First Spotting Scope - Recommendations

[xtr]

I have an AR with a 20" barrel and a 6.5-20x 50mm scope. My gun club has a 100 yd range and a 600 yd range (with lines at 200, 300, and 600 yards). I want to get a spotting scope so that I can use the longer of the 2 ranges. I don't want to spend over $150 if at all possible. What would you guys recommend? a fixed 60x ? What power would work at 200 yards and 600 yards? What do you think of the ones i listed below?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=381044


http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=230856

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=177553

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=443463

[azredhawk44]

Spotting scopes aren't typically used past 100 yards to actually see holes on paper.

They're used at 200/300/600 yards to estimate the effect of wind on your shot by reading mirage or blowing sand or other "tells" at various distances so that you can calculate that into your shot.

I doubt there's a spotting scope made on the market that allows a person to see a .22 hole at 600 yards.

I've heard rumors of a special type used by the Army Marksmanship Unit called "The Eye of God" that has some disgustingly large objective lens and high magnification... but such a spotting scope would be specially made and cost thousands of dollars.

None of the four you listed will allow you to see bullet holes at 200 yards unless you have extremely keen eyesight yourself.

[geetarman]

I use a Nikon ProStaff 48-60 that is a pretty good scope. It is more pricey than the ones you listed.

I can see 22 caliber holes at 200 yards with it and can see some .308 at 300 yards depending on background. You can really spend some money on spotting scopes and the better ones will let you see more detail in early morning or late afternoon.

I doubt you will see much of interest out past 300 yards due to mirage.

I would tend to stay away from the cheaper scopes as many of them have a lot of problems with definition at the edges of the scope.

Don't buy one until you have had a chance to look at several at the range. Most folks really want to help and can give you some valuable pointers.


Geetarman

[johnwilliamson062]

I have a Winchester 20-40X scope. I have shot at 150yds with it and find it to be absolutely absurdly too powerful. I think my CMP club uses 4x loaner scopes at 100 yards and I have borrowed theirs when shooting and they are terrific for that range. You can't distinguish between double hits and singles, but holes do show up. I have used the more magnified scope to look out at a 450 stretch and with 60X I could see a lot of detail. Assuming light was good i would guess I could pick out holes. Of course I haven't actually shot paper at the range and don't really know what I am talking about. I hope to in the next few weeks though, so if I remember I will let you know. Probably use my Garand though.

[highvel]

Check into a cheap telescope, probably the only way to see those holes at 600 yds.

[kiwi56]

I had an old Bisley 40x spooting scope that was okay but wanted something with slightly more magnification but also variable power. I got talked into a new Tasco 15-45x 60 and the optics on that were the worst I have ever seen. Even on the bisley I had no problem seeing 224 bullet holes at 100 meters (110 yards) but in the Tasco I couldn't see them at all. After six months I flicked the Tasco and got a Burris and now are able to see the same size bullet holes at 250yards. I will never buy another Tasco pos again.

[Dallas Jack]

Of the four you listed I would take a closer look at the Burris.
Dallas Jack