Ruggedized features help, but a careful owner is the best safety feature of all. You can then add Leupolds renowned Twilight Max HD Light System. Magnification Not Everyone is a Trained Sniper! 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. I list the best choices in terms of value, performance, design, and cost. Hitting steel at 1000 yards plus is nothing for this long-ranging machine. This article contains affiliate links. Also, as you zoom in your overall field of view decreases as well, so a scope that might need to be used at close range or to track game should also have a fairly low base magnification so that you have the option to use it as a spotting scope as well. Built for long-distance shooting, magnification varies between 4x and 20x; it has a 30mm main tube diameter and a quality 50mm objective lens. . We'll find any and every excuse to legitimize pulling the trigger on buying an FFP rifle scope. It is glass-etched and protected between two glass layers to give optimum reliability and durability. To finish off reviews of the 10 Best First Focal Plane (FFP) Scopes currently available, it is time to head back to Primary Arms. The FFP reticle is going to increase in size as you crank up the power, and you'll need to pay attention to the glass-etched, illuminated MRAD reticle if you're serious about taking advantage of accurate holdover points. Before that, though, lets put two things to bed. Being illuminated means precise aiming under low-light conditions is yours. The field of view angle varies between 20 and 2.53 degrees. Trijicon has a very proud name in the world of optics. As you would expect for a scope made to be this durable, it's completely waterproof and fogproof. . 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. Leupold offers six different reticle choices. 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. He is the owner of Brave Defender Training Group LLC, providing advanced firearms and tactical training. This can be a problem depending on your mounting configuration and accessory set-up. There are Tenebraex flip-up covers, a cleaning Fob/Cleaning Cloth, and a Multi-Tool. 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. Then comes the easy access exposed tactical turrets and side parallax knob. Of course, this means youll still spend hundreds of dollars on a scope but probably not thousands of dollars. This allows for a lot of precision in shot placement, but might not be the fastest to acquire with the eye. 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! Coming with variable magnification of between 1 and 6x, it has a 30mm main tube diameter and a 24mm objective lens. It really is a compact, feature-filled optic. While the choice of six different illumination settings mean you can match this with the ambient light, you shoot in. It should also be remembered that in the main, the larger your objective lens, the heavier the overall your scope will be. Rex does a side by side comparison of the new Arken EP5 5-25X56 FFP MIL VPR Reticle with Zero Stop - 34mm Tube against the Primary arms Pox 6-30x56, the Stei. They can also protect those precious lenses from dust, dirt, and scratch damage. Eye relief on this scope is also quite good at 4.5 inches. Shooters can opt for variable magnification of 2-10x, 3-15x, and 5-25x. The CFR-MIL reticle holds the balance between being clear and visible to not overcrowding the field of view. The exit pupil is between 3.3-11.2mm, while linear field of view at 100 yards comes in between 27.2 and 7.85 feet. The Mueller Target Rifle Scope is a great 1000-yard scope with a solid magnification of 8-32x, giving a great field of view at well over 1000 yards. Athlon doesnt include these with the scope, and our testers found this to be a pain point given the price. With its magnification range above 10x, it features a side focus and a fast focus eyepiece for maximum reticle sharpness for your vision. This scope is going on a rig where you're in a prone position and a bipod is holding you steady anyway. One thing that our testers werent crazy about was the eye relief of the Viper. 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. A new player in the shooting optics industry, Athlon Optics offers some excellent products that are winning customers that would normally turn to names like Leupold. That SIIISS624x50LRFFP/MH was one of the sub $1K, ffp, mil/mil scopes I reviewed last year. All images are copyrighted to their respective owners. So if you have a $300 rifle, you should spend about that much on a scope. The RS.1 combines the high-end features of a premium rifle scope and a tactical rig to make it suitable for hunters in the field or shooters getting into the long-range game. Hunters will also find that the sleek finish is complemented with low-profile controls. Maven RS.4 5-30x56 FFP - Best Under $2000 Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD - Best FFP Scope Under $1500 Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44 - Best FFP Scope for Hunting Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50 - Best FFP Scope Under $1000 Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24X50 - Best FFP Scope Under $500 Athlon Argos BTR 6-24X50 - Best FFP Scope for the Money Vortex knows optics. Choosing a scope based on the FFP reticle alone is a mistake. 