Spotting Scope Advice

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Gobc

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I'm thinking of getting a spotting scope, mainly for range use. I would like to be able to see bullet holes at 500y for future use even though my range is only out too 300y. Looking at the sightron 20-60 at Hirsh precision as I have had good results with sightron scopes in the past. I would like to spend ~1000 but can go higher if it's worth it. Anyone have any recommendations?

Edit: Just read an article on spotting scopes. 500y for a spotting scope requires an extreme high end scope, like 3.5k high end scope. I guess something out too 300y is what I'm looking for.
 
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I have a Pentax 80ED-A and I have often seen 30 cal holes at 500 yards with it BUT atmospheric conditions have to be right. If there is mirage, forget it (this goes for all spotting scopes).

I use it at matches to spot trace and call/correct windage (spotting for shooting partner). To resolve bullet holes it takes time and fine adjustment to dial in and really see it at distance. There is not time to do this during a match (I learned this the hard way).

The Pentax has great glass, some of the best eyepieces in the business (1.25 astronomy types) and costs around $1500 cad with one eyepiece. Best bang for your buck.

My local range is 300 yards and seeing holes even in the black is easy at that distance. I have never once had a problem checking out my groupings from 300 and I shoot alot. 500 is where it gets tricky with mirage and conditions as I mentioned earlier.

Hope this helps.
 
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Very helpful, thanks.

I've read that at long distance, mirage becomes the limiting factor. I had a sightron 10-50x at one point, and I could easily see 30cal holes at 300y. That shouldn't be too difficult with a spotting scope. I'll do some research into the Pentax.
 
Pentax user here. PF-80EDA. Works great with the XW series of prime eyepieces. Never tried the zooms, but my experience with photography, and in media has taught me that primes are always sharper than zooms.

Thanks,
Cal.
 
Gobc said:
I'm thinking of getting a spotting scope, mainly for range use. I would like to be able to see bullet holes at 500y for future use even though my range is only out too 300y. Looking at the sightron 20-60 at Hirsh precision as I have had good results with sightron scopes in the past. I would like to spend ~1000 but can go higher if it's worth it. Anyone have any recommendations?

Edit: Just read an article on spotting scopes. 500y for a spotting scope requires an extreme high end scope, like 3.5k high end scope. I guess something out too 300y is what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...

The past generations of Sightron spotting scopes never really impressed me... the current gen does.

The variable does work well and image quality is useable through pretty much the entire range. optical clarity is really impressive, variable and all.

I own a Kowa TSN82 as that was the best at the time for I wanted to do. I would say the Sightron glass is every bit as good and the variable is miles ahead of any competitor in this price point. Eye relief which has been too short, actually is very useable for eye glass users in this version... more then what the specs suggest.

For the money, it again is a best buy.

BUT, as has been said, if you have mirage, you will not see bullet holes easily... and that applies to pretty much all spotting scope at any price range. Shooting into a white page will help alot but it gets iffy if there is mirage. You can do just as well with a quality high mag scope.

If you need to see bullets holes beyond 300yds, get a wireless camera system. Some good options for not too much money... alot less then a spotter AND you will see the target very clearly as if you were 10 ft away.

That is what I use and it works.

Jerry
 
Gobc said:
Thank Jerry.

I condemplating a camera system. It's a tricky call.
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Not a tricky decision at all. WRT to shooting, I use a spotter to see the AIR and neighbouring targets (F class)... NOT to see the bullet holes.

My high mag scope can do that job ... and until you start spending quantum dollars on a spotter, a good quality target scope will give you very similar info.

BUT that info is limited to the air you see through... mirage, rain, low light, bright light, bullets in a dark target.... lots can make it inconsistent/impossible to see the bullet holes.

So if you want to see the target/bullet impact for every shot at LR, there only two solutions - a wireless camera or a pulled and marked target.

Been there, tried lots of stuff. For the money, and even if willing to spending quantum dollars, the wireless camera is simply better under the vast majority of conditions you will want to shoot in.

Jerry

PS, I am using and shooting with others that have target scopes able to see 30cal bullet holes on a white target out towards 800m in perfect conditions. These same optics tank on a muddy afternoon which is most every day where I live. However, my camera system works through ANY condition with the same view as 5 to 10 ft from the target..... as if you were "standing" there.
 
GoBc

For a spotter I use the Pentax 80ED - it is excellent and IMO the best value for money out there. I also now have a wireless camera system and after doing some research I went with the Bullseye LR model - it is excellent and works great.
 
Do you guys have any pentax 100ED? Is the larger objective worth the extra $1200? Under ideal conditions is 60x enough magnification to see target hits at 500y?

Kind of leaning toward the spotting scope as i would be able to use it for several targets at one time. If im shooting several guns i might have multiple targets set up at the range.
 
I second the comments about the Bullseye Target Camera. I have the high def version and it works great out at distance. I have used mine to 1 km. The high power scopes can probably get you close to what you are looking for, and if you are looking for best bang for the buck, instead of a scope and a spotting scope, and then maybe a target camera, just buy the long distance scopes to start. I have used the Sightron 10-50, from Jerry, and it's fantastic for its price, and have also used the 12-50 S&B, although it's twice the price.
I personally didn't think that friends spotting scopes could see that much more resolution then my high power scopes at distance, and they were all lousy in mirage. I shoot down where Jerry does and agree, no scope can cut thru heavy mirage at distance.
The Target camera is also way cheaper then a good spotting scope too.
 
Seeing how I only go to the range to shoot, I think i'm going to go with the PF80ED. If I start going out to the bush for longer range, I'll then invest in target camera system. Lots of good advice in this thread. Much appreciated.
 
I've not found a better value for the dollar spotter than the 80ED - im quite certain you won't be disappointed. If down the road you go with a camera system go with the bullseye.
 
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