What magnification power is right for binoculars for shooting range?

[jblane]

Hi, hope I'm posting this in the right place. I'm shopping for a pair of binoculars to use at the shooting range for rifle practice. would a 10x magnification factor be overkill? should I go with 6x-8x. Also any specific brand/model recommendations would be appreciated.

EDIT: not looking for anything fancy, don't want to spend more than $40-50 on these.

[Cody]

10X might not even be enough unless your using Shoot-n-See targets. Most spotting scopes are a lot stronger than that.

-Cody

[jblane]

What would you say is the highest binocular magnification I'd be able to use without a tripod and hold a steady image of a paper target to see where I'm hitting it? I'm a beginner and don't want to spend a lot on a spotting scope just yet.

[WebMoskal]

What distance? I've seen shooters using binos on 15 yard range

[rolex87]

ive found a variable power spotting scope helps a lot...mine is 20-60x and i actually use it at 25 yards to see if im off a 1/4 or 1/2 inch...sometimes I've taken my 400mm telephoto lens when my friend borrowed my scope from me

sometimes the variable power helps, it's easier to find something at 20x and then zoom in. my scope was super cheap, and although the optics aren't super sharp like my camera lens, it does its job well, and sometimes i use it to find climbers on half dome and el capitan when i visit yosemite

[gbman]

Good range binocs

I use 10X binocs and a 20-60X spotting scope. You can get away without the spotting scope at 100yds if you have 10X binocs, but if you're shooting paper, you'll definitely need the spotting scope at 100yds and further out.

[doodoostain]

i bought some 7-15x25mm binoculars because i didn't want to spend the money on a spotting scope. it only took me one trip to the range to realize that it wasn't enough. i ended up buying a spotting scope anyways. might want to just save the $50 on binoculars and get a spotting scope later. i wish i did.

[Black Majik]

Binoculars? 8x. Why? Because it's easier to hold steady so you can spot other people's hits.

If you're looking for more magnification to spot bullet holes in your target, get a good quality 20x and up spotting scope.

Or, go the cheap way, buy a really good quality scope and you won't need a binocular or spotting scope to spot your own hits in your target.

[Barbarossa]

I bought an iffy spotting scope at big5 for $100. It works. 20x.

is the extra $50 going to break the bank?

[E. Fudd]

There are cheapie variable power spotting scopes suitable for 100 yd. rifle work for +/- $100.

Big 5 has the Barska 20-60x spotting scope on sale for $99. Not bad glass for $100.

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/default.aspx?action=detail&storeid=2503823&rapid=0&listingid=-2087631313&offerid=

Works okay out to 200 yd. for .22/.223 size holes.

[esskay]

I consider my 20-60x spotting scope the bare minimum for me to be able to use/see standard paper targets (I print out various types of targets on my laser printer, no shoot/see).

[khw9mm]

I went to Big 5 to get the Barska spotting scope and ended up with the Rugged Exposure 12-60x78mm which the manager gave it to me on sale for $99. Is that a good scope and price??

[deltaT]

I use 10x42 ZRS binoculars and a Pentax 80mm ED spotting scope.

[CSACANNONEER]

Magnification is not as important as clarity and it's the same with scopes. Go try some different ones out and figure out which one is right for your eyes and the distances that you plan on shooting.

[damndave]

I use a $100 20-60x spotting scope and works fine.