Rifle Scopes Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

[Sniper_Wolf_666]

I am not new to shooting but am new to marksmanship and using scopes. I've heard scopes described as having either a single focal plane or two focal planes and I was wondering if someone could explain what that means, the pros and cons between the two and what's the best to go with.

I am getting into long-range shooting and looking at putting a scope i got for free on my first bolt-action long-range/sniper rifle (which is a remington 700 with a heavy 24" barrel and chambered in .300 WinMag) . I currently only own one scope that i got from my uncle when he passed away a few months ago. He was a shooter and even tho I didn't get any of his rifles (I did get a couple of his handguns and a mossberg 500 combat style shotgun) I did get one of his scopes that was brand new in the box. Its a leupold Mark IV and from want I've read its a nice a pretty expensive scope (seen it online for 1,500$-1,700 which is expensive to me lol) and apparently its one of the main scopes the military uses. I've heard the army uses it on some of their M24s and the Navy and Army uses it on their M14 EBR Mod 0 rifles.

So I am sure from reviews and info I read that its a nice scope and worth keeping and using on my rifle. But I don't know much sbout the specs except what's written on the box cause the paperwork is gone and since I don't know much about scopes, what I read onlime about it was a lil bit lost on me lol. So what do you guys think of this particular scope. And what can anyone tell me about it

 

[2/1_Kiwi]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

Focal Planes: is the FFP worth it for Mil-Dot?
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=939395#Post939395

 

[teerex]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

Second Focal Plane is different than dual focal plane and both exist. Something like a USO SN 1.5-6 DFP is a dual focal plane, it has a mil scale ffp reticle that can be used for ranging, and then a second focal plane that can be illuminated and used for quick shots.

What you are probably thinking of is second focal plane where the reticle doesn't change size.

 

[Helmet]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

The reticle in an SFP scope stays the same size on all powers and is better for benchrest shooting because an FFP reticle will get thicker as you turn up the magnification and cover more of your target. The downside is that any units of measurement that an SFP reticle has will only be true on one power setting.

An FFP reticle is true on any power setting and is better if you intend to do any kind of tactical shooting.

 

[sib1948]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

Agree with above, but whether it's FFP or SFP your Leupold MK4 should suit you well for starting out. Would go to the section on Scope Rings to determine the height you need for your weapon and read about the correct way to level your scope and you should be set to start shooting. As you shoot you'll come to know if you need other options-magnification, focal plane and reticle type that might suit your specific needs better. Just mount her and level her and get started.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArmchairElite</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The reticle in an SFP scope stays the same size on all powers and is better for benchrest shooting because an FFP reticle will get thicker as you turn up the magnification and cover more of your target. The downside is that any units of measurement that an SFP reticle has will only be true on one power setting.

An FFP reticle is true on any power setting and is better if you intend to do any kind of tactical shooting. </div></div>


Actually,<span style="font-style: italic">FFP reticles</span> stay the same size. They merely <span style="font-style: italic">appear</span> thicker as they magnify with the image. <span style="font-weight: bold">FFP reticles always cover the same amount of the target, no matter the power setting.</span>

With a SFP reticle, it <span style="font-style: italic">appears</span> to stay the same size, but it gets smaller as you dial the magnification up. When you turn it down, it covers more of the target.

 

[Helmet]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArmchairElite</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The reticle in an SFP scope stays the same size on all powers and is better for benchrest shooting because an FFP reticle will get thicker as you turn up the magnification and cover more of your target. The downside is that any units of measurement that an SFP reticle has will only be true on one power setting.

An FFP reticle is true on any power setting and is better if you intend to do any kind of tactical shooting. </div></div>


Actually,<span style="font-style: italic">FFP reticles</span> stay the same size. They merely <span style="font-style: italic">appear</span> thicker as they magnify with the image. <span style="font-weight: bold">FFP reticles always cover the same amount of the target, no matter the power setting.</span>

With a SFP reticle, it <span style="font-style: italic">appears</span> to stay the same size, but it gets smaller as you dial the magnification up. When you turn it down, it covers more of the target. </div></div>Lol. I stand corrected. At least in regards to FFP reticles. However, SFP reticles don't actually get smaller as you increase the magnification. They just appear smaller in relation to the target as you increase the magnification because increasing the magnification increases the size of your target while the reticle remains the same.
In any case, now that we've made this as confusing as possible, if you intend to do benchrest style shooting at known distances an SFP reticle will cover less of your target and would be a better choice.
Since you already have a scope you should just use what you have as was already mentioned. After you get more trigger time you can decide if what you have meets your needs for what you intend to use it for or if a different scope would be more ideal. No point in spending money unless you're sure about what you want and what you want to use it for.

 

[BobD]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sniper_Wolf_666</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am not new to shooting but am new to marksmanship and using scopes. I've heard scopes described as having either a single focal plane or two focal planes and I was wondering if someone could explain what that means, the pros and cons between the two and what's the best to go with.
</div></div>

Here's a fairly simple depiction. these are not mine but i thought they might be helpful.
As you can see the the difference is created from where the reticle is placed in relation to the other lenses; hence the names of the planes.

Sometimes it's easier to understand by seeing for yourself the differences.
They both have their advantages/disadvantages, take a look at the sticky in this section and you can also type in ffp vs. Sfp in the search bar for plenty of opinions. It really depends on what type of shooting plan on doing. If you intend to hold more than you dial or are often ranging targets of either unknown distance or size... A ffp scope would likely better suit your needs. If you're shooting mostly known targets at known distances it may not be a necessity (a ffp will cost more money than a sfp scope of otherwise the same design). The thickness (not the measurement or distance) of any reticle marking and crosshairs will usually cover more of your target at high magnifications than if it were sfp. This will vary between scope models and manufactures. Their are ffp scopes that have thinner designs but can be more difficult to pick up at lower magnification.
If I were you I would try to get behind both types (if possible) and see what you're comfortable with based on what you plan on doing.

Good luck-

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane



The best way to get someone to comment on the scope you have, we need to know what model # it is. There are a number of Mark IV models out there.

Look on the box and post the Leupold model number with the scope's power
( Example: 4-14X50MM) and what reticle it has in it.

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

Double Focal Plane...?

"Yo Dawg! We heard you like focal planes so we put a focal plane in your focal plane..."

Well, it seemed funny to me...

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Double Focal Plane...?

"Yo Dawg! We heard you like focal planes so we put a focal plane in your focal plane..."

Well, it seemed funny to me...</div></div> USO makes a dual focal plane optic. Reticle in FFP and red dot in the "rear focal plane".

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2790071

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Double Focal Plane...?

"Yo Dawg! We heard you like focal planes so we put a focal plane in your focal plane..."

Well, it seemed funny to me...</div></div> USO makes a dual focal plane optic. Reticle in FFP and red dot in the "rear focal plane".

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2790071 </div></div>

Xzibit's now at USO?!

j/k I stand corrected.

 

[J-Ham]

Re: Single Focal plane vs Double focal plane

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Xzibit's now at USO?!</div></div>
Yeah, what now Schmidt & Bender?!?!