Fullauto_Shooter Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Want to get a spotting scope but admit I know nothing about them. I'm looking for a scope with sufficient clarity and magnification to be able to see .223 sized holes at 300 yards and still cost less than $300. Does such a scope even exist or am I smoking crack?? If my expectations (spotting .223 holes at 300 yards) are too high, tell me what is "reasonable". Any recommendations on brands and power-ranges; any specific features to look for or avoid; straight tube vs. angled tube? Any thoughts would be helpful as I try to figure this out. Thanks, Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franklin D Wolverton Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Want to get a spotting scope but admit I know nothing about them. I'm looking for a scope with sufficient clarity and magnification to be able to see .223 sized holes at 300 yards and still cost less than $300. Does such a scope even exist or am I smoking crack?? If my expectations (spotting .223 holes at 300 yards) are too high, tell me what is "reasonable". Any recommendations on brands and power-ranges; any specific features to look for or avoid; straight tube vs. angled tube? Any thoughts would be helpful as I try to figure this out. Thanks, Doug Best bet would probably be a Konus. They are excellent scopes for the money. If your shooting highpower matches... you will definitely want an angled eyepiece. That way you can set up your scope to see the target without having to get out of position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I went through this about 5 years ago. The only way you are going to see .223 holes @ 300yrds with a spotting scope for less than $300 is to use a shoot-n-see. If you do that you don't even have to spend that much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I found the thread where I went through the same issue. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...=spotting+scope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I found the thread where I went through the same issue.http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...=spotting+scope Is "Grampy" still used occasionally? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Knight Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 (edited) I have a Kowa TSN-821M with a 27X long eye relief eyepiece and a 50X eyepiece. This is probably the number one scope in high power shooting today. It is really worth the money. 850$$$$ Creedmoore Sports has the scope and 27XLER combo for 695$$ I also have the Big Blue Stand to go with it. I figured I was going to start Shooting High power. Edited March 5, 2009 by Shawn Knight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I found the thread where I went through the same issue.http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...=spotting+scope Is "Grampy" still used occasionally? It is. I used it last month all the way out to 1k. It was hard but I could see hits on steel at 1K with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.E.Anglin Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 this is mine, hard to beat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 (edited) a few years back I helped a friend with get his managers ready for a prairie dog hunt, and he was spending lots of cash. We try-ed out several spotters before the trip. I was able to get a Swarosky used for Stuart's higher budget = I went with the 20 -60 Burris . I like my Burris , I can bring it for the OK shoot and you can try it. I got some good prices on Sleaze Bay before they went sower grapes on us. The smaller Burris, I did not like like the larger one. When the mirage is up it makes no diff from the $1,500 scope to my $150 scope. Stuarts scope is like ME Anglin/s photo. Nice -very nice , But Linda and I like to take the spoter with us to Colorado camping When all the grear is in the car, I don't think I want a $1,500 scope in the mix of it all. If it can be broken Stuart is you guy and the Swak. has held up to his treatment. Edited March 5, 2009 by AlamoShooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dt1 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Please don't buy a $300 or less spotting scope. This is one area where you need to save up and buy quality. The higher dollar spotting scopes by Swarov, Leica and Zeiss are well worth waiting for until you have the $. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.E.Anglin Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Please don't buy a $300 or less spotting scope. This is one area where you need to save up and buy quality. The higher dollar spotting scopes by Swarov, Leica and Zeiss are well worth waiting for until you have the $. yep you only cry once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullauto_Shooter Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Thanks for all the feedback guys. And Jamie, thanks for the offer to check out your Burris on Sunday - I accept! I checked out a Konus 20x60 / 100mm scope and it looks pretty good at just a hair over $300. Anyone have any first-hand experience with the Konus? I hear what many are saying about getting quality to begin with, and I agree - but just can't justify spending $800 or more on a spotting scope that I'll use a few times a year at the most. Maybe when that Lotto Ticket hits, but not now. Still open for further thoughts and suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgunz11 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I have a Kowa TSN-821M with a 27X long eye relief eyepiece and a 50X eyepiece. This is probably the number one scope in high power shooting today. It is really worth the money.850$$ Creedmoore Sports has the scope and 27XLER combo