Absolute best scope to resolve bullet holes at 600 yards?
- Thread starter SHall
- Start date
dmoran
Donovan Moran
@garandman
The OP is Sam Hall that your suggesting all those things to. He is one of the best 600-BR there's ever been, and has shot for many years (lots of experience reading conditions), who has been out of the game for 5-years due to cancer, is all. It's likely he may have more experience at 600yds then you and many others do (for sure more then me, 1000-BR is more my game).
Most the people replying to him here are also 600/1000-BR shooters (Bart, Terry, Ray, Ron......) that are talking from experience and are highly referable on the topic.
Just some heads up to you.... no offense intended
Best Regards
The OP is Sam Hall that your suggesting all those things to. He is one of the best 600-BR there's ever been, and has shot for many years (lots of experience reading conditions), who has been out of the game for 5-years due to cancer, is all. It's likely he may have more experience at 600yds then you and many others do (for sure more then me, 1000-BR is more my game).
Most the people replying to him here are also 600/1000-BR shooters (Bart, Terry, Ray, Ron......) that are talking from experience and are highly referable on the topic.
Just some heads up to you.... no offense intended
Best Regards
Last edited:
6BRAckley
Gold $$ Contributor
I appreciate threads like this. I have read 2 threads today and been able to put a half dozen people on ignore as a result ... will save me from wading through BS next time 
Some days, even several hours into shooting, I am able to see every shot in the white at 600... even with the Vortex GE.
Of course there will be times that mirage prevents us from seeing shots but there are lots of times, especially in fall and early spring when temperatures are reasonable, where you can easily discern bullets at 600. There is absolutely no reason to not have a scope that advantages you in those situations.
Some days, even several hours into shooting, I am able to see every shot in the white at 600... even with the Vortex GE.
Of course there will be times that mirage prevents us from seeing shots but there are lots of times, especially in fall and early spring when temperatures are reasonable, where you can easily discern bullets at 600. There is absolutely no reason to not have a scope that advantages you in those situations.
Last edited:
If you are considering spending more than $1000 on a spotting scope, at least consider this option, good out to two miles:
https://www.longshotcameras.com/collections/products/products/longshot-lr-3
Details:
https://www.longshotcameras.com/collections/products/products/longshot-lr-3
Details:
- Straight Shooter 2-Mile Guarantee
- CrispEdge 2688 x 1512 HD Imagery
- All-Axis Camera Adjustment
- OverObstacle Design
- Blinker Shot Locator
- Patented "Go the Distance" Link Technology
- Includes: Camera, Receiver, Hard Target Camera Case, 2 Tripods, Charger
Last edited:
tom
Gold $$ Contributor
Sambo,
The newest sightron 10-50 svssed might be worth a look, but it is 43 ounces. I have one, and have been tuning at my 880 yard spot lately and have been seeing 6mm holes when sighted to be in the white. I'm not able to see them "appear" but can find them and see plain as day if there's a shot "out". This is in good condition of course.
The kahles and the sightron both have a similar "problem" if you'd call it that. If the sun is out front at all, these 2 optics gather a TON of light and can be affected. The solution is to power down, and I've been able to shoot good doing so, but this eliminates "seeing" squat lol.
I haven't had any experiences with the valdada Bart mentioned, although I may give one a whirl. The only other optic that I've seen resolve like you're asking about I wouldn't trust on a bench gun.
Tom
The newest sightron 10-50 svssed might be worth a look, but it is 43 ounces. I have one, and have been tuning at my 880 yard spot lately and have been seeing 6mm holes when sighted to be in the white. I'm not able to see them "appear" but can find them and see plain as day if there's a shot "out". This is in good condition of course.
The kahles and the sightron both have a similar "problem" if you'd call it that. If the sun is out front at all, these 2 optics gather a TON of light and can be affected. The solution is to power down, and I've been able to shoot good doing so, but this eliminates "seeing" squat lol.
I haven't had any experiences with the valdada Bart mentioned, although I may give one a whirl. The only other optic that I've seen resolve like you're asking about I wouldn't trust on a bench gun.
Tom
Centuriator,
The camera is a great option for practice, but you can't use it durning a match!
Bart
Last edited:
I, like the OP am looking to find a scope that will allow me to see bullet holes on good days. I have tested several of the premium scopes and found only one that would resolve 6mm bullet holes at 600 yards. That was the 15-55X NF Competition. Of course I have a double handicap, 75 year old eyes and Louisiana mirage. I hope to test the Sightron 10-50x SSVS ED soon and think that it might do what I am looking for. Good shooting.....James
Terry
Gold $$ Contributor
Light to moderate only.
Bart, have you used an SVSS ED? I'm curious how they compare. I believe mine to be every bit the equal to a NF Competition (to my eyes, better), but have never had a chance to look through a Terminator. The SVSS is also a porker too as Tom mentioned and it doesn't see through mirage, but the fine geared focus really helps me get a crisp focus when things are calm. I may try to find an aperature reducer to use with it, the 60mm objective is very large.
I haven’t had a chance to check one of those out yet! I’ve heard a lot of good things about them. I’ve considered getting one but I bit the bullet and got the Terminator. I really couldn’t be any happier with it. It’s shot some pretty impressive groups and Aggs this year for me.
Being able to see the shots hit as I was shooting saved me at a few matches!
Bart
carlsbad
Lions don't lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.
It isn't the scope, it's the air. Any scope can do it at night in still air with light behind the hole.
At dawn in still air most good scopes can.
At noon in the sun, no scope will be able to except on very rare occasions where the air is just exceptionally cooperative.
At dawn in still air most good scopes can.
At noon in the sun, no scope will be able to except on very rare occasions where the air is just exceptionally cooperative.
