Home AR-15 First Focal Plane vs Second Focal Plane Rifle Scopes

First Focal Plane vs Second Focal Plane Rifle Scopes

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In this video, I explain the difference between first and second focal plane in rifle scopes. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but I generally prefer first focal plane scopes.

My favorite scopes:

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44 COMMENTS

  1. As a Brit, 61 years old. Lots of shooting experience (in the past, and now back again!) I just watched this vid, and the one for MOA V's Mildot. Seriously, I learned MORE from these two, than in the last year during my occasional "Research". Nice one mate, and thank you

  2. My short range (to 200yd) gun has a 3-14x scope that would have been fine with a second focal plane, but I got it with ffp so usage would match my longer range guns which need to be ffp.

  4. I am looking at a sfp for a 17hmr, I was looking at the bushnell engage 3-9 40mm, I was wondering if u would recommend that scope bc I don’t have to much money for the rlly high end scopes and I mostly using it for whistle pigs and fox and ect

  5. 1×8 strike eagle – bought in ffp but then realise that if taking longer shot over 300 yard i would be using max 8 power. , and under 250 yard i rely in MPBR for my 9.3×62 .

    But in my 6.8 western I love FFP 5×25
    So anytime upto 12 power SFP , if going over 16x then FPP for sure .

  9. In most hunting situations you are on low magnification and within 100 yards therefore you will Not make out the recitals period. For me second focal hunting at any distance

  10. A FFP reticle does NOT change size. A SFP reticle changes size. (Literally) in a SFP in order to keep it the same size as you zoom in it must change size. FFP reticle only gets bigger cause you Literally zoomed in on it making it appear to get bigger. The fact a FFP reticle doesn't change size means you can also range your target with your scope. A must have imo. The more you know the less you carry.

  13. If you know how many inch one moa is at a certain distance, holdovers for windage should be easy. If you know the size of the game you are shooting. like one moa at 300 yards is 3 inches left or right. How hard can it be? I prefer second focal plane for hunting. try to zoom in on a rabbit or crow at 400 yards with a first focal plane scope. The whole animal disappears in the reticle.

  16. I haven't got any SFP arguments yet that would hold any water. At least not compared to my FFP Steiner M7Xi 2.9-20×50. I have done tactical fast shooting, and even without reticle illumination, works great on all zoom levels. Brain is a strange adapting thing, it gets the info it needs and closes all non-relevant info out.

    I think it all comes down to the price finally. If budget is set to some 400-800 dollars there might not be high enough quality FFP available. Better quality SFP available for same budget.

    In Europe MRAD beats MOA naturally, but that's because we use meters. For someone familiar with hundreds of yards and inches it's different.

  18. Thanks for these videos, I’m just getting into learning about scopes so this is really helpful. Feel like I want something good quality but simple. Don’t think I’ll be shooting past 300yds. I recently bought a Ruger 10/22 and a cheap Bushnell banner 1.5-4.5 for it. I eventually want to get a quality bolt action and good scope but also want to learn how to use it first LOL. Anyways, thanks again for the info.

  20. I really like 2nd fp in the 1-4 or 1-6 lpvo's too because the reticles look better at 1 power and any long shots you'll for sure be at max magnification where your reticle should work properly. Anything above 6 power I'd probably start trying to get a FFP scope.

  23. Hi Jim, Thank you for all you are doing for us! I know that what you are up against is well financed, satanic, & evil —but don't feel faint! Help is on the way~! Yeshua is Lord~!

  25. I have a scorpion toxin 3 to 24 x 56 SFP duplex, reticle it is an amazing scope super clear would be cool to see a review on this from you

  27. One of the best video reviews on YouTube for guns and optic. I'd like to take your brain about long distance shooting. I live in North Carolina but hunting Kentucky if you ever want to make a trip you are more than welcome to come hunting with us on our lease.

  28. Never 1st because at low power tic marks are useless and at high power not enough tic marks to satisfy need. So only works at mid power. Now, 2nd, think about it, you can dial wind, don’t need to favor, or you can favor without need to relate favor to reticle but in inch or foot impression of need exclusive of reticle.

  29. You left out; You can measure distance or target size by the tension bars with a FFP. I have a scope with the opposite retical (Horus). It has a good minimum power retical. I don't even see the the dots. Just the bars. However,…The cost is each bar is 2MOA. Corp name retracted. Also, there is ballistic software/stock taped dope chart to help with the sub-tension bars.

  30. Good for you guys! It takes some courage to call out the crazy "new culture" that is trying to be shoved on us nowadays, and you're actually taking a stand and action against it! God bless you, and I don't have to say good luck, because when He opens a door, nothing can close it.

  36. I don't understand people who prefer duplex. For example, when hunting, you need to make a shot at 350m. There is no time to turn the turrets or they are closed like in hunting sights. How to shoot with duplex? The ballistic reticle allows you to make corrections directly on the reticle. The duplex was made by crossing two wires, as you showed, this is old technology when there was no other choice. Today, the manufacturer can draw any most convenient reticle. In my opinion, the duplex should die and never appear again.

  38. Sometimes you only have seconds to make a shot ! I never wast time turning nobs i always chose a 50mm scope for hunting i know my ballistics on the caliber bullet and load and advice to spend the money for a good scope 300 bucks and up ! I sight in 100 yards and BULLET drop out to 400 yards at 100 yd. 2 , 3, 400 on my 7mm Remington mag. 1.5 in. 100 yd. And 400yd. I aim just at top of back over the vitals anything with 14 to 17 in circle of a deer or antelope size animal is a kill shot remember amplified and simplified know your limitations Jack O'Conner book helped me early in my hunting years to put meat on the table!

  40. SFP scopes are all we use in the army. I've shot plenty of targets out to a mile using various magnifications. And yes you have to k own your scope otherwise you're gonna miss every time. I guess there's some things that some are better at than others. Me. I can't stand FFP.

  41. YEAH, you kids need that handicap because to me using a first focal plane scope is not hunting, you are just waiting for a live target, nothing more. When I was a kid my father and I hunted with iron sights and we could drop an Elk or a deer 300 yards out. If the prey was out at 4-5- or 600 yards out and the wind was blowing at the left side of our faces we would walk right and swing around until we were 300 yards or less. If we spooked it we would track it, yes, actually hunt, and if there was a painter in the area the deer would spook very easily regardless we never came home empty-handed.

  42. SFP is fine if you always have time to dial, even in long range shooting. FFP for speed in competition, longer range hunting and professional users where time is of the essence.

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