Telescopic Trivia

Wow, you look like a Clark Kent version of your last picture!

OK, scopes. I’ll quote CoPilot:

”First focal plane (FFP) scopes scale the reticle with magnification for accurate holdovers at any zoom, while second focal plane (SFP) scopes keep the reticle size constant, prioritizing clarity and simplicity.”

Let me translate: With an FFP scope, when you increase or decrease magnification, the reticle changes size as well. with an SFP, the reticle stays the same size. The practical effect is that the hashmarks on the FFP measure the same amount in relation to the target. If you see a target that is 2 MOA in width, it will remain two MOA regardless of magnification. With an SFP, the only time a hashmark is an accurate measure, is at its true magnification point (this will be marked on your magnification ring).

Practically, it makes an SFP a bit easier to adjust your shots on the fly (it also enables you to determine the range of the target more quickly).

An example: you are shooting at a target at 600 yards. You shot hits at what looks like a foot to the left. At 600 yards, that would be 2 MOA. You line up your scope on the impact point and, lo and behold, the target lines up perfectly on your right 2 MOA hashmark. Yup, 12 inches. So hold 2 MOA right of the target, and you’ll hear an impact on steel. And if you’re shooting at 800 yards, your 2 MOA hashmark will measure 16 inches. Amazing.

The SFP scope can do this as well, but only at its true magnification point. One of my scopes has a magnification range of 6 to 24 times. At 18, it is true. And it’s a pretty good setting that allows a wider field of view, but shows the target clearly.

FFPs are a bit more expensive.

Yes! While it’s nice to have a laser rangefinder, you don’t always have it available. But some simple math based on angle and distance will give you a fairly accurate range. The formula for using MOA is:

Known target size in Inches X 95.5/Target size in MOA= Distance to target in yards

Let’s plug in some numbers. You see a target and know that it is 2 feet tall, or 24 inches. 24 times 95.5 is 2,292. You line up your scope and see that it measures 6 MOA in height. 2,292/6 =382 yards.

If you happen to be using a scope that uses Milrads (milliradians) instead of MOA, the formula is slightly different:

Known target size in Inches X 27.77 divided by target size in mils = Distance to target in yards