First focal plane reticle position

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LPVO Rifle Scopes

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General features of First focal plane riflescopes

First Focal plane reticle position was a predominant riflescope design in the past. Today, such reticle arrangement can only be found in tactical riflescopes and in a few classical European hunting riflescopes.

Reticle in the First - focal plane scope

The main feature of First focal plane reticles is their subtensions do not change with the magnification change. That means reticle subtensions in such riflescope can be used for distance estimations or bullet drop correction at any magnification setting. This is of paramount importance in tactical scenarios; thus, all real tactical scopes have First focal plane reticle placement.

Clicks in First focal plane

Usually, the first focal plane riflescope features the clicks matched with reticle subtensions and are named MIL-MIL scopes. Another benefit of the First focal plane riflescope is the point of impact does not change with magnification change.

Compare to SFP - second focal plane

The majority of new hunting scopes are not produced as First focal plane riflescope; however, these reticles are thick on the highest magnifications and cover more target space than Second focal plane (SFP) reticles. With super-zoom scopes with a zoom ratio of 6 times or more, this feature became even more noticeable, since the First - focal plane reticles in such scopes are thin on low magnifications and thick on high magnifications.

first focal plane VS second focal plane

Reticle position in first focal plane (ffp) riflescope VS second focal plane (sfp) riflescope (Source: Revija Lovec)

Video presentation of First focal plane reticle

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Elcan Specter TR Tri 1/3/9x33

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General properties of Tactical Rifle scopes

Tactical rifle scopes are meant for tactical situations where the importance of the first shot hitting the target is much higher than consistent pinpoint accuracy. Tactical - scope also offers the possibility of range estimation or shifting of the aim point in the reticle to compensate for bullet drop or wind drift.

The most common features of tactical scope are:

Tactical (uncapped) turrets
Tactical reticles (Mil-Dot, etc.)
Tube mounting (30mm, 34mm, 35mm, 36,mm or 40mm)
Minimal magnification from 1x to 6x
Maximal magnification from 12x to 30x
Bigger click values (usually 1cm/100m)
FFP reticle configuration is frequent

A special case of Tactical - scope is also MIL/MIL scope, which could be described also as fully tactical - scope.

Tactical rifle scope- Delta Stryker scope with illuminated reticle

Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30x56 Tactical rifle scope

What makes a scope tactical?

The tactical scope is a scope that features tactical (exposed) turrets, which is the one basic criterion. But there are more.

The optics is tactical if it meets the following requirements:

a magnification between 5x to 25x,
uncapped turrets on the riflescope,
an illuminated reticle,
one-centimeter clicks,
riflescope with the reticle in the first focal plane, and
on more expensive models, a zero stop.

What is the difference between a tactical scope and a hunting scope?

Hunting riflescope is, of course, meant to be used for hunting, whereas a tactical scope is intended to be used in all tactical situations. A hunting scope features a lower magnification range, so hunters can also use a scope in poor light conditions. A tactical scope, however, features a magnification that is on the upper side of the medium range.

Reticle position and turrets on tactical- rifle scope and hunting scope

Hunting scope is also the only type of scope that can be mounted with rails. The reticle is in the second focal plane, which is not the case with tactical scope, as they have a first focal plane reticle.

The turrets on hunting scope are capped low-profile hunting turrets, whereas tactical scope features uncapped turrets.

Tactical scope Kahles

Kahles K318i 3.5-18x50 tactical rifle scope

What is the difference between a tactical - scope and a target scope?

As mentioned, the purpose of the tactical scope is to be used in all tactical situations. Target scope, on the other hand, is meant for precision shooting. Compared to tactical scopes’ 5x to 25x magnification, target ones have an extremely high one, which is up to 55x.

Reticle position in Tactical scope and Target scope

The tactical scope features a first focal plane reticle, and target scope a second focal plane reticle. What is more, with a target scope, if the user has enough knowledge and experience, they can also use it for hunting.

The characteristics of tactical riflescope (the main one being the FFP reticle), make them suitable only for tactical shooting purposes.

First focal plane reticle position

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VIDEO

General features of First focal plane riflescopes

Reticle in the First - focal plane scope

Clicks in First focal plane

Compare to SFP - second focal plane

Reticle position in first focal plane (ffp) riflescope VS second focal plane (sfp) riflescope (Source: Revija Lovec)

Video presentation of First focal plane reticle

Elcan Specter TR Tri 1/3/9x33

VIDEO

General properties of Tactical Rifle scopes

The most common features of tactical scope are:

What makes a scope tactical?

The optics is tactical if it meets the following requirements:

What is the difference between a tactical scope and a hunting scope?

Reticle position and turrets on tactical- rifle scope and hunting scope

What is the difference between a tactical - scope and a target scope?

Reticle position in Tactical scope and Target scope

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First focal plane reticle position

Sub Categories

VIDEO

General features of First focal plane riflescopes

Reticle in the First - focal plane scope

Clicks in First focal plane

Compare to SFP - second focal plane

Reticle position in first focal plane (ffp) riflescope VS second focal plane (sfp) riflescope (Source: Revija Lovec)

Video presentation of First focal plane reticle

Elcan Specter TR Tri 1/3/9x33

VIDEO

General properties of Tactical Rifle scopes

The most common features of tactical scope are:

What makes a scope tactical?

The optics is tactical if it meets the following requirements:

What is the difference between a tactical scope and a hunting scope?

Reticle position and turrets on tactical- rifle scope and hunting scope

What is the difference between a tactical - scope and a target scope?

Reticle position in Tactical scope and Target scope

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