You do not pay anything extra and your purchase helps support our work. This allows for the reticle itself to be magnified as you adjust the magnification on a variable scope. Regardless of whether your target is 100 yards, 1,000 yards, or anywhere in between, it still provides excellent accuracy assistance. American Firearms was established by firearm fans for firearm fans as a modern-day take on all things that go BOOM. Best AR 15 Scopes; Best Selling Hunting Scopes; Top 10 Low Light Hunting Scopes . From there, the adjustability of the optic in terms of zoom is something that we consider carefully. As well as an included lens shade and lens covers, this top-quality optic comes backed by Leupolds full lifetime guarantee. 34 mm tube, MOA & MIL reticles, dual illumination, ED Japanese glass. BigJimFish Reviews the Sightron S-TAC 4-20X50FFPZSIRMH zero stop scope as part of the Sub $1k . 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. If you're in thick brush or it's rapidly approaching lowlight hours where you need to sit in lower magnification ranges, cross hairs can be difficult to see as they may be too thin and small. However, at low power, it's difficult to see crosshairs as they may be too small and thin. It comes with extras such as dual illumination (red/green), glass-etched reticle, zero stop, and exposed turrets. However, anyone who is prepared to invest more will surely benefit from the, Viper PST Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescopes From Vortex Optics. The RS.4 has Japanese ED glass and components and is assembled in Japan. Overall, with all the different reticles Primary Arms generates, the simple mil dot has been a long-lasting option. When it comes to the best first focal plane (FFP) scopes at an attractive price, the Vortex Optics Diamondback series delivers. To finish off reviews of the 10 Best First Focal Plane (FFP) Scopes currently available, it is time to head back to Primary Arms. Thanks in advance. Let us set the record straight - you don't see this feature at this price point, ever! Because crisp, clear, and vivid images are what you are after, this should be seen as a 2-way necessity. . Athlon Optics, Argos BTR, Riflescope Some rifle owners found Athlon Optics Argos BTR comparable to Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II and Primary Arms 4 to 1444 in terms of features. 5. 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. Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Leveled and Zeroed. This will give around 500 hours of use. You can then add to this the mentioned Power Throw Lever or similar, sunshade, windage beauty ring, stickers, and a comprehensive owners manual. While the choice of six different illumination settings mean you can match this with the ambient light, you shoot in. In such situations target size is small, and you dont want the reticle to obscure the target. My review will concentrate on the Mark 5HD 5-25X56 M5C3 FFP PR1-MIL reticle model. Youll get max accuracy as it tracks excellently proven through my field testing. Premium components are part of the zoom lens. Glass-etched reticles are still largely a tactical feature, but like FFP reticles, they're being adopted into high-end hunting scopes too. It also eliminates up to 90% more glare than other scopes offer. This is a tactical feature that hunters appreciate for its unbreakable ruggedness. The downside? 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. Compact was just mentioned, and that is what it is. It has been designed for anyone looking to get into PRS (Precision Rifle Series) competition or hunting over longer distances. Thankfully, optic prices have been coming down for the past few years. This quality feature ensures that hunters benefit from a wide FOV (Field Of View). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for DISCOVERY HD 4-24X50SFIR FFP Zero Stop Hunting Rifle Scope for .50BMG Air Gun at the best online prices at eBay! Choosing a scope based on the FFP reticle alone is a mistake. A good range scope can very different from one made for hunting and often considerably cheaper. That's a big factor to consider when scopes that get bigger with more power often add another 2 lbs plus to your rifle. Some reported they would have liked to see the eye relief be a little longer. Vortex knows optics. Free shipping for many products! The Zero Lock dial, throw lever. Therefore, you benefit from a brighter image than normal single-coated lenses offer. There are a lot of options out there when it comes to FFP scopes. Check Price. One such scope is the Ares BTR 4.5-27x50. Vortex has equipped this FFP scope with a glass-etched reticle. Extreme high power and a side focus give you the ability to see further with more detail and focus at any range. Edge-to-edge clarity is constant and is further enhanced by a 5:1 zoom ratio. Our testers came in a little skeptical of the scope due to its low price but found the glass, reticle, and turrets to all be of high quality for the price. The reticle will change in size as you change magnification. It is night vision compatible when on its lowest setting and daylight bright on its highest setting. Vortex Optics Viper PST Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 2-10x32 First Focal Plane Riflescope - EBR-4 Reticle (MRAD) 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. The advanced reticle design also promotes set and forget zeroing to make life easy. The Mark 5HD series of quality optics is a perfect example. The VX-3i LRP is compact and easy to use. 