[Slinger]

For shooting at the range, distances of 100 yds, 5.56 mm holes. What power optics do y'all recommend? I really don't want to get anything under powered, but I don't want to drag a honkin' monster around either.

Thanks for your advice.:what:(that's me trying to see tiny holes from 100yds away with 45 year old eyes)

[ocabj]

20x is more than enough assuming the glass is good. My previous Kowa 661 w/ 25x LER and current Kowa 821 w/ 27x LER have no problems seeing holes in paper at 100 yards.

[MNgoldenbear]

It's mainly the quality of the scope optics rather than the magnification. A higher magnification with poor optics won't let you see the holes any better.

I like the Kowa scopes as well. Probably don't need the fluorite coating unless you're shooting in marginal light conditions. The regular lenses give very nice images. .22 cal holes at 100 yards are no problem, and 30 cal at 200-300 yards are pretty easy too. (Also using the 82 mm, 27x LER)

A note about the Kowa 82 mm series -- they have polycarbonate bodies, so they're pretty light, though they're large diameter.

Buy a good quality scope. It was one of my last big ticket purchases, but should have been one of my first. You'll use the scope nearly every range outing. Can't say that for any of your firearms (unless you are seriously underprivileged and urgently need to expand your firearms holdings;)).

[CD0311]

I have a Kowa tsn-1 25x. I can see 223 holes at 200y on a good day at 300y.

Got it for $50.00 :) :) :)

You should be good with anything in the 14-25x at 100y

[jeepman77cj5]

Hey Slinger, don't know if you're still looking or if you've picked up one up already but if you have a Big 5 Sporting Goods in your area, they are selling a Bushnell Sentry II spotting scope with 18-36x on a 50mm objective. The stores here have 3-4 different spotting scopes and every week it's a different brand they put on sale for $89 or $99. It took 4 weeks for the Bushnell to come back around on sale, but I'm glad I waited. The tripod it comes with is a little flimsy but I'll replace it. Knew that before I bought it.

This scope is incredible. The last few nights we've had a great view of the moon, and a couple planets. (Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn) Just for fun and boredom at work I've taken a look at them through it and I have utmost confidence in the scope now. I know it's not a telescope but on the worst night so far I can see 4 moons of Jupiter with it. Most impressive to me though is the view of Saturn. The ring is clearly defined with a gap between the planet itself and the start of the ring. Instead of looking like a blob, it's crystal clear.

My friend is a bit a nut when it comes to his telescopes and he scoffed at me when I told him what I could see with it, until he looked through it. He was so impressed with the optics and the clarity he went out and bought one himself.

Granted, I haven't taken mine out shooting yet, hopefully next week. But I'm positive it will far surpass my needs. I plan on using it for 200 yard sighting in my .270 and whatever else I decide to do at 100 yards. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya. Good luck