Which spotting scope for 100-200yd target shooting?
- Thread starter Dave Baird
- Start date
Wonder if the Leupold SX-4 20-60x85mm might be a bit better?
Anyone familiar with both?
Thx,
RT
Anyone familiar with both?
Thx,
RT
cmichini
Member
I’m another Konus scope fan. I have the Konus 100, 20-60x100 and I can see everything very clearly at our 300 yd range, down to 22 caliber. Mine cost a little more than $200 about 15 years ago, and current prices look to be about 300, so still a reasonable balance of utility and price. I do casual shooting , but have used it for high power matches and never was hurting for seeing my results. So for me it still meets all my relatively modest needs and has lasted me very well.
Hi! Let me muddy the waters.
I have shot "across the course" since 1988 until my accident in 2007. When I started, I was using an (inexpensive at that time) Celeston spotting scope. I think it was either 1991 or 1992 that I purchased a Kowa TS601 with a 20x eyepiece. It still serves me well, even though it gets little use since I use my rifle scope in F class matches.
With the 20x eyepiece, I can generally see: most bullet traces out to 1000 yards, 30 cal bullet holes at 300 yards, and if back-lit, 22 cal bullets out to 200 yards. Typically, I've never had an issue with seeing spotting disks out to 1000 yards. Now that many of the ranges that I frequent have gone to electronic scoring, my spotting scope is collecting dust.
If I were you, I'd look into a used Kowa scope.
I have shot "across the course" since 1988 until my accident in 2007. When I started, I was using an (inexpensive at that time) Celeston spotting scope. I think it was either 1991 or 1992 that I purchased a Kowa TS601 with a 20x eyepiece. It still serves me well, even though it gets little use since I use my rifle scope in F class matches.
With the 20x eyepiece, I can generally see: most bullet traces out to 1000 yards, 30 cal bullet holes at 300 yards, and if back-lit, 22 cal bullets out to 200 yards. Typically, I've never had an issue with seeing spotting disks out to 1000 yards. Now that many of the ranges that I frequent have gone to electronic scoring, my spotting scope is collecting dust.
If I were you, I'd look into a used Kowa scope.
rockquarry
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For spotting bullet holes up to 200 yards, many of the less expensive (not rock-bottom cheap) scopes are adequate. Beyond 200 yards, the higher priced scopes are far better. I'm not an optics maestro and don't know all the terminology, but I use a spotting scope a couple of times a week and have for years.
A cheap scope with a 60X zoom may prove worthless when cranked up to 45X or 60X at 200 yards. Even without mirage, the image may be very blurry and distorted. There is probably a technical term for this, but a cheap scope is the real problem.
I bought an inexpensive new Bushnell Spacemaster 15X-45X in 1984 for about $250.00. It came with a cheap but adequate tripod. The finish is almost gone, but I use it much more than my Kowa 884 because it's small and light and works well if I'm only shooting to 200 yards. I suspect newer ones may not be of the same quality, but that's only a guess. I would imagine there are a number of spotters under $500 nowadays that work as well as my Spacemaster, maybe better.
Big scopes like the Kowa 884 are heavy, bulky, and require a substantial tripod (often not cheap). However, when distances increase, the big, high quality, expensive scopes have no peers.
Beware of Internet reviews and comparisons of spotting scopes. I've looked at some of these and there are a lot of conflicting comments from one tester to another; just depends on whose doing the critiquing. A few of these folks are probably bonafide optical experts. Others may not be too knowledgeable at all but pretend they are.
Buy the very best you can afford. It's money well spent and the better quality to high quality scopes have resale value should you ever want to trade up. Used cheap scopes have virtually no dollar value and you'll quickly become dissatisfied with a poor scope anyway. A more expensive one may be adequate until you outgrow it.
A cheap scope with a 60X zoom may prove worthless when cranked up to 45X or 60X at 200 yards. Even without mirage, the image may be very blurry and distorted. There is probably a technical term for this, but a cheap scope is the real problem.
I bought an inexpensive new Bushnell Spacemaster 15X-45X in 1984 for about $250.00. It came with a cheap but adequate tripod. The finish is almost gone, but I use it much more than my Kowa 884 because it's small and light and works well if I'm only shooting to 200 yards. I suspect newer ones may not be of the same quality, but that's only a guess. I would imagine there are a number of spotters under $500 nowadays that work as well as my Spacemaster, maybe better.
Big scopes like the Kowa 884 are heavy, bulky, and require a substantial tripod (often not cheap). However, when distances increase, the big, high quality, expensive scopes have no peers.
Beware of Internet reviews and comparisons of spotting scopes. I've looked at some of these and there are a lot of conflicting comments from one tester to another; just depends on whose doing the critiquing. A few of these folks are probably bonafide optical experts. Others may not be too knowledgeable at all but pretend they are.
