SPOTTING SCOPES

[marine one]

Hello everyone,
Looking for an inexpensive spotting scope, to see the hits on target at 200 to 300 yards on white
paper. So far I've found one scope that I think might work I'ts a Celestron C90. It sells for around
200 without the tripod. Does anybody have any ideas?

 

[BigBL87]

I've been pretty happy with my Athlon Talos, especially for the price. Haven't gotten out to those distances though so can't say for sure if you'd be able to identify holes at those distances.

https://cameralandny.com/shop/athlo...6342-0136-ef37-00163e90e196?variation=1809119

 

[MikeInOr]

I would recommend staying away from the Celestron C90. Mine is plenty sharp but the focus ring is MUCH harder to use than a focus knob. While trying to focus with the C90 focus ring the image jumps all over the place so you end up doing a tiny nudge then let the image settle, nudge, settle, nudge, settle. It is not very productive. Even a heavy duty tripod doesn't really help.

I like my old Celestron C5 with the focus knob MUCH better. Good telescope eye pieces cost more than the telescope itself. The .96" eyepieces have a lousy field of view and short eye relief so you kind of need to go with a 1.25" eyepiece which uses a different OTA back than what comes with the stock C90.

From experience I would recommend just getting a spotting scope instead of making a spotting scope out of a telescope.

 

[LNK]

I agree, unless you also want to do a little star gazing too. I have a c90 that I sometimes use on my range, but most of the time it sits on my Celestron motorized GPS telescope tracker. While not optimum for either, can be used for both. The mount and tripod is more important than the optic in this case though.

Now if you are looking for a spotting scope for competing, there are much better options.

Good luck

I would recommend staying away from the Celestron C90. Mine is plenty sharp but the focus ring is MUCH harder to use than a focus knob. While trying to focus with the C90 focus ring the image jumps all over the place so you end up doing a tiny nudge then let the image settle, nudge, settle, nudge, settle. It is not very productive. Even a heavy duty tripod doesn't really help.

I like my old Celestron C5 with the focus knob MUCH better. From experience I would recommend just getting a spotting scope instead of making a spotting scope out of a telescope.

 

[LiveLife]

After using different spotting scopes, when I built 18" .223 Wylde AR to shoot out to 300 yards, I chose Visionking 25x-75x70 spotting scope based on reviews that shooters could see bullet holes at 200-300 yard targets. It is currently selling for $99 on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Visionking-25-75x70-Maksutov-Spotting-Waterproof/dp/B00GH2JWTA

So far, I have used to check bullet holes at 100 yard targets and can clearly see them without maximum zoom with focus adjustment that is easy to use. I like Visionking's compact size of 10 inches in length.

I am planning to get a smart phone adapter for easier viewing of target with additional zoom of phone camera - https://www.amazon.com/Gosky-Univer...R40DS4T93QK&psc=1&refRID=9C8W9EJM5R40DS4T93QK

 

[BigBL87]

I am planning to get a smart phone adapter for easier viewing of target with additional zoom of phone camera - https://www.amazon.com/Gosky-Univer...R40DS4T93QK&psc=1&refRID=9C8W9EJM5R40DS4T93QK

If you end up wanting a mount with a little finer adjustment, I highly recommend the Celestron NexYZ mount. A bit heavier but pretty solid and makes finding the eye box alot easier for me.

 

[borrowedtime69]

I really like my bass pro Pursuit spotting scope, about $150 to $175.

 

[marine one]

After using different spotting scopes, when I built 18" .223 Wylde AR to shoot out to 300 yards, I chose Visionking 25x-75x70 spotting scope based on reviews that shooters could see bullet holes at 200-300 yard targets. It is currently selling for $99 on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Visionking-25-75x70-Maksutov-Spotting-Waterproof/dp/B00GH2JWTA

So far, I have used to check bullet holes at 100 yard targets and can clearly see them without maximum zoom with focus adjustment that is easy to use. I like Visionking's compact size of 10 inches in length.

View attachment 929224

I am planning to get a smart phone adapter for easier viewing of target with additional zoom of phone camera - https://www.amazon.com/Gosky-Univer...R40DS4T93QK&psc=1&refRID=9C8W9EJM5R40DS4T93QK

 

[marine one]

Hi LiveLife, about your spotting scope, VisionKing, Will I be able to see 223 bullet holes at 250 yards, on white paper targets?

 

[LiveLife]

Hi LiveLife, about your spotting scope, VisionKing, Will I be able to see 223 bullet holes at 250 yards, on white paper targets?

I have two other 20x-60x60 spotting scopes now and wanted to buy a better spotting scope specifically to see .223 bullet holes at 100-300 yards.

I was thinking about 30x-90x100 spotting scope like this - https://www.amazon.com/Visionking-3...9615QVE8S61&psc=1&refRID=CEBWZH73Q9615QVE8S61

But after reading reviews/comments of shooters being able to see .22 caliber bullet holes at 200-300 yards, when I saw it go on sale (I think around $75), I decided to give the 75x Visionking a try.

At 100 yards, I can definitely clearly see bullet holes on brown cardboard target without maxing out the zoom, even in lower light/shade and feel that I should be able to see .22 caliber bullet holes at 200-300 yards on white paper target. I haven't had a chance to test the spotting scope at 200-300 yards as that shooting spot is located further away from my regular shooting areas that requires light rock crawling with 4x4 higher in the mountain (And not in summer heat for me).

