need a spotting scope?

alright, I need a good affordable spotting scope for the range, so what yall got and where did you get it? would like to stay around $100 or so but will spend a little more if it is worth it.


thanks in advance

drew

They have a decent entry level scope at WalMart for about $70. It's a 20-60x80.

How are you going to use it? The controls may make a difference if you are going to use it prone. I haven't tried mine prone, so I can't help on that. The tripod will be VERY important. Mine is a $20 job from WalMart. It is not stable in the wind and this makes it hard to see your target at 200. It would be useless at 300 or more. I have been trying a tabletop tripod that SGMJody had. It is much more stable and I am having less trouble seeing tiny holes. I have yet to try it at 200 though.

Several of us at SWGC bought the Simmons 20-60 at WMart for $59.95. It comes with a light aluminum tripod that extends to standing level. The scope itself is good for what we use them for, ie HP shooting at 200, 300, and 600 yards. You can't see a .223 hole at 200 but at our range we have target pits, at 200 you just look at the score marker and the spotter disk, both of which are visible to the naked eye at 200. You need the scope to read the chalkboard for the rapid fire stages at 200 and 300. And the scope is good to see the score marker and spotter at 600. For the low price we are satisfied with them, I know of 4 people who shoot HP rifle with us who use them every match. For use at the 100yd range I can see the holes down to .223 size with it, so it is good for that as well.

On a calm day with NO mirage, we have been able to see .223 holes at 200, but it is rare. That was with a scope just like the one from WalMart, but a different maker (Tasco I think).

I will be using it out to 200 yards with the M1A and 100 yards with the Carbine. Just need something to let me know where I hit.

@dhollis & miker84: from a bench with not TOO much mirage, light hitting the target at a "good" angle, I imagine you will be able to see .30 cal holes on a black target/bullseye. Just saying for $59 + tax I don't think you will be disappointed. The REALLY nice spotting scopes used by the hard-core HP competitors and their coaches (Think US Army Marksmanship Team) are $1,000+ + + . With optics you get what you pay for. Like I wrote earlier, it suits my purposes in the HP matches. Would I like a better one? Sure! But right now I spend the $$ on equipment / ammo that directly affects how well I shoot.

Scharfschuetze wrote:@dhollis & miker84: from a bench with not TOO much mirage, light hitting the target at a "good" angle, I imagine you will be able to see .30 cal holes on a black target/bullseye. Just saying for $59 + tax I don't think you will be disappointed. The REALLY nice spotting scopes used by the hard-core HP competitors and their coaches (Think US Army Marksmanship Team) are $1,000+ + + . With optics you get what you pay for. Like I wrote earlier, it suits my purposes in the HP matches. Would I like a better one? Sure! But right now I spend the $$ on equipment / ammo that directly affects how well I shoot.

thanks, might have to try it out or atleast go by and look at it.

I'd give serious consideration to purchasing a scope with an angled eyepiece. It's a real pain to use a straight eyepiece from a bench or prone if you use a tabletop tripod. (Tabletop tripods can be convenient if you're shooting by yourself.)

Tasco's should perform well enough to 200yd for .30 cal holes. Bigger isn't always better--the bigger the objective lens, the more mirage you'll get in humid/hot weather. Dunno how familiar ya'll are with optical pictures... at 0800 in the summer, it's plenty humid enough to pose mirage troubles with any glass--though it really shouldn't be a problem that close in.