First and second focal plane difference
- Thread starter KDX
- Start date
For a fixed power scope .. no real difference. In a variable the first focal plane reticle will get larger as you increase the power. In a second focal plane reticle (typical of most American scopes) the reticle stays the same size as you increase power.
One claim for first focal plane scopes is that increasing/decreasing power will not change the POI.... whereas the rear focal plane reticle (because of the nature of the design) "may" change POI as power is changed. ... the other advantage/ disadvantage is that some do not like the reticle increasing in size as it can obscure the target... there are designs that allow the use of the enlarged reticle for rangefinding...but you might want to do a web search for how this works
One claim for first focal plane scopes is that increasing/decreasing power will not change the POI.... whereas the rear focal plane reticle (because of the nature of the design) "may" change POI as power is changed. ... the other advantage/ disadvantage is that some do not like the reticle increasing in size as it can obscure the target... there are designs that allow the use of the enlarged reticle for rangefinding...but you might want to do a web search for how this works
Generaly the first focal plane reticle is more popular in Europe due to their different style of hunting in some countries (night hunting from permanent stands where a large objective bigger reticle/lower powered scope is more appropriate). Also mildot calculations are possible at all magnifications rather than one specific magnification (Leupold has come out with a few Mark 4 models that have first focal plane reticles but they haven't been a big interest item). Phil.
