Spotting scope for the novice. 100-1000 yards

[Bainter1212]

OP, are you shooting the mid range course at Sac Valley on April 8th? I am. It will be the perfect opportunity to test out your gear.
You can listen to a bunch of random internet dudes (admittedly what looks like good advice here though) or you can get out and do it and learn from there. Because it is somewhat of an introductory course to distances from 3-600 yds, I can guarantee you that there will be others who are working with cheap equipment or working with their equipment for the first time, and there will be a learning curve.
I will be running my 1/7 DelTon upper, shooting 77gr IMI (I get average 1.25 MOA groups, with about half squeaking in under MOA, with a 5X scope). I have a cheap spotting scope that will finally get some use at extended range, it will either be satisfactory or it won't, but I will learn firsthand in a non-competitive environment.

You should come out and shoot.

[RYG11]

You can check this review for the best spotting scopes of 2017: http://reloadyourgear.com/the-best-spotting-scopes/

[ocabj]

You can check this review for the best spotting scopes of 2017: http://reloadyourgear.com/the-best-spotting-scopes/

Uhm, no. You can't only recommend scopes that are available on Amazon.

[smoothy8500]

Uhm, no. You can't only recommend scopes that are available on Amazon.

Their review lost credibility with choice #3, cut directly from their site review: "BARSKA Benchmark is considered one of the top spotting scopes available on the market."

[lewdogg21]

That reads like "X companies paid me X amount to rate their products high" review. Total garbage.

[CSACANNONEER]

Are you trying to see holes in paper at 1000 yards or spotter discs? There's a big difference.

[Clairvaux]

http://perfectriflescope.com/best-spotting-scopes/

That was useful, thanks

[Droppin Deuces]

On a budget, check out the Konus Konuspot 80. I have one that I've been using for 4-5 years and it has served me well for not only seeing groups at 100 yards, but also spotting hits on steel at -- get this -- 1 mile on -- get this -- a 12" target on one outing. By no means is it comparable to high-end scopes, but it really will get the job done in most cases. I typically use it to call .223 hits and misses on 8" targets as far as 750 yards away with no problems whatsoever. 300 Win Mag hits on the aforementioned 12" plate from 1200 yards were also easy to make out.

[Diggen]

Reviving this thread instead of making another...

I'm looking for a spotting scope that will allow me to see groups at 200 yards shooting 5.56 at white paper. I know the price starts to jump up after 200 yards but I'm open to suggestions.

I see the Konuspot 80 pop-up fairly often for budget recommendations; will that scope work for my needs?

Working on pushing the distances with my red dots and would like to not take 5 shots and go for a run every couple minutes.

Thanks calgunners

[Droppin Deuces]

Reviving this thread instead of making another...

I'm looking for a spotting scope that will allow me to see groups at 200 yards shooting 5.56 at white paper. I know the price starts to jump up after 200 yards but I'm open to suggestions.

I see the Konuspot 80 pop-up fairly often for budget recommendations; will that scope work for my needs?

Working on pushing the distances with my red dots and would like to not take 5 shots and go for a run every couple minutes.

Thanks calgunners

I can see holes at 100 just fine with mine, but 200 is another story. SHOOT-N-SEE targets are your friend at that distance with any spotting scope.

[smoothy8500]

I'm looking for a spotting scope that will allow me to see groups at 200 yards shooting 5.56 at white paper.

I see the Konuspot 80 pop-up fairly often for budget recommendations; will that scope work for my needs?

I had a Konuspot 80 for quite a few years before moving up to a used Kowa. At 200 on white paper, you will see your groups. On black at 200yds is less likely. Shoot N' See, whether store bought or home made is probably a necessity.

Even with my Kowa, I use home made shoot n' see targets at 200 and 300yds. Mirage while shooting prone just creates difficulty in seeing groups on black targets clearly, regardless of the lens quality.

[Diggen]

Thanks for the responses.

I may wait for a sale of some sort on something a little pricier as my need for a spotting scope isn't exactly urgent. Definitely a convenience purchase.

Maybe the Leupold sx-1 ventana 2 in 20-60x80.

[smoothy8500]

The Leupy Ventana looks good for the price. You will find that most of the time your zoom will be in the lower end, unless it's early in the day before the ground starts to heat up and cause heat waves in the air. Nice thing about zooms over fixed eyepices is the ability to dial down to diminish the distortion.

As long as you stay away from Barska, Simmons and ultra cheap "Big 5" specials, you should be OK. Leupy, Vortex, Kowa, Konus, etc. Lots of suggestions out there.

[desert dog]

"Cheap" and "Optics" should not be used in the same sentence. But, there are some good "mid-priced" options on the market. Probably the best of these is the Vortex Viper HD spotting scopes.

Options that are WORTH spending more money for are:

* Angled eyepiece that can rotate
* Fog proof / waterproof
* Good, HD glass
* Dual adjustment (course and fine)
* Lifetime warranty

Better glass is WORTH holding off on your purchase and saving for something better. I have several very nice Swaro spotting scopes and I love them, but the Vortex Viper HD is extremely impressive at a fraction of the cost.

[k1dude]

I disagree with the Barska and other cheap optic hating.

I have a 20-60x60 Barska that I've had for a couple decades that does fine for .223 at 200 yards. Even 300 is probably doable. Granted I'm using Shoot-n-See or Orange Peel targets. Black would be tough.

I haven't tried it at 1,000 yards though. But my friend and I used his inexpensive Celestron 20-60x80 to spot our shots at 1,200 yards with no problems whatsoever. We were spotting for splash like you'd have to do with any scope at any price.

Are the cheap ones as nice and clear as a Swarovski or Zeiss? Of course not. But they get the job done. I know top-of-the-line spotting scopes can see 5.56 holes in the black at 400 and even 500 yards (depending on mirage and weather) whereas the Barska and Celestron can't. If you don't mind spending in the thousands for your optics, the top-of-the-line can't be beat.