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. Free shipping. Both focal plane reticles illuminate red. The RS.1 is a rifle scope that every shooter, tactical or hunter, can get behind. With that in mind, Ive decided to review the best first focal plane (FFP) scopes currently on the market. We think you get the point. What to look for in an FFP rifle scope, The American Firearms Guide to Shotgunning, Illumination of reticle could be brighter, Illuminated Focal plane reticle in both red and green, The included scope mount isnt super sturdy, Lacks some of the features of high-dollar options, Illuminated rangefinding focal plane reticle. This is practically unheard of for under 500 bucks. With this in mind, it features tactile and audible clicks. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Arken Optics SH4 6-24X50 GEN2 FFP MIL VPR Illuminated with Zero Stop - 34mm Tube at the best online prices at eBay! It's a high-end feature that's hard to come by. It's no wonder ATACR scopes are used by the U.S. military. 292.99. The Argos might just be the solution optic to your shopping dilemma. Great value for money, and also lends itself to mid-range shooting by utilising a half-mil scale in the FFP. If the sound of ringing steel from a distance is a sound you live for, an FFP reticle might be for you. Free Postage. The included fast-focus eyepiece complements reticle use to allow fast, easy target focusing. We'll answer your reticle questions here and guide you towards the best scope to mount your rig! Once you've read this article and when you're looking for more, I highly suggest our write up on the best 1-8 ffp scope options on the market today. What we hear is "ka-ching, ka-ching." Five of these options come with green and red DigIllum illumination. Now, that's Diamondback ruggedness and tactical performance combined. This can be a problem depending on your mounting configuration and accessory set-up. Such fine adjustments might not be wanted, or necessary, on rifles that are meant to shoot at medium ranges, but for folks who are putting together a rifle for precision shooting, especially a bolt action that will be good out to 1000 or more meters, then having that level of precision is a must-have for the most demanding of hunters and competition shooters. With that in mind, variable magnification of between 3-9x fits the bill. At the lower end, you will find models around the $300 mark. The company uses the best materials and provides advanced features at a price that most shooters can afford. It is Mil Rad adjustable with 0.1 Mil Rad click steps and has an adjustment range of 29 Mil Rad. Though its mostly a stylistic choice, for example being able to get a scope thats flat-dark-earth in color, some of the more tactical options take into account worse operating conditions and thus include things like an illuminated reticle to make it more possible to shoot in poorer lighting conditions than are possible with an unlit reticle. As for eye relief, this is between 3- and 4-inches. Perhaps you can relate. The choice is up to you, which comes down to personal preference. FFP reticles are certainly the way to go for shooters who regularly change magnification to acquire targets. Not only is it water and fog-proof, but the shockproof design also ensures it will withstand any knocks, bumps, and expected recoil. FFP it is! It's no wonder NightForce stands at the top. When it comes to your optic, look at those which are made from quality grade aluminum. This is because the reticle has been designed to adapt to whatever zoom level you currently have it set on. This means you need to narrow down your options to suit your particular shooting style, applications, and pocket. The MIL-XT reticle version comes with red DigIllum illumination only. FREE SHIPPING on Sig Sauer TANGO-DMR 3-18x44mm MOA Milling 2.0 Illum 1/4MOA FFP Riflescope w/Side Focus SOTD63111 . It's not as difficult as you may think to wrap your head around FFP scopes. In comparison with scopes at a similar price point, the RS.4 has a leg-up or two in quality which brings more to the table in value. Conversely, an SFP reticle appears the same size regardless of the magnification you have it set on. These 0.1 MIL click adjustments are both precise and repeatable. Not only is the APMR in the FFP, it's also illuminated and glass-etched! This increases resolution and color fidelity of images, while the XR fully multi-coated lenses are highly effective in increasing light transmission. While the reticle offers a lot, it still remains clean to ensure optimal viewing. Trijicon provides this through crisp and precise windage/elevation adjusters that require no tools. All rights reserved. It's no wonder ATACR scopes are expensive, no detail left overlooked, and no expense