Spotting Scopes & Bullet Holes at 600 yds

[bobcat1506]

I can see my 223 bullet holes on white targets at 300 yds with a 25x scope. Is it reasonable to assume I would be able to see my 6mm bullet holes on white paper at 600 yds with a decent (Leupold) 60x spotting scope?

 

[Terry]

Sometimes

Mirage may prevent you from seeing them.

 

[Forum Boss]

I can see my 223 bullet holes on white targets at 300 yds with a 25x scope. Is it reasonable to assume I would be able to see my 6mm bullet holes on white paper at 600 yds with a decent (Leupold) 60x spotting scope?

At our local range in the mountains where the air is usually very clear, and the mirage is minimal in the morning, we can see 6mm bullet holes in the white for 3 hours in the morning (7-10 am), pretty reliably. That's using top-of-the line Swaro, Zeiss, Pentax spotting scopes at 60-70 power. At another range at sea level, that often has mist, smog from nearby freeway, and dust from agricultural operations, we sometimes have trouble seeing 6mm bullet holes at 300 yards -- with the same optics. The only way you'll be assured of seeing 6mm bullet holes at 600 yards, in ALL conditions, is with a target cam.

 

[22BRGUY]

I have had good success building my own shoot and see targets. I bought a bundle of siding backer board which is 1/4 inch of styrofoam with one side foiled for about $16 at the local big discount home improvement store. I then got some rolls of clear laminate and went over the foil silver side and then spray painted over the laminate with a cheap flat black. I stick orange 1 inch dots on the flat black. When the target board is hit, the flat black paint flakes off enough to see the silver foil underneath which shows up nicely. I only use an old bushnell 15-45 spotter at 600 yards and have no trouble 90% of the time seeing my hits.
Hope this might help

 

[richard_123]

retired and starting into some local shooting contest within a three county area. the distances will be 100-600yds. Looking information on spotting scopes or rifle scopes that would allow seeing 30cal holes at those distances. Unfortunately money is an issue. I presently am using a used 8-32 burris black diamond target scope on the rifle. Not overly pleased with the clarity, but that what I have. What to do, a better scope or a spotting scope? Need real world thought, from experienced shooters. Thanks

 

[richard_123]

explain clear laminate---

 

[signut]

Two layers of saran wrap ;D ;D ;D

 

[Jet]

Richard

Just my thoughts here with my 52 year old eyes. Tough task you are asking. With most optics, you get what you pay for. My personal scope is a Leupy Gold Ring 15-40X60 HD. I have used this scope and ones just like it at work for many years. It's optical quality is very good (not the best) and even in the best conditions I cannot see 30 cal holes at 600 yds. At work we have a couple Zeiss high dollar spotting scopes and I cannot see the holes at 600 with them either.

When shooting 6.5 bullet holes with my nightforce scope on 42 power I can't see those holes at 600 either. At 400 yds and in I'm able to see them fine, past that I don't expect to.

There may be other scopes (March, Swarovski, etc) that may be able to do what you are looking for but you will be paying a significant amount of money to get one.

Jet

 

[M14AMU]

It's real easy to see these from 1000 yards.


1000 yd. 15 rds. 6.5x47Lapua by Sharps45 2 7/8, on Flickr

 

[bobcat1506]

Thanks everyone for the insight. I want to practice @ 600 yds but I am not sold on a target cam. With the camera, batteries, monitor, etc it just seems like a hassle. I am also unable to use steel at our range due to bullet splatter concerns. The range is in a valley and is surrounded on 3 sides by woods. Mirage is generally not a problem even during the heat of the day. It seems with a good spotting scope and some ingenious home made shoot and see targets I might be able to see my hits most of the time.

 

[richard_123]

thanks for input. i have been riding a bike back and forth beyond 200 yds. Was hoping to get more rounds down range in a given time period. But, it appears i will not be able to do this past 400 yds. A retired shooter from the national guard suggested that on my personal range that i set-up a video shooting cam system (about $1000)but this would not do any good when I was visiting other ranges. Again thanks for your thoughts, I am 66, eyes getting old.

 

[fdshuster]

richard: As others have said, it all depends on conditions. Throw in a little bit of mirage & even the most expensive spotting & rifle scopes will come up short.

I've been using the Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-See "splatter" targets at 400 + meters & they help a lot in being able to see the shot holes, even in mirage conditions. They can be a little pricey, especially for the larger diameter sizes, but the repair pasters that are included go a long way to extending their use.

When done, I retrieve them, take them home & repair. Good to go again. I never use the stick-on backing. Staple them like normal targets.

RMulhern: Yes, steel is nice if the club permits that they be used. Every club that I belong to prohibits shooter provided steel targets. All the ranges are posted, "paper targets only", because of the dangers of ricochets.

 

[wwbrown]

Physics gets in the way of seeing bullet holes at 600 yards, the limiting factor is mirage (called turbulence by the pointy heads) it does not take much mirage to make it impossible to see 223 bullet holes at 600 yards. there is no scope on the market available to shooters that can "see through" the mirage, although some try to make the claim.