I need a spotting scope under $300

You could start here...

The folks at Champion's Choice stock several brands, and they are extremely knowledgeable about High Power shooting.

www.champchoice.com/

Redfield might be a brand to check out. They are made by Luepold.

I helped my dad pick this one out a few weeks ago for $229 that's $60 less than MSRP from the local sporting goods store.

http://www.redfield.com/spottingscopes/

And then there is this one from Harbor Freight...$49.99

Harbor Freight Spotting scope

By coincidence, the Harbor Freight spotting scope arrived shortly after I posted. The scope seems ok. Sharp, clear. holds focus through the 20-60 zoom range. If it isn't abused, it will probably do OK for the range. Not sure how long it would last in the field.

The tripod is crap. It's really too flimsy to hold the scope steady as the head is made of molded plastic and flexes too much. I'm not sure it is even suitable for a pocket camera. Fortunately, I have several good metal tripods.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/tasco-20-60x60-world-class-ep-45-spotting-scope-wc20606045.html

http://compare.ebay.com/like/380537090545?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

$137 shipped, and I'm very happy with mine. The included tripod is fine for my pocket digital camera, Mini-Pro is very sturdy and compact.

The Tasco looks like a good deal. I'll keep it in mind if (when?) the HF one falls apart.

It's been a real bargain, and that ball-mount tripod is the berries. My wife's Dad has a Leupold, and it's hard to tell the difference - except in the price. Now HE wants one of the tripods....

You changed tripods (and total price).

In my opinion you need a spotting scope that has an objective lense 65 mm and up. Common fixed power scopes are 20X to 25X. Long eye relief is a plus. The 45 degree eye piece is a must.

I purchased from Champion Shooters Supply this Celestron 18-55X 65mm Ultima 65 scope. I am pleased with the optics, have used it out to 1000 yards. It is at its best below 35X, very clear and bright. At higher magnifications the small front objective, compared to 100 mm objective lenses, images get dark. Not that 55X matters as you actually will see bullet holes and mirage better around 20-25X.

http://www.championshooters.com/ind...category&virtuemart_category_id=22&Itemid=111

I picked up a beraska for 89 and its a 20-60 not too horrible considering the price

The Konus Pro Green 7122 is a great spotting scope in that price range. I was throughly impressed with it after a hands on session.

I moved your thread to a more appropriate location.


If you're taking the clinic, wait until after the clinic. Lots of people show up to a local club's High Power clinic with nothing more than a rifle. The people running it don't expect you to own everything.

See what people there have and find out what you like - then go buy it.

Oh - if you decide you like High Power rifle, you better pick a scope capable of twice that distance. The full course field is 600 yards. And if you enjoy the sport, you'll do like many of us have and travel to a full course field for a match at some point.

So get a scope that will let you shoot a full course now. Otherwise you'll just have to go buy it later.

In an AR? 20 inch barreled rifles with match sights, triggers, and lead weights under the handguards.


Just go show up with what you've got. Find out if you like it first. This is a very expensive sport.

Dude, you're in a whole new world.

That's like asking what make car people commonly race in NASCAR.


The CHEAPEST route is to shoot a match AR. And because it's the cheapest, its common. I'd say at my local High Power matches about 1/3 to 1/2 of the people there are competing with match ARs. But . . . That means everyone else is using something different. Some guys use match Winchester M-70s and Remington 40x's. Some spaceguns. Some tubeguns. And very few Tubb2000s.


Just show up at the clinic. They'll be happy you're there and try their best to make it enjoyable for you. Call the club/match director hosting it and explain your situation to them.

With an AR based platform, you don't have bedding issues and parts like match triggers can be had and installed by yourself. I know parts are scarce for AR's but I believe if you are just starting out, anything is hard to find. In my opinion, if you want to go bolt gun, the nice gun (if you can find one) is a Tikka T3. If not, a Remington M700 because there are many aftermarket parts for the Remington.

My last AR 15 service rifle was built by me this winter with a stainless 8 twist from John Scandale and it shoots very accurately. He used a Green Mountain blank. I have no clue what his stock is now, however. Parts are very hard to find, but I have stockpiled small parts for years. I was confident that I have enough to sell a match rifle upper for a low price yesterday in order to get my new match barrel for another spacegun project.

Like what was suggested, try to attend a high power match where you are if possible, and glean some information. Most all the high power guys I know are quite generous to new people.

John - Albany, Oregon

I saw this on Ebay just now and it is similar to my Eagle Optics scope. I can verify the quality of Eagle Optics. (at least my own) This only has the 45 mm lens so it may not be exactly what you want. Mine is much bigger.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eagle-Optic...820?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec6c7d5f4

Yes - I grabbed the wrong one and had to revise (my wife has the other tripod under her camera). It is correct now.

i use a konus 20x60x100 sptting scope cost is right at your 300.00 limit and i can see the 223 holes @ 300 when spotting for my son in f class matches i have use it out to 1000 yrds with no problem (@1000 i'm looking at mirage not little holes)

I agree the Konus has great optics I had one but I found it needed a lot of care toting it around during a match because the build quality isn't like a Kowa. Of course the Kowa costs alot more money.

You might check http://www.jarheadtop.com/ He has deals sometimes and he knows something about shooting. He sells the Konus.

Check eBay for the original American made Bausch & Lomb Balscope Sr. spotting scopes. Sometimes you can pick up a good one for about $200. or even less and they are the optical equivalent to scopes costing over $1000. today. And there is also the satisfaction of owning a truly superior American made product. Sometimes you can also find original Al Freeland spotting scope stands on abay.

Offfhand said:

Check eBay for the original American made Bausch & Lomb Balscope Sr. spotting scopes. Sometimes you can pick up a good one for about $200. or even less and they are the optical equivalent to scopes costing over $1000. today. And there is also the satisfaction of owning a truly superior American made product. Sometimes you can also find original Al Freeland spotting scope stands on abay.

Click to expand...

Current ebay listing for a Bausch & Lomb BALscope Sr. 60mm Telescope Spotting 20x
Curent bid: $36.00

That is a decent scope, that is for sure. The only reason whay I personally would pass on it for high power shooting is it's straight eyepiece.