5. The cost savings must be seen somewhere, right? 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 your optics fail, the company will fix or replace your scope no matter what happens. The model reviewed here is their Gen II version giving between 6-24x variable magnification and a 50mm objective lens. With a background like that, there's a scope that fits every shooter's needs, including yours. Are you a fan of long-range shooting? Another great scope, in my opinion, that was not included in this review, is the Nikko Stirling Diamond 4-16x43, HMD (half mil-dot) reticle. Having a reticle in the FFP is only one contribution to its expensive price tag as high-end scopes often come with high-end features that the Mark 5 obviously has. Now, that's Diamondback ruggedness and tactical performance combined. It is this coating that affects light transmission. It has to be seen as one of the best performing first focal plane scopes currently available in this price bracket. Let us set the record straight - you don't see this feature at this price point, ever! 30 mm tube, Zero stop, 20 MIL adjustment travel, XD glass elements. Monstrum G2 FFP Scope: Best Affordable Ffp Scope. It comes in 13 different models to ensure shooters get exactly what they want. Keen hunters know just how important ease of scope adjustment is during those crucial hunting sessions. We stand behind our product 100% and provide a Lifetime Warranty and our . 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. Overall, with all the different reticles Primary Arms generates, the simple mil dot has been a long-lasting option. It has the right number of features and quality that far outweighs its price providing value to the cost-conscious buyer. The capped turrets offer 30 MOA to either side of optical center. FFP reticles are a high-end feature on premium scopes. Our testers found this scope to be an excellent value for the money, but its not the least expensive option showcased here. It's 38 ounces total and adding that to your setup will quickly tack on the poundage. Parallax focus is easy access, side adjustable, and complemented by the fast-focus eyepiece feature, which ensures ease of reticle acquisition. The included quality components and features mean mid to long-range accuracy is assured. As hunters are quickly adopting the techniques that snipers and prone shooters use to hit steel or combatants at extreme long distances, manufacturers like Maven are incorporating first focal plane reticles in hunting rigs to offer the best of both worlds. Get discounts from top brands & our latest reviews! Premium components are part of the zoom lens. You are getting a scope that is honed from quality aluminum. This is a common feature among all first focal plane optics, and if thats the kind of thing you value in a rifle scope, then this category of optics is what youre looking for. Comparing it to other scopes with the same specs, it offers a lot more. The FFP model also utilizes an easy to set Zero-stop mechanism . For those with long-distance accuracy in their mind, the range of windage and elevation are certain to please. As for battery life, this is 39 hours when using red and 94 hours when using green illumination. However, when this is gauged against quality and reliability, it has to be seen as excellent value for money. This configuration allows for QTA (Quick Target Acquisition) during close quarters shooting along with a MIL-DOT grid that provides accurate holdover points. All this fancy talk means you're strutting away with savings in your pocket and more than you bargained for on your scope. An added bonus is the much-lauded precision-glide erector system. One major gripe about this particular scope is the mount. Mil-dot reticle, Zero Reset, Side Focus, 30 mm tube, 1/10th MIL clicks, 3-year warranty, Extreme Long-Range, Competition, Low Light Use, Long-Range PRS Matches, Precision Shooting. Our testers found the scope to be very easy to mount and sight in. The scope is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, and our testers experience with Leupold products made it clear that this scope will withstand the beating of a multi-day backwoods hunt with ease. The advanced reticle design also promotes set and forget zeroing to make life easy. Every extra ounce you carry while out and about will