First and Second Focal Planes, What does it mean for me?

A first focal plane scope (FFP) is an adjustable scope in which the reticle changes size as you adjust your magnification.  That means that no matter the magnification, drop compensators and holdover marks remain proportionally the same.  The downside of FFP scopes is at low magnifications, it is hard to read a lot of the graduations as the reticle has been “zoomed out” as well.

A second focal plane scope (SFP) is an adjustable scope in which the reticle always stays the same size.  They are designed to be easy to read.

A lot of SFP scopes with drop compensators are only accurate at one magnification.  For example the Specter Arms Echelon Combat optic has a 223 drop compensator that only works at x4 magnification.  Alternatively ones that are graded may require the user to multiply the data shown on the reticle with the magnification level to make any sense of holdovers.

FFP scopes are more expensive then SFP scopes of comparative optical quality and magnification.

So what does this all mean?  How does this apply to buying a scope?

My advice is simple, when buying a low power variable optic (LPVO), stick with SFP.  You are less likely to need to use holdover marks as low magnifications are usually paired with low ranges.  You want a reticle that is easier to see.  At the end of the day, the features of a FFP is not worth the additional cost.  

A second focal plane for larger magnification optics is also appropriate for rifles that are for use at shorter ranges where holdovers and bullet drops will not be a factor in shooting.  An example would be a hunting rifle.  They are typically used at ranges of 200m or less.

When looking for a long range or marksman optic, FFP is worth the added expense.  The fixed, proportional distances for holdovers saves you time and effort.  Because of the analog nature of magnification knobs, can you take the chance that your scope might be at x9.9 or x10.05 for calculating holdovers on a SFP when you actually tried to set it to exactly x10?

Check out Specterarms.ca for all your scope needs.  If you need advice we are always an Email away and happy to help.

The Carbon Tax In the Supreme Court: What it means.

The Alberta government, joined by Sask and Ontario recently launched a court challenge attacking the legality of Chairman Trudeau’s federal carbon tax.

You see, according to the Canadian Constitution, certain powers are delegated to the provinces.  Resources, their distribution and taxation are provincial matters while defense and criminal law are federal. (just to name a few)

The supreme court agreed that resources are the domain of the provinces but ruled in favor of the federal carbon tax agreeing that the government’s declaration of a “climate change emergency” gave them the right to override the legal jurisdictions laid out in the Constitution.

That should scare everyone.

Healthcare is also under the provincial jurisdiction.  Under the Covid lockdowns, some places got it really bad like Manitoba declaring what people can and can not buy.  Or even riot police enforcing curfews and home invasion-inspections in Quebec.  

Some places got it light like Alberta.  

There are differences in Covid measures because healthcare is a provincial matter.

No longer.

Despite my personal opinion, Covid is considered a major emergency.  The seemingly unrelated carbon tax challenge has paved the way for the federal government to take direct control of government quarantines including movement, private purchases and rationing.  They will determine what people live and die by choosing essential workers.  As a firearms professional, I know what list Trudeau is putting me in..