Skip to navigation Skip to content
Riton Optics
  • Login or Register
  • Contact Us
Home
  • Optics
    • Scopes
    • Red Dots
  • Accessories
    • Flash Kill
    • Mounts
    • Mounting Kits
    • Scope Rings
    • Sunshade
    • Rails
    • Bino Accessories
  • Gear
  • Dealers
    • Dealer Application
    • Dealer Locator
    • Dealer Portal Downloads
    • Dealer Portal Communication
    • Submit Dealer Location
  • Riton Revolution
  • Company Info
    • About Us
    • The Riton Promise
    • Riton Elite Pro Staff Team
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Customer Service
    • Support & FAQ’s
    • Warranty Info
    • Press Releases
    • Become an Affiliate
    • MIL/LE/FIRST RESPONDER DISCOUNTS
    • Download Manuals
    • Media Resources
  • Optics

    Riton Optics:

    • Scopes
    • Red Dots
    LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

    As a part of the Riton Promise we believe in providing you with the best possible customer service, including the industry’s best warranty.

    Tell Me More
  • Accessories

    Riton Accessories:

    • Scope Rings
    • Mounts
    • Mounting Kits
    • Flash Kill
    • Sunshade
    • Rails
    • Bino Accessories
    AFFORDABLE WITHOUT SACRIFICE

    Riton Optics was built around the belief that any hardworking man or woman should be able to afford high quality optics. We don’t cut corners to give you that value.

    Tell Me More
  • Gear

    Riton Gear:

    • Tops
    • Headgear
    • Stickers & Patches
    DISCOUNT PROGRAMS

    Here at Riton, we fully support your mission to our country and want to show our appreciation for your service.

    Tell Me More
  • Revolution

    Riton Revolution:

    • The Riton Revolution
    • University
    • Podcast
    • Blog
    • TV
    BE THE REVOLUTION

    From education about your optics to seeing our community hunting & shooting, we want you to BE THE REVOLUTION.

    Tell Me More
  • Dealers

    Riton Dealers:

    • Dealer Locator
    • Dealer Application
    • Dealer Portal Downloads
    • Dealer Portal Communication
    • Submit Dealer Location
    FIND A DEALER NEAR YOU

    Sometimes you just need a hands-on experience before making your mind up. Visit our dealer locator page to find an authorized Riton dealer near you.

    Dealer Locator
  • More

    Company Info:

    • About Us
    • The Riton Promise
    • Lifetime Warranty
    • Riton Elite Pro Staff Team
    • Press Releases
    • Careers

    Customer Service:

    • Support & FAQ’s
    • MIL/LEO/FR Discounts
    • Become an Affiliate
    • Download Manuals
    • Media Resources
    • Contact Us
    QUICK CONTACT

    Phone: 1-855-39-RITON
    Email: info@ritonoptics.com
    Contact Us

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    • Facebook
    • Facebook
    • Facebook
    • Facebook
  • My Cart (0 items)
Home / Revolution / What’s The Difference – First Focal Plane Vs Second Focal Plane

Riton Revolution

  • University
  • TV
  • Blog

What’s The Difference – First Focal Plane Vs Second Focal Plane

January 1, 2021 by Emily Phillippi in University, Scopes Basics, Scopes Sighting

What is the difference between First Focal Plane and Second Focal Plane? Learn about the differences between the two from our expert Jerimiah Alexander on this episode of Riton University.

Transcript:

Alright guys, welcome back to Riton University, we’re doing our 101 lesson on first focal plane and second focal plane, you guys are gonna hear these terms a lot when you’re picking a scope, it’s going to be nice to know what they mean. And so that you can pick the right scope for your application.

Let’s talk about first focal plane, this is a hot one right now that everybody’s using, and I’m going to tell you why it’s a hot one that everybody’s using.

First focal plane scope means that my reticle inside of my scope is going to get bigger and smaller with my magnification.

So what that means is, if my target is getting bigger, so is my reticle, if my target is getting smaller, as I decrease magnification, my reticle is getting smaller.

Well, what’s the point? Right? Why, why is that important?

That’s important, because all those little hash marks, tick marks, dots inside of my radical are important measuring devices. And since that reticle stays in relationship to the target, whatever those sub tensions are, they’re going to be the same at 4 power as they are at 20 power. So that’s a pretty nice thing to have.

Downsides, it does get big, if you’re shooting long distance, you know, your reticle’s getting bigger as your target gets bigger, there could be field of view issue could clog up your vision a little bit.

So second focal plane, let’s talk about that.

Second focal plane is the opposite.

So my reticle is not going to change in size or relationship to my target. upside to that as it stays nice and thin and crisp. Which I like for long range shooting, I love a nice, thin, crisp, reticle.

Potential downsides, in my opinion, mainly for hunters. I worry because here’s what happens with a second focal plane scope.

Let’s say that there’s two minute of angle hashmarks, inside of my 4-20 hunting scope. Well, whenever we list sub tensions, or anyone list sub tensions, it’s on highest power, so it’s on 20 power. So we’ve got two MOA sub tensions on 20 power. Well, what happens if I don’t need 20 power and I’m on 10 power, because I need to back down that magnification while I’m out hunting. Well, what is going to happen is, those 2 MOA hash marks are now 4 MOA hash marks, and it’s gonna work. As my magnification decreases, both sub tensions are going to get bigger and bigger in that fashion.

This is important to know because if you think you have a two minute of angle hashmark, but you’re on 10 power, and it’s a four you could potentially Miss.

So it is good to know what kind of focal plane scope that you’re picking and those are the reasons why.

Thanks

Follow Us On

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Spotify
  • itunes

Editor's Picks

  • Ammo Considerations University 08 Aug 2022
  • Cooking with Lydia - Elk Chorizo Breakfast Burr... University 08 Aug 2022
  • Product Highlight: 1 Primal 4-12x50 University 08 Aug 2022
  • Product Highlight: 1 Primal 4-16x44 University 08 Aug 2022
  • Product Highlight: 1 Conquer 6-24x50 University 08 Aug 2022
Riton University

Riton Optics, providing high quality optics that are competitively priced and backed by industry leading customer service.

Get the Catalog

View the 2023 Riton Catalog Download
Company Info
  • About Us
  • The Riton Promise
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

T: 1-855-39-RITON
W: ritonoptics.com
E: info@ritonoptics.com

Useful Links
  • Support & FAQ’s
  • Dealer Locator
  • Riton Elite Pro Staff Team
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • MIL/LEO/FR Discounts
  • Download Manuals
  • Riton Revolution
  • Press Releases
  • MPRD Installation
  • Become an Affiliate
  • Affiliate Login
STAY IN THE LOOP!

Visit us on Social Media and stay in up to date with promotions, news and everything optics!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • © Copyright Riton Optics All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping & Returns
Riton
  • My Account
  • Search
  • Cart 0