Spotting scope Under $500

V

VegaSSG32

New member
Can anyone recommend a spotting scope for 300-500 yards. Preferably no more than $500.00. I know that may be a tall order. Looking to see .308 holes in paper targets at that range. Any advice or direction would help. Thanks.
 
I suspect you are not going to be able to see holes at 500 yards unless you have a small aiming point (about 3") and lots of white paper.

I utilize 36" square plate 3/4" thick and paint it white with a 3" black dot in middle. The rounds hit it, remove paint about 3/4" wide and you can see them quickly.

The higher the X the more mirage you pick up to see through. About 20 years ago I went down to 15X spotting scopes. Got several on ebay for good prices.
Bausch & Lomb Balscope Sr. is excellent, Bushnell,etc. You want at least a 60MM front lens. You can buy 15X eyepieces separately.

Forget the ones for looking at the moon/starts etc.

I just found these on ebay for you. I would not be afraid of any of these. Normally I don't recommend variable power but for the price of this one I would take it. Only one variable listed above. Bushnell

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-KOW...619621?hash=item46494eeba5:g:JZsAAOSw3xJVeKEk

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALscope-SR...358488?hash=item4af9ca34d8:g:m1wAAOSwPc9Wznv9

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-WWI...680149?hash=item41a3e6b555:g:Jp4AAOSwpDdVUnsT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALscope-SR...638476?hash=item4d3fe7d00c:g:jfgAAOSwG-1WxiiW

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushnell-sp...302003?hash=item25b7138df3:g:zd0AAOSwG-1Wym8z

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BUS...868507?hash=item4d3fdc105b:g:1PIAAOSwe7BWyRwt
 
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Have you tried the targets that change color wher you make hits? At 500m you will need a much larger budget then you have to see the holes otherwise.
 
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It is impossible to see bullet holes at the distance you desire, especially at the price range you are limited to. High definition glass is required with a large objective and the zoom required at that distance will also magnify the atmospheric conditions that will keep you from seeing your bullet holes.

If atmospherics conditions are perfect,you may be able to see bullet holes at 300 or 400 yds but your scope will cost $2000 plus dollars.

Atmospheric conditions is your enemy. I own a field Nikon scope 25 X 75 X 82 and they run about $1800 or more now and 300 is about max and only on shoot and see targets.
 
With standard paper targets, I think 500 yards just might not be possible for a price range under $500 and may not be possible even with a much higher budget. Maybe a decent spotting scope with as hartcreek suggests 'targets that change color' will work. I use a pretty nice low cost spotting scope that works quite well at seeing .223 at 200 yards (on a good day), it's a Konus 100.
 
My Konuspot 80 20-60X has greater resolution than any of my 60 mm spotters.

7120B_16b(2).png




$229==

http://www.opticsplanet.com/konus-konuspot-80-80mm-3-1-spotting-scope.html
 
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I apologize. I should have clarified or maybe not even said paper targets. I do use the hit color change targets. At 300 yards I can see them clear as day thru my rifle scope. I apriciate all the info and have kinda started looking at the Konus100. The only bad thing anyone has to say about it is that it's big and bulky don't plan taking it hiking. This is purely for range use so big and bulky isn't really a concern.
 
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