Spotting scope question

[Mark2]

Looking for a spotting scope with a 45°eyepiece that can see 6mm bullet holes in paper targets at 600 yards. My old Kowa TSN-1 doesn't cut it. Any experiences or recommendations?

 

[dilligas]

The CIA may have such a device but it's unlikely you will find one small enought to fit in your range cart at a price you can afford.

 

[Fred Bohl]

The minimum required to resolve two 6 mm bullet holes overlapping by 50% at 600 yards is an objective diameter of 49 mm and magnification of 25x (note that this is in near perfect conditions).

Based on my 66 years of experience and your history with Kowa I would suggest either the:

Kowa TSN-66A PROMINAR 25-60x angled Zoom Kit​

or preferably (to reach out to 1000 yards) the:

Kowa TSN-88A PROMINAR 25-60x angled Zoom Kit​

 

[Jr solocam]

These newer Kowa ED scopes are just outstanding...

 

[Fred Bohl]

I’m not a paid spokesperson for Kowa. But have been involved in testing and comparing both rifle and spotting scopes for 67 years. The reason I suggested the Kowa scopes is best said by them in the following quote:

“At the heart of our innovation lies the PROMINAR eyepieces designed especially for our PROMINAR fluorite crystal spotting scopes. Featuring Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lenses that are perfectly matched to the optics of our scopes. This alignment guarantees exceptional clarity, colour fidelity, and contrast, bringing your observational adventures to life with breath-taking detail and vividness.”

At about $2800 and $3500 respectively these are in the buy once cry once category but the best rifle scopes are over $4000 now. Nonetheless my recommendation stands for the serious competitor.

 

[Mark2]

Fred,

Thank you very much for your input. That's exactly what I was looking for.

M2

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have seen 6mm holes at 1k many times with a swaro BTX 115mm.

 

[SSchnd]

I was firing a Team Challenge with a Pair Fire Buddy at Sierra Cup a couple years ago, I used his Kowa Prominar it was like seeing Saturn via the Hubble.

Mind you mirage was light and the back stop was white dust. I could see the holes in the x ring at 600. WOW .

 

[muleystalker]

S&S Archery has 15% off the KOWA TSN 66A PROMINAR spotting scope right now, it's probably good for the other PROMINAR scopes also. They are a great company and if you look on YouTube S&S did some great side by side reviews with that scope and 5-6 other of the top scopes. The KOWA TSN 66A PROMINAR is a phenomenal scope... I love mine.

 

[6BRA]

Even with a TSN88 there are times when the atmosphere wont cooperate at 600 or less. Its not an absolute.

 

[Jeff Porter]

For the price of the optic that would possibly allow you to see hits at 600, if the atmosphere cooperates, get a Shotmarker e target.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Even with a TSN88 there are times when the atmosphere wont cooperate at 600 or less. Its not an absolute.

^^^^

 

[Fred Bohl]

I have been to matches several times in my 66 years of competition where the conditions were so bad that the only reason to shoot is the match was scheduled and we came a long way to be there.

 

[FeMan]

I have also seen 6mm bullet holes at 1000 yards in my Swarovski 20-60 x 80mm spotter when the mirage cooperated.

 

[JEFFPPC]

A set allowing you to use bith eyes will be superior. Your brain is recieving twice as much imput. This is what my eye Dr told me. Seems to be true with the little bit of time I have had behind such a set up..

 

[Mark2]

A set allowing you to use bith eyes will be superior. Your brain is recieving twice as much imput. This is what my eye Dr told me. Seems to be true with the little bit of time I have had behind such a set up..

I'm sure that's true as team scopes tend to be of that configuration but for an individual shooter it may not be practical.

 

[longrangebanker]

Can't say enough great things about Kowa. I have the TSN-99a with the normal zoom and 30x LER eyepiece, and it is simply outstanding! Pricey, but "good ain't cheap, and cheap ain't good."

 

[Taylorbok]

Swaro BTX 115mm stands above anything else.