Spotting Scope for Highpower

[Rockrivr1]

I was searching through TFL to get some idea on a spotting scope but I couldn't find what magnification specs would be best to get for Highpower shooting.

The one thing that I did see over and over again is to stay away from the cheap scopes as they wouldn't give a clear site after 200 yrds or so.

What exactly is considered "cheap" as far as price goes? Is $150-$200 still considered in the "cheap" range? I hope not but I'm thinking it is!

Thanks for the information.

Troy

 

[Jim Watson]

A friend of mine, very experienced in highpower, talked me into spending for a 60mm Kowa with 25X eyepiece for about $400 (He has an 82mm 27X Kowa.)

Looking around, the least expensive thing I would want was the Bushnell Spacemaster at $250 or so.
The Burris Landmark was disappointing, I ordered one and sent it back. The Leupold Wind River was OK, but the Bushnell was better.

Higher magnification is not much help.

Get a real shooter's stand, the camera type tripods are not as useful. A $140 stand will be my next purchase in gear.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

man its a tough quetion if you do not have the funds to get one of the prefered scopes.

I used a champions choice for about 1 1/2 years untill I just got me a kowa 821m which is the 82mm 27 long eye relief but it was $735.

there are a few sites that can help you select something that will get you bye for a while untill you decide to get a better scope if you wish. the florida highpower site and the nationalmatch forum are both good places to get advice.

the kowa 661 in 60mm is a prefered scope as you get a good quality scope in 45 degree angle (a must) in a compact light weight scope compared to the 77mm and up scopes.

now what you will find in a low end scope a few things that will hurt you.
it will be hard to get good readings on mirage and bullet trace on a long range corse like 300 and 600 yards.

also with the smaller scopes and lower end scopes you WILL have a problem on 200 yard ranges in the summer or a dark overcast day or if there is any wind present.

if you are using and fireing a 30 cal. rifle you will not have as many problems but if you are shooting a ar15 which is the rifle of choice most days you are not going to see the holes which will cost you alot of points down the line and when you see the holes alot of times are you sure which shot it was and as the conditions change its not the time to be guessing where your shots are.

I went out on tuesday and fired in a calm condition with my 821 kowa and now I can practice seeing the holes and even at 200 yards now when I do my mag change I can check the target to see if my shot placement is where I want it before the last 8 shots go down range. thats great on a windy day or anyday for that matter.

but buy what you think will serve you untill you feel the need to upgrade, but check out those sites I told about because they will steer you right. also go to this guys web sight as he has the best prices out there. jarheadtop.com the person is jim owens and he might just have what you are looking for.

good luck jon

 

[ezoeni]

I just picked up a BSA 60 power for 50 bucks on ebay. I know its cheap but it looks nice and its clear enough for what I need and it has a nice tripod for fine tuning the scope.

Ill spend my money on optics for my rifles and later maybe I might buy a good spotter. But I dont think so.

 

[M1911]

Rockrivr1: The top service rifle guys around here seem to favor the Kowa. Yes, $150-200 is cheap. Kowas with eye pieces are well over $600.

Most any cheapy scope will let you see the target markers. But it takes a good scope to see .223 holes at 200 yards, particularly in bad light.

 

[Steve Smith]

Personally, I use a Kowa 661 with a 25x LER eyepiece. An angled eyepiece and long eye relief are MUST HAVES. The rotating "zoom head" mount is not a must have, as you rarely if ever have to adjust that. The older Kowa TSN-1 is a 77mm scope and you have get it with a 27x LER eyepiece. They are rare now but very good. The eyepiece isn't waterproof but that is easily fixed with a see-through lens cover from Creedmore. You may be able to get a TSN-1 for about $400-$450 if you look hard, or though Top Owens www.jarheadtop.com . I'm happy with my 661, but I'm sure Jon is liking his 821 a lot.

A good "cheap" scope is that one from Adorama. It has all the goodies (45 deg eyepiece, LER, big objective, zoom even!) except it isn't waterproof at all (ziplock bag!). Its only $109...and has a 30 money back guarantee...worth a try I suppose. You can search TFL for "Adorama" to see what I and others said about it.