Spotting Scope

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shootniron

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I am looking to replace my elcheapo spotting scope with a little better quality one. What is a decent value scope in the $300.00 range.

Thanks
 
Prolly not what you want to hear and I know everyone has budgets but if you're not happy with what you got I doubt you'll be happy with anything around $300. I know I wasn't. I ended up buying a Pentax PF-80ED used for around $600. Thats around a $1200 scope thats just behind the "alphas" so deals are out there. FWIW I have been called a glass snob, buy once cry once!
 
Prolly not what you want to hear and I know everyone has budgets but if you're not happy with what you got I doubt you'll be happy with anything around $300. I know I wasn't. I ended up buying a Pentax PF-80ED used for around $600. Thats around a $1200 scope thats just behind the "alphas" so deals are out there. FWIW I have been called a glass snob, buy once cry once!
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This is good advice that you give and I appreciate your giving it. However, the only thing that I will be doing with this scope is looking at targets occasionally out at 300yds, so I am not willing to spend even $600 on a scope. Also, my current scope is a $40 Simmons, so about anything will out perform it.
 
shootniron said:
I am looking to replace my elcheapo spotting scope with a little better quality one. What is a decent value scope in the $300.00 range.
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A $300 spotting scope is elcheapo.....might get higher magnification than you have now, but better lens quality costs more.
 
A $300 spotting scope is elcheapo.....might get higher magnification than you have now, but better lens quality costs more.
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Just for the record, you cannot tell me that a $300.00 used Leupold or the like is not better than a $40.00 Simmons. I never said that $300.00 would buy a highend scope, but it will buy a heckuva sight better than what I have.
 
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shootniron said:
Just for the record, you cannot tell me that a $300.00 used Leupold or the like is not better than a $40.00 Simmons. I never said that $300.00 would buy a highend scope, but it will buy a helluva sight better than what I have.
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Surely it is but I can tell you the reason I bought the Pentax is to resolve bullet holes at 300yds and beyond. This is no easy task my friend and you'll find atmospheric conditions play almost, if not as important, a role as quality of optics. While you MIGHT be able to get a half decent Leupold USED around $300, I submit you will still not be as satisfied as you think you would be. At this point you'll want to eliminate as many negative factors as you can. By buying quality optics you are eliminating half of the equation and ensuring if the enviornmental conditions are right you'll see what you want. I've spent more money, I own a Swarovski 80mm HD scope which is an "alpha" optic and is better than the Pentax but you'll be hard pressed to find better in that price range.

Do what you wish with your money, I hope you ARE able to achieve what you want on your $300 budget. I used to own a $300 scope and I don't have it anymore if that tells you anything. Good luck.
 
Do what you wish with your money, I hope you ARE able to achieve what you want on your $300 budget. I used to own a $300 scope and I don't have it anymore if that tells you anything. Good luck
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Thanks for the good luck wish, but I am not a benchrest shooter nor do I live in an area that allows me to glass vast amounts of land in search of game that I need or want to judge the suitability of them as a trophy. What I do want is a measurably clearer scope that will allow me to relatively quickly focus on .30 caliber bullets holes in a paper target at a max range of 300yds (longest range that I have access to) to determine if they are in an acceptable sized group for my shooting needs. Also, I have used several brands of scopes belonging to other shooters over the years at the range that were far lesser quality than a Swarovski that produced the result I needed. I know there is a purpose for and a benefit to owning the high quality spotters out there...it is just that my purpose does not require it.
 
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The Burris XTS-2575 is reportedly worth checking out for the price.
 
Thanks for the good luck wish, but I am not a benchrest shooter nor do I live in an area that allows me to glass vast amounts of land in search of game that I need or want to judge the suitability of them as a trophy. What I do want is a measurably clearer scope that will allow me to relatively quickly focus on .30 caliber bullets holes in a paper target at a max range of 300yds (longest range that I have access to) to determine if they are in an acceptable sized group for my shooting needs. Also, I have used several brands of scopes belonging to other shooters over the years at the range that were far lesser quality than a Swarovski that produced the result I needed. I know there is a purpose for and a benefit to owning the high quality spotters out there...it is just that my purpose does not require it.
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Last edited by shootniron; March 1, 2012 at 10:26 PM.

Every one says you need a 500 or more dollar scope.I want a new one myself..My advice to you if you aren't shooting comp...You do not need a high dollar scope to see holes at 300 yards.Do as I do and use white paper with a red bull...You can see the holes pretty easy with a low end scope then..One thing I do not do is try to spend another shooters money..Or if you want you can use the shoot and see targets...I have looked through some pretty high dollar scopes at matchs and if there is much mirage they aren't worth much either...You can't see holes in the black at 200 with some of them..So don't listen to what some tell you...You have to be able to check it out yourself...Only my FWIW..
 
Evans


Konuspot 80 i love mine...check out the reviews on it.
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Thanks Evans,

I just looked at the reiviews on the Konusport and they seem to be good. I will probably give this one a try as it seems to be what I am looking for.

Actually, this Simmons will allow me to see the holes at 300 on a white target with a red stick-on spot, but it can be tedious to precisely focus in certain conditions and the eye relief could be a tad better. Those are my only complaints with it. I actually paid $49.99 for it at Walmart a couple of years ago, so I feel like it does okay for the cost even with these minor annoyances.
 
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down in the group buys section a member posted a 10% discount on vortex optics stuff at a website I hadn't heard of before. but looks like you could get a vortex 20-60x50 scope for around $300. I've been fairly impressed with vortex stuff for their price points.
 
Normally I'm not a fan of Barska, but they make a decent 20-60x spotting scope available with straight or angled eye-piece. Its good enough for me to see .17 holes at 100 yards and .22 holes at 50, and my eyes aren't very good.
 
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