When it comes to comparing this system with SFP (second focal plane) or Rear Focal Plane reticles, it's a matter of preference. With its front focal plane, you can focus on the target without any distractions. The fact is there is a huge choice out there. It's no wonder NightForce stands at the top. Then there is the quality extra-low dispersion glass. Primary Arms 3-18X50 Front Focal Plane 1000 yd. Its popularity shows why many hunters place it in their best first focal plane (FFP) scopes list. Magnification range on the scope is 6.5-2050. A $3,000 scope on a $300 gun will never realize its true potential, so use this as a friendly rule and youll always get about the right mix of scope features for your firearm. Specializing in Active Shooters, Counter-Ambush, Low-light, and Patrol Rifles, he has trained thousands of Law Enforcement Officers in firearms. The Credo has fully multi-coated broadband anti-reflective coating to ensure clarity of image view under all light conditions. If you're intrigued, you may want to muse over our Reticle Guide and then mosey over to our MIL Vs MOA discussion. Use will increase the chances of taking down prairie predators, such as those hard to bag Elk and any other large game you may encounter. Make no mistake, FFP scopes vary dramatically in price. As you would expect for a scope made to be this durable, it's completely waterproof and fogproof. 40 mm mount rings for Picatinny Rail. We will go so far as to say, for the price, it's the best money you'll ever spend if you want quality and performance for the field without breaking a financial sweat. What does this mean for you? The latest Burris Veracity scope release also includes a new five times zoom system. For this review, I will concentrate on the 4 to 16x MOA reticle version. This is further enhanced through the ten intensity levels of illumination with an off position between each. The FFP model also utilizes an easy to set Zero-stop mechanism . We're reviewing the best budget rifle scopes you can grab right now: AR opics, mid-range scopes, and long-range FFP glass made for accuracy, without breaking the bank. When dialing in for bullet drop and wind compensation, shooters will benefit from laser-etched turrets, adjustable parallax, and the Vortex RZR zero stop feature. These optics come in many different models and from a host of manufacturers. In terms of recommendations, anyone on a tight budget (or shooters wanting to test the FFP waters) will do well to take a very close look at the, SLx3.5 4-14X44mm FFP Rifle Scope With Illuminated R-Grid 2B Reticle From Primary Arms. Each comes with objective lens sizes of 32mm, 44mm, and 50mm, respectively. Shooters can opt for variable magnification of 2-10x, 3-15x, and 5-25x. Two excellent benefits of this highly effective reticle are: When on lower power magnification, you are sure of quick target acquisition. As for the non-illuminated Ballistic Plex E1 FFP reticle, this gives hunters the ability to accurately compute target distances at any magnification while also providing trajectory and windage reference points. The Monstrum Tactical G2 is another fantastic option if youre looking for a scope thats an excellent value. With a 35 mm main tube body, you have a roomy erector tube to allow up to 34.9 MILS of elevation travel to pound steel from distances you didn't dare imagine before. This has less to do with FFP and SFP-specific designs, but it's worth knowing more about here. For tactical rifles, then, we prefer something with a beefer reticle, preferably one that is illuminated, to give the greatest flexibility when shooting in poor light conditions. This means you need equipment that is robust and durable to match. 5. Advertisement Kestrel Ballistics Some shooters like the be a little closer, while others prefer more distance between their eye and the scope. To have these three features in a scope is a recipe for multiple dollar signs, and yet, the Ares still comes in under budget for its value. Because crisp, clear, and vivid images are what you are after, this should be seen as a 2-way necessity. Shooters will benefit from a quality eyepiece featuring enhanced engraving as well as two trademark features an integrated Power Throw Lever (PTL) and an XtremeSpeed thread to allow rapid diopter adjustment. Are you constantly putting your targets out further and further? Neither one is inherently better than the other, although, some shooters may swear by one system for their purposes. $571.98. Nightforce offers this in six different reticle versions. Regardless of whether your target is 100 yards, 1,000 yards, or anywhere in between, it still provides excellent accuracy assistance. To cater to the high demand of shooters who want long-range features in a convenient-to-hunt-with scope, the Diamondback Tactical fits the bill. Set and Forget Zeroing