Buying a spotting scope
I want to invest about $300 in a bench rest spotting scope to use at the range (up to 1000 yards) and there are so --- many out there to choose from , I'd like some actual experiences of guys using them to help in my choice. Any commenets welcome.. Probably , magnification about 20 x 60
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If you wear glasses, make sure you try them first. Some are not very glass friendly 0 -
You might want to think about a 45 degree EYE PIECE This well let you shoot rifle or pistol and then not get out of position to scope the shot. Resolution is more important then power some 20 power scopes will let you see 22 Caliber in the Black an some 60 power scopes will not be good enough to see them . IMHO with anything with LENS you get what you pay for Check with Champions Choice www.champchoice.com 0 -
countershaft,
Spending a budget amount on low quality optics that won't resolve the bullet holes in the target is a waste of money.
Quality is normally driven by price and this is most obvious in the world of optics. Good glass costs money, sometimes a lot more than we want to invest. Unfortunately, $300 doesn't buy much quality these days and the devaluation of the dollar isn't helping since most of the decent glass is imported.
Two types of suggestions:
1) Shop the bigger optics distributors in the next two weeks since they will be carrying the 'sample list' optics from the SHOTShow. These are all the optical products that were used for display at the show and are usually discounted.
Bear Basin Outfitters
SWFA
and others.
2) Shop the Auction side for bargains. These trying times often force our fellow shooters to part with their possessions at more than reasonable prices. Be sure to include the other 'For Sale' venues from the internet because some shooters are switching over to other forms of competition and are getting rid of their specialty products like spotting scopes.
I use German and Austrian optics currently but I have had good results from the most recent offerings from Kowa, Pentax and even a couple from Nikon. But I strongly suggest looking through and handling each scope that you consider before spending any money. It's cheap insurance to avoid the disappointment of a low quality product.
Best.0 -
Hello countershaft
In my opinion---Like all optics, you get what you pay for. I'd rather see you up your budget as much as you can, and then buy a good guality, USED scope on the auction. Quality glass, if not damaged, does not deteriorate with age. Cheap (poor) glass quality is poor for ever. Buy a quality used scope on the auction, where you are allowed to return it if not satisfied. HAWKSHAW0 -
I'm no expert on this subjec..or any subject..but I don't think a 300.00 scope is gonna cut it at 1000 yards,prolly not even 500 yards.My buddy just bought a 300.00 name brand scope,and at his 400 yard range we were not able to see holes in the black.Could see them at 300 ok.
save some more money,you'll be glad you did.0 -
I just went through this exercise and the advice you are getting is correct. I went with a Leupold sequoia 20-60 X 80 and it does not spot holes at 1000 yds. It is good out to 3-400 yds for holes in the black. At 565 yds I can barely see holes in the white but not the black. This scope was close to $500 for the angled version. Don't get me wrong, I really like this scope but it will not work at 1000 yds.
Save your bucks and get the best you can afford.0 -
Only having $300 to spend, you need to buy used. Go online and shop all the auction sights for a bargin. This time of year, folks seem to sell stuff on auctions that I don't normally see throughout the rest of the year. Maybe its Christmas debt, or maybe it's the winter, whatever it is, it is definitely a buyers market in Jan & Feb. 0 -
Where do I get a list of the "auction sights" to search? I know that is competition to this site but I"m not familiar with any of the others > thanks 0
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