Spotting scope?

[stev]

....

[ocabj]

One of the Konus spotting scopes should work fine. It's the only budget scope I would recommend getting. You can get it from Optics Planet for under $200.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/konus-konuspot-80-80mm-3-1-spotting-scope.html

If you want to spend a bit more, the Bushnell Spacemasters are good (not the collapsible body type, get the standard or armored) or the Nikon Earth and Sky. Either will go for between $200 and $500 depending on where you buy it.

After $500, definitely get a Kowa 660 or 820 series.

After $1000, look into Leica, Zeiss, or Swarovski.

[ocabj]

Also, don't put too much stock in to magnification over quality. I'd rather have a 15x spotting scope with good glass than a 45x spotting scope with crappy glass. High magnification doesn't do anything for you if the glass isn't clear. I had an old Bushnell Sentry that cost me $60. I think it went as high as 35x, but I couldn't see much at 30x at 100 yards because the glass was too blurry and dim. My 12x Burris rifle scope did a better job at spotting 22cal holes at 100 yards than that 30x Bushnell Sentry.

My personal spotting scope is a Kowa 821 with a 27x fixed magnification eyepiece. It works fine for spotting bullet holes in the black at 200 meters (218 yards) with decent light.

[brassburnz]

I have a couple of older Bushnell Spacemasters with the 60mm objective lens. One scope has a fixed 20X and the other a 15-45X zoom eyepiece. Resolution on both is excellent. I can easily spot .22 holes at 100 yards at 15X. I picked up both of them on Ebay. One was a steal at $60 and the other was a pretty good deal at $80. I've seen the same scopes listed for over $250.

Randy
NRA Life Member

[Mute]

Listen to ocabj. For a value spotting scope, the Konus can't be beat. His breakdown on the various price rang for scope pretty much matches mine.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

I also have a Kowa 821 with 27X eye piece. The optics are excellent and I think all anyone would need for hi-power matches. Using a shoot-n-see target can help with 5.56 at 300 yrds, 7.62 is easier.