What is a really good spotting scope that a person can actually see the holes in a target at 200-600 yards......I thought I had a decent one when I bought a Winchester for $200....but, at 200 yards I could barely see the holes and it was too blurry anyway........I heard Kowa scopes were good but expensive....I am assuming that I will have to pay $400-$600 for a really good one.........
spotting scope
- Thread starter jem375
- Start date
Its really about magnification.
With a 60x magnification, you can see 30 caliber holes out at 200 yards clearly, and 224 caliber holes, not as clear. Over 200 yards, I have not had the luxury of having a 200+ yard range.
Spotting scopes are really just telescopes that adjusts the image so that what is up is up, and right is right. There are eyepieces for telescopes that do this, which allows you to use the telescope as a spotting scope.
I remember looking at the Celestron C5, with a 4.5 inch lens. Pretty cheap, though it might not be as well protected from the elements.
With a 60x magnification, you can see 30 caliber holes out at 200 yards clearly, and 224 caliber holes, not as clear. Over 200 yards, I have not had the luxury of having a 200+ yard range.
Spotting scopes are really just telescopes that adjusts the image so that what is up is up, and right is right. There are eyepieces for telescopes that do this, which allows you to use the telescope as a spotting scope.
I remember looking at the Celestron C5, with a 4.5 inch lens. Pretty cheap, though it might not be as well protected from the elements.
braindead0
New member
The most important thing at those distances, is a very stable tripod/base of some sort. You'll really see the tiniest shake at those distances.
Steve Smith
New member
Mas mis information.
Ok, I am a Highpower competitor, and I absolutely depend on a good spotting scope. I shoot both full-distance (up to 600 yards) and reduced course (200 yard) matches. At 300 and beyond, EVERYONE relies on spotter info from the pits for hit placement. At those distnces and beyond, we use our high-dollar scopes to watch the mirage. On 200 yard ranges, they don't have pits, so seeing hits is much more important.
I will tell you that what you're hoping for doesn't exist in an affordable and portable unit. At 200 yards, a good scope such as the Kowa TSN-1 (no longer made), the 611, 661, and 821 will easily show .223 holes IF mirage doesn't get you. The large and high quality scopes show mirage very well and often you won't see holes in the heat of the day at 200. A zoom will only magnify that effect. I use a 24X Long Eye Relief eyepiece in a Kowa 661. I have used 821s often but they are shut down by mirage just as quickly as the 661.
I would say 9 times out of 10 you'll see .22 holes at 200 with a good scope such as the ones listed above. You MAY be able to see .30 holes at 300. If you are in a hot area and shoting in mid-afternoon, forget it. Get out early in the morning.
One of the surprising scopes on the market is the Pro-Optic from Adorama.com. It will show hits at 200 easily and has adequate eye relief for position shooting. It is $109 or so, and they have a 30 day money-back guarantee. For a casual shooter, this may be the way to go.
Oh, and regarding stands, they are really important. If you shoot from position, you should get one made for Highpower shooting so you can get the scope very low and close to you fr prone, and very high for standing.
Ok, I am a Highpower competitor, and I absolutely depend on a good spotting scope. I shoot both full-distance (up to 600 yards) and reduced course (200 yard) matches. At 300 and beyond, EVERYONE relies on spotter info from the pits for hit placement. At those distnces and beyond, we use our high-dollar scopes to watch the mirage. On 200 yard ranges, they don't have pits, so seeing hits is much more important.
I will tell you that what you're hoping for doesn't exist in an affordable and portable unit. At 200 yards, a good scope such as the Kowa TSN-1 (no longer made), the 611, 661, and 821 will easily show .223 holes IF mirage doesn't get you. The large and high quality scopes show mirage very well and often you won't see holes in the heat of the day at 200. A zoom will only magnify that effect. I use a 24X Long Eye Relief eyepiece in a Kowa 661. I have used 821s often but they are shut down by mirage just as quickly as the 661.
I would say 9 times out of 10 you'll see .22 holes at 200 with a good scope such as the ones listed above. You MAY be able to see .30 holes at 300. If you are in a hot area and shoting in mid-afternoon, forget it. Get out early in the morning.
One of the surprising scopes on the market is the Pro-Optic from Adorama.com. It will show hits at 200 easily and has adequate eye relief for position shooting. It is $109 or so, and they have a 30 day money-back guarantee. For a casual shooter, this may be the way to go.
Oh, and regarding stands, they are really important. If you shoot from position, you should get one made for Highpower shooting so you can get the scope very low and close to you fr prone, and very high for standing.
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Steve, thanks for the info........I was shooting at 200 with my Garand just to see how I could hit with military sights, but, the spotting scope just didn't cut it........very possible it could have done better if I had put it on a bigger tripod instead of the little one it came with........oh, well, will look at that website you mentioned.............thanks to everyone that answered.......
Steve Smith
New member
I have heard good things about it from seasoned HP shooters wanting a scope to help out beginners. If it doesn't work out, just get it back in the 30 days. FYI, Creedmore Sports (A HP equipment supplier) sells the same exact scope as the "Swift" for $209. huh.
Let me know if you like it...or not.
Let me know if you like it...or not.
I'm going through this same process right now, too. Fortunately I'm not in a rush, and short on funds, so I haven't spent any money yet. jem375, please post back with your results. I would love to find a $109 scope that works effectively with .30 at 200 yds under reasonable conditions.
Hope this one is a keeper!
HL.
Hope this one is a keeper!
HL.
Steve Smith
New member
I am anxiously awaiting your comments on the scope. Someone tell the UPS driver to step on it!
Steve Smith
New member
Got that scope yet?
OK....took it to the range today and it works great........I could actually see 30 cal holes at 200 yards........guy was shooting an M1A and could see the shots hit........wish someone had been shooting a 223, but, no matter........the scope is really clear and thanks, Steve, for recommending it to me.............for that kind of money......$123.50 including shipping, it is worth it..............