So I want to be able to look at 100 to 200 yard targets down range with binoculars and be able to see exactly where the bullet left a hole in the target. I do not want to use a spotting scope or look through the rifle scope, because I might not be the one firing the rifle. I found a good deal on Cabela's website and wondered if these binoculars were any good:BARSKA 10-30x60 Zoom Binoculars (http://www.cabelas.com/product/BARSKA-10-30x60-Zoom-Binoculars/731242.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dbarska&Ntt=barska). The one review does not leave a very good impression, and I have not been able to find any reviews anywhere else. Please let me know if you have these or if they are any good. I do not care about the weight of the binoculars, because I do not plan on carrying them around my neck for long periods of time. Any comments or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Finding a good way to view targets down range, binoculars...
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Pete D.
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Binos
I own about fifteen pairs of binos....from el cheapo to Swarovski ELs and Fujinon IS models.
For your use at those distances, looking at bullet holes, you want good glass.
You will find a good selection of reasonably priced binos at Orion telescopes.
Buying better glass means a clearer image at all magnifications - and less need for higher power. Look under "sport and hunting binoculars".
http://www.telescope.com/control/binoculars/sport-and-hunting-binoculars
Pete
I own about fifteen pairs of binos....from el cheapo to Swarovski ELs and Fujinon IS models.
For your use at those distances, looking at bullet holes, you want good glass.
You will find a good selection of reasonably priced binos at Orion telescopes.
Buying better glass means a clearer image at all magnifications - and less need for higher power. Look under "sport and hunting binoculars".
http://www.telescope.com/control/binoculars/sport-and-hunting-binoculars
Pete
sniper5
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You'll probably want binos that you can tripod mount, and probably higher than 10x. Depends on the target. For Shoot-N-C's that might be enough, for bullet holes in a black bull, probably higher than 30x.
bikerdoc
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been using an el cheapo, no name 10 x 50 for a couple of years. Gets the job done. YMMV
AK103K
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I never could use binoculars for this purpose. All mine are general use and only 7x or so anyway, anything heavier just gives a lot of eye strain and headaches with even moderate use.
Realistically, a good spotting scope is the only way to go, and especially for anything past 100 yards and with smaller calibers. Its hard enough to see .22 caliber holes at 200 yards with a 45x spotting scope on a tripod, its not happening with 10x binoculars, even on a rest.
Realistically, a good spotting scope is the only way to go, and especially for anything past 100 yards and with smaller calibers. Its hard enough to see .22 caliber holes at 200 yards with a 45x spotting scope on a tripod, its not happening with 10x binoculars, even on a rest.
Barska doesn't seem to carry a good reputation from the posts I've read.
Most shooters at the range would use a spotting scope on a tripod for viewing the target - but the way they are marketed, binos get you twice the lenses for half the price, and a stereo view. Any good optic would probably do, as long as it can be held steady. A big cheap scope could mount up on a tripod, too.
The biggest issue is getting any range optic to stay on the target, hence the tripod mounts. It's frustrating to look downrange and hunt for the target each and every time.
Most shooters at the range would use a spotting scope on a tripod for viewing the target - but the way they are marketed, binos get you twice the lenses for half the price, and a stereo view. Any good optic would probably do, as long as it can be held steady. A big cheap scope could mount up on a tripod, too.
The biggest issue is getting any range optic to stay on the target, hence the tripod mounts. It's frustrating to look downrange and hunt for the target each and every time.
Binoculars are better for glassing wide areas, while on a range, you don't have to hunt around for your target. I would rather spend available funding on a better scope than mediocre binoculars.
Of course, I am spoiled by Swarovski and Leica binoculars, which affects my perspective.
Of course, I am spoiled by Swarovski and Leica binoculars, which affects my perspective.
Art Eatman
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For some thirty years, I've used an el-cheapo telescope from some big-box store. It's fuzzy above 40X, but so what? I can see .22 holes at 100 yards very easily, and odds are I'd be able to see them at 200.
To see .22 holes at 200 yards would require magnification around at least 20X, I'm guessing. I sure don't want binoculars of that sort.
To see .22 holes at 200 yards would require magnification around at least 20X, I'm guessing. I sure don't want binoculars of that sort.
I was watching an episode of "How It's Made" It started out with a bird watcher toting around a pair of old crappy binos, then they did a tour of the Zeiss factory and the bird watcher ended up with a pair that looked something like this
http://common2.csnimages.com/lf/1/h...servation+Binoculars+with+Tripod+and+Case.jpg
I laughed because I wondered how the heck he was going to move those around quickly if he spotted a moving bird.
Tripod mountable is certainly the way to go. Trying to pick out a group at 100 yards with wavering optics will give you a horrible headache, as well as be nigh impossible
http://common2.csnimages.com/lf/1/h...servation+Binoculars+with+Tripod+and+Case.jpg
I laughed because I wondered how the heck he was going to move those around quickly if he spotted a moving bird.
Tripod mountable is certainly the way to go. Trying to pick out a group at 100 yards with wavering optics will give you a horrible headache, as well as be nigh impossible
sansone
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quote:Sniper5 post#3, You'll probably want binos that you can tripod mount, and probably higher than 10x. Depends on the target. For Shoot-N-C's that might be enough..
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10 power minimun, +1 for tripod mount
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10 power minimun, +1 for tripod mount
red1973
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I know you said you didn't want a spotting scope, but I can tell you from years of experience that you cannot hold the binoculars still enough to see bullet holes at 100 yards and certainly not at 200 yds. I own a pair of high-dollar Burris binoculars and I cant see the bullet holes in targets at 100 yards. Even if I lean on something with my arms to steady myself, I can't.
