what spotting scope

[deye243]

g'day all i put this here because i figure that there are more target shooters with a scope than anywhere

i don't have much of a budget for a scope ($700) just wondering what people are using.

now i know i won't be able to see holes in paper past 300y no matter what i buy but i

just want to see bullet splash on gong and damp dirt (no dust) at 800y which i can see

with a leupold vx3 6.5-20 but it would be better with a spotter and more comfortable so

what do you think can it be done on a budget .


cheers D

[Guliver]

I'm interested too, but my budget is a lot less than deye's, any one have any success with eBay Chinese stuff?

My requirements are a lot less demanding I only need to see 22 size holes at 25 metres.

[FuzzyM]

I'm interested too, but my budget is a lot less than deye's, any one have any success with eBay Chinese stuff?

My requirements are a lot less demanding I only need to see 22 size holes at 25 metres.

Have you considered a half decent pair of binoculars?
I can comfortably see bullet holes at 20m with my pretty cheap 10x binoculars.
Also with my grandfather's 8x german made ones.
I can also see them with a 6x + rifle scope.

I can see the appeal of a spotting scope, just seems like a fair bit of money.
I have never bought optics off ebay, but poor glass tends to give me headaches fairly quick.

[cruze82]

mate I went the Redfield 20 x 60 x 80 and cant fault if for the price $550
you will see the splash on a freshly painted gong at 800 no worries

[deye243]

looks like this is it Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A second pic to show how big it lucky i ain't packing this thing into the bush.

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[Vati]

I'll say this... Go for quality and clarity over magnification.

I've tried my share of cheap to medium priced ones that boasted high magnification but the clarity was so poor they were useless at 200m - 300m already.

[Korkt]

mate I went the Redfield 20 x 60 x 80 and cant fault if for the price $550

The Redfield Rampage is a good one

[twoforty]

Stay away from the ebay scopes

[rsj223]

I got the national geographic 20-60x60 one and dont recommend it at all, its very fuzzy at full zoom just wont focus.

[Vati]

I got the national geographic 20-60x60 one and dont recommend it at all, its very fuzzy at full zoom just wont focus.

I've used the Nat Geo one and a few other similar price point options, all the same.

Clarity is just too poor, paper looks like a fuzzy bit of lamb skin no matter how many holes are in it.

[BRNOmod2]

I've got a Bushnell I purchased in 2006 - I think the same model is now called a Bushnell Trophy - its one of the rubber covered/armoured type ones. They seem to be in the $350 - $400 range now if you look about. Has been brilliant. I use it every wkend at the range, and occasionally when out varminting, and have taken it with me few times interstate. Its been dropped, knocked, thru the rain umpteen times. I did throw away the little rubbishy tripod thing that came with it and replaced it with decent stand as you would see used by the fullbore guys. If it broke now, or I lost it or some other drama, I would probably look at getting the same again - that's my version of an endorsement

[salate]

The tripods are always crap.

I like the Manfrotto supports personally.

[deye243]

Well so far i'm bloody impressed with what i seen today.

I could easily see the bolt heads on a sec pole at 800+y. I think they're around the inch dia and no chromatic aberration.

I tried to take some pics fee hand with my $80 digital camera, ha ha, that's a joke, need a better camera .

I will try and get a better one over the weekend and do a better reveiw over the weekend with the gong and targets .

[salate]

Same problem with the cameras as with the scopes. Need high quality glass for any hope of seeing that distance clearly.

[deye243]

well i had the scope out today and i'm very impressed considering what $2500 gets you i am very happy with this scope

but i need the diggi scope adapter to take pics with as doing it free hand sucks big time.

i can see 22 cal holes at 370y so 7mm and 30 should be doable to 400 and the tripod i got for it is the bomb .

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just take ya shot and lean over and have a look

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[deye243]

and if i ever get me act together and have a crack ay fclass this should be handy

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[ployer]

well i had the scope out today and i'm very impressed considering what $2500 gets you i am very happy with this scope

$2500! Bloody hell you'd hope you're impressed.

[deye243]

Nah mate this was waaaaaay under $2500 what i'm saying is i have looked through a

$2500 scope and it wasn't $1700 better than this one .

[ployer]

Ah right

[rsj223]

Maybe a silly thing but would a small telescope be usable

[deye243]

it will depend on glass quality and coatings and what you want it for .

[kritch]

Maybe a silly thing but would a small telescope be usable

Sure.

If the clarity is good enough you can see the holes

[rsj223]

I'm looking at one fairly cheap so might have a go, he said it will show very clear a 5 cent at 200mtr.

[deye243]

bullet holes are a LOT different to a 5 cent bit tell him you want a test before you buy

[brett1868]

@Deye243, Maaaate that's an awesome tripod. You can have the best scope on the planet but if the tripod isn't stable or smooth in adjustment then the scope will be a pain in the ass to setup or use. I have a Vortex spotting scope which has a little picatinny section on the top, I fitted a Bushnell red dot sight which I use to put scope on target quickly. Makes spotting out to >1000m much easier then having to zoom in and out stuffing around with focus each time. I started with a cheap ass tripod, big mistake cause even when tightened up it wobbles too much, @ ranges >1000m the smallest movement and you're lost the target so I binned it and currently I use one of these Jaycar HD Speaker Stands with a Manfrotto quick release mount I took off a broken tripod. Rock solid but too heavy and awkward to grunt around.


Used one of these on the top of the spotting scope to speed up acquisition. Small, light, auto on / off / brightness and battery lasts ages.

http://www.bushnell.com/all-products/rifle-scopes/trophy-red-dot/first-strike

What tripod is that and where can I buy one? Please

[bigfellascott]

Not a bad little setup for $800 -

[Lorgar]

People knock it but I love my 4.5x-30x

No spotting scope required