and place. It is up to the hunter to decide which scope pairs with their hunt style the best.