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First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:18 am
by Alpha1
Im going to buy a Vortex Viper probably 6-24x50 in minutes of angle because I have no idea what millrads are.
I will be using it on a .308 out to 600 yards max.
Which one do I buy. FFP or SFP I have no idea what either of them does or what the difference is.

Re: First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:31 am
by snayperskaya

Re: First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:37 am
by Alpha1
Thanks.
If you guys think there is a better alternative I have a budget of £800 pounds. I would value your advice.

Re: First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 3:35 am
by Andy
I went for a Vortex Viper HS-T 6-24×50

https://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/produ ... iflescope/

Once you add on some decent mounts (£130 vortex matched ) your looking at £700 ISH .
It's second focal plane meaning the lines and hold overs don't get bigger as you zoom in , which I prefer. And as you know the distance your shooting at you don't really need the range finding ease of use you get with first focal plane although you can range find with second focal plane.
I just use the free strelok app to give distance info for scope adjustment.
I'm very happy with mine.

Re: First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:22 am
by safetyfirst
Since discovering FFP scopes I don’t want to go back, it’s a luxury for sure though.

Having the holdover points remain relevant no matter the magnification is lovely to have.

Re: First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:47 am
by MotorRacingBruce1980
If you take the time and learn the scope it makes little difference and is just personal preference.

If you have a calibrated BDC reticle then FFP is far easier as no matter what mag your set at the BDC hold over marks are the same.

If you handload and use different grains of projectile then you can fine tune the hold over points depending on range by adjusting the Mag of the scope with a SFP.

All I can say is whatever you choose get some range time and learn the scope.

Re: First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:05 am
by MotorRacingBruce1980
This would be worth as look

PRIMARY ARMS GLX4 SERIES 4-16X50 FFP

Re: First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:37 am
by Sim G
I’d imagine your scope will spend most, if not all your shooting on the range, Dave? Go second focal. The reticle remains fine throughout the magnification range which will give you the precision you’ll want.

First focal plane is probably more desirable in the field with unknown distances.

Re: First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:42 pm
by Alpha1
Andy wrote:I went for a Vortex Viper HS-T 6-24×50

https://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/produ ... iflescope/

Once you add on some decent mounts (£130 vortex matched ) your looking at £700 ISH .
It's second focal plane meaning the lines and hold overs don't get bigger as you zoom in , which I prefer. And as you know the distance your shooting at you don't really need the range finding ease of use you get with first focal plane although you can range find with second focal plane.
I just use the free strelok app to give distance info for scope adjustment.
I'm very happy with mine.
I bought one of these.

Re: First focal plane or second focal plane

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 4:41 pm
by Airbrush
Sim G wrote:I’d imagine your scope will spend most, if not all your shooting on the range, Dave? Go second focal. The reticle remains fine throughout the magnification range which will give you the precision you’ll want.

First focal plane is probably more desirable in the field with unknown distances.
goodjob