Spotting scope??

[Sniper66]

I HAVE A COUPLE OF CHEAP SPOTTING SCOPES THAT MOSTLY STAY HOME BECAUSE THEY ARE USELESS. PLEASE RECOMMEND A GOOD SPOTTING SCOPE FOR SEEING SMALL HOLES IN PAPER TARGETS OUT TO 300 YARDS. I HAVE A BUYING CLUB OPTION THAT MAKES BUSHNELL PRETTY CHEAP. BUT, MOST IMPORTANT IS A GOOD SCOPE. WOULD LIKE BE UNDER, SAY, $700....CLOSER TO $500 WOULD BE BETTER.
I LIKE THIS ONE AND IT'S AFFORDABLE. DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ONE??

https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Tro...=1-2-catcorr&keywords=bushnell+SPOTTING+scope

 

[LiveLife]

Before you totally write off "cheap" spotting scopes, consider this - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GH2JWTA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have used two sub $100 20-60x60 spotting scopes before and 100 yards has been the practical limit of seeing .223 holes on white target with my spotting scopes. The Visionking 25-75x70 spotting scope will allow 150+ yard viewing of .223 holes on white target. I have not used the Visionking at 300 yards but some reviews claim ability to see bullet holes at 300 yards.

I paid $64 for mine on promotion and it is currently selling for $89. And I definitely suggest a better tripod.

 

[mustbe]

200 yards is easily doable, 300 is unrealistic for any scope. Atmospheric conditions like mirage, glare, dust etc. make 300 only possible if the conditions are perfect.

The targets would require some type of light reflecting backer like corrugated plastic or trash bag several feet behind the target.

Spending more on a scope will gain you clarity, eye relief, build quality, interchangeable eye pieces etc.

Within your budget the best would probably be the Celestron Regal line.

 

[dieselchief]

kowa…..sell a gun, beg, borrow, work over time, scrap some junk, what ever....a kowa will make all your shooting experiences worth while.

 

[mustbe]

Kowas are very nice, but to get ED glass in a Kowa you are going to have to shell out a minimum of $1300 and it still will not spot holes at 300 reliably.

Regal 80mm will go on sale for around $500 with the 20-60X eyepiece. Add a 25X LER eyepiece for around $200 and you've got a very high quality and versatile setup.

Don't forget to budget for a good tripod or scope stand. They aren't cheap. The scope needs to be very stable to work and you don't want to risk it tipping over.

 

[dieselchief]

you are kidding yourself....the half way dollar point is just leaving too much out...my opinion of course and respect yours....

 

[wild willy]

What talking about spotting scopes the difference 200 and 300 is a lot more than the difference between 100 and 200.I have a mid grade Nikon 20-60 and most times it no go at 300 even when I do think I see the holes I’m wrong.

 

[Armored farmer]

.....all i will say is this:
The angled eyepiece is a great thing. Put your scope on a solid table instead of 5.5 feet in tbe air on a rickety tripod.

 

[Walkalong]

Within your budget the best would probably be the Celestron Regal line.

I have a Celestron Regal 20-60-85 with ED glass and it is a very nice spotting scope. I got mine for under $500, but I imagine they are more these days.

 

[CapnMac]

As above, tripods are definitely the weakest link with most commercial spotting scopes.
I'm a little biased, as one of mi other "things" is macro photogrphy, so, I have a surplus of "shorty" tripods. (So, I also have a surplus of spindly metal and plastic tripod-oids, too.)

Spotting holes out past 150m becomes more of an issue of lighting than of magnification or glass quality. Were I regularly needing to see 5-6mm holes at 200m and further, I'd probably invest in one of the wireless camera rigs--which are coming down in price.

 

[RPZ]

Wireless camera is probably the way to go. Even the cheapest one near your target is probably going to tell the story.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I'm still using the Tasco 15-45 that I bought way back in the 80s. Even came with a tripod for less than 40 bucks back then. Just used it last week and it's still good to 100 yards for 5.56 NATO. All I ever needed, but if I ever need more, I've been looking at Amazon's inventory and there's a lot of choices, highly regarded, at still less than 100 bucks.