spared. Now, let's take a nose dive into the best front focal plane scopes that made our lineup! While this scope can easily take out varmints, big game, and predators from distances that just might be controversial to some, you'll find it better suited for prone position shooting for competition and/or military/law enforcement use. This FFP scope gives shooters top-quality materials, build quality, and premium features at a fair price. This wouldn't mean much if it wasn't for the XD elements and HD glass quality you get with this scope. The super fine APMR FFP IR MIL reticle is glass etched. Exit pupil runs between 2.5 and 12mm, and linear field of view at 100 yards is between 5.5 and 26 feet. Allen wrench for knob and zero stop adjustments. Its hard to ask for more than this for under $300. When choosing a rifle scope, you have a host of considerations to take into account. You must look at other features that would be appropriate for your type of shooting. What is more, you will have peace of mind purchase through the included Vortex lifetime warranty. Burris have successfully combined their proven optic engineering expertise with state-of-the-art enhancements. Perfect for experienced hunters and 3-gun competition. It is not as robust as our testers would have liked to see, so we would suggest upgrading it at some point, especially if youre doing any kind of backcountry hunting where your gear can take a true beating. Founder & Licensed Concealed Carry Holder. An Argon-purged gas chamber is a luxury feature that outdoes nitrogen gas when weatherproofing and sealing your scope. That SIIISS624x50LRFFP/MH was one of the sub $1K, ffp, mil/mil scopes I reviewed last year. FFP scopes can get shockingly expensive. 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). If we had to choose only one scope from this list, it would be the Vortex Optics Viper PST. The Athlon scope even has a zero stop that gets you back to your original zero with a mere twist in micro seconds. Of all the scopes showcased here, the Athlon was the easiest to get sighted in and to use. It simply means the reticle assembly is physically located in front of the magnifying assembly in the rifle scope. Will you be sitting and using a bi/tripod? The RevStop Zero system is available on the following Vortex scope lines: Vortex Strike Eagle (only the 5-2556 FFP model currently) Vortex Razor HD LHT series Vortex RZR Zero Stop The Vortex RZR Zero Stop system is different from the shim-based CRS Zero Stop set-up. This demo site is only for demonstration purposes. This is because they are generally far more robust and durable than SFP scopes and are ready to withstand the most testing of hunting conditions. The CFR-MIL reticle holds the balance between being clear and visible to not overcrowding the field of view. But, if this is you, durability, quality, features galore, and accuracy are on the menu. More detail on what to look for from an FFP scope will be given in the buyers guide section below. It features a micro-fine crosshair with a standard target reticle, plus side focus parallax adjustment and standard target turrets to help you focus at 1000 yards. This ensures smooth, easy magnification changes no matter what conditions you are shooting in. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock. Two excellent benefits of this highly effective reticle are: When on lower power magnification, you are sure of quick target acquisition. FFP reticles aren't inherently better than SFP reticles. Primary Arms class this quality riflescope in their PLx top-tier optics family. 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. The FFP model also utilizes an easy to set Zero-stop mechanism . Parallax focus is easy access, side adjustable, and complemented by the fast-focus eyepiece feature, which ensures ease of reticle acquisition. You can then consider its shockproof abilities. It also has an illuminated center grid to provide fast target acquisition during low light or when the reticle is in the lower power range. It's almost ridiculous how affordable this scope is. There is a donut hole in the long-range, exposed turret scope market. 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. Vortex offers their Diamondback Tactical scope in two variable magnification sizes. It will function in temperatures of between -20 and +140 deg. This factor allows shooters to keep estimated windage and elevation holdover points accurate regardless of the level of magnification. Its overkill just for hunting with, but its your prerogative. Click on the name to head to the product page, read reviews and check prices or skip ahead to the list of FFP scopes. How we select gear. He is the owner of Brave Defender Training Group LLC, providing advanced firearms and tactical training. It offers 120 MOA or 35 MRAD of total elevation adjustment and 80 MOA or 24 MRAD of windage adjustment. Picture 1 . Rest assured, whichever configuration you go for, the quality runs seamlessly throughout this excellent family of top-quality rifle scopes. This optic is highly robust and comes with specially designed mechanical systems on both the control and erector