Spotting scopes for the range?

Ok so in SE Ga I'll never have an excuse to use a spotter on a hunt and much as I hope I'll get to go after a speedgoat or Mule deer I'm sure the outfitter will have one so I pretty much only need one for the range. Now here at home I can only stretch out to 220 yards but I do like to play around with the 22lr at that range so I do need more then my 10x binocs. My local range is 600 so I'll likely never shoot to 1000 yards so I don't need a high end high dollar scope but I don't really think I'd be happy with a $150 Barska either. I've looked at Leupold sx2 and 4 and Athlon Ares and (yuck) read decent reviews of the Vortex diamond back and viper. No i don't have a good place around here that I can go out hands and eyes on any but Swaro and that's not even an option. So to keep me from wasting money that can be put towards another unneeded rifle what do you boys suggest for good enough glass between $150 and $900? Sorry for the long post but I'm so tired of watching YouTube video that all point to the Swaro anyway lol

I have a Leica 65mm straight spotting scope. That said, I think this is an more useful spotting scope, unfortunately not available in the USA. You will have to import from Europe.

Checkout the above scope and eyepiece (about $700).
This combination received good reviews years ago on numerous astronomy and birding websites (years ago).
B&H Photo has a very generous return policy if you are not satisfied.

Axle2010 said:

Ok so in SE Ga I'll never have an excuse to use a spotter on a hunt and much as I hope I'll get to go after a speedgoat or Mule deer I'm sure the outfitter will have one so I pretty much only need one for the range. Now here at home I can only stretch out to 220 yards but I do like to play around with the 22lr at that range so I do need more then my 10x binocs. My local range is 600 so I'll likely never shoot to 1000 yards so I don't need a high end high dollar scope but I don't really think I'd be happy with a $150 Barska either. I've looked at Leupold sx2 and 4 and Athlon Ares and (yuck) read decent reviews of the Vortex diamond back and viper. No i don't have a good place around here that I can go out hands and eyes on any but Swaro and that's not even an option. So to keep me from wasting money that can be put towards another unneeded rifle what do you boys suggest for good enough glass between $150 and $900? Sorry for the long post but I'm so tired of watching YouTube video that all point to the Swaro anyway lol

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I've had a Nikon Pro staff spotting scope in my range box for quite a few years. I can't get it right now but I want to say that it is 15-45 x 60. I can resolve .22 caliber holes at 100 yards, no problem. If I remember right it was in the 3 to 4 hundred dollar range. I have a smaller cheap scope (Simmons) that rides in my pack for mulies, but the Nikon is what I use for the range.

wesheltonj said:

I have a Leica 65mm straight spotting scope. That said, I think this is an more useful spotting scope, unfortunately not available in the USA. You will have to import from Europe.

https://www.swarovskioptik.com/sk/en/outdoor/products/spotting-scopes/ctc-cts/ctc-cts-set/ctc-30x75/5006090

https://www.swarovskioptik.com/sk/en/outdoor/products/spotting-scopes/ctc-cts/ctc-cts-body/cts-85-body

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I've been using a Swarovski for years but I have custom stand for it.

Just for looking at bullet holes out to 200 yds a lower end spotter is just fine, Your reference to 600 yds in my opinion puts you in mid range. I would look at a 60x in the $500 or so range.

Edit to add: You might call Vortex and ask them which of their spotting scopes can get you to your desired range for the least expense. It may be the Diamondback or Crossfire. Something to consider since you cannot take several to try yourself.

The question I have. Are you just wanting to see the impact or see the trace? The higher end glass is much better for seeing trace. If its just holes in target/impacts. Most will do

I will share some of my experiences, as I progessed to my all weather solution.

Target type, to start with:
When training at the range, take white paper target, or light blue paper target.
This will give best contrast to observe black holes on paper.

Observing with rifle scope:

Zeiss 3-12x56 - rifle scope can easily observe bullet holes at 200 meters. (I never tried longer distance with that scope/rifle combo)
Same is for Swarovski 1.7-10x42

SIghtron target rifle scope, SIII 10-50x60, can easily observe bullet holes on paper at 300 meters.

My next step for longer ranges (by now obsolete) was Yukon 6-100x100.


That scope gave me possibility to observe bullet holes at 600 meters. But only in perfect light conditions. Cloudy day, or early in the morning, or later in the afternoon when sun is down.

Mid day, during sun close to zenith, mirage would take its effect, and I could forget about observing targets at 600.

It is cheap, clumsy, and plastic. I doubt it has nitrogen fill, and I bought it because it had 100X magnification. It worked till some extent, but not always as I have described depending of mirage.

Usability is maybe 50% of range time, due to mirage. Optimistic 50%, I mean.

Camera:
My next step was buying the camera, after which I never took Yukon scope out of locker.
It costed me approximate 1k.

I bought long shot camera. Works well. You read the hits on mobile phone. Camera is set up near the target. (Pay attention not to hit camera). I shoot 600 meters, no problem in all light conditions, no effect of mirage.
100% usable, all weather.


Having said all that, I have a friend who shoots on budget.
He has some Howa rifle, cheap bipod, and a scope in the level of vortex. Nothing special.
He shoots at 300 meters.

He is using contrast reactive targets, and can observe hits at 300 meters through his cheap rifle scope. He is using targets such as this one:

mark-hunter said:

I will share some of my experiences, as I progessed to my all weather solution.

Target type, to start with:
When training at the range, take white paper target, or light blue paper target.
This will give best contrast to observe black holes on paper.

