Spotting scope Under $500

VegaSSG32 · February 27, 2016, 09:46 AM

Can anyone recommend a spotting scope for 300-500 yards. Preferably no more than $500.00. I know that may be a tall order. Looking to see .308 holes in paper targets at that range. Any advice or direction would help. Thanks.

Hummer70 · February 27, 2016, 10:20 AM

I suspect you are not going to be able to see holes at 500 yards unless you have a small aiming point (about 3") and lots of white paper.

I utilize 36" square plate 3/4" thick and paint it white with a 3" black dot in middle. The rounds hit it, remove paint about 3/4" wide and you can see them quickly.

The higher the X the more mirage you pick up to see through. About 20 years ago I went down to 15X spotting scopes. Got several on ebay for good prices.
Bausch & Lomb Balscope Sr. is excellent, Bushnell,etc. You want at least a 60MM front lens. You can buy 15X eyepieces separately.

Forget the ones for looking at the moon/starts etc.

I just found these on ebay for you. I would not be afraid of any of these. Normally I don't recommend variable power but for the price of this one I would take it. Only one variable listed above. Bushnell

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-KOWA...sAAOSw3xJVeKEk

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALscope-SR-...wAAOSwPc9Wznv9

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-WWII...4AAOSwpDdVUnsT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALscope-SR-...gAAOSwG-1WxiiW

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushnell-spo...0AAOSwG-1Wym8z

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BUSH...IAAOSwe7BWyRwt

hartcreek · February 27, 2016, 03:43 PM

Have you tried the targets that change color wher you make hits? At 500m you will need a much larger budget then you have to see the holes otherwise.

ms6852 · February 27, 2016, 11:32 PM

It is impossible to see bullet holes at the distance you desire, especially at the price range you are limited to. High definition glass is required with a large objective and the zoom required at that distance will also magnify the atmospheric conditions that will keep you from seeing your bullet holes.

If atmospherics conditions are perfect,you may be able to see bullet holes at 300 or 400 yds but your scope will cost $2000 plus dollars.

Atmospheric conditions is your enemy. I own a field Nikon scope 25 X 75 X 82 and they run about $1800 or more now and 300 is about max and only on shoot and see targets.

Adirondack · February 28, 2016, 05:45 AM

With standard paper targets, I think 500 yards just might not be possible for a price range under $500 and may not be possible even with a much higher budget. Maybe a decent spotting scope with as hartcreek suggests 'targets that change color' will work. I use a pretty nice low cost spotting scope that works quite well at seeing .223 at 200 yards (on a good day), it's a Konus 100.

Savage99 · February 29, 2016, 12:21 AM

My Konuspot 80 20-60X has greater resolution than any of my 60 mm spotters.

$229==

http://www.opticsplanet.com/konus-ko...ing-scope.html

g.willikers · February 29, 2016, 09:59 AM

A sturdy support for the scope is as important as the scope.
A shaky scope makes for poor resolution.

VegaSSG32 · March 5, 2016, 08:01 PM

I apologize. I should have clarified or maybe not even said paper targets. I do use the hit color change targets. At 300 yards I can see them clear as day thru my rifle scope. I apriciate all the info and have kinda started looking at the Konus100. The only bad thing anyone has to say about it is that it's big and bulky don't plan taking it hiking. This is purely for range use so big and bulky isn't really a concern.

February 27, 2016, 09:46 AM	#1
VegaSSG32 Member Join Date: January 19, 2013 Posts: 62	Spotting scope Under $500 Can anyone recommend a spotting scope for 300-500 yards. Preferably no more than $500.00. I know that may be a tall order. Looking to see .308 holes in paper targets at that range. Any advice or direction would help. Thanks. __________________ A Soldier is he who's Blood makes the Glory of the General...

February 27, 2016, 10:20 AM	#2
Hummer70 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 203	I suspect you are not going to be able to see holes at 500 yards unless you have a small aiming point (about 3") and lots of white paper. I utilize 36" square plate 3/4" thick and paint it white with a 3" black dot in middle. The rounds hit it, remove paint about 3/4" wide and you can see them quickly. The higher the X the more mirage you pick up to see through. About 20 years ago I went down to 15X spotting scopes. Got several on ebay for good prices. Bausch & Lomb Balscope Sr. is excellent, Bushnell,etc. You want at least a 60MM front lens. You can buy 15X eyepieces separately. Forget the ones for looking at the moon/starts etc. I just found these on ebay for you. I would not be afraid of any of these. Normally I don't recommend variable power but for the price of this one I would take it. Only one variable listed above. Bushnell http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-KOWA...sAAOSw3xJVeKEk http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALscope-SR-...wAAOSwPc9Wznv9 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-WWII...4AAOSwpDdVUnsT http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALscope-SR-...gAAOSwG-1WxiiW http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushnell-spo...0AAOSwG-1Wym8z http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BUSH...IAAOSwe7BWyRwt __________________ Distinguished Rifleman High Power & Smallbore Prone President's Hundred (Rifle) US Palma Teams(2) US Dewar Team (2),4 Man Natl.Champ Team SB Prone Cert Test Dir. Sm Arms and Ammo,Aberdeen Pr Ground, Firefighter I, AC4HT Last edited by Hummer70; February 27, 2016 at 10:46 AM.

February 27, 2016, 03:43 PM	#3
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	Have you tried the targets that change color wher you make hits? At 500m you will need a much larger budget then you have to see the holes otherwise. Last edited by hartcreek; February 28, 2016 at 02:21 AM.

February 27, 2016, 11:32 PM	#4
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	It is impossible to see bullet holes at the distance you desire, especially at the price range you are limited to. High definition glass is required with a large objective and the zoom required at that distance will also magnify the atmospheric conditions that will keep you from seeing your bullet holes. If atmospherics conditions are perfect,you may be able to see bullet holes at 300 or 400 yds but your scope will cost $2000 plus dollars. Atmospheric conditions is your enemy. I own a field Nikon scope 25 X 75 X 82 and they run about $1800 or more now and 300 is about max and only on shoot and see targets. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

February 28, 2016, 05:45 AM	#5
Adirondack Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2009 Posts: 107	With standard paper targets, I think 500 yards just might not be possible for a price range under $500 and may not be possible even with a much higher budget. Maybe a decent spotting scope with as hartcreek suggests 'targets that change color' will work. I use a pretty nice low cost spotting scope that works quite well at seeing .223 at 200 yards (on a good day), it's a Konus 100. __________________ ...probably the greatest concentration of talent and genius in the white house except for perhaps those times when Thomas Jefferson ate alone. John F. Kennedy, Describing a dinner for Nobel Prize winners, 1962

February 29, 2016, 12:21 AM	#6
Savage99 Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 567	My Konuspot 80 20-60X has greater resolution than any of my 60 mm spotters. $229== http://www.opticsplanet.com/konus-ko...ing-scope.html Last edited by Savage99; February 29, 2016 at 12:33 AM.

February 29, 2016, 09:59 AM	#7
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	A sturdy support for the scope is as important as the scope. A shaky scope makes for poor resolution. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

March 5, 2016, 08:01 PM	#8
VegaSSG32 Member Join Date: January 19, 2013 Posts: 62	I apologize. I should have clarified or maybe not even said paper targets. I do use the hit color change targets. At 300 yards I can see them clear as day thru my rifle scope. I apriciate all the info and have kinda started looking at the Konus100. The only bad thing anyone has to say about it is that it's big and bulky don't plan taking it hiking. This is purely for range use so big and bulky isn't really a concern. __________________ A Soldier is he who's Blood makes the Glory of the General...