This is from Q&A section - https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx1LXTEB33L3MVW/ref=ask_dp_dpmw_al_hza

Question: Would this scope be ok for 400 yrd plus shooting?

Answer: I think 400 yds would be pushing it for any detail like seeing small bullet holes in paper..i have this scope its not bad for the 90 bucks shooting at the range 100/200 yds it will work good. at 260 yds i can read car licence plate numbers pretty good, for weekend hunting and bird watching its ok.i learned to get a real good scope u really have to spend 300 plus to get real good clarity
​

I did see comments where shooters verified being able to see .22 caliber holes at 300 yards (reason why I ended up buying the 75x Visionking) and le me see if I can find those comments.

 

[LiveLife]

= Please note that I am planning to use with cell phone mount for additional zoom of target, which should allow me to see .22 cal bullet holes even at 200-300 yards =

OK, here is a 300 yard comment

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than expected for the price
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2017
Verified Purchase
At this price I figured I would give it a shot. It turned out to be pretty clear and I am impressed with the magnification. For sighting in rifles it will work great and I can see holes in the target at 300 yards fairly easy. Haven't looked at targets past 300 yrds, but took it deer hunting and it was great to see deer even around 500 yards. The 75x magnification starts to get a little dark, but it is expected. If I were a guide in Montana I might want something better, but for Georgia it is a bargain.

The picture I attached is a little buck around 300 yards with the scope on 50x power that I took with my phone​

 

[LiveLife]

The picture I attached is a little buck around 300 yards with the scope on 50x power that I took with my phone

And here's the screen capture of 300 yard deer the last commenter took with phone ... With phone adapter and zoom applied, I could imagine seeing black bullet holes on white target

 

[Walkalong]

Bullet holes in the white or in cardboard are a great deal easier to see than bullet holes in the black.

My $500ish dollar spotter with “ED” glass can only see bullet holes in the black under good conditions.

Any mirage and things get tough.

What I am saying is the Athlon linked to should do fine at 100 with cardboard or white targets, should even do ok for the same at 200 and maybe 300, but it may struggle with .22 bullet holes in the black at 100, and won’t be able to see them well at 200 unless conditions are perfect, maybe then.

 

[earplug]

I have a MAK scope like the C90. It is difficult to focus and the eye relief is small. Trying to find the target without a variable scope is hard.
I ended up buying a Celestron spotting scope. Budget for a nice tripod. Vibration and wiggling from the wind will mess with a expensive scope.

 

[LiveLife]

... may struggle with .22 bullet holes in the black at 100, and won’t be able to see them well at 200

OP is using white paper target

Looking ... to see the hits on target at 200 to 300 yards on white paper.

 

[Walkalong]

Well that's good, just wanted to clarify.

 

[paulo]

Konus makes a decent scope for the money. You get what you pay for in optics, buy once cry once.

 

[P5 Guy]

https://www.telescope.com/?msclkid=... US&utm_term=orion&utm_content=Orion - Phrase

Orion scope and binoculars are my choice

 

[JFrank]

Why not just look through the rifle scope ?

 

[3Crows]

Why not just look through the rifle scope ?

Because most rifle scopes in general hunting use will not be more than maybe 12X and a spotting scope is usually 20X to 60X or more. Bench rest rifles may have much more magnification of course but a 20X scope would be not often found on a typical hunting rifle or a .22.

 

[JFrank]

Because most rifle scopes in general hunting use will not be more than maybe 12X and a spotting scope is usually 20X to 60X or more. Bench rest rifles may have much more magnification of course but a 20X scope would be not often found on a typical hunting rifle or a .22.

Ah yes
Of course, then perhaps I’ll suggest Redfield as a mid priced spotter that I’ve had a bit of experience with showing a nice sight picture and quite capable.
J

 

[ms6852]

Hello everyone,
Looking for an inexpensive spotting scope, to see the hits on target at 200 to 300 yards on white
paper. So far I've found one scope that I think might work I'ts a Celestron C90. It sells for around
200 without the tripod. Does anybody have any ideas?

Here is a link to an article that you should read, It is an old article and some of the spotting scopes may not be available but this still applies to the newer spotting scopes. Just a couple of pages to read with some excellent information that at the very least will allow you to make an informed decision regardless if it is smart or not.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/howto/how-to-choose-a-spotting-scope-for-target-shooting.html

 

[rust collector]

I have a Konus 80mm angled eyepiece scope that I got from CameraLand, and have been very happy with it. There is a 70mm model on sale now for $139 that sounds like a good value, but you can talk with these folks and they want you to be a happy customer. https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...d1ed-0134-8a5d-00163e9110c0?variation=1439161

 

[marine one]

Is there anybody with a spotting scope that shoots at a white paper target at 200 yards and see's there hits using 223 caliper cartridge?

 

[ms6852]

Is there anybody with a spotting scope that shoots at a white paper target at 200 yards and see's there hits using 223 caliper cartridge?

Yes but you need to be willing to pay big bucks. This is my set up"

Nikon ED Fieldscope 25-75X82 with a 055 Pro Manfrotto tripod. Let us know what you decided to buy and please most important let us know if it does allow you to see bullet holes on white targets .