tell. As for linear field of view, this comes in between 16.7 and 4.5 feet at 100 yards. There is a choice of reticles, and the one this review will concentrate on is the ACSS Raptor M2 version. This feature is highly effective when it comes to reducing reflected light and increasing light transmission. The most basic, and usually cheapest, kind of first focal plane scopes youll likely find have adjustments for windage, elevation, and magnification, but not much else. The included fiber optic rotation indicator also means ease of turret tracking position. This FFP scope gives shooters top-quality materials, build quality, and premium features at a fair price. : 200640 Best Large Game First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope, 7Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm MOA Riflescope 13 Models Most Versatile First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope, 8NightForce ATACR 5-25x56mm F1 ZeroStop Riflescope 6 Models Best Premium First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope, 9EOTech Vudu 1-624 FFP Precision Riflescope 7 Models Best 3 Gun Competition First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope, 10Primary Arms Platinum Series 1-8x24mm FFP Riflescope 4 Models Best Tactical First Focal Plane (FFP) Scope, Argos BTR Gen II 6-24x50mm MRAD Riflescopes From Athlon Optics Model: 214063, The Diamondback Tactical First Focal Plane Riflescopes From Vortex Optics, SLx3.5 4-14X44mm FFP Rifle Scope With Illuminated R-Grid 2B Reticle From Primary Arms Model: 610090, The Viper PST Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescopes From Vortex Optics, Trijicon Credo 1-8x28mm FFP Riflescope Model: 2900032, Burris Veracity 4-20x50mm Riflescope with Ballistic E1 FFP Reticle Model No. 3. Keen hunters can be assured that its ruggedized design is built to withstand extreme hunting conditions. This is particularly the case for longer range and more difficult shots. 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. Every hunter is familiar with Vortex and especially their Diamondback line of optics. You get between 1-8x variable magnification, a 24mm objective lens, and a high strength, heavy-duty 34mm main tube. So, Which is The Very Best of The Best First Focal Plane (FFP) Scopes? It might be whopper of a scope to mount, but when you consider the high-end features that tack on weight, we think you're willing to let its 2 pounds slide. 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. That scope provided the best set of features and the best build quality for the money. However, illumination isn't a determinant of reticle quality, its assembly, or accuracy. But, with price points everywhere in between, it does mean there is an FFP scope out there for you. The popularity of the Vortex Optics Viper PST Generation II FFP rifle scope family comes through the choice of magnification and reticle choices. For an explanation on the differences between the two, check out our Reticle Guide here. FFP scopes with high power are best suited for those shooting long-range distances. The MIL-XT reticle version comes with red DigIllum illumination only. 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. You get between 5 and 25x variable magnification, a 35mm main tube, and quality 56mm objective lens. Free Postage. This wouldn't mean much if it wasn't for the XD elements and HD glass quality you get with this scope. Primary Arms 3-18X50 Front Focal Plane 1000 yd. We use the best materials and advanced features available within a price that most shooters can afford. Are you scouting where you need light weights and compactness as a priority? CR2032 Battery. 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. The Vortex Gen II PST and the V4 line from. 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. Along with one of the best premium FFP scopes currently available, you also get a variety of extras. The Credo has fully multi-coated broadband anti-reflective coating to ensure clarity of image view under all light conditions. You can then add to this the mentioned Power Throw Lever or similar, sunshade, windage beauty ring, stickers, and a comprehensive owners manual. When shooting, clarity of view is all-important. The MH-2 reticle has an illuminated crosshair with hash marks in 1/2 mil increments. Turrets are superbly crisp and tactile. The side adjustable parallax feature allows instantaneous adjustments while allowing you to keep your shooting position. Shooters have a choice of MOA or MRAD models to suit their style. 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. 