You will have to use a spotting scope on a tripod. There are some inexpensive ones that work OK. Bass Proshops has one that is a straight tube spotting scope (60 power) for around $50 or $60, I believe. Bushnell makes a scope like it for about the same price. I suspect Bushnell makes the Bass Pro product.
You will have to use a spotting scope on a tripod. There are some inexpensive ones that work OK. Bass Proshops has one that is a straight tube spotting scope (60 power) for around $50 or $60, I believe. Bushnell makes a scope like it for about the same price. I suspect Bushnell makes the Bass Pro product.
I'd love to be able to rig up a video camera on a tripod down near the target that transmits to a laptop on the shooting bench. That would be the ultimate, IMO. Camera would be off to the side, of course. Then there's the whole "need electricity" thing.
So, I make do with a spotting scope. Binoculars have never been very useful to me, I just can't hold them still enough.
So, I make do with a spotting scope. Binoculars have never been very useful to me, I just can't hold them still enough.
chrome_austex
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Can you hang a white bedsheet a few feet behind the target? It helps immensely at 200y and even allows you to see 223 holes at 300y with a relatively weak dedicated spotting scope. (20x)
no matter what the power, dark holes on a dark target are not easy.
no matter what the power, dark holes on a dark target are not easy.
jpwilly
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I use a cheap Barska 20-60x60mm that I picked up for $69 to spot out to 200yrds. It works fine for that Further out??? never used it for that but I am certain even good optics cannot see bullet holes past 300-400yrds
Pete D.
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how much
What is your budget? Do you have a budget?
The reason that I ask is that the best binos for the use that you have described are Image Stabilized sets from Canon or Fujinon.
They are both marvelous products. They are pricey, no getting away from it. They are also worth every penny.
Canon has more models. I own a pair of their 10x30IS. I have no problem seeing .22 bullet holes on 100 yard targets; 200 yards - if the target was well lit - is doable though I use the Fujinons or a spotting scope more often for that.
Good, very good optics..... and the IS system allows for additional ease. (at night, looking at stars, the difference between regular and IS binos is about two magnitudes under good conditions at the same magnification.) That Canon 10X30IS will set you back about 4Cs.
The 14X Fujinons work even better but more power - more bucks.
The simple and less expensive solution is the spotting scope that you don't want.
What is your budget? Do you have a budget?
The reason that I ask is that the best binos for the use that you have described are Image Stabilized sets from Canon or Fujinon.
They are both marvelous products. They are pricey, no getting away from it. They are also worth every penny.
Canon has more models. I own a pair of their 10x30IS. I have no problem seeing .22 bullet holes on 100 yard targets; 200 yards - if the target was well lit - is doable though I use the Fujinons or a spotting scope more often for that.
Good, very good optics..... and the IS system allows for additional ease. (at night, looking at stars, the difference between regular and IS binos is about two magnitudes under good conditions at the same magnification.) That Canon 10X30IS will set you back about 4Cs.
The 14X Fujinons work even better but more power - more bucks.
The simple and less expensive solution is the spotting scope that you don't want.
Lovesbeer99
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Go to jarheadtop.com and see's Jim's review of the Konus scope compared to the Kowa. I have one and for the money it's great.
http://www.jarheadtop.com/KONUS.htm
You might even find this scope somewhere else at a better price. Check around.
http://www.jarheadtop.com/KONUS.htm
You might even find this scope somewhere else at a better price. Check around.
Skylerbone
Member
Don't waste your money. My dad just blew $300 on Nikon 8Xs that can barely do that at 100 yards. Swarovski maybe but anything less than multi-K binos just won't distinguish such fine detail. Find any store in your area that has a case of display models and have a look through any of them. Take note of the blue shadow they create around every object (those Nikons do it too, Monarchs). Heck, bring a post-it with a 1/4" dot on it and put it across the store to aim at.
Fractal X
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When I was looking at spotting scopes I noticed that the Konus spotting scope that LovesBeer mentioned can usually be had for $180 (W/ free shipping) from www.BHphotovideo.com. I never did get it though, my school raised the tuition before I bought it, and now it'll be awhile before it's a possibility again. It's a pity though because the reviews I read said that it's one of the best value spotting scopes around.
Skylerbone
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Pete, I'll take your word for that, I'd still vote spotter though. On that Konus everyone raves about, I almost jumped on it a while back until a guy at the range brought his out. It was a bit sharper in the middle of the FOV than an old Tasco spotter I bought several decades ago but I've yet to see anything under $300 that was worth my hard-earned on. I'm not a snob when it comes to these things, I've just bought far too many POS optics. In the end, they fail, they disappoint and they cease to be a bargain.
If I really wanted enough magnification for those purposes on the cheap AND that could be pressed into service at a later date, SWFA has a discontinued Vortex 6-24 X 50mm riflescope on clearance for $99.99 that could be duct taped to a 2"x2"x30" bit of lumber and used more conventionally in the future.
I'm spitballing here.
If I really wanted enough magnification for those purposes on the cheap AND that could be pressed into service at a later date, SWFA has a discontinued Vortex 6-24 X 50mm riflescope on clearance for $99.99 that could be duct taped to a 2"x2"x30" bit of lumber and used more conventionally in the future.
I'm spitballing here.
BrocLuno
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Just buy a used 12X rifle scope and use it as a telescope. If it'll see that target to shoot it, it'll see it afterward to see where it hit. I use an old Swift rifle scope with fine cross hair for my general field telescope. Lays in the truck and bangs around without any problem
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