Are you looking to buy a first focal plane scope but aren’t sure what are the best options to consider?
You’re in the right place as this list of already-tested top FFP scopes will ensure you don’t waste cash on a scope that isn’t right for you or will malfunction after a few rounds. So, let’s get to it.
My Picks for FFP Scope
- Monstrum Tactical G3 6-24X50mm FFP
- Vortex Optics Viper PST II
- Athlon Optics 6-24X50mm Argos BTR First Focal Plane Scope
- Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical First Focal Plane Scope
- Crimson Trace 6-24X56mm MOA FFP Scope
- Vector Optics Veyron 3-12X44mm FFP Scope
- Nikon Black FX1000
- Leupold VX Freedom 3-9X40mm FFP Scope
- Sightmark Citadel LR2 FFP Scope
Contents
What is a First Focal Plane Scope
Scopes on the market today can be very confusing. If you’re already aware of what is a first focal plane scope, you can skip ahead to the reviews. But if not, here’s a short breakdown.
So, what is a first focal plane scope and why should you purchase one?
First focal plane scopes were designed with long-range shooters and hunters in mind. Most of the time the distance at which the target is for these shooters is unknown and can make using a second focal plane scope difficult.
These shooters wanted a scope that was able to be adjusted quickly at all ranges and a reticle that stayed the same size through all power magnification settings.
With a first focal plane scope, the reticle will appear to change in size as you increase or decrease in magnification on the scope. When you adjust to the highest magnification power the reticle will be larger and at the lowest power, the reticle will be smaller.
The benefit of this is that most first focal plane scopes have reticles with holdover hash marks for both windage and elevation holdovers. While shooting with a first focal plane scope the hash marks will remain accurate no matter what magnification power you are using.
The one downfall to using a first focal plane scope is that at the lowest power magnification, the reticle will be small and difficult to see. If using the lowest magnification power at longer distances the reticle will be difficult to distinguish and can make the target difficult to see as well.
What is a Second Focal Plane Scope
Second focal plane scopes are the most well-known, as they have been around for a long time.
When using a second focal plane scope the reticle will remain the same size no matter what power magnification you are using.
If your reticle has holdover hash marks, they will only be accurate at the highest magnification setting that your scope has. At any other power magnification, the marks will not be accurate. If you are going to do all your shooting at the highest power magnification, you will not have a problem.
If you are going to use turret adjustments for windage and elevation corrections for different target distances, then a second focal plane scope will work well for you.
If you are a new shooter, a first focal plane scope may be a better option for you. You can zero the scope and leave the scope set only using the magnification adjustment and hash mark holdovers to hit your target at all distances.
Below I will give you my 10 best first focal plane scopes that I have found to date.
BEST FIRST FOCAL PLANE SCOPES
1. Monstrum Tactical G3 6-24X50mm First Focal Plane Scope
The Monstrum Tactical G3 6-24X50mm FFP scope is a 30mm tube scope that is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof. The tube is nitrogen-purged as well.
The turrets are exposed with ¼ MOA windage and elevation clicks. The clicks are audible and crisp to the feel. It also has an adjustable objective lens for fine-tuning your target at longer distances and eliminating parallax.
The reticle is an H-type reticle with hash marks for elevation and windage holdovers that are MOA hash marks. The reticle is an etched-on glass black reticle that can be illuminated in red for low-light shooting.
The lens is fully multicoated to reduce glare, scratches, and dirt.
The scope comes with a set of high-profile scope rings, a sunshade, and a set of spring-loaded flip-up lens covers.
2. Vortex Optics Viper PST II
The Vortex Optics Viper PST II 3-15X44mm scope is a 30mm tube scope that is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof. The tube is nitrogen-purged.
The turrets are exposed and come in either MOA or MRAD adjustments. The clicks are crisp and clear and are also audible. It has a parallax adjustment knob that is adjustable from 20 yards to infinity.
The Viper PST II has four different reticle options. The options are the EBR-2C(MOA), EBR-2C(MRAD), EBR-7C(MOA), and EBR-7C(MRAD). The reticle is etched on the glass. The turrets are also locking and zero resetting. As well as having illumination in 10 settings to assist in low light shooting situations.
The glass is clear and has XR fully multicoated lenses. The glass also has an Armortek coating that helps protect against scratches, oil, and dirt.
3. Athlon Optics 6-24X50mm Argos BTR First Focal Plane Scope
The Athlon Optics 6-24X50mm Argos BTR scope is a 30mm tube scope that is argon purged. The scope is waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof.
The turrets are exposed with ¼ MOA adjustments for both windage and elevation. The clicks are crisp to the touch but are not clearly audible. The scope also has an adjustable parallax which is a side knob that can be adjusted from 10 yards to infinity.
The reticle is a T-style reticle with hash marks for both windage and elevation holdovers that are MOA as well. The reticle is etched on the glass. The reticle can be illuminated as well.
The glass is clear and multicoated.
4. Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical First Focal Plane Scope
The Vortex Optics Diamondback tactical 4-16X44mm riflescope is a 30mm tube scope that is nitrogen-purged. It is fog proof, waterproof, and shockproof.
It has exposed turrets that come in either MOA or MRAD adjustments. Magnification is from 4 power to 16 power. The click adjustments are audible, crisp, and clear making adjustments easier. The turrets are not locking but do have zero reset so after sighting in the turrets can have the zero rest to your sighted in zero.