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. It really is that straightforward. Because the lens magnifies the reticle throughout the scopes entire magnification range, things like bullet drop compensators work as you change the magnification. This is a tactical feature that hunters appreciate for its unbreakable ruggedness. Sightron SIII Long Range 10-50x60mm Zero Stop Rifle Scope $1,499.99 (Save 30%) $1,049.99 Instant Savings. All we see when we look over the Ares is dollar signs. The latest Burris Veracity scope release also includes a new five times zoom system. The extra-wide field of view available allows for maximum situational awareness. The RS.4 has Japanese ED glass and components and is assembled in Japan. Exit pupil is 0.46- to 0.14-inches while linear field of view at 100 yards is between 105.8 and 13.2 feet. A pinch-and-turn lock mechanism and a fully adjustable zero stop help prevent inadvertent adjustments and ensure accurate return to zero. For even less money than the Sniper ZT, you get a front focal plane scope that honestly offers features and construction on par with might higher-dollar scopes. We say almost because the Argos does it. 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. The S-TAC 3-16x42 FFP employs an illuminated Mil-Hash reticle for intermediate range applications where a smaller optic is needed. Learn how your comment data is processed. Parallax is 15 yards to infinity, and the eye relief ranges between 3.14- and 3.22-inches. Athlon provides this through their advanced, fully multi-coated lenses. For the keen price offered, it comes with features and functionality to please. 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. If your scope is defective, fails to perform, or suffers non-cosmetic damage that affects its function, during normal use - we will replace your scope at no charge to you! Higher magnifications do help with greater precision, but the optics with the highest zoom levels are also often the most expensive. Choose either 4 to 16x or 6 to 24x. Set it up for prone position, long-range shooting, or take your long-shots to the hunt and extend your effective range. As is typical for many FFP scopes in the affordable end of the price range, it lacks a zero stop. Thanks for your feedback, will have to check it out! The reticle itself offers plenty of holdovers for most shooters. 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? It simply means the reticle assembly is physically located in front of the magnifying assembly in the rifle scope. 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. 3-inch Sunshade. Fahrenheit. One thing that our testers didnt like was the fact that the scope rings were higher than expected. It's no wonder ATACR scopes are expensive, no detail left overlooked, and no expense spared. The illuminated reticle provides clear aiming points to ensure fast target engagement and allows for Both eyes open shooting. Range: 36 MIL If you want usable holdovers throughout your entire magnification range, an FFP reticle might be for you. The Helos at under $600 is comparable to much more expensive scopes, as is the Argos BTR. It's also obvious that with a setup like this, this scope is not a cheap optic. With a 30mm tube, you have 17.5 mils in elevation and windage travel. Those AR-platform or bolt-action rifle enthusiasts into either (or both) of these shooting disciplines are in the right place. Coming with partial red reticle illumination, this optic gives the best of both worlds. Specializing in Active Shooters, Counter-Ambush, Low-light, and Patrol Rifles, he has trained thousands of Law Enforcement Officers in firearms. Free shipping. Get Our Latest Guides & Field Tests Straight to Your Inbox. The Leupold is one of the more expensive FFP scopes showcased here. Other things to think about are the actual components of the scope itself. Besides, who are you kidding? Magnification: 4-16X44 mm. The included extra-low dispersion glass couples with fully multi-coated lenses to ensure a bright, crisp sight picture. Keep in mind your style of shooting or hunting when deciding which type would be best for your needs. This design feature helps prevent any snagging when you find yourself in those tough to reach places. This, again, is a personal preference issue. Also, our testers did note that this scope may not hold up as well as more proven brands over time due to the general build quality. 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 scope offers high definition glass that our testers found to have excellent clarity. When you're stuck with a tight budget you might think your options are limited. Vortex knows shooters. This has less to do with FFP and SFP-specific designs, but it's worth knowing more about here. The reticle is a simple, non-illuminated mil-dot reticle with 1 mil dot increments. Pros and cons of this reticle preference? 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 Viper PST Gen II scope. FFP reticles aren't inherently better than SFP reticles. 