Looking for a Decent Spotting Scope.

I use Konus, I have bought three. All were sufficient for Service rifle competition.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/konus-20-60x100-zoom-spotting-scope.html
With optics you get what you pay for. Don't skimp.

Since my Service rifle club transitioned to the shot spotter system, I don't need a spotting scope for that.

For ML club shoots a decent pair of binoculars is fine. I have a pair of Leupolds. They fit in my shooting box.

I have two spotting scopes, a 20x Burris I use for 50 yard rimfire, and a Kowa TSN660 with a 20-60 eye piece. The Kowa is a fantastic scope, and I like it’s angled body than the straight Burris.

Look at the site Optics Planet, or Champion's Choice. They have scopes and bases. I got the scope I have now in 1986 for shooting HP matches to 600 yds. 20 to 60 x. I would recommend an angle view rather than a straight view. Works better for me. I wouldn't pay more than three hundred for a scope unless you are looking forward to long range.

morehops52 said:

I tried spotting scopes and gave up on them. Too much bother to set up, tripod etc. I ended up with Nikon Acculon (?) 10-22X binocs . If you're shooting ML's at 100 yds, no problem. Smaller calibers at longer distances could be a problem seeing. Easy to use and you have high powered binocs that can be more useful than a spotting scope IMHO. Price? Abpout $145.

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They make a device for about $70 that attaches to your scope eyepiece and transmits to your phone. I'm probably going to get one soon. It has mixed reviews, but I'll splurge since I got my scope for free. This way you don't have to get up from your gun. You can just set your phone/tablet next to you and after each shot you can cut your eyes to the side and see how you did.

I've used binoculars for years as I did not have a scope. It's hard to hold still sometimes to get a good look at the bullet holes. Of course some binocs can be tripod mounted. But then you basically have a binocular spotting scope.

I use my Bass Pro 10x50 binoculars. They work great out to 100 yards.

I have no desire to see anything beyond 200 yds. . Have had a 20 power Bushnell for near 50 years , combined with an antique camera tripod , to make it rock steady. Been so long ago , can't remember what I paid for it , less than $30 for the whole deal. The tripod rest is the key to seeing.
A close friend of mine , used to build thousand yard competition unmentionable rifles. I found him a pair of glasses from a Naval ship. Don't remember the power of those , but there was a spotting scope. He used them for long range Pa.deer hunting , mtn. , to mtn. ...............oldwood

maillemaker said:

They make a device for about $70 that attaches to your scope eyepiece and transmits to your phone. I'm probably going to get one soon. It has mixed reviews, but I'll splurge since I got my scope for free. This way you don't have to get up from your gun. You can just set your phone/tablet next to you and after each shot you can cut your eyes to the side and see how you did.

I've used binoculars for years as I did not have a scope. It's hard to hold still sometimes to get a good look at the bullet holes. Of course some binocs can be tripod mounted. But then you basically have a binocular spotting scope.

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I hope yours works better than the one I bought, it was junk, sent it back to Amazon.

If you end up with a good one let us know the brand and details.

Check out the Vortex models in your price range. The Viper fitted with the MOA crosshair is a very good set up.
Either the heavy duty stand from Vortex or a Monfrotto.
Which ever scope you go with don't scrimp on the tripod, even a Swarovski scope on a cheap flimsy stand is almost worthless

I've had a Bausch and Lomb 60mm by 45x for years. After buying a cheapie with poor resolution that wouldn't show .22 holes at 200 yards I returned it and sprung for the B&L .

appalichian hunter said:

Vortex, Leupold are my suggestions various models in both you should be able to find one in your price range. Also as I am a big pawn shop haunter have found some good deals on shooting related items there also. Ever try shoot and see targets at 100 yards the bullet strike shows up really well.

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I second Vortex. For the money you get good quality glass, and the warranty is hard to beat.

Ranch 13 said:

Which ever scope you go with don't scrimp on the tripod, even a Swarovski scope on a cheap flimsy stand is almost worthless

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Bingo!!

French Colonial said:

I hope yours works better than the one I bought, it was junk, sent it back to Amazon.

If you end up with a good one let us know the brand and details.

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This is the one I was thinking about getting:

https://smile.amazon.com/SME-WiFi-Spotting-Scope-Camera/dp/B07MC572D3

Vortex, Leupold, are very good. Your going to pay approx. $300 + for a good spotting scope. You might try some online auction houses also.

FWIW old/vintage Unertl 24Xs will out perform any Vortex to Leupold or other to the $600+range. Only ones I see that test better (by USAF Optical Test Target) are the Kowas @ $800 plus! Usually can be had on eBay for $200-$300 sans scope mount.

IMHO quality glass > sheer mag X power ...

Several years ago , my neighbor had just got a new cell phone , that had a real time action video app. , on it. I was shooting a .54 longrifle ,off the bench at a posted target ,at 50 yds. . Neighbor enabled the video app. , held it up to the eyepiece on my 20 power , 50 yr. old Bushnell spotting scope , and I fired the flintlock. He shouted for me to look at the cell phone video of the ball going down range , and actually striking the target. I couldn't pass up the chance to make the comment ,"Kids and their toys." , just to tease him. I must admit , it was amazing. No special equipment , who knew???......oldwood

maillemaker said:

They make a device for about $70 that attaches to your scope eyepiece and transmits to your phone. I'm probably going to get one soon. It has mixed reviews, but I'll splurge since I got my scope for free. This way you don't have to get up from your gun. You can just set your phone/tablet next to you and after each shot you can cut your eyes to the side and see how you did.

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That’s exactly how I have my scope set up when shooting prone. The eyepiece is right next to my left eye. Why do you need the phone?

I've started using my point and shoot high zoom ratio camera. You can see the holes in the targets easily and you have a record for each shot.

This is a still frame from a video of a shot at the bear silhouette sitting at 200 yards.


That little streak next to the bear target at 200 yards is the ball going past the bear. Sorry, I didn't get the impact that hit in the heart.

I have a Canon 730 camera that will zoom up to 160 power. The problem is holding the camera still enough even with a tripod to get a good image.

Rudall said:

That’s exactly how I have my scope set up when shooting prone. The eyepiece is right next to my left eye. Why do you need the phone?

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I don't think it would work well for me the way the benches are set up at our range. I sit on the left side of the bench. So there is nothing on my left to set a scope on. On my right is my gun case, that I set my elbow on and the gun when I am I need to set it down. The phone, being tiny, can be set anywhere in my field of vision, while I can set the scope on the right side of the table.

Rifleman1776 said:

I have a Redfield 15X60 scope. Love it. Other shooters at a range during matches frequently come over to use it for their targets. Great scope.

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Hi 1776, I have a similar Redfield 15-60 x 50 that was given to me by a late P/H barrel maker. Never found anything better. Lost the eye piece cover in RSA years ago and haven't found a replacement yet. 2"x18tpi. If there is a spare about anywhere please PM me to discuss carriage.. I see no point in angled eye pieces for M/L shooting prone as you stand up to load when you can have a very stable tripod {and others can see how good you are,when you lie down again.LOL} Couldn't find the MOJO's OLD DOG..

My experience has been that I’ve absolutely hated every “budget” level spotting scope I’ve ever tried. After being frustrated several times, I broke down and bought a Swaro. It was expensive, but it’ll hopefully be a lifetime investment.