Best spotting scope

[halfmoanut]

Want opinions on the best spotting scope for seeing bullet holes at 600yds. Consider mirage and low light conditions and old eyes.

 

[scout1]

What size bullet holes?

I can see my .30 cal hits at 600 with my 20-60 Nikon and it's only a $450 range scope.

 

[Forum Boss]

If price is no object, my picks among current offerings are:

1. Kowa 88mm Flourite Prominar ED

2. New Zeiss 85mm Diascope with new 20-75X eyepiece, and dual-rate focus.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvddimMD2PA&feature=player_embedded

Keep in mind that a NF 12-42 scope will reveal 6mm bullet holes in the white at 600 yards in excellent conditions, but when the mirage comes up you could have a $4000.00 telescope and not be able to see the holes reliably.

 

[JabaliHunter]

This is also worth reading http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/05/birders-test-36-spotting-scopes-kowa-88mm-tops-field/
I narrowly missed out on a Kowa 773 on ebay - good deals on the expensive scopes can be found if you a patient...

 

[fullersson]

Kowa is the way to go. If you are interested in one look on jarheadtop.com they have the best prices of anyone that I found. A friend and I went in together and bought one for $820. It has been one of the best investments we made for long range shooting.

 

[onthexmark]

I have a Lecica 77 scope 20x60, and at 600yds, you don't see no holes. I shoot across corse, and you do good to see them at 300yds. I have never heard anyone at the matches that say they can see there holes at 600yds.

Mark

 

[Forum Boss]

Mark,

When conditions are near perfect, 6mm bullet holes are definitely visible... but maybe only for an hour or two. This winter we did a comparison test with a Swarovski 80mm ED spotter (at 60X), a Pentax 100mm spotter (at 66X), a March 10-60 (at 55X), and a Nightforce NXS 12-42 (at 42X).

At 7-8 am, all four optics, scopes and spotters, could see 6mm bullet holes at 600 yards in a blue and white 600-yard NBRSA target. As mirage increased, the first to lose bullet-resolving ability was the Nightforce, then the March, then the Pentax, then the Swaro. At 6:30 am, right before the sun came over the mountain, the Pentax, with its jumbo objective, had a clear edge over the Swaro, but with increased light, the Swaro had a slight advantage. By 9:30-10:00 am we were having trouble seeing the holes, even with the Swaro. So, the ultimate performance of any of these optics is very much tied to viewing conditions.

 

[fdshuster]

Mark: I agree, if you're shooting across the course, black bullseye targets, shot holes in the black will be difficult to see at any distance over approx. 300 yards, no matter how high the quality of the rifle/spotting scope. At our local NRA HiPower matches we lay white plastic boards, (sign making mat'l) behind the tgts., and the shot holes show up nicely. Using "white" g'hog tgts., with the only black being the scoring rings, and under ideal conditions I am able to spot 6mm holes at 500 yd. w/ my Nikon Fieldscope 11, 82 mm objective, at the full 75x eyepiece setting, and also with the NF at 42x. Throw in the usual mirage and the spotting scope goes down to 40x, and the NF to 30x maximum, and even then some shots are very difficult to find. So, with any optic you are at the mercy of conditions. Buy the best you can afford, and at least when conditions are ideal you can use them to their fullest advantage.

 

[TheDon]

if you're shooting across the course, black bullseye targets, shot holes in the black will be difficult to see at any distance over approx. 300 yards, no matter how high the quality of the rifle/spotting scope. At our local NRA HiPower matches we lay white plastic boards, (sign making mat'l) behind the tgts., and the shot holes show up nicel

I agree as well, we do very similar when we shoot

 

[aimhigh]

The Pentax is very close to the top of the line scopes for a lot less money. Especially when you pair them with Pentax fixed power eyepieces which are considered the best. For a given price point, the fixed power eyepieces will be better than variable ones. The Pentax scopes use standard 1.25 inch eyepieces- many of the spotters use proprietary eyepieces so you're stuck buying that brand.

 

[Ag Cat driver]

Hey guys I keep hearing about how good that Pentax 100mm spotter is but can't find it anywhere!!! anybody know who carries these. Matt

 

[JRS]

You'll have to keep looking. This particular model has been discontinued.

 

[JRS]

I ran a search and found one at nightvisionplanet.com

$1699.00

 

[Ag Cat driver]

Thanks guys will keep looking, if I cant find one I guess I'll spring for the Kowa 88mm Promiar. I'd like 2 of them to make a set of "big eyes". Matt

 

[JRS]

I ran a search and found one at nightvisionplanet.com

$1699.00

Here it is!!!

 

[Gman]

The Pentax is very close to the top of the line scopes for a lot less money. Especially when you pair them with Pentax fixed power eyepieces which are considered the best. For a given price point, the fixed power eyepieces will be better than variable ones. The Pentax scopes use standard 1.25 inch eyepieces- many of the spotters use proprietary eyepieces so you're stuck buying that brand.

PM sent to aimhigh !

 

[Scott Harris]

I have a Kowa TSN-601 and a Swarovski ATS 65HD.....at completely opposite ends of the price spectrum. I have to say the Kowa's are damn fine scopes. They are hands-down the best quality for the buck. After looking through my $500 Kowa, I wonder why I spent $2300 for my Swarovski, because the image with the Kowa is just that good.

Now, seeing bullet holes at 600 yards....good luck with that. I'm not sure there is a scope on the planet that will allow you to consistently do that. But, the Kowa TSN-883 is as close as you're gonna get....several other fine options out there also.

 

[cmillard]

i can tell you what not to get. stay away from the wind river 15-45X60. when i set my wind river at 30x then set my Sightron to 30x, the Sightron is SOOOOO much more clear and it is easier to see the target during heavy mirage--unlike the spotting scope. i just wish that the Kowa was a little cheaper.