Help choosing a spotting scope.

[Shankin swine]

Hi I'm new to target shooting with a rifle but I've been shooting pistols for a couple years now. I just ordered a howa m1500 targetmaster in .308. My question is what spotting scope should work well for target shooting from 100 to 300 yards? Not looking to spend a crazy amount of money just yet but I also don't want cheap crap. Is there a happy medium? Thanks for any input!

[tonyxcom]

IMO, you are going to need to spend over $500 to get something worth a damn at 300y.

[Shankin swine]

Ouch! That was what I was hoping NOT to hear. I'm on kinda a slim budget these days. Was only looking to spend about $250 or so. Guess I'll keep looking around and hope something goes on 50% sale! Lol thanks

[MPG]

Konuspot-80
Works at 100
Ok at 200
Not 300

[ocabj]

Spotting holes on paper at 200 yards is not easy even with a high dollar scope. Ideally you have someone marking your target in the pits with shot spotting discs or tees and a scoring marker / board.



When I practice shooting on paper at 200 or beyond, what I do is design my target board such that the cardboard has a cut out in it so the black is over that cut out. This way, when the shot cuts through the target, sunlight can illuminate front and back, so the shot is more visible.

[MauserMike]

yeah its a bummer how much the optics cost.... i have my eye on the celestron ultima 80 or 100.... but thats only for like 100yrds for anything over 100 yrds i just shoot steel... my range has 100yrds and i have the option to shoot further in the desert but like i said i would just use steel. and if your after accuracy shoot small steel targets at long range works perfect in my opinion. you just dont get to post your MOA on the forums and look real good with steel . i use my nikon 40x binocs for 100yrds or my cheapy 36x bushnell spotter. NIkons Obv better picture but no easy way of tripodding.... the bushnell is just.... not good enough really. you have to use shoot and c targets with it at 100yrds.

[tonyxcom]

I had an Ultima 80 and I wouldn't recommend it. It's probably better than most of the cheap crap that Optics Planet sells but it' barely usable for bullet holes past 100y. 200y might be doable as long as the mirage isn't crazy and its bright outside. I've used it to see splash up to 700y though but our targets were up a very big hillside so the mirage had little effect.

I currently have a Vortex Viper 15-45x65 when they were on sale for $399 last October and I have been pretty happy with it. Bullet holes at 200y are a breeze.

Your tripod makes a huge difference at long distances too - so make sure you get something heavy and stable with the ability to make smooth minute adjustments. I use this for bench/prone shooting. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[MauserMike]

I had an Ultima 80 and I wouldn't recommend it. It's probably better than most of the cheap crap that Optics Planet sells but it' barely usable for bullet holes past 100y. 200y might be doable as long as the mirage isn't crazy and its bright outside. I've used it to see splash up to 700y though but our targets were up a very big hillside so the mirage had little effect.

I currently have a Vortex Viper 15-45x65 when they were on sale for $399 last October and I have been pretty happy with it. Bullet holes at 200y are a breeze.

Your tripod makes a huge difference at long distances too - so make sure you get something heavy and stable with the ability to make smooth minute adjustments. I use this for bench/prone shooting. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

yeah i just dont want to spend that much :/ i guess ill stick with my free bushnell for 100yrds haha

[tonyxcom]

I thinkt the worst thing about the Ultima 80 was the eye relief. I had to take all the rubber cups and crap off the eyepiece so I could use it with eyepro on.

[6mmintl]

Konus 80mm or Kowa