Can you use a telescope for a spotting scope?

[Xerothermic]

I'm a BLM shooter for the most part and don't really care what it looks like size wise. The price on spotting scopes new and used is nuts. Maybe the glass isn't good enough for 600 yard 6mm spotting. I don't know.

Just curious.

 

[Krogen]

Define BLM. . . .

 

[GotRDid]

Bureau of Land Management?

 

[Krogen]

Hopefully! People using acronyms and abbreviations think they're communicating. They aren't. BLM could be one of those politically charged abbreviations. Not in the context of shooting, of course . . . .

To the original poster: Yes, a telescope would be fine. That's really all a spotting scope is anyway. Optical quality counts. It's a tough challenge even with good glass to see 6mm holes at 600 yds. You'd need high end glass, good eyeballs and calm no-mirage conditions.

 

[DGP4]

Most telescopes are not going to give you a clear image at 600 yards. I would bet even a cheap spotting scope will have a clearer image at that distance. Moneywise, you might want to invest in a quality higher magnification rifle scope.

 

[SDDasher]

I'm a BLM shooter for the most part and don't really care what it looks like size wise. The price on spotting scopes new and used is nuts. Maybe the glass isn't good enough for 600 yard 6mm spotting. I don't know.

Just curious.

I thought the March “Majesta” was a telescope!

 

[Big_Daddy]

Bureau of Land Management?

OR

Black Lives Matter?

 

[jghoghunter]

I get so tired of these acronyms everywhere. Most of the time if people can't write it out I don't need to read what they write.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Needing a spotting scope recently, I visited a specialist shop locally. Hell - I've owned cheaper cars!! and certainly cheaper awesome camera lenses ..oh wait -

A little research led me to the Kenko adaptor, which fits my Canon lenses - and multiplies 10x. So fitted to a 16-300 zoom gives me a max of 3000mm ie 60x.

I had to import the Kenko from the US ( B+H in NYC) but even with the Fedex cost, It saved me a packet

 

[Kittitas George]

Good optics are required to see holes in the target at distance. Good optics are available for very reasonable costs. I'm still using an about 60 year old spotting scope, Bausch & Lomb, 15X to 60X. I saw one on Craigslist (Seattle, $60) a week or so ago. We did a very unscientific comparison of my scope and a new, expensive Pentax ( $7-800? range) spotting scope a few years ago. We couldn't see any differences. The B & L was made in Japan, the labor cost savings were put into quality lenses and parts. I see these scopes on ebay for very decent prices ($200-). They are big for packing on a horse or on a sheep hunt, but just fine for the range or prairie dogs. Mine has seen a lot of game, prairie dogs, sage rats and target holes since the mid 1960s.

 

[Xerothermic]

Most telescopes are not going to give you a clear image at 600 yards. I would bet even a cheap spotting scope will have a clearer image at that distance. Moneywise, you might want to invest in a quality higher magnification rifle scope.

Glass aside, what power you thinking on a scope? Ballpark.

 

[Xerothermic]

Needing a spotting scope recently, I visited a specialist shop locally. Hell - I've owned cheaper cars!! and certainly cheaper awesome camera lenses ..oh wait -

A little research led me to the Kenko adaptor, which fits my Canon lenses - and multiplies 10x. So fitted to a 16-300 zoom gives me a max of 3000mm ie 60x.

I had to import the Kenko from the US ( B+H in NYC) but even with the Fedex cost, It saved me a packet

I hadn't thought of a camera. Thanks, for the suggestion.

 

[Xerothermic]

I thought of an inexpensive drone to fly out there for a looksee. I could probably find something in the $100+ range.

 

[dthomas]

If I was needing to see bullet holes at 600 yards I would look into an electronic target system.

 

[mike a]

BLM bullet launching machine

 

[rwj]

If I was needing to see bullet holes at 600 yards I would look into an electronic target system.

… or an optical/WIFI one like LongShot offers.

 

[charlie b]

And here I knew exactly what he was referring to. But, I live out here where BLM land is a key factor in recreation of many types and it is an acronym we see almost every day.

I have a cheapo spotting scope, Svbony 80x. I think it was $150. Good enough for .22 bullets at 300yd, but, not for 500 or 600. At 500 on a good day I can just make out .30 cal holes. With one of those 'reactive' targets I can see the spots. I have not tried a camera mount for it but it is in my to do list.

I also tried a digital zoom camera with a 50x zoom. It could just make out .22 holes at 300, on a crisp, clear day.

Keep in mind that mirage kills the image. Summer days I can't see bullet holes past 300 and sometimes it is even difficult at 300yd.

I keep meaning to get a remote camera setup, just haven't got round to it yet. Would love a shot marker but the cost is just way too much for me.

 

[Jeff Porter]

With most atmospheric conditions, spotting holes of .22 or 6mm or even .30 at 600 yards is a trick. Shoot N C type splatter targets or freshly painted steel will help but in any kind of mirage and magnification up over 40X... resolution of individual bullet holes will be hard.

That said - I have a decent one for sale - make me an offer I can't refuse.

Thread 'Spotting Scope 100mm 22-68x'

Jan 1, 2026

For sale is a Zhumell ( now part of Celestron) 100mm 22-68x spotting scope with soft case cover that allow you to use it on a tripod and leave the cover on. It is an angled head with adjustable ring for the direction of the angle.

$250 Delivered CONUS.

• Jeff Porter
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Scopes, Optics, Sights, Rings, Bases

 

[Kittitas George]

Good optics are required to see holes in the target at distance. Good optics are available for very reasonable costs. I'm still using an about 60 year old spotting scope, Bausch & Lomb, 15X to 60X. I saw one on Craigslist (Seattle, $60) a week or so ago. We did a very unscientific comparison of my scope and a new, expensive Pentax ( $7-800? range) spotting scope a few years ago. We couldn't see any differences. The B & L was made in Japan, the labor cost savings were put into quality lenses and parts. I see these scopes on ebay for very decent prices ($200-). They are big for packing on a horse or on a sheep hunt, but just fine for the range or prairie dogs. Mine has seen a lot of game, prairie dogs, sage rats and target holes since the mid 1960s.

I found a number of the scopes B & L Discoverer 15X to 60X on ebay (3/10/26). The price range is $30 to $130. The pictures look good, spotting scopes are not something that gets abused. Check with the seller, if in good used condition they are an excellent value. I've been using one since the mid 1960s. I'm a retired surveyor, very familiar with good optics. I also use B & L binoculars, 1943 Marine Corp surplus, a constant companion in the truck, and 10 x 42 Swarovski when hunting or shooting sage rats, etc. At $130 dollars, depending on the condition these are an outstanding value, much better than any similar priced modern imports.

 

[Xerothermic]

I get so tired of these acronyms everywhere. Most of the time if people can't write it out I don't need to read what they write.

Okay...... okay JollyGoodHogHunter. I know, you know, what BLM stands for in this instance. The guy on the boat maybe not. He is governed by BWM.