spotting scope recommendation

[G38xOC]

main purpose is to spot a shot placement between 1000-1500 yard steel gong .

I currently have viper HD bino 8x42 and really like the glass . if I can have the about the similar clarity at those distances , I would be happy .

just like scope , higher you go , im sure glass clarity gets reduce right ? it seems like that on my scope and im just assuming .

what power range should i be looking into . and should i get angled or straight ?

I really like vortex product due to warranty , anyone used viper and upgraded to razor and was it totally worth the price ?

thanks in advance

[Kevin11mee]

Vortex makes a viper spotting scope although I’d recommend the Razor. I’d get the 85mm as weight isn’t a concern for target shooting. The Athlon Ares gets good reviews as well. What’s your budget?

[newbutold]

Been happy with my Leopold spotting scope.

[MeatyMac]

Kowa all day, and yes, they stand behind their warranty. Get the angled, it's easier to use by yourself when shooting prone. 30-70X zoom eyepiece.

[Ki6vsm]

Another vote for Kowa. I'll admit, I've not looked through any of the Vortexes, but my Kowa TSN-663M spotter (66-mm obj) has excellent glass. Their "Prominar" HD glass. I have it paired with their 30x Wide Angle eyepiece. That magnification's enough for me.

An 80-85 mm objective with this level of glass would probably be amazing, and much better light gathering, but I just couldn't justify spending that kind of dough.

Haven't had this scope out to the desert yet, but from my backyard I can look out across a canyon at houses 1450 yds away and I have no problem sharply distinguishing individual cinder blocks, balcony balusters, power lines, roof antennas, etc. At that range I'm sure I could see a gong and bullet splash pretty easily. Even easier it would be at 1000...

... that is, provided the atmospheric conditions permit it! Just be aware of that. Any amount of mist or haze in the air, or heat ripples can really frustrate you no matter how much you paid for your scope.

BTW, mine's the angled model, since you asked about that. I consider it more versatile. More comfortable if you're laying prone.

[Ki6vsm]

To expand on the versatility of the angled eyepiece, it's much easier to use if you want to do some stargazing. Don't have to crane your neck near as much. You may think you won't be interested in doing that, but when you start playing around with a good quality scope you'll know what I mean. It's pretty cool to look up and see the bands on Jupiter and a bunch of its moons. And the ring around Saturn.

The other thing I like is that, with the right kind of head, I can sometimes see over things. That benefit is a little hard to describe. So I found a picture that captures what I mean pretty well. Pic is from Ron Spomer Outdoors. Seems like a good guy from the vids I've watched. I wanted to make sure he got credit. It's from this helpful page:

https://www.ronspomeroutdoors.com/bl...pe-for-hunting



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[sacrvrrat]

My Kowa 883 is excellent. Superb glass. Reasonably light. Great price.

Angled all the way.


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[smoothy8500]

Originally Posted by Ki6vsm

but my Kowa TSN-663M spotter (66-mm obj) has excellent glass. Their "Prominar" HD glass.

Yes, the 663 is great. The beauty of an angled scope is the ability to place it right up against your opposite eye while in place behind the gun. You can quickly glance left and check the mirage/wind without breaking position.

[Ki6vsm]

Originally Posted by smoothy8500

Yes, the 663 is great. The beauty of an angled scope is the ability to place it right up against your opposite eye while in place behind the gun. You can quickly glance left and check the mirage/wind without breaking position.

Exactly. I couldn't think of a way to say it well, but that pic shows it perfectly.

[voiceofreason]

Consider spending more on rifle mounted glass (Razor G2 36x)

use that for spotting at 1k easily enough, don't know about a mile out

[smoothy8500]

Originally Posted by voiceofreason

Consider spending more on rifle mounted glass

Agreed that a quality scope can "spot" impacts. However, for certain things a riflescope is not always optimal. The rationale for a spotting scope may include observing bullet trace to determine "where" a miss went, or observing mirage near the target to gauge wind.

[Kevin11mee]

I'd personally never spend Kowa spotting scope money for shooting steel. If hunting, yes, but I can see steel impacts through my rifle scope at 1000.

[Scottie15]

With the setup like Smoothy8500, are you concerned with damage to the spotter’s glass if you’re using a muzzle brake?

[castgold]

I use an angled Razor 85mm spotter with a MRAD reticle eyepiece. I've used to to walk in shooters at 1500 yds and 1760 yds. The conditions were cloudless sunny days, and bullet trace was visible on all shots.

[smoothy8500]

^^^^^^^^^
That is a good explanation of the benefits of a spotter.

Originally Posted by Scottie15

With the setup like Smoothy8500, are you concerned with damage to the spotter’s glass if you’re using a muzzle brake?

Its pretty far back from the muzzle, but in theory, it could be affected. I have a protective UV filter threaded over the objective lens. Most high-end spotters are threaded to accept them.

[newbutold]

Originally Posted by Scottie15

With the setup like Smoothy8500, are you concerned with damage to the spotter’s glass if you’re using a muzzle brake?

Shot hundreds of rounds with muzzle brakes next to the spotting scope, no problem.

[timberwoofers]

I purchased a Razor HD 20-60-85 and actually sent it back to Vortex because I thought something was wrong with it. After it came back and next time out to the range I did feel it was a bit clearer but I have to say I wish I could return it and get something nicer. My .02

[Ki6vsm]

Originally Posted by castgold

I use an angled Razor 85mm spotter with a MRAD reticle eyepiece. I've used it to walk in shooters at 1500 yds and 1760 yds. The conditions were cloudless sunny days, and bullet trace was visible on all shots.

My friend has a ranging eyepiece on his Vortex. MOA though. I'd like that for some shooting situations. Great feature. Unfortunately, Kowa doesn't offer it. Don't need it for just birdwatching and digicamera work I guess.

[G38xOC]

thanks for all your inputs guys ! I think its best for me to stop by few stores and check em out before i drop over grand .