Spotting scope

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Stats Shooter

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I'm in the market for a decent spotting scope. I am going to use it for service rifle matches. Therefore I need to see impact points at 600 yards. My budget is $500 but I would like to pay less if possible. I don't think it has to be variable power but I'm sure that would make it more useful.
 
At that distance not even a $3000 scope will help. Atmospheric conditions will not allow it. You can follow vapor trails but that is it.
 
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You don't see "impact points" with your spotting scope during a service rifle match, you see the spotting disk, and you look at the mirage to make you wind call.

You want a stand that adjusts from ~1' to ~5' so you can used the scope from all three positions. You also want an angled eyepiece, so you don;t have to get out of position.

I got a Kowa from Top Owens when I was competing, his stand is excellent. I started with a Champions Choice scope, worked well, but the Kowa was a huge step up, and priced accordingly.

I would look here for a scope: https://www.creedmoorsports.com/category/Spotting-Scopes

And contact Top for the stand, and check his price on Kowas. http://www.jarheadtop.com/jim_owens_products.html
 
Thanks for the heads up. I know that on my leupold Mk 4 scope I can see impact points at 500 yards but that is on steel targets with florescent paint covered with grease. I was hoping to be able to at least see wind flags and read mirage.
 
The guys in the target pits score each shot (except rapid strings obviously). They stick a plug in the hole in the target with a cardboard disk, the disk is two sided black and white, so it will contrast with the target where you hit The disk is large enough that it is easy to see with any reasonable magnification, my scope is only 25x and it works fine out to 1000 yards.
 
I have been impressed by my Minox binoculars and I'm tempted to try this spotter by Minox. I know this Vortex spotter is over budget, but I got to sample the Razor HD 16-48X65 elk hunting with my daughter and it is a very good piece of glass for judging animals. The Theron Saker gets good reviews for a sub $500 scope. Look around and see if you can find some open box or demo models and you can get some quality glass at reasonable prices.
 
A number of years ago I bought an "Orion" Grand View 20 X 60 X 100mm scope. It is great. I paid $350 for the scope and another $100 for the tripod. I have used it for shooting, spotting game, and watching the skies.
I think you would like it.
 
Spotting scope designs are relatively simple optical designs. The complicated part of the scope is the eyepiece as that is the portion that provides the zoom function.

If you can go up very slightly with your budget, you might want to look at the Pentax PF65 ED II. It uses extended dispersion glass (the "ED" in the name), all of the lenses are multi-coated, the tube is magnesium, and it uses 1.25-inch diameter eyepieces.

The eyepiece size is the same as used on telescopes so you can use telescope eyepieces with the spotting scope. Pentax makes two zoom eyepieces. One eyepiece is normally used with the spotting scope, the other zoom eyepiece is quite expensive as it is designed for use with telescopes - but it can be used with the spotting scope.

The 1.25-inch diameter eyepiece gives you an upgrade path for even higher optical quality through the use of telescope eyepieces should you choose to do that in the future.

The spotting scope with the spotting scope zoom eyepiece is about $650 - $700.
 
Hmm.

This gives me some things to ponder. I am all for the "buy once cry once" theory. And if it is truly justified to spend a little extra yet get a lot more performance I will. But if it is all incremental, I have to draw the line somewhere.
 
For range use, particularly shooting Highpower/Service Rifle matches, you really don't need that high magnification. I have two eyepieces, a 27X long eye relief and a 50X. The first time I used the 50X in at least 10 years was last week looking at the moon. The 27X is about perfect, enough magnification to see the target, but not too much that you can still see the mirage. The long eye relief lets you use it with you shooting glasses on, something I can't do with the 50X.
 
+ 1 on the Extended eye relief.
With one you don't have to put your eye right up next to the eyepiece. Nice option if avaialble.
 
spotting scope

Before you commit to any scope, go by Harbor Freight. I know, I know, and I agree a lot of it is of less than stellar quality, but they have a 25-50x60(IIRC) regular price about $70, on sale as cheap as $39. I looked at one about a year ago to be a "who cares" partner to my Mirador 25x60. Didn't buy it then, but was really impressed when I took it out of the package in-store and looked 4-500yards away through the store window. I believe it would serve most of our purposes well, and nobody would get greatly upset if it had an accident. Who knows, maybe I picked up the only one that was worth a darned.

Maybe somebody else has eyes on a good stand. I've had mine since the early 80's, and have never even looked for another one...

Roy
 
I went with the Red field rampage 20x60x80 angled w/tripod. It has decent reviews for the money. If it sucks, I'll spend more on a better one. I know you usually get what you pay for and I'm hoping this budget buy allows me to read the mirage and see the disks inserted in the targets.....if not then I'll have a 100-150 yard .22lr spotting scope and I guess I'll buy a Swarovski.
 
Several of us ran an unscientific test at 600 yards some years ago. We viewed targets with a $1000 Unertl ,$500 Kowa and a $250 Accuspot scope from Champions Choice .
Each scope was more then satisfactory for the usual purposes. Seeing mirage, shot spotters and scoring disk. The biggest difference was the clarity of the target black. The expensive scope displayed a distinctly darker ,richer color. The less expensive scopes were more in the gray scale. It indicated that the higher quality glass could pick up more subtle changes in conditions.
The question then became is your shooting skill capable of taking advantage of viewing more of the atmospheric conditions?
 
. The question then became is your shooting skill capable of taking advantage of viewing more of the atmospheric conditions?
Click to expand...


And the answer is: If I'm being honest, right now probably not. Sure I can keep everything in the 8-10 ring repeatedly on a calm day with plenty of scope tweaking, no competition pressure, and sight in shots to dial everything in.

But my skills are not to the point right now that the 50-10 rule is worth it..... meaning spending another 50% on equipment to get 10% improvement. which is probably where most regular and decently trained shooters are
 
Another thing to consider. A scope stand that is easy to set up, steady even when it's breezy, places the scope where one can use it and maintain position is as valuable as the scope itself. I built mine 34 years ago. It's not perfect but I'm used to it.
The 3/4 or 1inch rods now in use are very stable except some mounting systems are easier to adjust then others. My home club has several of these as loaners.

http://www.giraudtool.com/prod01.htm
 
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