spotting scope magnification

scott

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what is the general conscious on required power to see holes down the range?

I figure I'd need around 50-60x to be able to see holes at 200 yrds? since I can somewhat make out holes at 100yrd with my 24x scope.

what power spotting scopes do you you guys use on range?
 
I started with the affordable route and got a Bushnell Sentry 18-36 x 50. It served me well. I could spot 30 cal holes on white target bords out to 250 ish yards if mirage was at a minimum. Personally, I can't see them at 150 on a hot day and mirage is heavy. I spotted bullets in flight via the vapour trail out to 600 yards with this scope as well.

I have recently upgraded to a Leupold 15-45 x 60. Its a bit brighter and a whole lot clearer. Resolution and contrast make a big difference between the two. Havent had a chance to spot at any significant distance yet.

Most times I use my spotters, I have them cranked to max magnification. Mirage will dictate at exactly what magnification you can clearly see holes at.
 
what is the general conscious on required power to see holes down the range?

I figure I'd need around 50-60x to be able to see holes at 200 yrds? since I can somewhat make out holes at 100yrd with my 24x scope.

what power spotting scopes do you you guys use on range?

If you need 50-60x magnification to see holes at 200 yards, you need a scope with better optics - not more power! :)
 
I was just at WSS looking at spotting scopes, with a 60x Bushnell I could see a fair bit of detail at 300ish yds (he let me take it outside and said I should be able to spot rivets on a sign sitting out around 300). I can make out .308 holes on paper at 100yds with my 10x bushnell rifle scope...

I would think with 24x you'd easily see bullet holes at 100 and it should also be easy to see holes at 200yds with a 60x?? (not including mirage in this)

What would everyone say is the max range you could see .30cal bullet holes on paper with a decent 60x scope???
 
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I use a 22X wide angle. With the right light I can see .308 bullet holes in the black, but like I said you need the proper light. If you go with a 50X-60X your field of view is very small. Any little bit of wobble in your scope stand will also be magnified 50X-60X. If there is any heavy mirage 50-60X is just about useless.
Most long range shooters go with something around 15X-27X but we are not trying to see bullet holes, just the spotting disc that the butt marker puts in the shot hole.
 
My tired old eyes can see .223/.308 holes at 100yds through a 14x scope.

Even so, I picked up an older B&L 15-45x spotting scope to help out. At max power, this scope is a bit fuzzy (it's not a high-end optic) but even keeping it back at around 30x where it is still sharp, 30 cal holes at 300yds are fine.

Being an Eagle Scout, you should be fine!
 
I have a 15-45x cheap spotter and I strain to see the .223 holes at 200 but I agree with others in that the quality of the optics makes a big difference and 45x would be sufficient if the clarity of my scope was better.
 
my cheap bushnell I can see holes from my 22-250 upto 200m, and holes from my 300wm upto 300m. nothing farther :( I have the bushnell spacemaster multi-position its a 20-60x60mm
 
I would think

that a decent 15X45 spotting scope should be enough...

I can see .20cal bullet holes with my 5.5x22 nightforce rifle scope NO PROBLEM.... So I would think magnification is not your problem...



I use a 8X32X56mm nightforce on my .338 Lapua AI and at 600 yrds you can make out the toxic symbol on a winshield wiper jug.....

Check out the US Optics spotting scope...Its a new line...
 
The least expensive spotter I have used that had very useable resolution is the Nikon XL roof prism. I was able to spot 30cal holes in the white at 600yds on low mirage days.

Seeing 22cal holes at 200yds is a no brainer.

I am now using a Pentax 65ED with the zoom off their 80mm model. Amazing glass and have been using this to spot bullet impacts of my 223 out at 1 mile. 20X is quite a bit for this type of glassing. I expect to use 40ishX to view bullet holes at extended distances.

So far, been shooting rocks so have no info on paper viewing. This pentax is significantly better then the Nikon in general viewing. No issue making out the bark on Pond Pine trees at 2000yds.

For the money in a compact spotter, this is a best buy. betterviewdesired.com has more info and reviews.

Jerry
 
I can easily see .22 holes at 200yards with any of several 6X24 Elite 4200s I use.

Throw the Tasco away and get better optics as others have suggested.;)
 
In terms of magnification, I find 20 to 30 power is optimum. Unless it is a cold, clear, still day there is too much mirage and movement above 30 power. Yes, better optical quality will always show more detail at a given magnification.
 
I use an old Spacemaster with a 70 mm lens on it and a 22x magnifier. Things are getting pretty dark out there with this one now and the adjustments get a little more dickey every year. I have felt the desire for new optics a few times, especially after looking through dual Kowa scopes. How far you can see bullet holes with mine depends very much on conditions. I can see 30 cal and 6 mm at 300 meters if the holes are in paper that gives good contrast and the conditions are reasonably good. From experience and from what people are saying here it looks like what you are going to use the scope for really will determine your choice. I think the question of what power you use boils down to whether you want to see mirage and other conditions or whether you are trying to see bullet holes. Good optics, of course, are always right.
 
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