Spotting scopes

[3855kidd]

Can you guys please tell me what spotting scopes brands/power that you use for benchrest shooting. Also what distances are they good up to.
I have a Konus 20-60x80 that does ok for me right now shooting 200yds.
I want to shoot 300-600 and have not tried the scope at those distances yet.
Thanks for any info

 

[CatShooter]

Your scope should do fine. The "High end" scopes can be very expensive, with little improvement - your biggest problem at those ranges will be mirage, and no scope, no matter how much it costs, can help there.

 

[fdshuster]

Amen to the mirage problem(s). Demonstrated again yesterday morning at one of our local BR G'Hog match's. No one on the firing line ( 10 on each relay) could see their shot holes in the white at 500 yds. 400 yds. was do-able, but just barely. 300 yds. no problem. I even had my Nikon Fieldscope 82mm setup, could not use it at more than 35x, and still could not find my shot holes. The NFBR 12-42x also could not be used above 35x

 

[25AI260]

Howdy folks
i have been thinking also on a spotter for a loooong time.. i've come up with two possibilities..
i'm hoping you All would give me a 'which one' you'd buy if you were buy'n.. an or if you think they both suck go head an say so... i'm still open.. thanks

800-447-1001 Orion ULX 66mm ED Zoom Spotting Scope
http://telescope.ir/index.aspx?siteid=2&pageid=282&proid=2225

Celestron Regal 80 F ED 20x-60x80 Spotting Scope 52302:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-regal-80-f-ed-80mm-spotting-scope-52302.html

Edit: .. Ps/
i'd be using it up to 500yrds only.. an maybe see .22 an 6mm holes

 

[Greg110]

The scopes listed both have "plastic" bodies. Not necessarily a bad thing, just a possible surprise about which you may not be aware. I do have a 4 year old Celestyn of similar size and mag and I am quite happy with it for an economy scope.

 

[fdshuster]

RichG; The Celestron looks like a good choice. If it were I, the 80mm objective would be the main high point. I believe in the largest objective diameter that is within your price range. My next question would be: Where is it made? If it's China, I'd have to pass on it.

 

[mj2evans]

I feel your pain! Spotting scopes get into big money FAST. I had a Konus 80mm that I used for reduced distance service rifle and it worked fine but I wanted more clarity. You simply cannot expect a scope, ANY of them, to see bullet wholes 500 yds and beyond all the time - like others have said its about the conditions and not just the scope. I was able to get a Pentax 80mm ED with variable eyepiece as a bonus at work and love it but honestly it does not make my scores any better! There is a reason they stick spotters in your target at comps - so you can them.

 

[fdshuster]

mj2evans: "it does not make my scores better". Can't speak for your experiences, but myself and the other competitors on the line yesterday, who were unable to spot our hits at 500 yards would disagree with you. How do you make a sight correction or do a hold-off when you cannot see your hits? You end up shooting in the blind, just holding where you think you should be. The winning first place score at the same match, 2 months ago, when there was no mirage was a perfect 200 x 200. Yesterday the high score is thought to have been 188 x 200 in extreme mirage conditions. I'll take "seeing" any day.

 

[25AI260]

fdshuster
i believe the Celestron is made in.. you guest China.. i'm not sure where the Orion is made.. which i actually was lenning towards...

as for making your score better.. i lost many points not being able to see that 1st bullet hole.. lost in the blk somewhere.. you start playing lt-rt.. up - down

not to long ago i purchased a 45x bomp. leupy the first day i put it on to site-in i was ready to sell it
i caught a day with the worst mirage conditions you could imagine ... at 300 yrds the bull was doing the polker at 400 i couldn't find the bull...wtf' a grand wasted i thought... but it turns out i love it
so i realize a high power spotter won''t work for you all the time.. but anytime it does it makes it worth it
just my thoughts

today some one told me the nikon sky&earth 80 would make a good choice.. but hard to find ?