or count your clicks. With its magnification range above 10x, it features a side focus and a fast focus eyepiece for maximum reticle sharpness for your vision. You'll need that steadiness a bipod can provide when you have extreme 5-25x power to get up and personal with. Quality glass is a must, but that needs pairing with quality lens coating. The eye relief on the 2-1032 version of the Viper is listed as 3.2 inches, which is a good middle-ground that will work for many shooters. People pick up first focal plane optics to increase their ability to shoot at longer ranges without re-zeroing the rifle for different distances. Dimensions are 15.67 x 2.54 x 2.54-inches, and it weighs in at 30 ounces. Crosshairs will increase in size as you crank up the power. Wind/Elevation travel at 100 yards is classed as 70 MOA. An added bonus is the much-lauded precision-glide erector system. There is a donut hole in the long-range, exposed turret scope market. What we hear is "ka-ching, ka-ching." Edge-to-edge clarity is constant and is further enhanced by a 5:1 zoom ratio. In such situations target size is small, and you dont want the reticle to obscure the target. If your optics fail, the company will fix or replace your scope no matter what happens. Rest assured, whichever configuration you go for, the quality runs seamlessly throughout this excellent family of top-quality rifle scopes. With this ability to use the bullet drop compensator or other reticle features at differing magnifications also comes a general increase in precision. The result is sure to please avid hunters. A good middle of the road price point scope is the Sniper ZT. SFP scopes have reticles that are towards the back of the scope. This feature is highly effective when it comes to reducing reflected light and increasing light transmission. If you're going to pull the trigger on a high-end FFP scope, you may as well become an expert in maximizing your reticle! While the reticle offers a lot, it still remains clean to ensure optimal viewing. Lens Cleaning Cloth. Vortex offers the Viper PST with two different reticle options. With the RZR zero stop system, 30 mm tube, and 20 MILS in adjustment travel, it falls right in line with other high-end FFP scopes for the money. It is glass-etched and protected between two glass layers to give optimum reliability and durability. Screw in Aluminum lens covers. Theres an old shooter adage that essentially says you should spend as much on the optics as you did on the gun. This becomes even more important for those who go on extended shooting sessions. Vortex offers their Diamondback Tactical scope in two variable magnification sizes. Once youve decided that you want a first focal plane optic in general, and determine the price point and application is a good fit, the thing I look for next is the kind of reticle that it comes with. This can lead to significant increases in target coverage at higher magnifications, leading to imprecise holds. If theres an FFP scope you want for long-range use, get on board the Maven bandwagon. One of the reasons for the good image quality is . This means that all future adjustments are readily tracked. You can holdoff for elevation and wind at any power range since your crosshair marks will be usable as subtension consistently remains unchanged. If you are in this category, then I am with you all the way! Thats good peace of mind and just one of the things that make the Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II FFP scope one of the best first focal plane scopes available today. Trijicon provides this through crisp and precise windage/elevation adjusters that require no tools. A good range scope can very different from one made for hunting and often considerably cheaper. It simply means the reticle assembly is physically located in front of the magnifying assembly in the rifle scope. The explosion in quality lens technology in recent years has lead to a tremendous number of these scopes hitting the market which can make choosing the right option a little daunting. Additionally, a lot of these attach to Picatinny rails to make it easier to mount them directly to AR15s, and a lot of other rifle systems are taking this approach as well. FFP scopes have the reticle situated towards the front of the scope. The Viper PST Gen II scope. FFP scopes can get shockingly expensive. As the popularity of long-range shooting (generally over 500 yards) has increased, so has the need for optics that enable shooters to get on target at greater and greater ranges. 