I have shot and hunted most of my life with 2nd focal plain scopes. When it came to shooting at a pinpoint spot etc. I always preferred to turn up the magnification. I have read several of you say that turning up the power doesn't always improve it.

After spending some time again with my first and only first focal plain scope I clearly see where you are coming from on it, and like a lower power where the reticle is finer.

With FFP, reticle to target relationship is always the same ratio no matter the magnification setting.

Turning down magnification reduces over correction by the shooter trying to get steady. That's why you turn down magnification on less than perfectly steady shots.

If I'm working with a rifle (zeroing, load testing, getting DOPE) I am often at maximum magnification, because I am steady. Aim small, hit small.

If mirage is bad, turn down magnification to regain clarity. Mirage has been bad enough that even with my NF ATACR, I go from 25X down to 18-20X.

I'm in the camp that cannot and won't hunt with a FFP...I cannot see the crosshairs on lower powers at low light. Besides, if I'm shooting far enough I need a wind hold....I'm at max power and my reticle is correct.

More than one way to skin a cat and one isn't right or wrong over the other...just different ways of doing something.

I also experienced the struggle in low light with the FFP

Illumination can be handy in low light and magnification turned down.

100% agree. Illumination is your friend and IMO is rarely used when it should/could be.

Ditto !!!!!!

Not to mention let’s be real…20 moa worth of horizonal sub tension