system. Hunters will also find that the sleek finish is complemented with low-profile controls. It includes a Precision Zero Stop System. It's a preference, and scopes on the more expensive end will offer reticle illumination. It also has a 30 mm tube body that gives a generous 24 MIL in both elevation and windage adjustment travel, however, clicks aren't as crisp as users would like. If you are new to the world of FFP scopes, this is a worthy consideration. Made in Japan, it has a durable hardcoat anodized black finish and is waterproof as well as shock and fog-resistant. This makes it much easier to maintain your shot placement even through changes in magnification, which means first focal plane optics are an excellent choice for long-range shooters who shoot at different distances. Once zero is yours, the finger adjustable turrets can easily be reset to Zero. Yes, there is a difference in clarity, but not much. What rifle scope offers both sniper precision and user ease that's good enough for both the professional and the enthusiastic civilian? We'll find any and every excuse to legitimize pulling the trigger on buying an FFP rifle scope. More Reading: Best 1-8 FFP Scopes. The Vortex Gen II PST and the V4 line from. They can also protect those precious lenses from dust, dirt, and scratch damage. This makes accounting for things like bullet drop or wind interference over long distances much easier. A pinch-and-turn lock mechanism and a fully adjustable zero stop help prevent inadvertent adjustments and ensure accurate return to zero. It has to be seen as one of the best performing first focal plane scopes currently available in this price bracket. It has an exterior XPL coating to protect the glass from all the nasties from being out in the field. It's much easier to do this when you can actually see the marks and dots on your crosshairs. Using top-quality glass, this riflescope gives sharp, crisp imaging throughout the magnification range. Coming with variable magnification of between 1 and 6x, it has a 30mm main tube diameter and a 24mm objective lens. The alternative to an FFP scope, a second focal plane scope (SFP), places the reticle closer to the shooters eye and on the near side of the magnification. Neither one is inherently better than the other, although, some shooters may swear by one system for their purposes. Among first focal plane optics, some are also intended for precision shooting. This compact optic is a perfect match. If youre shooting over 500 yards (and definitely 800 yards), failing to take windage and bullet-drop into account will only result in inaccurate holds, missed shots, and failed hunting trips. Worth considering! 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. And that is most definitely what you get with this top-of-the-range FFP riflescope. This solid build will protect your scope regardless of the conditions it is used in. Along with one of the best premium FFP scopes currently available, you also get a variety of extras. Are you scouting where you need light weights and compactness as a priority? At the lower end of the price range, youll get optics with decent glass that aid you in shooting at long ranges in well-lit conditions, but youre unlikely to find any especially fancy features or tactical styling here. A good middle of the road price point scope is the Sniper ZT. If youre just going to the range, then the mount may be just fine. Those new to the world of rifle scopes have a tendency to go for top-end variable magnification that is too high for their needs. The included top-quality Japanese glass provides excellent clarity, while the advanced features ensure accuracy. The Viper PST Gen II scope. $1099 MSRP Let me know if you know of any cheaper. These days, even affordable, basic optics are made with reasonably good quality, so dont turn your nose up at cheaper options! Choose either 4 to 16x or 6 to 24x. Bench rest shooters may not be too concerned about the optimal weight a scope will add to their weapon. Exit pupil is between 8.2 and 2.1mm (0.32- and 0.08-inches). With a background like that, there's a scope that fits every shooter's needs, including yours. Without getting too technical, the major difference between the two is that the size of an FFP reticle appears to change as you move through the levels of magnification. The ACSS Raptor M2 reticle gives shooters a large illuminated horseshoe that draws the eye. Features. Higher magnifications do help with greater precision, but the optics with the highest zoom levels are also often the most expensive. It's been Punisher Tested to withstand the harshest of recoil you can dish out. It has a floating center dot along with thin lines. This Viper might be on the more expensive end, but what do you expect when you get the best? From there, it gives the ability to dial back with a precise, sharp stop exactly at your zero mark. Below is my list of the best first focal plane scopes under for 2022. Leupold says it's good enough to survive past 5,000 rounds worth of recoil 3x that of a .308. Their Argos Gen II BTR model is a point in case. Parallax is 15 yards to infinity, and the eye relief ranges between 3.14- and 3.22-inches. 