The diamondback tactical has parallax adjustment as well. The parallax is adjustable from 0 yards to infinity.
The lens is multi-coated with low-dispersion glass for low-light shooting. The glass is clear and allows for fine target acquisition.
The diamondback tactical has two different reticle options and the reticle is etched on the glass. The options for reticle choices are the EBR-2C(MOA) and the EBR-2C(MRAD).
The diamondback tactical scope also has a quick focus eyepiece that allows for fine-tuning of the sight picture.
5. Crimson Trace 6-24X56mm MOA FFP Scope
The Crimson Trace 6-24X56mm MOA FFP scope is a 34mm tube scope. It is shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof.
The turrets are exposed with ¼ MOA adjustments for both windage and elevation. The clicks are crisp, clear, and audible.
The reticle is an MR1 advanced MOA reticle with hash marks for holdovers for both windage and elevation. The reticle is etched on the glass and can be illuminated in 11 different brightness settings.
The glass is clear and multicoated. The scope is covered by Crimson Trace’s lifetime warranty as well.
6. Vector Optics Veyron 3-12X44mm FFP Scope
The Vector Optics Veyron 3-12X44m scope is a 30mm tube scope. It is nitrogen purged, waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof.
The turrets are exposed with 1/10 mil adjustments for windage and elevation. The turrets are crisp and clear. The turrets are locking and zero resetting. The scope also has an adjustable parallax.
The reticle is a T-style reticle that is etched on glass and has hash marks for both windage and elevation holdovers.
The scope comes with a set of the best scope mounts designed for the optic, lens covers, and sunshade. The scope is covered by a 5-year warranty as well.
7. Nikon Black FX1000
The Nikon Black FX1000 FFP scope is a 30mm tube scope that is shockproof and waterproof.
The turrets are exposed and can be purchased in either MOA or MRAD adjustments. The clicks are crisp and audible. The turrets are zero-stop resetting turrets.
The Black FX1000 has a side adjustable parallax adjustment that can be adjusted from zero to infinity.
The Black FX1000 comes in two different magnification ranges and 4 different reticle options. The reticle can be either MOA or MRAD and can be purchased either illuminated or nonilluminated. Illuminated reticle options have 10 different illumination settings.
The glass is clear and multicoated to reduce scratches.
The scope comes with a set of scope rings, lens caps, and a sunshade.
8. Leupold VX Freedom 3-9X40mm FFP Scope
The Leupold VX Freedom 1.5-4X20 is a second focal plane scope with a 1-inch tube, that is nitrogen purged. It is waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof.
The glass is clear and crisp. The lens is scratch-resistant and has a duplex reticle. The lens also has Leupold’s twilight management system which allows for longer shooting times at low light levels.
The turrets are capped and have ¼ MOA click adjustments for windage and elevation. They are not locking or zero-resetting turrets. The clicks are crisp and clear when adjusting.
The VX freedom comes with two reticle options, a standard duplex reticle or a pig-reticle.
9. Sightmark Citadel LR2 FFP Scope
The Sightmark Citadel LR2 FFP scope is a 30mm tube scope. It is nitrogen-purged and is waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof.
The Citadel LR2 has low-profile exposed turrets with MRAD adjustments for both windage and elevation. The turrets are locking and zero resetting. The turrets are not very crisp but are audible.
The Citadel LR2 also has an adjustable parallax side knob that can be adjusted from 20 yards to infinity.
The reticle is the LR2 reticle with MRAD hash marks for windage and elevation holdovers. The reticle is a black etched-on glass reticle but has the option to be illuminated in red as well.
The glass is somewhat clear but there are clearer glass options listed above. The Citadel LR2 is still a solid scope.
The Citadel LR2 scope comes with flip-up lens covers, sunshade, and battery for illumination use.
10. Monstrum Tactical G2 1-4X24mm FFP Scope
The Monstrum Tactical G2 1-4X24mm FFP scope is a 30mm sealed, nitrogen-charged tube scope that is waterproof and fog proof. However, it is not listed as shockproof.
The turrets are low-profile exposed turrets with ¼ MOA adjustments for both elevation and windage. The turrets are zero resetting. The clicks are a little spongy at first but do loosen up after use.
The G2 has an adjustable objective eyepiece to increase the ability to fine-tune your target at all ranges. The G2 also has a side adjustable knob for parallax adjustment that is adjustable from zero to infinity.
The reticle is a BDC reticle etched on the glass. The reticle can be illuminated in either red or green as well.
The glass is multicoated and clear out to 300 yards. After 300 yards the glass begins to become blurry.
The G2 comes with a set of scope rings, flip-up lens covers, and a sunshade.
In Closing
As you can see choosing the right scope can be very confusing. You must decide between purchasing a first focal plane scope or second focal plane scope. Exposed or covered turrets. And several other options.
Do you want an MOA or MRAD adjustable scope? And what kind of reticle is best for your needs?
The best option is to try out several scopes if possible. Use a first focal plane and a second focal plane and make the best decision for you to fit your needs for that rifle.
The 10 first focal planes scopes listed are all great options for long range shooting and hunting purposes.
Once you are used to using a first focal plane scope it will become second nature to you and you will want one for every rifle.
Dakota Potts is a gunsmith, armorer, and gun rights advocate with nearly 10 years of experience. He is well respected in the industry and his work has appeared on various industry leading firearm publications. He enjoys learning about firearm history and technology. You can follow Dakota Potts on Youtube or see his Facebook.
