The spotting scopes at my pistol range leave a bit to be desired and I'm considering a pistol box along with mounted scope.

In researching these I see some boxes have the scope arm (not sure the proper term) mounted at the bottom of the lid (when the lid is in the open position) and some have it mounted at the top of the lid (when open). For example these two (may be the same box?) have the arm mounted at the top of the lid.
SportLock Aluminum 4 Gun Pistol Box :: Pistol Boxes & Cases :: Bullseye Gear

Deluxe 4 Gun Target Pistol Case :: Gun Cases and Pistol Boxes :: Cases :: Champion...

Is there any benefit or drawback to how this arm is mounted? Does one position provide more stability than the other? Would a bottom mounted arm be better for a tall shooter (bench height dependent?) Does the scope stay mounted to the arm when the box is closed up or is it removed and stowed in the lower tray?

With regards to spotting scopes for bullseye at 25 and 50 yards, I'm wondering if my current scope will work in conjunction with one of these pistol boxes. I currently own this scope which is used in Highpower rifle or benchrest rifle. I have a 27X long-eye-relief eyepiece on it currently. This is a nice scope with great glass, but it is a large scope.
Kowa Optimed - Sporting Optics, Medical Equipment, Opto-Electronics

I brought this with me to the pistol range today just to see if I could use it at 25 yards and it worked ok in terms of viewing the bullseye on the target. There was great clarity and .22 cal holes were very easily spotted.

However, I fear this scope would be too large to use on one of these pistol boxes? The boxes say they are 17.25 wide. The scope would fit in the tray if the eye piece were removed, but I'm more wondering if this scope could realistically be used on that arm bracket without the lid wanting to close on its own?

For those of you who use these pistol boxes with the mounted scopes, is this scope likely too big to be of practical use on a box? Do folks usually use a 'compact' scope on these boxes?

Thanks

Hi Wayne.

I've been out of Bullseye shooting awhile but have used the equipment you are looking at. The scope bracket you are looking at is made (or at least used to be) by Gil Hebard. It is a good one. Depending on the box, the pistol match sized spotters usually stay attached to the mounting bracket when the box is closed.

We did a lot of experimenting and after using several different systems, liked the Hebard unit mounted on the lid so it was on the upper rear of the lid when the box was open. The arm swings around allowing you to adjust how high the scope is during use as well as how far forward or back you want the scope to be.

As far as the scope goes, I would not take the eyepiece off the scope to fit it in the box. You're opening a can of worms there as far as dust, etc., getting inside the body of the scope. The 821, while a great scope, would also be way too heavy IMHO for the scope bracket and is way more than you need for 25 yards. It doesn't take that great a scope for Bullseye and I would either look at the Kowa made for this purpose or check feebay for a used Bushnell Sentry II.

Check out Champions Choice or Creedmoor Sports for boxes and other goodies

Regards,
Bob

I agree, the scope is more useful mounted to the bottom of the lid so when open it is in the upper position.

You will want to be sure and have something to keep the lid open so it doesn't slam/fall shut when a gust of wind occurs. Some box makers have a small 'C' style clamp that fits over the lid part that rests on the top of the box. I use one of those small squeeze clamps the ones that look like jumper cable clamps.

I do not have to remove my scope from the mount when the lid is closed, it does take up some room so you must allow for it in it's resting position. Yes, it's probably better to use a more compact scope.

The scope that I opted for was a Celestron brand. Not too expensive, but very decent clarity. I bought one that has a 20 x 60 zoom so it's possible to use it at differing ranges. IIRC, it was in the $80 neighborhood.

You can check that brand and many others here.....
Celestron Spotting Scopes Specials

How many ya' want?
Got three, mid 50's to mid 60's vintage.
BTW, snaps were installed in the top surface to keep the lid in position and prevent slamming. That also kept the scope from wandering around from it's A/P. One is a Pachmyer that still holds my Uncles Navy pistol team certs from 53'-59' under the lid.

I used an identical box for about a decade. That is a wonderful scope but way more than needed for that distance.

I had a chrome 3" wide formed metal clamp that slid over the lower flap of the lid/upper box to stabilize the lid while open. It was perfect for the purpose, came with the box.

Also mounted a 3" wide magnetic strip on the lid so as to corral the various magazines while on the line. If arranged properly I could leave the mags on this strip while the lid was closed. It helped immensely in the care & feeding of a brace of High Standards during my 50' indoor bullseye fetish.

I always dismounted the scope & stored in the rear lower compartment.

If you get more than a couple pistols in there with the ammo and scope, the box gets real heavy.

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Hi wayne,
I have mine set up with an adjustable mount on the top, outside of the box. This frees up a ton of space inside the box. I really did it because I felt crowded in some of the stalls I shot in because the scope was between me and the box cutting down on my space. Now it is on top of the box, easy to use and leaves more room for me.
The mount is a clamp on window mount with one leg cut off and it is crewed to the box. It has worked out great so far. I do carry the scope separate.


Good luck
Mike

Only one, are you looking to sell one of them?

Thanks for the replies, I take it the scope is mounted to the bracket with a thumb screw in the same manner that it is mounted to a scope stand/tripod?

Middle shelf is for the pistols. The ammo, the scope and everything else goes in the bottom?

Can you get all the stuff for a 2700 match in one of these boxes, or do you usually have to bring along another small range bag?

Hi Wayne.

Depending on what you are carrying, everything can/might fit into the box as you describe. By the time you have the box, scope, muffs, stapler, ear muffs, two or three guns, and the ammo for a 2700, even if it can all fit in there you are talking about a lot of weight.

I carried my box with my pistols and scope inside along with the magazines, pens, pasters, and other odds and ends. In a MTM box I carried ammo, earmuffs, cleaning supplies, and everything else. The weight sort of balanced out the load for each arm when carrying from the car to the line.

P.S. I don't know how far along you are with Bullseye shooting. If you don't mind some advice from someone who has traveled that road, buy a decent .22 and .45, call it good, and concentrate on shooting instead of new guns. I played with .32's, .38 Specials, 9MM's, and .38 Supers for centerfire guns and spent a lot of money dragging my average down. I'm getting back into 2700 shooting next year with my Hammerli 208 and a .45 wad gun.

When I was in the Army, I created my own pistol box, complete with opening lid which mounted a scope. Made it in the post wood shop for just a few dollars (all I could afford then). Not having the coin to buy a good spotting scope, I found a junk high power rifle scope at a gun show, and mounted that using a pivoting block of wood and a couple of hose clamps. This worked really well, and I used that setup for years and years when I shot bullseye competition. I still have the box and scope today.

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