34 mm tube, wide 120 MOA elevation and 80 MOA windage adjustment travel, MOAR reticle. While the choice of six different illumination settings mean you can match this with the ambient light, you shoot in. Burris is another quality scope manufacturer, and this Veracity model will not disappoint. Things like aircraft-grade aluminum, an illuminated reticle, a sealed housing, and plenty of holdovers on the reticle or a mil-dot reticle can be indicators of a good product. They've been embraced by shooters and hunters who appreciate the price slashings on their rifle scopes but still come out the other end with more features than they know what to do with. Discovery Optics ED 3-15X50 FFP SFAI . The Diamondback Tactical family of scopes is. They come with a choice of variable magnification/objective lens sizes (2-10x/32mm, 3-15x/44mm, and 5-25x/50mm) and either MOA or MRAD illuminated reticles. What distances do I want to achieve? Finally, some optics have been designed to be super rugged. Variable magnification comes in between 4-14x, it has a 30mm main tube, and the objective lens diameter is 44mm. Confidence will also be given through the easy access and highly effective true zero click stop adjustment knobs. The elevation turret is exposed and can be reset to your zero. In terms of weight, it will add an acceptable 25.6 ounces to your weapon. This design feature helps prevent any snagging when you find yourself in those tough to reach places. If you've caught the highly contagious long-range shooting bug, an FFP reticle might be for you. Thanks in advance. However, elevation tracks true and are tactile enough for most target shooters even out to 500 yards. The VX-3i LRP is compact and easy to use. This is when we proudly introduce the Athlon Argos that is equipped to get you ready for precision shooting at the range or in competition. You can get a MOA version or an MRAD version. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Discovery Scope 4-16ED FFP NONE IR WITH HOYA JAPANESE LENSES at the best online prices at eBay! Sightron Scope SIII 6-24x50 Lr Moa Zero Stop 30mm Sf Matte (1) $1,249.99 (Save 30%) $879.99 Free 2 Day Shipping. It measures 15-inches in length and weighs in at 27.2 ounces. There are Tenebraex flip-up covers, a cleaning Fob/Cleaning Cloth, and a Multi-Tool. It is also packed with useful features that include laser-etched turrets, adjustable parallax, the Vortex RZR zero stop feature, and a fast-focus eyepiece. It's almost ridiculous how affordable this scope is. We may earn a commission on purchases from a link. Then, you do a holdover for shots farther and a hold-under for shots closer in. Configuration: 3-1850 and 5-3056; Reticle Options: Both scopes are available in either Mil or MOA versions. This means that when using an FFP reticle as you zoom in on your target, the reticle becomes larger. Yes, we know the ATACR series of scopes is beyond expensive, but that hasn't stopped fanatics and professional shooters from owning one, or two. Trijicon has a very proud name in the world of optics. Those who put themselves through harsh and testing hunting conditions will also benefit from FFP scope use. It has a floating center dot along with thin lines. While the purchase price is a serious consideration, this scope offers good value to keen, regular hunters. Extreme high power and a side focus give you the ability to see further with more detail and focus at any range. Measuring in at 13-inches in length, it weighs 25.2 ounces. The 30 mm tube body allows up to 65 MOA in adjustment travel and pushing past 1000 yards with the easy to see FFP reticle puts you in the long-range game of things. Simply use the easy access push button controls to get a clear target shot. Youll have to buy those separately. Every hunter is familiar with Vortex and especially their Diamondback line of optics. Not all shooters are blessed with bottomless budgets. Fahrenheit. But, is FFP really what you need? 24 MIL elevation and windage adjustment travel, HD glass, Zero stop. . finally, two years ago, they came out with an SIII in mil/mil ffp. www.rokslide.com Shooters get between 5 and 25x variable magnification, a 56mm objective lens, and a 1.34-inch (34mm) main tube. The RS.4 has Japanese ED glass and components and is assembled in Japan. Sponsored. Pros and cons of this reticle preference? Built using quality aluminum, it will perform in any harsh hunting environments you find yourself in. The field of view angle varies between 20 and 2.53 degrees. The Leupold is one of the more expensive FFP scopes showcased here. Top-end options easily run to ten times that cost (and much more!). American Firearms was established by firearm fans for firearm fans as a modern-day take on all things that go BOOM. All images are copyrighted to their respective owners. Tuned to deliver accuracy, whether rapidly acquiring close quarter targets or moving out to mid-range, it gives the ability to achieve fast, accurate hits out to 800 yards. Learn from our expert Jerimiah Alexander to ensure the best zero while shooting.. The illumination is also variable, so you can choose from a variety of settings to further