Good Spotting Scope for 500-600 Yards

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Kestrel: The Leupold 20-60X80 should work fine for your purposes. Yes, for a lot more money there are better optics to be had but if you need to find holes up to the 200 to 300 yard range, the Leupold will work o.k. From my experience and from what others have said, there aren't many half-way affordable scopes that will reliably discern .22 holes @ 600 yards.

I have and use the Leupold you referenced. Eye-relief is so-so; it has a rotational tripod mount; optics in the low to middle ranges of power are pretty darn good; the scope is waterproof and you can't beat the Leupold guarantee and customer service record. On the negative side, at sixty-plus ounces, the scope is a pretty hefty unit but nothing that a quality stand like the aforementioned RayVin can't handle.

At $336.45, plus $9.25 shipping, I think the 20-60X80 Leupold is hard to beat for value. The quoted price is sans the "kit".
 
SwampWolf,

Thanks for the info. For the approximate price range, is there another option with better optics?

And - should I go with the angled body or straight?

Thanks again.
 
Well, I got to see something which sort of surprised me the other day.

A side-by-side comparison of a $2000 Swarovski 80MM 20-60X spotting scope, against a $300-400 Bushnell 80MM 20-60X scope. I had them both on 60X, trying to figure out what that extra grand and a half gets you. I could only find one difference in the optical quality on the distant target...

The Swarovski seemed to have a better "area" that the image appeared in. I wouldn't say it was pupil exit, because they both should have around the same size pupil exit. But the Swarovski gave you an apparently larger pupil exit without added brightness, and you could move your eye around more without the edges cutting out. If you moved to the side at all on the Bushnell, you would get a weird doubling effect on the outside of the image from the focusing and see two images. But, looking straight down the center of both scopes, I can honestly say that I saw no difference in brightness, or clarity. Both images looked exceptionally clear, and displayed nearly the exact same colors and edges. I was switching back and forward really quickly between them to remember the image.

I would say, get one of those 80MM Bushnell scopes.
 
Can anyone advise - what are the benefits of angled body vs. straight body spotting scopes?

Thanks.
 
Angled trumps straight.

Angled--lean over and look

Straight---get your butt behind it and look.

My friend has a scope stand mentioned above for $135.

www.jarheadtop.com

I can tell you that the collar of the angled scope allows it to rotate while clamped to the stand and you can adjust the stand for position shooting (prone, sitting or standing). I can tell you that it really is the cat's ass. I'm going to get me one!
 
I made this out of 5/8 sucker rod . Used with really good window mount ,it is very steady. The Konus scope pivots in it's mount so as to make height adjustments at the DSC00753.jpg table. It's kind of crude, but it is the best table top tripod I've ever used.
 
I am looking for bullet holes, not trying to sex a whippoorwill at 300 yards.

Kowa or Euro better = Konus or Celestron + Select grade M1 or other nice rifle.
 
Kestrel: A straight eyepiece is ok for hunting and other outdoor activities. But for the range, I'd go with the angled one.

And for the record, I've used various spotting scopes over the years, including Konus, Burris (I own a little Burris 20 power compact unit), Bushnell and Nikon but for the money, I don't think you can beat the 20-60X80 Leupold.
 
I am looking for bullet holes, not trying to sex a whippoorwill at 300 yards.
Click to expand...

That'll get you arrested in some states.

I think the bottom line is that the OP, for that long distance, could either:

1. Use a remote camera setup, OR
2. Use the Fujinon 40x150, with Shoot-N-C targets, and go to the range only on bright, sunny days.

Option #1 is $12,000 or more cheaper to accomplish, AND allows more flexibility. It will take more work, planning, ingenuity, and setup time, however.
 
At $336.45, plus $9.25 shipping, I think the 20-60X80 Leupold is hard to beat for value. The quoted price is sans the "kit".
Click to expand...

SwampWolf, where have you found the 20-60X80 Leupold?

I recently got one and will have to take an image of my set-up and post it.
 
Dang, oh well, if ever I need aother I know where to go now. Thanks for the heads-up.
 
The best optic i've used for bullet hole spotting (in the right conditions) was my Kowa Highlanders with 32X eyepieces. I could make out some holes 6.5 and up at Rich Mertz Thousand Yard Handgun Comp. this year with this optic. This kinda' optic has very limited applications tho. I'd like to see what would be possible with it tho with the 50X eyepieces--problem is they sell for upwards of $1K just for the eyepieces!!
 
The carry case I bought for my new spotting scope finally came in and I finally got off my fat butt to take photos.
Spot01A.jpg
Spot02A.jpg
Spot03A.jpg
 
A Questar is one of the best pieces of optics going, so yes, it can beat your ED (is that ED an APO?).

If you want the real deal, check out http://www.televue.com/engine/page.asp?ID=9. Will easily outdo the Questar at a fraction of the price, because it doesn't have the central obstruction. Changeable eyepieces to suit various magnifications. Will not distort.

All the spotting scopes sold by sporting companies (Cabelas, Winchester, etc etc etc) are total, 100% garbage.
 
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