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. Extra-low dispersion glass and fully multi-coated lenses transmit a crisp, bright sight picture. Both focal plane reticles illuminate red. Yes, there is a difference in clarity, but not much. It has a floating center dot along with thin lines. It is constructed using 6063 aircraft-grade aluminum and is completely water, fog, and shockproof. It has an exterior XPL coating to protect the glass from all the nasties from being out in the field. These days, even affordable, basic optics are made with reasonably good quality, so dont turn your nose up at cheaper options! FFP reticles are certainly the way to go for shooters who regularly change magnification to acquire targets. This past week, the newest Ares series in 2.5-15x 50mm is supposed to have arrived. It should be said that this superb scope is really aimed at experienced long-range shooters and those into sniping. Those keen shooters who purchase this Trijicon Credo FFP riflescope will truly believe in quality, durability, effective use, and reliability. With a quick overview of its specs, it's a heavy scope that's meant to be set up for those extreme long-range shots. For under 1000, this FFP scope is sporting premium features that we're unable to find anywhere else. The super fine APMR FFP IR MIL reticle is glass etched. Its price is justified due to the fact that its quality is so high. What is a first focal plane (FFP) scope? Measuring just 10.63-inches in length, 2.6-inches in width, and 2.1-inches in height, it weighs in at only 19.75 ounces. A solid choice for those new to FFP scopes. 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. Surprisingly, our eyes and ears deceive us. Made in Japan, it has a durable hardcoat anodized black finish and is waterproof as well as shock and fog-resistant. But, it also allows for the fact that some shooters prefer to count their clicks. Best AR 15 Scopes; Best Selling Hunting Scopes; Top 10 Low Light Hunting Scopes . 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. We'll answer your reticle questions here and guide you towards the best scope to mount your rig! You can holdoff for elevation and wind at any power range since your crosshair marks will be usable as subtension consistently remains unchanged. Thanks to the multi-coated ED optics, quality imaging is yours in any environment or light conditions. Even though it doesn't have a zero stop, it's not something we'll complain about when it has literally everything else a scope more than twice its price has. One of the reasons for the good image quality is . Edge-to-edge clarity is constant and is further enhanced by a 5:1 zoom ratio. 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 View. All rights reserved. This scope has been built to last. Buy Arken Optics SH4 6-24X50 GEN2 FFP MIL VPR with Zero Stop - 34mm Tube: GunBroker is the largest seller of Gun Scopes Scopes, Sights & Optics All: 973455855 . 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. But, if that's the only complaint we have (if you can call that a complaint), you know it's a buy we highly recommend. In such situations target size is small, and you dont want the reticle to obscure the target. It is Mil Rad adjustable with 0.1 Mil Rad click steps and has an adjustment range of 29 Mil Rad. If you've caught the highly contagious long-range shooting bug, an FFP reticle might be for you. 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. . While we didn't find a need to have an illuminated reticle, it would be nice to have the option. While there are tons of cheap optics available within your price range, finding the gems within the junk is the trick to a good buy and making the most out of your budget. The Monstrum Tactical G2 is another fantastic option if youre looking for a scope thats an excellent value. While the purchase price is a serious consideration, this scope offers good value to keen, regular hunters. Tactical features include an FFP illuminated reticle with the MOAR style crosshairs. For instance, a super-tactical-looking scope might not look great on a walnut-stocked bolt-action hunting rifle, whereas something a little simpler in appearance will not only work just as well but also make a lot more visual sense with the rifle upon which it is mounted. The included fast-focus eyepiece complements reticle use to allow fast, easy target focusing. Now, let's take a nose dive into the best front focal plane scopes that made our lineup! Arken Optics Scope EP-5 5-25x56 FFP MIL VPR Reticle Combo Pack 34mm Rigid Mount. These 0.1 MIL click adjustments are both precise and repeatable. 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. Exposed tactical-style turrets are easy to access and simple to use under any field conditions. Best 1000 yard scope 1. 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.