Shooter in the prone position with a bolt-action rifle on a bipod and a Leupold riflescope

Long-range riflescopes: FFP or SFP, MRAD or MOA

Long-range shooting scopes: key concepts to know

Choosing a long-range shooting scope means navigating abbreviations like FFP, SFP, MRAD, and MOA, turrets with or without zero stop, parallax adjustment, and different tube diameters. These are features that directly impact how you correct for shots and windage. In this guide, we explain the main concepts in a practical way to help you understand which configuration suits your shooting style.

FFP or SFP: the reticle's focal plane

In a variable magnification scope, the reticle can be positioned in two different ways relative to the magnification system.

First Focal Plane (FFP)

In the First Focal Plane, the reticle is positioned in front of the magnification system. As you increase the magnification, the reticle zooms in along with the image. The practical consequence is significant: the reticle subtensions maintain the same angular value at any magnification. You can therefore use the reticle to estimate corrections, compensate for drop (holdover) or wind, and measure without having to return to a specific magnification. This is why FFP is widely used in tactical shooting and precision competitions at variable distances.

Second Focal Plane (SFP)

In the Second Focal Plane, the reticle is placed behind the magnification system and always appears the same size. It remains clearly legible even at low magnifications, but the subtensions are only correct at a magnification defined by the manufacturer (often the maximum). At other magnifications, the values change proportionally. SFP is a valid solution for those who primarily correct using the turrets or shoot mainly at a fixed magnification.

MRAD or MOA: angular units of measurement

Turrets and reticles express corrections in angular units. The two most common are the milliradian and the minute of angle.

MRAD (milliradian)

  • 1 MRAD corresponds to 10 cm at 100 m (100 cm at 1000 m).
  • The most common click is 0.1 MRAD, equal to 1 cm at 100 m.
  • It integrates naturally with the metric system and is the most widespread standard in tactical shooting and many competitions.
Vortex EBR-2C MRAD reticle with milliradian scales
The EBR-2C MRAD reticle of the Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP, with milliradian scales for estimating elevation and wind corrections. Photo: Vortex Optics

MOA (minute of angle)

  • 1 MOA corresponds to approximately 2.9 cm at 100 m (approximately 1.047 inches at 100 yards).
  • The most common click is 1/4 MOA, equal to approximately 0.73 cm at 100 m.
  • It is widely used by those who work in yards and inches and in various precision disciplines.

The most important rule: reticle and turrets in the same unit

Neither unit is "more precise" in absolute terms. What matters is that the reticle and turrets speak the same language: with an MRAD reticle and MRAD turrets, you can read a correction on the reticle and apply it directly to the turret without conversions. It is also advisable to use the same unit as your teammates or shooting partners, your ballistic calculator, and your data book.

Turrets: what to evaluate

Leupold Mark 5HD riflescope elevation turret marked 1 click = 0.1 MRAD
The Leupold Mark 5HD turret shows the click value, here 0.1 MRAD: it must match the reticle's unit. Photo: Leupold
  • Click value: 0.1 MRAD or 1/4 MOA are the most common values for long-range shooting.
  • Adjustment range: indicates how much you can correct in elevation and windage; for long-range, you need a range appropriate for the caliber's trajectory.
  • Travel per revolution: more correction per single turn reduces the risk of getting confused between turns.
  • Zero stop: a mechanical stop that allows you to return to zero without counting clicks.
  • Exposed or capped turrets: the former are used for correcting in the field (“dialing”), the latter protect the adjustment when correcting primarily with the reticle.
  • Tactile and audible clicks: make it easier to count even without looking at the turret.

Parallax: why adjust it

A parallax error occurs when the target image is not formed on the same plane as the reticle: by moving your eye slightly behind the eyepiece, the reticle appears to shift relative to the target. At long range, this can translate into aiming errors. This is why long-range scopes offer parallax adjustment, often via a side knob (side focus) or on the objective. The correct procedure is to first focus the reticle with the eyepiece and then adjust the parallax until the reticle remains still on the target while moving your head.

Shooter aiming through a Vector Optics riflescope with turret and side knob in the foreground
The turret and side knob can be adjusted without taking your eye off the eyepiece, which is useful when correcting parallax on the target. Photo: Vector Optics

Tube diameter

Long-range shooting scopes typically use 30 mm, 34 mm, or 35 mm tubes, while simpler models often use a 1-inch (25.4 mm) tube. A larger tube can allow for greater internal adjustment range, but the figure to compare remains the range stated by the manufacturer. Remember that rings and mounts must have the same diameter as the tube.

Reticles for long-range

  • Christmas tree reticles: grids with subtensions below the center for drop and wind, widely used in tactical shooting in FFP.
  • Simple reference reticles: cleaner, suitable for those who primarily correct with the turrets.
  • BDC reticles: dots or lines calibrated for typical trajectories; useful for hunting, but less flexible at long range.
  • Illumination: useful in low-light conditions or against dark backgrounds.

Before choosing, always consult the reticle diagram published by the manufacturer, showing the dimensions of the subtensions.

To learn how to read the reticles of the riflescopes in our catalogue, with the official dimensioned drawings for each model, see our riflescope reticle guide, brand by brand.

Nightforce Mil-XT Christmas tree reticle with milliradian subtensions
The Nightforce Mil-XT is a Christmas tree reticle in milliradians: the grid below the center allows elevation and wind to be corrected together. Photo: Nightforce

Magnification and objective

For long-range shooting, ranges such as 4-16x, 5-25x, or 6-24x are common, with objectives from 44 to 56 mm. Very high magnifications help to read small targets but reduce the field of view and make mirage and rifle movement more evident. A wide range allows you to work at low magnification to locate the target and increase it only when needed.

Prone shooter with a bipod-mounted rifle and a large-objective Vector Optics riflescope
A large-diameter objective gathers more light, but adds weight and bulk to the scope on the rifle. Photo: Vector Optics

In summary: which configuration to choose

  • Tactical shooting and PRS, variable distances: FFP, reticle and turrets in the same unit (most often MRAD), exposed turrets with zero stop, and adjustable parallax.
  • Precision shooting at known distances: an SFP with precise turrets can also be adequate, especially if you shoot at a fixed magnification.
  • Medium and long-range hunting: consider weight, size, brightness, and a reticle legible even at low magnifications.

An example of a configuration oriented toward long-range shooting available in our catalog is the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD with a 30 mm tube, also available in a MOA version.

Scopes and accessories on Planet Shooters

Explore the Scopes collection and the brands specializing in precision shooting: Zero Compromise Optic, Nightforce, Leupold, Vortex Optics, and Vector Optics. To complete the mounting, you can find Rings and Bases, while for spotting shots and measuring distances, visit Spotting scopes and terrestrial telescopes and Rangefinders.

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