FIRST FOCAL PLANE vs SECOND FOCAL PLANE SCOPES Which one is right for you?
FIRST FOCAL PLANE vs SECOND FOCAL PLANE SCOPES
Which One Is Right for You?
AMW Outdoors — Where Nature Meets Adventure
When choosing a riflescope, shooters are often faced with a question that seems simple:
FFP or SFP?
First Focal Plane (FFP) and Second Focal Plane (SFP) scopes can both be excellent optics, but they behave differently when you change magnification.
And contrary to what you may hear, one isn't automatically better than the other.
The right choice depends on what you shoot, how you shoot, and what you expect from your scope.
Let's break it down.
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What Does "Focal Plane" Actually Mean?
Inside a variable-power riflescope, the reticle can be positioned in one of two places within the optical system.
First Focal Plane (FFP): The reticle changes apparent size as you change magnification.
Second Focal Plane (SFP): The reticle remains the same apparent size while the target image changes size.
That might sound like a small difference, but it has a significant effect on how you use the reticle.
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First Focal Plane — FFP
With an FFP scope, the reticle and target essentially scale together as you change magnification.
For example, imagine you're using a 5–25× scope.
At 5×, the reticle appears relatively small.
Increase the magnification to 25× and the reticle becomes much larger.
The important part isn't simply that the reticle gets bigger.
It's that the relationship between the reticle's measurements and the target remains constant.
So if your reticle uses MRAD/MIL or MOA hash marks, those measurements remain true throughout the magnification range, assuming the scope and reticle are designed accordingly.
Why Is That Useful?
Imagine you have a target at distance and need to compensate for:
- Bullet drop
- Wind
- A small correction to your point of impact
- A changing target distance
With an FFP reticle, you can use the reticle's measurement references at different magnification settings without having to compensate for the change in magnification.
That's one of the major reasons FFP scopes are popular among precision and long-range shooters.
The Downside of FFP
FFP isn't perfect.
At low magnification, the reticle can become very fine and small, depending on the reticle design.
This can make it harder to pick up quickly, particularly against vegetation, shadows or in lower-light conditions.
At high magnification, the reticle becomes more prominent, which is excellent for using the finer aiming points but can potentially appear quite busy or thick depending on the design.
This is why reticle design and illumination can be particularly important when selecting an FFP scope.
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Second Focal Plane — SFP
With a Second Focal Plane scope, the reticle remains the same apparent size as you adjust the magnification.
So whether you're looking through the scope at 4× or 16×, the reticle itself looks essentially the same.
The target, however, becomes larger or smaller.
And this gives SFP scopes one very useful characteristic:
The reticle is always familiar.
When you're hunting and suddenly need to find an animal quickly, a bold, easy-to-see reticle can be a major advantage.
This is one reason SFP scopes have traditionally been extremely popular for hunting applications.
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But There's a Catch With SFP Reticles
Here's where things become important.
If your SFP reticle has MIL/MRAD or MOA hash marks, those measurements are generally calibrated to be true at one particular magnification.
On many scopes, that calibration point is the maximum magnification, but you should always check the manufacturer's specifications, because it can vary.
For example:
Imagine your scope is a:
5–25× SFP
And the reticle is calibrated at 25×.
At 25×, the reticle's subtensions are correct.
But if you reduce the scope to 12.5×, the relationship between the reticle markings and the target changes.
That doesn't make the scope inaccurate.
It simply means you need to understand which magnification your reticle is calibrated for when using those measurements.
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FFP vs SFP — Quick Comparison
Feature| First Focal Plane| Second Focal Plane
Reticle changes size with magnification| Yes| No
Reticle measurements remain consistent through zoom| Yes| Usually one calibrated magnification
Excellent for holdovers at varying magnification| Yes| Requires understanding of calibration
Reticle easy to see at low magnification| Depends on design| Generally an advantage
Popular for precision/long-range shooting| Yes| Yes
Popular for hunting| Yes| Yes
Consistent reticle appearance| No| Yes
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Which One Is Better for Hunting?
This is where things get interesting.
There isn't one universal answer.
If you're primarily hunting and normally use the centre crosshair rather than making frequent holdover or wind corrections using the reticle, an SFP scope can be an excellent choice.
A bold, consistent reticle can be very easy to use when hunting in thick vegetation or when shooting at lower magnification.
For many traditional hunting applications, you may never actually need the advantages of an FFP reticle.
On the other hand, if you're hunting in an environment where longer shots are common and you're comfortable using MIL/MOA holdovers or dialing corrections, an FFP scope can give you considerable flexibility.
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What About PRS and Precision Shooting?
This is where FFP really starts to shine.
Precision shooters may be changing magnification depending on the stage, target size and shooting position.
You might use lower magnification to find a target quickly and then increase magnification to identify and engage a smaller target.
If you're using the reticle for wind holds or elevation corrections, having the reticle's measurements remain consistent throughout the magnification range is extremely useful.
For this type of shooting, FFP is often the preferred choice.
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The Biggest Mistake When Choosing a Scope
One of the biggest mistakes is asking:
"Which is better, FFP or SFP?"
Instead, ask:
"What am I actually going to use this scope for?"
That's the question that should guide your decision.
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What Should You Consider?
1. What Type of Shooting Do You Do?
Mostly hunting?
SFP may make perfect sense.
PRS, precision or long-range shooting?
FFP deserves serious consideration.
A bit of everything?
Either can work, depending on your shooting style.
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2. Do You Use the Reticle for Holdovers?
If you regularly use MIL or MOA hash marks for elevation and wind corrections at different magnifications, FFP has a major advantage.
If you generally dial your elevation and use the centre crosshair to aim, SFP may be all you need.
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3. How Important Is Low-Magnification Reticle Visibility?
If you're hunting in thick bush or fading light, having a reticle that's immediately visible can be extremely valuable.
That's an area where SFP can have an advantage, depending on the reticle design.
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4. What's Your Budget?
FFP scopes can often cost more, although pricing varies significantly between brands and models.
Rather than spending extra money simply because something says "FFP", consider whether you'll actually use the feature.
Sometimes spending the money on better glass, a better reticle, stronger construction or other features may make more sense for your particular application.
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The AMW Outdoors Verdict
Choose FFP If:
✔ You shoot long range
✔ You regularly use MIL/MOA holdovers
✔ You make wind corrections using the reticle
✔ You change magnification frequently
✔ You're involved in PRS or precision shooting
✔ You want your reticle measurements to remain consistent through the magnification range
Choose SFP If:
✔ Hunting is your primary use
✔ You mainly use the centre crosshair
✔ You want a consistent reticle appearance
✔ You value easy reticle acquisition at lower magnification
✔ You don't regularly use reticle-based holdovers at different magnifications
✔ You want to put your budget into other optical features rather than paying specifically for FFP
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At the End of the Day...
FFP isn't better than SFP.
SFP isn't better than FFP.
They're simply two different approaches to how the reticle interacts with magnification.
The best scope is the one that matches your rifle, your ammunition, your shooting style and the environment you're going to use it in.
So before you buy that next scope, don't just ask:
"What magnification does it have?"
Ask:
"Where is the reticle, what does it do when I change magnification, and will that actually help me shoot better?"
That's when choosing an optic becomes a lot easier.
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AMW OUTDOORS
Whether you're setting up a hunting rifle, building a precision platform or looking for an optic that can do a bit of everything, choosing the right scope starts with understanding what you're buying.
At AMW Outdoors, we're passionate about helping shooters and outdoor enthusiasts find equipment that actually suits their needs.
Where Nature Meets Adventure.
AMW Outdoors
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