For those of you who like to shoot targets out to 600-800 yards, what type of spotting scope do you like to use? In the prone firing position, would an angled scope be a little awkward to use after the shot? Thinking about spending somewhere around $300-600. What do ya'all think/use?
Spotting scopes - angled or straight?
- Thread starter Tman
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Angled.
I have been shooting high power for over 20 years now. Getting close to 25 years. Here is why you want angled, you want to move that scope off to your side so it is not banging into your rifle as you reload. A straight scope has to be put directly in front of you. You are going to knock it over, wack it out of position, and probably have to mount it high. It will give your neck a cramp using it. Knock your blasted scope out of alignment while you are shooting, and you will have to break position to get it back in place.
Aligning a straight scope versus an angled scope is only a little faster. You are going to have plenty of time to align your scope on your target before you are shooting. At 27 power, nothing coming through that lense looks familiar. Million of miles of grass and no target butts in the field of view. When you find a target board, lets say number three, turns out that is twenty target butts from your target three. Once you get that thing lined up on the correct target, you don't want to be wasting shooting time realigning the thing. Period.
I have been shooting high power for over 20 years now. Getting close to 25 years. Here is why you want angled, you want to move that scope off to your side so it is not banging into your rifle as you reload. A straight scope has to be put directly in front of you. You are going to knock it over, wack it out of position, and probably have to mount it high. It will give your neck a cramp using it. Knock your blasted scope out of alignment while you are shooting, and you will have to break position to get it back in place.
Aligning a straight scope versus an angled scope is only a little faster. You are going to have plenty of time to align your scope on your target before you are shooting. At 27 power, nothing coming through that lense looks familiar. Million of miles of grass and no target butts in the field of view. When you find a target board, lets say number three, turns out that is twenty target butts from your target three. Once you get that thing lined up on the correct target, you don't want to be wasting shooting time realigning the thing. Period.
Rembrandt
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Prefer straight.....got the rubber coated telescopic for backpack hunting, extremely rugged and great at the range. (25-40X) Has a quick release mount that can be used on two tripods, one short and a taller one. Squeeze lock pistol grip provides quick re-alignment of target.
Thanks much for the info. Gonna look at a couple of scopes over the next couple of months but have an eye on a pentax or konus (price range). I know there are some really nice ones out there but want to keep it in budget. Thanks again.
mpmarty
Member
I use a Bushnell Spacemaster which has an adjustable back section that can be "bent" from straight to about ninety degrees. It is 20X60 with a 60mm objective. It works fine for me and is flexible enough for all situations. I use it straight when mounted on a bench for varmint shooting as you want to be able to swing around on different varmints. Angled at about forty-five degrees works best for me in prone high power but in offhand I go back to straight on a high stand.
PracticeFreedom
Member
I own an angled, my brother has a straight. Angled is much easier in almost any position---especially prone and standing---most tripods don't go low AND high enough to use a straight-scope for both prone and standing (unless you crane your neck at wierd "angles"---get it?)
Tman;
Don't be afraid to spend a coupla extra bucks on the tripod. If your new spotter's up there & the wind blows the rig over, you're gonna be unhappy. A trick we use here, where the wind really does blow, is to attach a bag of shot, or any other suitable weight to the base of the 'pod. But a lightly built 'pod won't take the strain very long. A sturdy 'pod, legs that'll set wide & have ground points, lotsa overlap on the leg extensions, that kinda tripod.
900F
Don't be afraid to spend a coupla extra bucks on the tripod. If your new spotter's up there & the wind blows the rig over, you're gonna be unhappy. A trick we use here, where the wind really does blow, is to attach a bag of shot, or any other suitable weight to the base of the 'pod. But a lightly built 'pod won't take the strain very long. A sturdy 'pod, legs that'll set wide & have ground points, lotsa overlap on the leg extensions, that kinda tripod.
900F
Everybody:
Thanks for all the responses. Thinking about going with the angled scope. Gonna be looking for a bipod I can use prone. I already have a couple of heavier camera tripods I'm not using (back when film SLRs were king). Thinking about a Pentax scope. The sandbag idea was something I hadn't even thought of, thanks.
Thanks for all the responses. Thinking about going with the angled scope. Gonna be looking for a bipod I can use prone. I already have a couple of heavier camera tripods I'm not using (back when film SLRs were king). Thinking about a Pentax scope. The sandbag idea was something I hadn't even thought of, thanks.
Jim Watson
Member
If you are shooting at static targets from a prone position and plotting your own shots and watching the mirage for wind estimation, as in NRA matches, you need the angled eyepiece.
Also, you will need a target shooter's single column scope stand, a photo tripod is just not suitable.
If you are spotting for somebody else, as in "tactical" matches or BPCR silhouette as I have shot, then a straight scope on a tripod is fine.
Also, you will need a target shooter's single column scope stand, a photo tripod is just not suitable.
If you are spotting for somebody else, as in "tactical" matches or BPCR silhouette as I have shot, then a straight scope on a tripod is fine.
koja48
member
I own 2 & both are straight, but over 30 years of using them, this is what I've grown accustomed to. However, I do see the distinct advantage of an offset eyepiece for range use. While the straight is easier for me to acquire a target with, if all you will primarily use this for is the range, I'd recommend getting an offset version. I use mine for both shooting & hunting, and have 2 in different lengths (1 very high quality, old, & quite long, but with incredible optics . . . my first AND a far less expensive model, is a much smaller, newer scope that, while with somewhat inferior optics, is easy to pack & serves me just fine.). If I were stimulated to own a third, I'd get one strictly for range use -- with an offset eyepiece. My 2-cents worth (oops, that may have been a nickel . . . sorry).
Quintin Likely
Member
Jim Watson
Member
A target shooter's spotting scope stand is a low broad tripod with a vertical column and bracket for the scope. You can put it right at the corner of your mat, angle the scope eyepiece toward you, and scope your target and mirage with very little shift in position. I see some experienced shooters who spot with their left eye and set the stand so close all they have to do is turn their head slightly.
Stands are usually sectional so you can use the bottom end for prone and extend it up for offhand. Or set it in the middle so you can sit comfortably and score the other guy on your position.
You cannot get a photo tripod close enough and low enough to look through the scope without shifting your position a lot.
Stands are usually sectional so you can use the bottom end for prone and extend it up for offhand. Or set it in the middle so you can sit comfortably and score the other guy on your position.
You cannot get a photo tripod close enough and low enough to look through the scope without shifting your position a lot.
Jim Watson
Member
I got mine from Champion's Choice
There are Champion Shooter's Supply and Creedmoor Sports.
There are Champion Shooter's Supply and Creedmoor Sports.
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