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.

Ask for price

View Product

Add to compare

In stock

Leupold Mark 3HD 8-24x50 P5 SF

Ask for price

View Product

Add to compare

Filters

Sort

VIDEO

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.

Second Focal Plane reticle position

VIDEO

General features of Second focal plane scope

Second focal Compare to the First focal plane

Reticle in second focal - plane

Video presentation of Second - focal plane scope

Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52 CDS-ZL2

Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52 T-ZL3-Target

Leupold Mark 4HD 1-4.5x24

Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-10x42

Leupold Mark 3HD 1.5-4x20

Leupold Mark 3HD 3-9x40 P5

Leupold Mark 3HD 4-12x40 P5 SF

Leupold Mark 3HD 8-24x50 P5 SF

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

Payment methods

Shipping methods

Shopping

Contact us

Certificates

Follow us on

FAQ and Media

Second Focal Plane reticle position

VIDEO

General features of Second focal plane scope

Second focal Compare to the First focal plane

Reticle in second focal - plane

Video presentation of Second - focal plane scope

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

Your wishlist