 

[sparkyv]

I've had good results using the Celestron C70 Mini Mak out to 300yds using the included tripod, Sniper66. No, you won't immediately be able to make out your .223 holes; it is difficult and takes time to make them out, but it can be done. Best in bright ambient lighting, and miraging compounds the difficulty, and the unit must be kept still. Much less of an issue with larger calibers like .308 . This is true for whatever optic you use. Not bad for sub-$100.

 

[Walkalong]

Sightron SII Spotting Scope 20-60x 85mm Rubber Armored Green

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3...otting-scope-20-60x-85mm-rubber-armored-green

$512.88 SHIPS FREE

https://www.amazon.com/Sightron-Spotting-20-60x-Rubber-Armored/dp/B077TVQB2G

$427.66 SHIPS FREE

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I've had good results using the Celestron C70 Mini Mak out to 300yds using the included tripod, Sniper66. No, you won't immediately be able to make out your .223 holes; it is difficult and takes time to make them out, but it can be done. Best in bright ambient lighting, and miraging compounds the difficulty, and the unit must be kept still. Much less of an issue with larger calibers like .308 . This is true for whatever optic you use. Not bad for sub-$100.

That's the one I was most interested in last night.

 

[Sniper66]

THINK FOUND A GOOD CONTENDER....A BUSHNELL LEGEND 15-45X OR MAYBE IT WAS 20-45X....ANYWAY AT THE OUTLET STORE WE FOCUSED IT ON SOME LEAFY PLANTS 180 YARDS AWAY AND I COULD SEE THE VEINS ON THE LEAVES. THE PLANT WAS GROWING UP THE SIDE OF A CONCRETE WALL AND I COULD ALSO MAKE OUT SMALL IMPERFECTIONS IN THE WALL. THANKS TO YOUR THOUGHTS HERE AND THE SALESMAN, I'VE GIVEN UP THE NOTION OF SEEING SMALL HOLES IN PAPER TARGETS AT 300 YARDS. WILL USE SPLATTER TARGETS FOR THAT AND THE FACT IS, MOST OF MY TARGET SHOOTING IS 100-200 YARDS WITH OCCASIONAL SHOTS AT 300 YARD GONGS. THE GONG HITS SHOW UP CLEARLY AFTER BEING SPRAYED WITH FLAT WHITE PAINT. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP IN DECIDING. I'LL PICK UP THE SCOPE WEDNESDAY.......PRICE IS $289.95 MARKED DOWN FROM $450 MSRP. THEY HAVE A DECENT TRIPOD FOR $75 (my price after discount),...NOT SURE ABOUT THE TRIPOD. THANKS FORE YOUR HELP. TOM

 

[Walkalong]

Why the all caps? Just curious. I find it difficult to read, not to mention it is considered yelling when in text.

 

[LiveLife]

Maybe out of excitement?

 

[Stevie-Ray]

This the one?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushnell-L...677231&hash=item33ed65e271:g:PAcAAOSwCXJbKnF3

 

[Sniper66]

ALL CAPS BECAUSE I'M TYPING WITH ONE HAND FOLLOWING SURGERY.. THIS WAY I DON'T HAVE TO USE THE SHIFT KEY. SLING COMES OFF IN 5 DAYS AND I'LL BE CLOSE TO NORMAL A FEW DAYS LATER...AT LEAST FOR TYPING, BUT NOT FOR SHOOTING YET.

 

[Walkalong]

Interesting that you choose all caps vs all lower case. I generally skip the all caps posts because it is hard to read for me.

 

[LiveLife]

Wishing you a fast recovery.

 

[Nature Boy]

I've been looking at the Kowa 82mm with long eye relied eye piece.

Creedmoor Sports had them on sale for $799 as a package, which was a hellava deal.

I dithered too long and they went on BO the next day.

 

[Walkalong]

This one is back on sale. More money than the OP wants to spend, but a very good deal.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/9...85mm-angled-body-green-with-pro-gt-tripod-kit

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I find birdwatchers far more particular than shooters with respect to scopes and binos. They think nothing of $2k+ glass. I'd check you local birding message boards and find someone selling a $1750 scope for $500 -- That's how I got mine.