Spotting scope magnifications

Big Caliber · January 10, 2014, 06:26 PM

I have a very good B&L spotting scope that zooms from 15-45x. It performs very well out to 300yds. on a warm day at the range. Beyond 300yds. there is too much heat mirage to see any 308 holes. However, on a cool, (cold) clear, windless, sunny day I can see out to 400yds pretty good. The range goes all the way out to 600yds. Would it be worth it to drop $500 on a scope that will zoom out to 60x? or would that just magnify the heat mirage further? I saw a Loopy on sale for about $500. I don't want to spend to much more than that. What do ya think?

HiBC · January 12, 2014, 07:15 AM

I have a 77 mm Kowa Proimar 20 to 60 x with a fluorite crystal objective lense.

I can count on seeing bullet holes at 300 yds.

As you have stated,at some point the air becomes the factor,in my experience.

On some occasions,when light and air are good,I have seen 30 cal in black at 500 yds,but that is not typical.

I really do not gain anything if I zoom above about 40 x.

Old B+L scopes are very good,IMO

wogpotter · January 12, 2014, 10:11 AM

Nope. Increasing magnification will just increase mirage under the same atmospheric conditions.

boondocker385 · January 12, 2014, 11:55 AM

nope....

wogpotter · January 12, 2014, 12:30 PM

to which post?

January 10, 2014, 06:26 PM	#1
Big Caliber Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2006 Location: S. CA Posts: 421	Spotting scope magnifications I have a very good B&L spotting scope that zooms from 15-45x. It performs very well out to 300yds. on a warm day at the range. Beyond 300yds. there is too much heat mirage to see any 308 holes. However, on a cool, (cold) clear, windless, sunny day I can see out to 400yds pretty good. The range goes all the way out to 600yds. Would it be worth it to drop $500 on a scope that will zoom out to 60x? or would that just magnify the heat mirage further? I saw a Loopy on sale for about $500. I don't want to spend to much more than that. What do ya think?

January 12, 2014, 10:11 AM	#3
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Nope. Increasing magnification will just increase mirage under the same atmospheric conditions. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

January 12, 2014, 11:55 AM	#4
boondocker385 Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Posts: 640	nope.... __________________ No second place finishes in a gun fight.

January 12, 2014, 12:30 PM	#5
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	to which post? __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

January 12, 2014, 07:15 AM	#2
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	I have a 77 mm Kowa Proimar 20 to 60 x with a fluorite crystal objective lense. I can count on seeing bullet holes at 300 yds. As you have stated,at some point the air becomes the factor,in my experience. On some occasions,when light and air are good,I have seen 30 cal in black at 500 yds,but that is not typical. I really do not gain anything if I zoom above about 40 x. Old B+L scopes are very good,IMO