Drawn West

SFP vs FFP Rifle Scopes: Which One Is Right for Your Hunting Setup?

October 1, 2026·50 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Trucker hats are live! Shop the most comfortable blaze orange hats and build some extra entries for the ARC!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shopFirst focal plane vs. second focal plane scopes does not need to be complicated. The right choice comes down to how you hunt, how far you shoot, and whether you want a simple point-and-shoot setup or more options for dialing and precision. I break down how FFP and SFP reticles work, what changes as you adjust magnification, and how that affects holdovers, wind holds, and elevation adjustments. I also cover the scope features that actually matter when you are buying one: magnification, objective size, turrets, parallax, throw levers, and more. Whether you are setting up a rifle for Minnesota whitetails, Western mule deer and elk, deer drives, an AR, or a farm rifle, this will help you choose an optic that fits the way you actually hunt.What we cover in this episode:·         FFP vs. SFP reticles and what changes when you zoom·         When a simple SFP scope makes the most sense for whitetails and known-distance hunting·         Why I prefer FFP for dialing, wind holds, long-range practice, and Western hunting·         200-yard zeros, MOA, holdovers, and when dialing is the better move·         Choosing the right magnification range, from 3–12x hunting scopes to 1–10x LPVOs·         Objective lens size, low-light performance, and the scope features worth paying for·         When an LPVO makes sense for deer drives, ARs, close-range hunting, and varmint riflesI use Maven scopes as examples because they are what I have in the studio, but these same FFP vs. SFP principles apply across almost every optics brand.If this helps you choose your next rifle scope, subscribe to the Drawn West Podcast, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. Don’t forget to claim your 50 bonus entries for the ARC and if you’re looking for even more entries, check out the Drawn West Apparel for even more entries! https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shop    Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article!Check out Drawn West Apparel:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shop FREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwestHave Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsors and Discounts:GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWESThttps://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave 10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwestSave 20% On Reveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20https://www.tactacam.com/Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aid at Jase.comhttps://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest

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