for 695$ I also have the Big Blue Stand to go with it. I figured I was going to start Shooting High power. +1 I can even see the future with mine! If you spend $300 on a piece of junk, then you'll regret it later. Ask me how I know. If you want to throw the money away then give it to a worthy charity. If you want to buy a decent piece of glass that you can use for the rest of your years that will hold its value, get the Kowa. Best glass for the $ in my opinion. If I didn't own the Kowa, I'd be saving for a Leica. I have the 27X ELR eyepiece for mine and I'm thinking about buying an additional variable power eyepiece for it now to have the flexability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ BAD Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I bought an Alpen and think its a great value at under $400.00. Check it out here: http://www.opticsplanet.net/alpen-20-60x80...epiece-788.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Norman Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I just bought a 100mm 20-60x Konus scope from Champion Shooters Supply. Shooting at other than a black target at 300 yards you can see a .223 hole. We were using pie plates and USPSA Metric targets to sight in. Is this a Swarovsky? No and it wasn't $2500.00 either. It is 155% of the cost and 95% of the performance. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullauto_Shooter Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 I just bought a 100mm 20-60x Konus scope from Champion Shooters Supply.Shooting at other than a black target at 300 yards you can see a .223 hole. We were using pie plates and USPSA Metric targets to sight in. Is this a Swarovsky? No and it wasn't $2500.00 either. It is 155% of the cost and 95% of the performance. Jim Jim, Thanks a ton for the feedback - this is what I've been waiting to hear. So, the Knous 20-60X 100mm lets you see .223 holes at 300 yards for a hair over $300. That's what I needed to know. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FDQ Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I just bought a 100mm 20-60x Konus scope from Champion Shooters Supply.Shooting at other than a black target at 300 yards you can see a .223 hole. We were using pie plates and USPSA Metric targets to sight in. Is this a Swarovsky? No and it wasn't $2500.00 either. It is 155% of the cost and 95% of the performance. Jim Jim, Thanks a ton for the feedback - this is what I've been waiting to hear. So, the Knous 20-60X 100mm lets you see .223 holes at 300 yards for a hair over $300. That's what I needed to know. Doug Doug, I will have my Konus 20x60 at the La Grange shoot on Sunday if you can make it. FredQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullauto_Shooter Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 I just bought a 100mm 20-60x Konus scope from Champion Shooters Supply.Shooting at other than a black target at 300 yards you can see a .223 hole. We were using pie plates and USPSA Metric targets to sight in. Is this a Swarovsky? No and it wasn't $2500.00 either. It is 155% of the cost and 95% of the performance. Jim Jim, Thanks a ton for the feedback - this is what I've been waiting to hear. So, the Knous 20-60X 100mm lets you see .223 holes at 300 yards for a hair over $300. That's what I needed to know. Doug Doug, I will have my Konus 20x60 at the La Grange shoot on Sunday if you can make it. FredQ Sounds good Fred, I plan on being there. Thanks, Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Admin note: topics merged. Any advice on spotting scope power for seeing marks on paper out at 300yrds and beyond? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 What caliber? With something like a Konus 20-60x80mm or 100mm, you might be able to pick up on .308 hits on the right targets (like the Shoot-n-See). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik S. Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I recommend checking out the Kowa TSN series spotters. The 600's and 800's are the bees knees for the price point. You will see 30 cal at 300yds, but any farther than that, you're looking at the Leicas. Even then, you won't get much further (especially on a hot day). As for spotting shoot-and-sees, you might be able to get a ways out there with a good spotter. Beware of those high power eyepieces on low end spotters...the clarity goes to pot pretty quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2alphas Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Brunton Kowa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dt1 Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 (edited) What is your price range? Spotting scopes can be had for $100 to $5,000. You generally get what you pay for with both weapons mounted scopes and spotting scopes. I've got a Leica Televid and can easily see .22 -.30 cal holes in paper out to 500yds if the conditions are good. Edited April 8, 2011 by dt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik S. Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 *snip* I've got a Leica Televid and can easily see .22 -.30 cal holes in paper out to 500yds if the conditions are good. Look through them before you buy them. I think you'd be hardpressed to EASILY see bullet holes at 500yds depending on your eyepiece even with the high end scopes. I will say, the Leicas are beyond "top shelf", they are the "shelf in the back" that the owner of the liquor store shows you after he gets to know you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-Bros_JLR Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 I'd say Swarovski or Leica if money isn't a problem. Otherwise look into the kowa or Leupold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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