Budget spotting scope for 1000 yard steel

[IAm_Not_Lost]

Hey all,

Looking for recommendations on a budget spotting scope capable of reliably showing steel target splashes at a 1000 yards. White or orange painted steel.

I have a super cheap Barska 20-60x80 that is literally garbage and I can make out impacts at 800-1000 yards with that if I use a larger .30 caliber that makes larger bullet splashes, but anything smaller like my 6mm ARC and I just can’t reliably make them out.

Anyone out there in this scenario who has a spotting scope that they know can do that? Looking in the sub $500 dollar range.

 

[PaulyD]

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Have a look at the Konus brand 20-60X100 or for a bit more the lower power Kowa 20-40X50 scopes. Creedmoor Sports has them on sale.

 

[swd]

Take a look at the Celestron Regal series. The Regal series has ED glass. There are some decent deals on ebay.

 

[jghoghunter]

Look on eBay for a used Kowa. You can usually find some of the smaller ones that will work just fine.

 

[50bmg1979]

I know you said sub 500, but I have a pentax pf-80ed for sale. It comes with a long eye relief 25x eye piece and scope cover. $700 shipped.

 

[kd4avp]

I know you said sub 500, but I have a pentax pf-80ed for sale. It comes with a long eye relief 25x eye piece and scope cover. $700 shipped.

Pentax has always been known for good glass. Carry over from their camera work. Eye relief is important. As one who has spent many hours with various telescopes over the years. Good eyepiece is just as important as the barrel body.

 

[dgeesaman]

I know you said sub 500, but I have a pentax pf-80ed for sale. It comes with a long eye relief 25x eye piece and scope cover. $700 shipped.

I was going to say Pentax makes an awfully good spotter for the money. The models I’ve owned took telescope standard eyepieces too.

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

Cool, thanks fella’s, I’ll take a gander at these.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I use a bushy legend T 15x45
Use it for spotting well past 1000 and the reticle is awesome for calling corrections

Slow motion bullet trace

7 saum slow motion bullet trace.

rumble.com

It's no kowa prominar but it's regularly found for under $500

 

[Sniperhandle]

The old Bushnell Spacemaster is hard to beat for the money. Don't waste your money on anything from "Konus"

 

[Owens85]

The Pentax pf80 is hard to beat for the money. You may be able to find one used close to your price range. At 600 yards I can see 6 mm bullets holes in paper before the mirage sets in.

 

[TBT634]

I know you said sub 500, but I have a pentax pf-80ed for sale. It comes with a long eye relief 25x eye piece and scope cover. $700 shipped.

Is this available?

 

[Kittitas George]

I've used a Bausch & Lomb Discoverer 15 to 60 power for many years. Did a very un-scientific test with a Pentax spotting cope, our old eyes could not see any difference. I've never tried to see bullet holes at 1K yds. I do see these B&L scopes on ebay and very reasonable, $200 and down. I've had mine for 50 years or more. I use it for target, gopher and prairie dog shooting. I was a surveyor, using very expensive optics, I don't think you could go wrong with the B&L Discoverer.

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

Just a follow up on this. Ended up getting the Athlon Talos 20-60x80.

Decided just to get a generally well received budget option to try out. I have to say, this thing is so much clearer than my old cheap Barska.

I in no way profess much experience with spotting scopes. But for $150 bucks this provides clear visualization of a 24”x24” target at 800-1000 yards and pretty good impact splatter visualization, without having to hold my tongue right and squint.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I've used a Bausch & Lomb Discoverer 15 to 60 power for many years. Did a very un-scientific test with a Pentax spotting cope, our old eyes could not see any difference. I've never tried to see bullet holes at 1K yds. I do see these B&L scopes on ebay and very reasonable, $200 and down. I've had mine for 50 years or more. I use it for target, gopher and prairie dog shooting. I was a surveyor, using very expensive optics, I don't think you could go wrong with the B&L Discoverer.

Mine is about the same age. A year or so before I bought my Zeiss Diascope I was at a Mifflin Match with a buddy who brought his new Lecia . With the Discover we could see 6mm bullet holes at 500yds. With his new high dollar scope we could not. He returned it the next day. Try to look before you buy as perhaps they don't all work for all eyes? I am not busting on Lecia. I have a pair of surplus Lecia binoculars that turn dark into bright. They are only 7x but on a tripod they are my favorite to use glassing for game. First words I hear when someone looks through them is , Wow, they have to be more than 7x. Try before you buy.

 

[Sandstorm]

Try before you buy

Yep..so true as everyone's eyes are different and what I like you may not..
I have returned my share of stuff over the years.

 

[ELR LVR]

Bausch and Lomb anything, is very under rated glass.

 

[Don Shelton]

Hey all,

Looking for recommendations on a budget spotting scope capable of reliably showing steel target splashes at a 1000 yards. White or orange painted steel.

I have a super cheap Barska 20-60x80 that is literally garbage and I can make out impacts at 800-1000 yards with that if I use a larger .30 caliber that makes larger bullet splashes, but anything smaller like my 6mm ARC and I just can’t reliably make them out.

Anyone out there in this scenario who has a spotting scope that they know can do that? Looking in the sub $500 dollar range.

I have 1 I don’t use,I’ll get pic and specs for you tomorrow if interested

 

[Jefferson]

Take a look at the Celestron Regal series. The Regal series has ED glass. There are some decent deals on ebay.

celestron also makes a bunch of stuff for viewing stars so their products are very good and well priced

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

I have 1 I don’t use,I’ll get pic and specs for you tomorrow if interested

Appreciate it! See post #14 though, I ended up getting a budget option that I’m fairly pleased with.