I hate shooting without seeing my hits. I know it's part of the challenge but I feel like I'm wasting good shots guessing. I'm glad to hear your Terminator has been a real improvement; it's such a nice feeling when money proves well spent!
I shoot 600 yard NBRSA. First thing first relay, if I'm lucky in the draw, I can see shots in the white. Can't see shots in the blue with 12-42 Nightforce Benchrest. Sun gets up breeze starts sometimes I think I see the holes but I don't change aim point. That reminds me too much of chasing the x shooting f class. Just shoot for group and check during next sighter period. Maybe in heavy gun a big honking scope would work. Not for those who shoot same gun for light and heavy. I don't buy a lot of new stuff, at 72 I shoot what I got.
Kookie
Silver $$ Contributor
I have shot Piedmont 600 yard matches the past couple of years with the following scopes.
Nightforce BR 12x42
Nightforce Competition 15x55
Sightron Siii 10x50
Vortex Golden Eagle 15x60
Kahles 10x50
The Nightforce 15x55 Competition was the best by far resolving 6mm bullet holes. Can easily see the individual holes in the white, and in the blue depending on conditions. The Kahles is also very good but still not at the level of the NF Competition. The Vortex and the Sightron are about the same to my eye and a big step down for resolving bullet holes, can see the bullet holes in the white no problem, more difficult for shots in the blue unless conditions are very good. The Nightforce BR just doesn’t have enough magnification for me to see bullet holes that are not in the white and it’s sometimes difficult to see individual holes. The NF Competition is also the best when there is mirage. I don’t have very good eyesight and not a top shooter, so take that into account for my assessment. I rely mainly on my spottting scope to see the holes.
Nightforce BR 12x42
Nightforce Competition 15x55
Sightron Siii 10x50
Vortex Golden Eagle 15x60
Kahles 10x50
The Nightforce 15x55 Competition was the best by far resolving 6mm bullet holes. Can easily see the individual holes in the white, and in the blue depending on conditions. The Kahles is also very good but still not at the level of the NF Competition. The Vortex and the Sightron are about the same to my eye and a big step down for resolving bullet holes, can see the bullet holes in the white no problem, more difficult for shots in the blue unless conditions are very good. The Nightforce BR just doesn’t have enough magnification for me to see bullet holes that are not in the white and it’s sometimes difficult to see individual holes. The NF Competition is also the best when there is mirage. I don’t have very good eyesight and not a top shooter, so take that into account for my assessment. I rely mainly on my spottting scope to see the holes.
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
Sam,
Having looked through most, and only comparing in the best conditions, I have to put the NF comp and the new Sightron HD at the top for resolution. I got to test Toms before I sent it to him and the only downside is weight. We can fix the comp scopes but your scores will suffer. I would say the sightron is the brightest scope on the top end as well. I have not seen the scope Bart is using though.
Having looked through most, and only comparing in the best conditions, I have to put the NF comp and the new Sightron HD at the top for resolution. I got to test Toms before I sent it to him and the only downside is weight. We can fix the comp scopes but your scores will suffer. I would say the sightron is the brightest scope on the top end as well. I have not seen the scope Bart is using though.
Last edited:
SHall
Silver $$ Contributor
Thanks guys! Most of you gave me some very good real world info.!There definitely has been some great new scopes to come out in the last 5 years. One reason for my question is because I use to have a Zeiss spotting scope, it was the best out at that time. I could see 6mm bullets in the white of the target at 600 yards in only the very best conditions. Then KOWA came out with their 883 Prominar. I found one used at a good price and bought it. It was definitely a step above the Zeiss. I could actually see bullet holes in all but the worst conditions, when the mirage was “boiling”. The FLORITE LENSES in the KOWA was what made all the difference. I know some rifle scopes advertise “ED Lenses”. I was wondering if any manufacturer had stepped up the rifle scope lenses to Florite. Samuel Hall
SHall
Silver $$ Contributor
I have read all the posts a couple of times and have really enjoyed the comments and info. Looking back at them I noticed that no one has even mentioned the S&B (Schmidt & Bender) 12-50x56? I remember it being the rave in F-Class especially, just a few short years ago. I use to be big into whitetail hunting in the 1990’s and booked hunts for an outfitter in Alberta, Canada. In return, I got a free trip for 10 years in a row. I use to compare the best low light optics of the time. We all know especially up in Alberta and a lot of places the last few minutes of daylight is when you see the big boys. The fields were in quarter acre squares which is 880 yards from one end to the other. You needed the best optic available to see in the distance and get the longest amount of hunting time. And no, I did not try to take 880 yard shots at world class whitetails. That is is too risky and unethical to me. I would usually set up about the middle of a field leaving me shots of 440 yards or less. To get to the point, I tried all the best 50-56 mm objective scope of the time. Including the new Leupold Premier Scope (LPS) 4.5-14x56, darn good scope by the way. Zeiss 3-12x56, Kahles 3-12x56, Swarovski 3-12x56, Doctor Optic and Aus Jena 3-12x56, Steiner 5-20x56 (I think). May be more, I can’t remember. Of all the scopes an even older S&B 2.5-10x56 was definitely the clearest and pulled in the most light even at distance. And to be fair I would set them all on the same power, usually 8x and had several people look through them across a field at dusk. Everyone gave the S&B the nod. Back then, nothing could compete with the German/ Austrian glass. Samuel
Raythemanroe
Bullet Whisperer
I have looked through them (Schmidt) on the 1k line next to Kahles and my GE and I would put it @ Kahles level.. The Schmidt I was looking through wouldn't dial out the parallax and the reticle moved bad.. The owner sent it back and it came back the same way but a few hondos lighter..
Ray
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.