Buy the very best you can afford. It's money well spent and the better quality to high quality scopes have resale value should you ever want to trade up. Used cheap scopes have virtually no dollar value and you'll quickly become dissatisfied with a poor scope anyway. A more expensive one may be adequate until you outgrow it.
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You can't go wrong with a Leupold! Pricey? Yes - but high quality and lifetime warranty. Never had any issues with Leupold optics.
Been using a Vortex Viper 20-60x for the last few years and overall, I am pleased.
Needed to upgrade some rifle scopes too, so I tried to keep cost for the spotting scope in the reasonable bracket.
Seeing .223 at 200yrds is no issue and .308 and larger is just a quick look.
It takes a bit of use and varying conditions to see benefits between bargain models and mid-priced+ glass, but you will.
When/if we move to more open country where I can shoot 500yrds+ with regularity, I might need to consider adding a higher end spotting scope.
Needed to upgrade some rifle scopes too, so I tried to keep cost for the spotting scope in the reasonable bracket.
Seeing .223 at 200yrds is no issue and .308 and larger is just a quick look.
It takes a bit of use and varying conditions to see benefits between bargain models and mid-priced+ glass, but you will.
When/if we move to more open country where I can shoot 500yrds+ with regularity, I might need to consider adding a higher end spotting scope.
A lot depends upon where the light comes from on your range. Ideally, you're shooting south to north with the light behind you and the target faces well lit. But, that might not be the case.
Resolution is more important than actual magnification. The one time I got to shoot a Nightforce scope at 1000 yards, I could actually see the scoring rings. My spotting scope had higher magnification, but not as good resolution, couldn't see the scoring rings. Could see the spotting discs though.
Resolution is more important than actual magnification. The one time I got to shoot a Nightforce scope at 1000 yards, I could actually see the scoring rings. My spotting scope had higher magnification, but not as good resolution, couldn't see the scoring rings. Could see the spotting discs though.
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pantannojack
US Veteran
3 rd try
Eye relief is what you need. I got it in a K Mart 25$ scope I traded a 12 pack of Old Style for in the 90's. At 25 x I could see 30 cal holes at 300 yds over the HP X Course. Now I must hang a black plastic garbage bag behind the paper targets so that a hint of black leaks thru the hole at distance. Scope at top of pic. red tape protects my vision glasses from scratch if contact.
Eye relief is what you need. I got it in a K Mart 25$ scope I traded a 12 pack of Old Style for in the 90's. At 25 x I could see 30 cal holes at 300 yds over the HP X Course. Now I must hang a black plastic garbage bag behind the paper targets so that a hint of black leaks thru the hole at distance. Scope at top of pic. red tape protects my vision glasses from scratch if contact.
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SweetMK
Member
Hmmmmmm
Here is a different concept,, for those of us with old eyes,,
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/SME-WiFi-Spotting-Scope-Camera/dp/B07MC572D3/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2D1ZJT2XT7UM8&keywords=video%2Bspotting%2Bscope&qid=1671769803&sprefix=video%2Bspotting%2B%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-3&th=1[/ame]
It looks like the spotting scope could be placed some distance towards the target, then connect to your phone, for a clearer image?
Might be a good $65 item?
Here is a different concept,, for those of us with old eyes,,
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/SME-WiFi-Spotting-Scope-Camera/dp/B07MC572D3/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2D1ZJT2XT7UM8&keywords=video%2Bspotting%2Bscope&qid=1671769803&sprefix=video%2Bspotting%2B%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-3&th=1[/ame]
It looks like the spotting scope could be placed some distance towards the target, then connect to your phone, for a clearer image?
Might be a good $65 item?
Rodan
SWCA Member
I've spent a lot of time trying to get good pictures through my spotting scope with both cell phone and DSLR.
For range use, I wouldn't bother with that.
Edit for a little more clarity:
On the range, I set up on the bench with the rifle, and then set up the spotter on my tripod on the other side. If I want to use the spotter, just lean over and look through it. To use a phone/screen based setup like the one linked above, I would have to put on my readers and look at it, then take the readers off to get back on the rifle.
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I tried several when I was still handloading and shooting...I got the most satisfaction from a 30-60X Zeiss...It's long gone so I don't remember any other details about it...
...Ben
...Ben
Scharfschuetzer
Member
For 100 to 200 yard shooting any mid-level quality spotting scope will do. I have a couple of old Bushnells that are just the ticket and are actually quite good for longer distance shooting too. You should be able to find a good 20X on Ebay.
