Spotting scope
- Thread starter FNWhelen
- Start date
Firebird24
Handloader
- Sep 3, 2024
- 259
- 819
There are some YouTube videos where they compare spotting scopes. I use a midrange vortex and it does the job-there are better scopes on the market but this one does work for what I need
- Thread starter
- #4
seeing bullet holes out to 200 yards in paper targets will not be too hard . use a nice light colored paper with a light color target circle . any target with black is not good . the black blends the holes in . steel at 1000 , again keep the plates painted white . if you want a bullseye on the plate , yellow should work well one winter I painted a couple plates yellow , so I could find them in the snow . . it's all about contrast with the dark bullet hole or bullet splat . bigger caliber bullets make bigger holes and splats , which makes them easier to find .
I have a swarovski spotting scope 20-60x80 ATS . without using the light colored target , sometimes it's hard to find the bullet holes .
we had a guy bring a vortex spotter out to the range , it did ok too . I think it wasn't quite as clear as my swaro . we had a couple of guys bring out $100 or $200 spotters , they were packaged in little suit case type of carrying case , it didn't take long for those to get put away . I'm not sure at what distance , they were acceptable . the vortex , and my swaro were able to spot hits on steel out to 2300 yards , or splashes in the dirt . we used them both at the same time , to try and see all bullets impacts and still didn't get them all . there were days that trying to spot was tough , even at the 1000 yard distance . I have a 20-60x70 Bushnell elite . I don't think I ever took it to see how it compared with the other spotters . I bought it to carry in my backpack . it's a straight design , that makes pulling it out of the backpack easier .
air quality has a lot to do with this too . a really humid day has a lot of moisture in the air , making seeing small holes difficult . also the sun position will hinder you . if you are shooting into the sun it makes spotting a lot harder , on steel . on paper targets the sun will shine through the holes helping them show up , unless the backer is full of holes .
sorry I couldn't recommend something that would fit your needs . spotting target hits has a lot of variables .
I have a swarovski spotting scope 20-60x80 ATS . without using the light colored target , sometimes it's hard to find the bullet holes .
we had a guy bring a vortex spotter out to the range , it did ok too . I think it wasn't quite as clear as my swaro . we had a couple of guys bring out $100 or $200 spotters , they were packaged in little suit case type of carrying case , it didn't take long for those to get put away . I'm not sure at what distance , they were acceptable . the vortex , and my swaro were able to spot hits on steel out to 2300 yards , or splashes in the dirt . we used them both at the same time , to try and see all bullets impacts and still didn't get them all . there were days that trying to spot was tough , even at the 1000 yard distance . I have a 20-60x70 Bushnell elite . I don't think I ever took it to see how it compared with the other spotters . I bought it to carry in my backpack . it's a straight design , that makes pulling it out of the backpack easier .
air quality has a lot to do with this too . a really humid day has a lot of moisture in the air , making seeing small holes difficult . also the sun position will hinder you . if you are shooting into the sun it makes spotting a lot harder , on steel . on paper targets the sun will shine through the holes helping them show up , unless the backer is full of holes .
sorry I couldn't recommend something that would fit your needs . spotting target hits has a lot of variables .
salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 6,306
- 9,494
I’ve owned a couple of compact spotters, my opinion they were a waste of money. I’ve tried to step up since then, havent made it to Swaro but do have the top end Leupold. It is better than the vortex I had ten years ago but it’s not a Swaro.
Firebird24
Handloader
- Sep 3, 2024
- 259
- 819
Remember the price range is $1000-otherwise I would have said swaro or even better, Leica. My father in law has a Leica spotter and it is awesome, but well out of my price range.
- Thread starter
- #8
I don't get to shoot enough any more to justify a true high end scope for the range. Thus the price limit. One great piece of advise I got here is to use some light colored paper. I will try to find a roll of butcher paper to use for target backing. I guess I just need to spend some time looking at different scopes.
Firebird24
Handloader
- Sep 3, 2024
- 259
- 819
I use poster board. Comes in many colors but I do use white most often and it’s got
Some stiffness to it. Butcher paper might be cheaper. . . ?
Some stiffness to it. Butcher paper might be cheaper. . . ?
wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 3,593
- 4,261
I bought a Leupold few years ago 20x60. Clear, can see bullets out to 200 yds easy and 300-400 if 277 or above diameter if light colored target material. Was disappointed made in China and the short table tripod isn't too stable, shakes alot on the bench. Use and old Tasco tripod that works better. Most of my target shooting is out to 300 yds so it fits my needs.
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,800
- 5,059
Was it their SX 2?
Have heard good thing about the SX 4. The 65mm scope should be in your price range.
The 85mm scope will be more, and will provide larger fields of view, but come with additional weight. (Not a concern if you are only using at the range)
I have used an older Leupold 30x60 for years for the range and for hunting.
Finally broke down and bought the Swarovski STS 20-60x65HD this year on a great sale at Cabelas. Been wanting on for almost 20 years and had the means to do so. Hard to pass when the sale is $1500 off!
