Looking for recommendations on spotting scopes

Aabradsh

CGN Regular
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Location
Ontario
Hey guys

I’ve recently made a bit of room in my safe and, as a result, not have some funds freed up.

I’m looking to get a decent quality spotting scope. I have approximately $1400 at my disposal and figure I should be able to get a pretty decent used scope for that.

It will primarily be used for checking targets, inside 300 yards, with some use in glassing on hunts (though that job will likely continue to mainly fall on my binos).

Primarily, I’m looking at the Vortex viper 20-60. I figure that should do what I need it to, be clear enough for my needs (I have viper binos and a couple viper scopes that I am very pleased with), and likely leave me with some budget to spare.

Can anyone recommend similar brands/models to look for? As well as other places to find used optics besides CGN, as these do come up on occasion, but not all the time.

Thank you
 
I would ask you to consider size.

I had one that was 20-60 x 80mm and got rid of it because it was so large that I did not want to bring it along unless it was a major outing.

I sold that off used and took a loss on it, which segues into that option for you BTW... don't rule out used as you can get great value for that much money on the used market.

These days I'm running a Kowa 554 15-45x50mm and really really like it. It is the same diameter as my rifle scope so it fits in the gun case. The high res glass is fantastic. Problem is that its more than your current budget. In my mind, save up more cash and buy once, cry once.

I would ask that you avoid the 20-60 viper as the glass is just not very good. Go better and preferably smaller. Even the 50 mm vortex isn't too bad, but the eye box is tight and that will get old fast.
 
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Check out Pelee Wings, best prices round. If most of your shooting is from a bench or prone something with an angled eye piece is very handy. And if you wear glasses a long eye relief eye piece helps. I would also go with the fix power eye piece over a zoom eye piece. If you look around you might be able to find a used Kowa, Pentax or Nikon.
 
I bought a Celestron Cavalry 25-75x about 5-6 years ago at CT. On sale (CT half-price) for about $100. I can see .223 at 200 yds (all my range has), but if you're going to 300+ I'd get better than 60x. You can find some good scopes under your limit, if you're not trying to read the fine print. I spent $500 on a scope for my B22,.
 
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