dial in your preferences. The Athlon Optics Ares BTR is a great option for anyone who wants an alternative to Leupold or Vortex. XD elements ensure you have HD quality to view everything within the field of view with optimum color fidelity and sharp resolution and contrast. This highly effective system gives an extra 30 minutes of shooting light at the beginning and end of the day. Before that, though, lets put two things to bed. It really is that straightforward. The ATACR scope is heavy. If you want usable holdovers throughout your entire magnification range, an FFP reticle might be for you. It is an effective combination of a horseshoe shape with a chevron center. It's a high-end feature that's hard to come by. The downside? Buy Arken Optics SH4 6-24X50 GEN2 FFP MIL VPR Illuminated Reticle W/ Zero Stop: GunBroker is the largest seller of Gun Scopes Scopes, Sights & Optics All: 962470181. . The diopter adjustment range is between -2 and 2 dpt, while eye relief varies between 3.1- and 3.9-inches. Athlon has built up a solid name in the scope world. Not only is the APMR in the FFP, it's also illuminated and glass-etched! The first image is from the $500 4-1444 Atibal Apex. Opt in to receive text messages Please text STOP to decline or UNSTOP to opt-in to text messaging services Guaranteed In Stock! This means the second focal plane scopes reticles are a fixed size they will not adjust as you dial up or down the magnification. The options have grown for the sub-$1000 and the $1500-plus categories, but it's a little thin in between those two price points. This feature isn't a given as illumination is an optional feature on scopes. It might not have as extreme high power, adjustment travel, or tube body size as some other high-end FFP scopes in our lineup, but it sure has the ideal specs for a hunter and shooter who has some distance to travel on foot. A solid choice for those new to FFP scopes. It is constructed using 6063 aircraft-grade aluminum and is completely water, fog, and shockproof. Sometimes an FFP reticle can be too thick and can cover too much of a target at high magnification. When you want extreme accuracy at extreme long ranges with extreme quality and features on your shooting rig, NightForce is the only brand for you. We think you get the point. However, anyone who is prepared to invest more will surely benefit from the, Viper PST Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescopes From Vortex Optics. These days, even affordable, basic optics are made with reasonably good quality, so dont turn your nose up at cheaper options! That SIIISS624x50LRFFP/MH was one of the sub $1K, ffp, mil/mil scopes I reviewed last year. Since the reticle is itself magnified, you can use precise bullet drop marking found on some of these reticles with a lot more detail than would be possible without magnification. The larger the zoom ratio, the more versatile one scope can be. This will give around 500 hours of use. When it comes to the best first focal plane (FFP) scopes at an attractive price, the Vortex Optics Diamondback series delivers. A pinch-and-turn lock mechanism and a fully adjustable zero stop help prevent inadvertent adjustments and ensure accurate return to zero. 5:1 zoom ratio, and 0.1 mil clicks just add to the premium design and high-performing setup of the Leupold scope. The single piece, 30mm main tube comes with strong o-ring seals and is nitrogen purged. Although this is fine if your intention is to major in long-distance shooting, there are questions to ask yourself: What distance do I generally shoot at? A zero stop is also a feature that is considered a premium add-on, so it's no surprise that you're not getting it here. While it may not matter in terms of performance, I do think that the looks of a firearm and optic combination are worth thinking about if there are different options and youre already spending this much money on a scope. What's the cheapest 34mm FFP scope with zero stop turrets that you're aware of? Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD, comparing this system with SFP (second focal plane), How to Sight In A Scope & How To Mount A Scope (Includes Videos), Nikon ProStaff 4-12X40mm Black Matte Riflescope (BDC) - Model 6729, Nikon Monarch 3 4-16x42mm BDC Rifle Scope with Side Focus (Model 6770), Nikon Prostaff 7 4-16x42 BDC Riflescope w/ 30mm Body (Model #16324), Simmons 8-Point Truplex Reticle Riflescope 3-9x40mm (Model 510513). No problem, illuminating the reticle could not be easier. The scope offers 6-2450 magnification, which is more than enough for most shooters. Editor's Choice: Leica PRS 5-30x56i Leica PRS 5-30x56i $2,699 Leica This is the world-class riflescope that we knew Leica was capable of delivering American shooters. You get between 1 and 8x variable magnification, a 34mm main tube, and a 28mm objective lens.