If you plan on shooting past 300 yards out to a thousand or so, you'll need a scope with optics that actually see the refraction of light through the air. This will be an invaluable help in adjusting your hold on target or adjusting your scope's windage knob for deflection (windage)
Early in my military career, we used the M49 (Bushnell), but by the time I retired, we were using high-end Leopold spotting scopes and the difference in resolution was amazing. That said, don't be fooled by high power magnification adds, it's resolution that counts in a spotting scope, no matter what the range. It's kind of like comparing a low digit picture with a high digit photo. Coated optics help in this regard as well as top quality glass. The higher the magnification of the scope, the more critical this becomes.
Just make sure that it comes with, or that you have a good stable mount for it. As an old Army rifle team shooter, I prefer the old Freeland stands with extension rods. Again, these should be available used on Ebay. A cheap and wobbly mount is next to useless when trying to discern detail at distance.
One final tip. If you wear glasses, then check what the eye relief of the scope is. A longer eye relief is the best if you wear glasses. Some scopes have fold down rubber eye pieces to accomplish this.
If, as you say in your original post, you just need the scope for 200-yard shooting, you needn't spend an arm or a leg for it.
If you plan on shooting past 300 yards out to a thousand or so, you'll need a scope with optics that actually see the refraction of light through the air. This will be an invaluable help in adjusting your hold on target or adjusting your scope's windage knob for deflection (windage)
Early in my military career, we used the M49 (Bushnell), but by the time I retired, we were using high-end Leopold spotting scopes and the difference in resolution was amazing. That said, don't be fooled by high power magnification adds, it's resolution that counts in a spotting scope, no matter what the range. It's kind of like comparing a low digit picture with a high digit photo. Coated optics help in this regard as well as top quality glass. The higher the magnification of the scope, the more critical this becomes.
Just make sure that it comes with, or that you have a good stable mount for it. As an old Army rifle team shooter, I prefer the old Freeland stands with extension rods. Again, these should be available used on Ebay. A cheap and wobbly mount is next to useless when trying to discern detail at distance.
One final tip. If you wear glasses, then check what the eye relief of the scope is. A longer eye relief is the best if you wear glasses. Some scopes have fold down rubber eye pieces to accomplish this.
If, as you say in your original post, you just need the scope for 200-yard shooting, you needn't spend an arm or a leg for it.
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THE PILGRIM
Member
A few ago I was down at the Bosque del Apache at Sundown.
The Sandhill Cranes fly in by the thousands and it’s a treat!
I was taking pics on the observation deck with about 30 other folks.
It’s getting dark fast and pretty soon I can’t shoot no Mo.
Then I notice these ladies looking through a Spotting Scope.
Reading tag numbers on the cranes, a Wildlife Service Lady was logging the numbers.
There was apparently enough light for them to see the skepticism on my pretty face.
You want to take a look? Yes Please!
Yep, I could easily read the tag.
Not super far, maybe 50 yards, but small tag and not much light.
Leica Spotting Scope.
The Sandhill Cranes fly in by the thousands and it’s a treat!
I was taking pics on the observation deck with about 30 other folks.
It’s getting dark fast and pretty soon I can’t shoot no Mo.
Then I notice these ladies looking through a Spotting Scope.
Reading tag numbers on the cranes, a Wildlife Service Lady was logging the numbers.
There was apparently enough light for them to see the skepticism on my pretty face.
You want to take a look? Yes Please!
Yep, I could easily read the tag.
Not super far, maybe 50 yards, but small tag and not much light.
Leica Spotting Scope.
Rodan
SWCA Member
smithra_66
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I have an Athlon Ares 20-60 x 85 and it is AWESOME.
In the world of spotting scopes, it's not too expensive either. I think you can get them on Amazon for less than $800.
Believe me, you don't want to scrimp on spotting optics. This one would be the last one you'd need to buy in your life for almost any range.
AJ
US Veteran
I have 19 spotting scopes. I guess I am an accumulator. I use my B&L Spacemaster 15-45X 60 and my Leupold 15-45X 60 the most of any for rifle at 50, 100 & 200 yards. Can see .22 holes at 50 & 100 yards. At 200 yards 6.5X55 and .30 holes can be seen.
On my pistol box I use an old Focus 10-30X scope. Made for K-Mart in Japan probably 40 or so years ago.
Nothing wrong with older scopes that are in good repair. Still very usable.
Have about a dozen binoculars. The one that I use most is a Carl Zeiss 6X30. Made in the late 1930's and saw service with the U.S. Navy during WW II. Nice and light with great optics.
On my pistol box I use an old Focus 10-30X scope. Made for K-Mart in Japan probably 40 or so years ago.
Nothing wrong with older scopes that are in good repair. Still very usable.
Have about a dozen binoculars. The one that I use most is a Carl Zeiss 6X30. Made in the late 1930's and saw service with the U.S. Navy during WW II. Nice and light with great optics.
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