Second Focal Plane reticle position

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General features of Second focal plane scope

Riflescopes with a reticle placed in their second focal plane (SFP) are the predominant type of rifle scopes on the market. Second focal plane scopes have the reticle placed in the eyepiece, at the so-called second optical focal plane.

Such arrangement produces the effect that the reticle is seen the same size at all magnification settings. You can clearly see this effect in the picture below:

second focal plane and first focal plane reticle

First focal plane and second focal plane reticle position

Second focal Compare to the First focal plane

Second focal plane rifle scopes are especially popular since their reticles are thin on higher magnification and offer greater precision. Second focal plane reticles also have the advantage that, at low magnification, they are thicker compared to First focal plane reticles and easier to see. These two main benefits are the reason Second focal plane rifle scopes gained such popularity.

Reticle in second focal - plane

There are, however, also some drawbacks of rifle scopes with such optical construction. Reticle subtensions change with the change of magnification, and because of that, distance calculations with the reticle are only possible at one specific magnification setting. Similarly, it is possible to use holdovers for correction of bullet drop only at one specific magnification, which makes this technique very difficult to use. The last, but minor, a drawback is that low-quality riflescope can have a shift of the point of impact with the magnification change.

Video presentation of Second - focal plane scope

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Sightron SIII 10-50x60 LR

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Vector Optics Veyron 6-24x44

As low as $209.00 Regular Price $245.00

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Vector Optics Veyron 3-12x44 SFP

As low as $159.00 Regular Price $185.00

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Hawke Airmax 30 Touch 3-12x32

As low as $439.00

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General features of Air rifle scopes

Airgun rifles are of two types – PCP and spring-powered. The user can mount pretty much every riflescope on a PCP airgun rifle because its recoil is negligible. The situation is different when it comes to a spring-powered airgun rifle. The reverse recoil produced by a spring is harsh and goes forward and backward – not all riflescopes are designed to withstand such force. Even if the riflescope is rated for a .308 Win, the recoil of a spring-powered airgun can cause irreparable damage to it.

Recoil resistance

The riflescopes in this category are designed to withstand the reverse recoil of a spring-powered airgun rifle.

Recoil resistance is especially important when looking for a riflescope in the entry price class since the more expensive ones are often high recoil rated. One of the cheapest riflescopes available, designed especially for airgun rifles, is Hawke Airmax (even the least expensive in this category withstand reverse recoil).

There are all sorts of airgun riflescopes on the market: cheap, expensive, with different magnifications, etc.

Hawke Airmax 30 SF Compact 3-12x40 Scope

Hawke Airmax 30 SF Compact 3-12x40

Second Focal Plane reticle position

VIDEO

General features of Second focal plane scope