Observing with rifle scope:

Zeiss 3-12x56 - rifle scope can easily observe bullet holes at 200 meters. (I never tried longer distance with that scope/rifle combo)
Same is for Swarovski 1.7-10x42

SIghtron target rifle scope, SIII 10-50x60, can easily observe bullet holes on paper at 300 meters.

My next step for longer ranges (by now obsolete) was Yukon 6-100x100.
View attachment 783959

That scope gave me possibility to observe bullet holes at 600 meters. But only in perfect light conditions. Cloudy day, or early in the morning, or later in the afternoon when sun is down.

Mid day, during sun close to zenith, mirage would take its effect, and I could forget about observing targets at 600.

It is cheap, clumsy, and plastic. I doubt it has nitrogen fill, and I bought it because it had 100X magnification. It worked till some extent, but not always as I have described depending of mirage.

Usability is maybe 50% of range time, due to mirage. Optimistic 50%, I mean.

Camera:
My next step was buying the camera, after which I never took Yukon scope out of locker.
It costed me approximate 1k.

I bought long shot camera. Works well. You read the hits on mobile phone. Camera is set up near the target. (Pay attention not to hit camera). I shoot 600 meters, no problem in all light conditions, no effect of mirage.
100% usable, all weather.

Longshot Target Cameras – See Your Shot up to 2 Miles away

See bullet impacts from your shooting position with Longshot target cameras—up to 2 miles away, no Wi-Fi or cell service required.

www.longshotcameras.com

Having said all that, I have a friend who shoots on budget.
He has some Howa rifle, cheap bipod, and a scope in the level of vortex. Nothing special.
He shoots at 300 meters.

He is using contrast reactive targets, and can observe hits at 300 meters through his cheap rifle scope. He is using targets such as this one:

View attachment 783960

Click to expand...

Thats why observing trace is really important. You/spotter can watch the bullets distortion fly dosn range. And can go you missed 2 feet to the left. Vs miss.

But the longshot cameras are nice i use it for easy zeroing

farmer_john said:

Thats why observing trace is really important. You/spotter can watch the bullets distortion fly dosn range. And can go you missed 2 feet to the left. Vs miss.

Click to expand...

Many times I was spotter or observer, but I cannot observe bullet path everytime, and I cannot say how many minutes or mills, he needs to correct in case of a miss.

It is like estimating the shotgun pattern by shooting a shotshell in the water.

farmer_john said:

The question I have. Are you just wanting to see the impact or see the trace? The higher end glass is much better for seeing trace. If its just holes in target/impacts. Most will do

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I would like to see trace but I'd not an absolute requirement

If it’s for a shooting range only. And shooting further than 100 yards. Your money would be better spent on a target camera.

Besides being very difficult to see bullet trace at only 200 yards even with a scope.

You shouldn’t need to see bullet trace at 200 yards. If you’re missing at 200 you need to move closer and dial in your equipment.

Altitude sickness said:

If it’s for a shooting range only. And shooting further than 100 yards. Your money would be better spent on a target camera.

Besides being very difficult to see bullet trace at only 200 yards even with a scope.

You shouldn’t need to see bullet trace at 200 yards. If you’re missing at 200 you need to move closer and dial in your equipment.

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I agree. Im just used to people stretching their legs with spotting scopes. Hence my suggestions.

I am rough on a spotting scope, stays in truck bouncing around and use two to three times a week. Primarily just to spot impact shots on target. After using high end and low end and replacing about 2-3 times a year. I went with Vortex for lifetime replacement free of charge. It actually takes more abuse and holds up better than some of the higher end ones.

Altitude sickness said:

If it’s for a shooting range only. And shooting further than 100 yards. Your money would be better spent on a target camera.

Besides being very difficult to see bullet trace at only 200 yards even with a scope.

You shouldn’t need to see bullet trace at 200 yards. If you’re missing at 200 you need to move closer and dial in your equipment.

Click to expand...

No i wouldn't think you can see trace at 200 but I will be going to the public range and shooting 600

Look at used kowa scopes. Particularly prominar with Florite glass. The older heavy ones are a bargain.

Birders are very educated on high performance glass. Believe it or not they know more about high-quality Glass than most hunters.

Look up what birders say about Kowa Prominar

Don’t rule out vetted sellers in Japan selling Kowa glass on EBay it’s 50% less than US sellers

This scope has extremely high quality glass. And would only be bested by spending much more but they are relatively heavy. So will work for birders and the shooting range

Having collected a variety of spotting scopes over the years.
Starting when I was a poor college student and some times beer money was a priority, I bought a Tasco spotting scope. Over the years it went back to Tasco twice and came back better than new twice. It still works great. Easily see bullet holes out 200 yards.
Then there was a Barksa 20-60 angled spotting scope, better than the Tasco but also heavier again more than enough for spotting bullet holes.
Those are on the shelf at the range for members to use.
There is also a compact Bushnell or Burris that is surprisingly clear. It was a prize table item that nobody picked so on the loaner shelf it went.

While out knocking around in Yellowstone NP I noticed just about all of guides that take people on the animal viewing tours where using Vortex spotting scopes. All spotting scopes where angles bodies.
I talked to a couple of the guides. They said for the money and warrenty the Vortex is the way to go. The scopes they use get knocked over, banged around, funk on the lenses from kids and adults. They keep on working.

Recently my buddy who runs charter boats in Alaska bought a pair on image stabilizing Binos. Those things are amazing. I forget what the magnification was but they are great. No need for a tripod.

If you can find an old Cabela’s Krotos spotting scope on some forum, definitely pick that up. I got one for $300 used, and it is literally just a Vortex Razor HD (although some models were also made by Athlon).

Anyways, make sure you buy a Phone Skope or similar adapter to get with it.