Spotting Scopes

T

ttarp

New member
I bought a cheap simmons 20-60 spotting scope a while back, and have difficulty seeing the holes in the targets past 75 yards(yes I am hitting the target, juts usually have to walk out to check it). I'm looking for suggestions for a decent scope, what are you using?
 
bushnell 15-45x50 an old one, gets tough after 125yds though. im looking forward to the suggestions! hopefully something that wont break the bank!
 
I have an old m1910 spotting telescope I use... its awesome (.30 cal holes are really easy to see at 200), but now you will pay antique prices for them... so Im sure you can get something better for much less... id like to get something cheaper (and lighter) one day so I dont have to lug an antique to the range.
 
Try dropping the power just a little at a time. Many scopes are "over powered" so they can advertise crazy powers. A lot of them get much sharper if you drop the mag just a little.
 
As far as used spotting scopes go the old Bushnells, Baush & Lomb and the Redfield are good scopes. But they are almost impossible to find.
I too had a Simmons and had the same experience you did. They are OK for a Bullseye pistol shooter, but not for rifle shooting or hunting.
The best scope is the Leupold, Gold Ring. They work well in low light, Lifetime warranty on the scope, regardless of who purchased it, compact and easy to carry for hunting. They hold their value, and are generally passed down as a legacy to heirs.
They are expensive, but because of their quality once you own one its easy to justify having spent the money. I own one so I know its true.
I have no experience with Nikon, but I have heard and have reason to believe that they are a good quality glass also. I don't know about their warranty, but I have seen them offered on E-Bay.
 
How's the tripod?
If the scope isn't held really steady, the view through the scope will blur, no matter how good or expensive it is.
 
The tripod certainly is a large part of the issue, its unsteady enough that a slight breeze will shake it pretty bad. I thought I might be better off getting a new scope and tripod than looking for another tripod for the simmons.
 
For a decent, not too expensive scope check out Konus. I found a 20-60x 80mm 3 or 4 years ago for around $225. Can see 30 cal holes at 200 yds, .22 cal if the lights right. Starting to see a good number of these on the firing line at rifle matches.

Another very popular and very good make is Kowa. Superb, but your more like $700 to get started.
 
The Leupold Windriver 60mm 15-45X spotter is not quite good enough to see shots in the black at 200 yds.

The new Konus 20-60X 80mm I got is outstanding. Sure its big but not a problem at the range.

http://http://www.opticsplanet.com/konus-konuspot-80-80mm-3-1-spotting-scope.html

opplanet-konus-konuspot-20-60x80mm-spotting-scope-7120-main.jpg
 
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You can use a weight hanging off of the center of the tripod to "hunker it down" a little tighter, its an old photographers trick where they'd hang the camera bag under to "pre-stress" the legs a little.

It might help to try that, but tripods need to be solid to work well, particularly at high magnifications. This is actually a little under-gunned for the scope at 64X. Tripods with braced legs are a big help as well.
DSCF0254_zpsa9fd4450.jpg
 
Fixed power scopes are typically sharper than variables. My 25X Kowa TSN-1 resolves 30 caliber bullet holes at 1000 yards. And my old Bushnell 45 deg. Spacemaster with a 25X eyepiece resolves 30 caliber holes in the black at 600 yards. Mirage permitting, of course.
 
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The tripod certainly is a large part of the issue, its unsteady enough that a slight breeze will shake it pretty bad. I thought I might be better off getting a new scope and tripod than looking for another tripod for the simmons.
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I use that Simmons. The tripod that comes with it is garbage, and literally worse than nothing.

I have mine mounted on a second hand video tripod, which is very heavy. I find 22lr holes without issue at 100m.

I found my tripod on craigslist at the suggestion of someone here.
 
Kowa spotting scopes have a decent reputation at range I'm a member. Several of the gents I shoot with on a regular basis own one.
 
I recently bought an inexpensive (i.e. cheap) Meade spotting scope. I wanted it for shooting off a bench at 100yds. My big disappointment was that the model I bought has an angled eye piece instead of a straight line. I can't get it low-enough, close enough, convenient enough to use without being a contortionist. Something to consider. As several mentioned the mount as being critical & I agree.

FWIW...

..bug
 
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