Second Focal Plane reticle position

VIDEO

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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General features of rimfire riflescopes

Rimfire riflescopes are designed for scopes chambered in .22 LR and similar calibers. In this scope category, you can find anything from basic scope for "plinking" to serious scope for 50m Benchrest competitions.

Reticle

There are a couple of features that most rimfire scopes share. The first one is a thin reticle in the second focal plane. The second focal plane reticle is important to have as it does not change in size with the increase (or decrease) in magnification power. The reticle thus remains thin at high magnification, providing a minimal obstruction of the target.

Rimfire rifles are compact and small, so it is quite important that rimfire riflescopes feature these same two qualities.

Magnification and Parallax on Rimfire rifle scope

A high magnification combined with an adjustable parallax is incredibly useful to have on such a rifle scope. With high magnification power, the user can aim much more precisely.

The adjustable parallax allows for a precise focus setting. Certain rimfire scopes with lower magnification power come with a fixed parallax.

1-inch and 30mm tubes are used, the former being more common in the field of rimfire riflescopes.

Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x40 AO Rimfire Rifle scope Reticle Black Matte

Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x40 AO (SFP reticle) Rimfire Rifle scope Black Matte

Why do rimfire scopes need an adjustable parallax?

Shooting with a rimfire riflescope is typically done at a close range up to 70 m. In most competitions of this type, great accuracy is needed. For this reason, rimfire rifles are designed to be accurate, and only an accurate rifle scope can do them justice.

To achieve the desired accuracy, the target must be properly focused on high magnification power, which is achieved with adjustable parallax.

There are two types of adjustable parallax:

adjustable objective ring
side focus turret

Scopes with an adjustable objective ring are generally less expensive since fewer parts are needed to manufacture this system. It is also lighter. The downside of such a rimfire scope is the difficulty to reach the ring while in the shooting position.

Side focus rimfire scope is heavier and more expensive, but the parallax knob can be easily accessed while in the shooting position.

Is an illuminated reticle needed in a scope?

Most of these rimfire scopes are used for target shooting during the day – an illuminated reticle is not needed.

Delta Optical 6-24x42 AO Rimfire Rifle Scope Reticle Black Matte

Delta Optical 6-24x42 AO Rimfire Rifle scope Black Matte

Best rifle scopes

Below, the most popular rimfire scopes are listed.

Second Focal Plane reticle position

VIDEO

General features of Second focal plane scope