Got my first AR a few months ago and find I am in need of a spotting scope as my binoculars is a pain continually picking them up and re-sighting the target .. and would like something on a tripod I can leave sighted and can be use at a glance !! I already have several tripods for camera's I can use so just a scope would be ok with out a tripod ..

Have seen spotting scopes on line from 50 to well about what ever you want to pay .. but am looking for one within a price range of 100 to 200 bucks ..I will be shooting between 100 and 300 yards .. but mostly around 150 to 200 .. and will not be using splatter targets except occasionally (wife shooting) ..

I ended up with one of these. IIRC I paid somewhere just under $200.

Leupold Optics SX-1 Ventana 2 15-45x60mm Straight Spotting Scope - | Leupold Optics

It works for me. Someone was closing them out it might have been Cabelas. The tripod kind of sucks but I don't use it enough to replace it. Works well for me 100 to 300 yards.

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Use should dictate gear!

If you have a DSLR camera this lens will work great as a spotting scope. Not only can you take photos or most likely videos but you can watch on the view screen on your camera or if you want everyone to see you can connect to a laptop. It may be possible to connect to a tablet too. I haven't looked into that. BTW you can get a cheap addition to this that doubles the power. They make a version for both Nikon and Canon camera.

I got really lucky. A couple of weeks ago, I was in Gander Mountain's liquidation sale and they had accidently marked a few Bushnell Trophy Extreme 20X45X50 spotters at $93, marked down from $124. That was supposed to be for the cheaper model scope, that they got mixed in with, as it normally sells for over $200. There was also a $40 rebate for it too, so it ended up costing me $53. I opened the box and checked it out first, as there was a no-return policy.
I only use it at 100 yards and it works very well, even in dim light. Not sure what would happen at 200 yards or more, especially in dim light.

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NRA R.S.O. & Life Member

I never have that kind of luck .. My luck they would have raised the price 5 minutes before walking into the store and the rebate would have expired the day before .. The Gander near me is one staying open .. and didn't see too many deals when I was last there ..

Are you trying to see .223 sized holes in paper at 200 to 300 yards? Good luck with that.

I have a cheap spotting scope that goes to 60x and I might be able to make out .223 holes at 200 yards, but it's tough. At 300 I can't clearly see them at all.

Shoot, PM me your address and I'll ship it to you for the cost of shipping. I just don't use it.

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Freedom isn't free.

I bought a 32 power Grand Slam Weaver for my Bushmaster. Who needs a spotter?

Right after a "good" 50 cent steak. You MIGHT luck out buying used somewhere like a garage sale or swap meet.

Some rough math would indicate that a 60X scope would be roughly equivalent to a 2500mm camera lens. The telephoto lens I mentioned before rates 2600mm with the 2X multiplier. Together they sell for around $200. They won't win you any awards for great quality photos but they are about the same quality as spotting scopes.

Of course the quality of the glass has a lot to say with how well you will see bullet holes at distance. The lens I mentioned will do OK at 200 yards picking up .223 holes but beyond that you will need a much better quality set of lenses. You can buy those for a camera but they come at a very high price.

With my Vortex Razor Gen II set to 18x, I can see .308Win holes in white paper at 300 yards. With my Wal Mart 60x spotting scope, I cannot.

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Freedom isn't free.

Thanks to all that replied !!

Will re think a spotting scope purchase !!

Whitwabbit!

I have found that my spotting scopes have only been beneficial when I am shooting on a range with pit service, or with spatter targets. My first spotting scope, purchased in '88 was a 20x or 25x Celestron, that cost a bit more than $100. After my second or third year at Perry, I purchased a Kowa KS601 with a 20x eye piece. With either scope I could see golf tees at 200 yards, 2" spotters at 300 and 600 yards. The Kowa provides a better image. With the Kowa, I can see a 6" spotter at 1000 yards. Up front, the Kowa back in the early '90s cost me about $300.

As a note, I can only see bullet holes to about 100 yards (provided they are no smaller than 7mm), with either my Kowa or my T10s. Looking for bullet holes with just the scope beyond 100 yards (unassisted) is pretty futile.

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Judge control not gun control!

I'm not sure you can get a (new) decent spotting scope for those dollars, but most any scope should work at 100 yards, and maybe 200. Just remember on the cheap scopes that offer high magnification, about a third of that high magnification is really not useable; "not clear" may not be the proper term, but that's what it amounts to. You'd probably be better off getting something around 20X-25X maximum where you can actually use all the power the scope provides.

Beyond brand, I'd recommend one with an angled eye piece. It makes it SO much easier to look down range without breaking your firing position.
Also when it comes to cheaper scopes, there is no substitution for a BIG objective lens. I'd consider 70 mm min.

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Dave

I bought a $60 Simmons spotting scope and tried to use it once at the range and took it home and threw it in my kids toy box. Then I bought a Leupold Sequoia 15-45X spotting scope and it was a lot better but still difficult to see .270 caliber holes at 100 yards so I sold it. If you find a good one for under 200 bucks let me know.

Stay away from anything with the Simmons name on it. There are probably a number of others no better.

Look for a used Nikon field scope. A good used one can usually be found for around $200 and up. Try to get the adjustable power eyepiece with it. If you can only get a fixed power eyepiece at that price, look for something in the 30x to 45x range.

O.K.... Give me a couple of minutes to get on my fireproof suit before you blast me.. Three years ago I bought a Barska 15-45 X Spotting scope with a small sturdy tripod, for range use.. Maybe I got a good one, because I can easily see .223 bullet holes at 100 yards.. Have not tried it at 200 yards yet, but don't think that .270 and up holes will be hard to see..
I know, I know... Barska are supposed to be a piece of ****, but this one isn't... Paid under $100.00 for it..


Fire away.....

Most scopes will resolve 22 caliber holes at 100 yards, on a bright day. Have you tried that Barska on a very overcast day or at twilight? That's where the problems will show up. I've taken a Barska and a good Nikon and looked through them, side by side and the Nikon is much brighter.

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NRA R.S.O. & Life Member

Yep, I don't remember the brand of mine, but it works fine at 100 yards. 200 and further, not so much.

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Freedom isn't free.

Back when I dabbled in CMP Garand Matches, the Konus 20x60x80 was a popular choice for those who couldn't spring for a Kowa. I have one and it is a pretty nice scope for the the money. They can be had under $300.00 when on sale. In fact, a quick goggle search shows them available for about $229.00

If your still interested in buying a spotting scope and plan to use it at the range I would also recommend A Phonescope adapter.

With my 50x spotting scope I can easily see holes at 100/200/300, but I do use the color changing targets because of my old eyes.

With the phonescope adapter I can slap my Iphone onto the eyepiece of the scope and use the camera to display my target so I don't have to put my eye in thee scope.

Definitely beats walking down range to check your targets!

18342357_10155193246520786_3854434599594357293_n by hd_rolling, on Flickr
18222322_10155193246525786_5530378282298041455_n by hd_rolling, on Flickr

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M&P15 sport II, Retired Army