Recommended Spotting Scopes

[Gumbo]

Can anyone recommend a spotting scope that isn't a $2k+ Swarovski/Leica/Zeiss?

 

[kengel2]

Bushnell makes pretty decent stuff for the money. This one has a mil hash reticle for ranging.

http://www.bushnell.com/products/scopes/spotting-scopes/excursion-flp/

 

[Tulse Luper]

Two questions:

How far do you want/need to see?

What/which caliber(s)?

 

[Gumbo]

I want to see where I'm hitting the paper at up to 300 yards with anything from a .223 to a .50BMG.

 

[Tulse Luper]

I want to see where I'm hitting the paper at up to 300 yards with anything from a .223 to a .50BMG.

Ok, I have no idea, but those are the questions that I always see the people that do ask. I have that Bushnell linked above. I've only used it to 200 and it starts getting dicey even at that distance for .22. Or my eyes sucks. So it goes.

Edit: I don't have the Bushnell linked above, but one very similar.

 

[Ritten]

Kowa FTW!

 

[Blackhawk]

Champions Choice has a good selection in various price ranges. I have two of the CC models (Champions Choice branded). The first one was a gift and had the straight eyepiece. I had so much trouble seeing thru it that I bought one with the 45 degree eyepiece. Never had any problems after that and they are inexpensive. Next step up would be Kowa for me.

http://www.champchoice.com/cat-Scopes_and_Binoculars-222.aspx

 

[kengel2]

Ritten,

What model is your spotter? It was nice to look through, I always thought they were more, but I found some Kowa scopes for around 5-600

 

[Emperor]

I bought a Bushnell from Academy for about $150. My eyes are history at a distance. It does the trick. Particulalry on shoot-n-c targets.

 

[Ritten]

Ritten,

What model is your spotter? It was nice to look through, I always thought they were more, but I found some Kowa scopes for around 5-600

It's a TSM-821 w/ angled body. I use the 20-60x eyepiece.

 

[dzelenka]

It's a TSM-821 w/ angled body. I use the 20-60x eyepiece.

Most highpower competitors using the Kowa 821 use the 27x long eye relief eyepiece.

 

[Akajun]

Yeah dan but he wants to see 223 at 300, he will need the 60x eyepiece, even then I dont know if he will be able to do so at 300.

 

[Barney88PDC]

If the Mirage is not bad he should. I can see 30 cal holes on 25x through my scope on a white background if the conditions are favorable.

But the key is will he beable to do it in a "budget" optic.

 

[ARboy]

Yeah dan but he wants to see 223 at 300, he will need the 60x eyepiece, even then I dont know if he will be able to do so at 300.

Going past the 27X on the Kowa decreases your clarity.

 

[Akajun]

The 60x eyepiece I looked through was plenty clear, but it narrowed the field of view greatly, and was a little hard to look through.

 

[Ritten]

Going past the 27X on the Kowa decreases your clarity.

It does but on a really good day I can see .30 caliber bullet holes in the white on the 600yd targets at PA. It certainly isn't consistent and very much dependent on weather and light, but at that distance not many scopes can for under $1000.

 

[Barney88PDC]

Kowa is working on an eyepiece with a Mil based ranging reticle of some sort. Vortex has a 30x eyepiece with a Mil based reticle already. It is not "budget" but very interesting. I am leaning in that direction for a future purchase.

 

[dzelenka]

It does but on a really good day I can see .30 caliber bullet holes in the white on the 600yd targets at PA. It certainly isn't consistent and very much dependent on weather and light, but at that distance not many scopes can for under $1000.

No wonder I don't need the 60X eyepiece. I don't shoot bullets in the white at 600.

 

[Turn Key]

Can anyone recommend a spotting scope that isn't a $2k+ Swarovski/Leica/Zeiss?

Whatever you decide on bro, please make sure you do a price check.

Take your product to Amazon.com -- Optics Planet -- MidayUSA and Brownell's & I'm sure more will chime in with other places to find deals...

Good shoppin'

TK

 

[Ritten]

No wonder I don't need the 60X eyepiece. I don't shoot bullets in the white at 600.

Yea, you need that big old black target out there to shoot at. F-class practice is just an 8"x11" sheet of white paper with a one inch red dot on it. It must suck to be able to see what you're shooting at with the naked eye...