34 mm tube, wide 120 MOA elevation and 80 MOA windage adjustment travel, MOAR reticle. If you want FFP for a steal of a price, you're lucky Vortex has the scope to fit the bill. With that said, its certainly advisable to be fairly careful with your first focal plane optic: a lot of these are expensive enough that breaking them would be a major downer on the mood for the rest of a hunting trip or range day. Worthy of praise? The SLx rifle scope is well established in the market and is one of the most affordable FFP scopes under $300. This is a must-have feature for those in PRS matches and long-range, precision shooting. Pros and cons of this reticle preference? Close X. The scratch-resistant lenses will effectively protect the glass for years to come. If you've caught the highly contagious long-range shooting bug, an FFP reticle might be for you. The Mark 5HD is one of Leupold's serious beasts of a machine. When it comes to comparing this system with SFP (second focal plane) or Rear Focal Plane reticles, it's a matter of preference. This versatility ensures close, mid, and long-range shot accuracy. Athlon has built up a solid name in the scope world. Best Precision Hunting Scope: Zeiss LRP S5 3-1850 Most Versatile Hunting Scope: Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-1040 Best Budget Scope: Hawke Vantage 30 WA IR 2.5-1050 Best Crossover Scope: Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-2250 Best LPVO: EOTech Vudu 1-1028 Best Budget Precision Rimfire Rifle Scope: Athlon Midas HMR 2.5-1550 Were reader-supported, which means we may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. 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. . All content cited is derived from their respective sources. Theres also precision zero stop, an XPL coating on the exterior to protect it, and you can get either a MOA reticle or a Mil option. This provides enhanced visibility during those all-important dawn, dusk, or low-light shooting periods. We use the best materials and advanced features available within a price that most shooters can afford. Top 10 Best First Focal Plane (FFP) Scopes To Buy In 2023 Reviews, Best First Focal Plane (FFP) Scopes Buying Guide The Key Factors to Look Out For. The MH-2 reticle has an illuminated crosshair with hash marks in 1/2 mil increments. But the Argos BTR Gen II 6-24x50mm optic does not stop there. Again, regardless of the reticle chosen, you will benefit from high functionality, intuitive use, and detailed hold points. XD elements ensure you have HD quality to view everything within the field of view with optimum color fidelity and sharp resolution and contrast. One major gripe about this particular scope is the mount. 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. Sightron Scope SIII 8-32x56 Lr Moa Zero Stop 30mm Sf Matte $1,374.99 (Save 32%) $939.99 Instant Savings. The illumination on this scope is both in red and green and there are multiple brightness intensities. It proved to be an accurate scope throughout testing at the range and in the backwoods and appears as though it would hold up extremely well over time, whether or not youre using it for hunting or range shooting. You get between 1-8x variable magnification, a 24mm objective lens, and a high strength, heavy-duty 34mm main tube. It really is a compact, feature-filled optic. With its max of 15x magnification, 30 mm tube, and 100 MOA of elevation travel, it's still a very attractive and impressive scope, and it all helps to keep weight down. Other things to think about are the actual components of the scope itself. The first focal plane, glass-etched reticle keep subtensions accurate throughout the 4x . Wind and elevation travel at 100 yards is classed at 18 Mil Rad, while eye relief is 3.3-inches. The Athlon Optics Ares BTR is a great option for anyone who wants an alternative to Leupold or Vortex. Opt in to receive text messages Please text STOP to decline or UNSTOP to opt-in to text messaging services Guaranteed In Stock! There's a time and place for either type of reticle in the hunt or in the tactical world. The reticle itself offers plenty of holdovers for most shooters. Vortex offers the Viper PST with two different reticle options. 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. Leupold certainly does not stand still when it comes to offering customers choice. The major upside to this, as weve mentioned, is that it can allow the shooter a greater degree of precision at longer distance shots and maintains the usability of bullet drop marks at differing magnifications. The Leupold is one of the more expensive FFP scopes showcased here. How to use the Zero Stop and Zero Reset feature on Riton Optics riflescopes. The Ares ETR First Focal Plane rifle scope is loaded with features that will allow you to take your long range shooting to another level. To seal the deal, you will find that customer service is very responsive, and peace of mind is yours through the Vortex VIP Lifetime Warranty. Youll have to buy those separately. This model from Primary Arms has to be one of the best value first focal plane scopes available for the price offered.