EastDallas
Member
What would be a good and reasonably priced spotting scope for range shooting? Would be looking at 50-100 yard and have little experience in this area.
Thanks
Thanks
Spotting Scope Recommendations
- Thread starter EastDallas
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As a start, For around $100, I like Barska 20-60x 60mm scope. The quality is not too bad for the price. Anything less than this is, IMHO, junk.
As you pay more, you get better optics, and better packaging.
You should go to a store and take a look at them to compare.
The best place for spotting scope review are bird watching forums.
-Pat
As you pay more, you get better optics, and better packaging.
You should go to a store and take a look at them to compare.
The best place for spotting scope review are bird watching forums.
-Pat
ocabj
Member
You should post this in the Accessories forum. Competition shooters tend to use scopes that are pretty expensive for basic range use. Most highpower shooters use Kowas. Sometimes Zeiss or Schmidt Bender.
For casual range use from 50-200 yards, all you need is clear glass with 20-25x power. You don't need anything more to see bullet holes at these distances. People with variable power spotting scopes that go up to 45-60x and jack them up to the max to see holes in paper at 200 or below aren't getting any benefit. If anything, they're just degrading their ability to see clearly due to mirage factor and sensitivity of the mount (too unstable).
For casual range use from 50-200 yards, all you need is clear glass with 20-25x power. You don't need anything more to see bullet holes at these distances. People with variable power spotting scopes that go up to 45-60x and jack them up to the max to see holes in paper at 200 or below aren't getting any benefit. If anything, they're just degrading their ability to see clearly due to mirage factor and sensitivity of the mount (too unstable).
EastDallas
Member
Great Advice
Gentleman,
Many thanks for you opinions and recommendations regarding a first purchase spotting scope. This insight will be extremely helpful when I start looking in the near future.
Larry
Gentleman,
Many thanks for you opinions and recommendations regarding a first purchase spotting scope. This insight will be extremely helpful when I start looking in the near future.
Larry
redneck2
Member
I've got a Burris 20-60x. Is it "the best"?
No....but it was on special at Midway for about $160 IIRC. Came with a little tri-pod. I can see 22 caliber holes very easily at 200 yards. Haven't tried farther. It's plenty good enough for casual shooting.
No....but it was on special at Midway for about $160 IIRC. Came with a little tri-pod. I can see 22 caliber holes very easily at 200 yards. Haven't tried farther. It's plenty good enough for casual shooting.
Joe Mamma
Member
I looked for something similar. This was the best deal that I found. I think it is last years model. Bushnell 20-50 x 50 for $100.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cf...prodID=BH787325&CFID=1801571&CFTOKEN=95357831
"The Bushnell Trophy Spotting Scope is fully waterproof and sealed - it actually floats! Body and eyepiece construction is alloy metal with a black rubberized coating on the body for protection against dings and scratches. Eye relief via a fold-down rubber eyecup of this Bushnell Spotting Scope is a very user-friendly 13-16mm. The Bushnell Trophy 20-50x50 even comes with its own table-top tripod packaged in a soft nylon case with the spotting scope itself. Case, tripod and spotting scope together weighs about as much as a hardcover book and the whole package is short enough (12 inches) to fit in the glove compartment of your car. "
Joe Mamma
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cf...prodID=BH787325&CFID=1801571&CFTOKEN=95357831
"The Bushnell Trophy Spotting Scope is fully waterproof and sealed - it actually floats! Body and eyepiece construction is alloy metal with a black rubberized coating on the body for protection against dings and scratches. Eye relief via a fold-down rubber eyecup of this Bushnell Spotting Scope is a very user-friendly 13-16mm. The Bushnell Trophy 20-50x50 even comes with its own table-top tripod packaged in a soft nylon case with the spotting scope itself. Case, tripod and spotting scope together weighs about as much as a hardcover book and the whole package is short enough (12 inches) to fit in the glove compartment of your car. "
Joe Mamma
MNgoldenbear
Member
I'm using a Kowa 82mm. I got it for highpower, and it was one of my last purchases. Should have been moved up. No, you won't get it for $100, and no, you probably don't really "need" it. I've realized that I take it out to the range almost every time I go, regardless of what rifle (or occasionally even for pistol) I bring out. As expensive as it was, comparing it to the amount of use I get from it, it's a lot cheaper than nearly all of my rifles in the long run. Same thing with muffs -- the ProEars are expensive, but I've gotten a LOT of use out of them, and they've performed in situations where other products wouldn't have. Besides if you don't like 'em, you can usually sell quality products for a large percentage of their original price fairly easily.
rock jock
Member
The first spotting scope I owned was a cheap Bushnell that I bought new for $50. It was a piece of junk, but served my purposes well when I first started shooting. I gave it away and last year bought a Leupold Wind River for around $290. The contrast between the two was amazing. However, what was even more amazing was when I looked through some really good quality scopes (Nikon, Zeiss) and saw an even bigger difference. Long story short, I wish I had waited another few months and spent my money on a Nikon.
I have become sold on getting the best optics you can afford for every application (binocs, spotting scope, rifle scope). I can promise you that you will never regret getting better optics. You will definitely notice a huge difference.
I have become sold on getting the best optics you can afford for every application (binocs, spotting scope, rifle scope). I can promise you that you will never regret getting better optics. You will definitely notice a huge difference.
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