Best Budget Spotting Scope for 400 Yards

[TwoNiner]

I'm in the market for a spotting scope, but it has to be a budget scope as I'm still saving for my primary rifle scope (a nightforce F1). I plan on doing ladder tests @ 200 yards and target shooting at 400 yards in good light. I need to be able to spot my impacts on 12x18" shoot-n-c targets at 400y with my AR. Will any of the budget scopes under $500 accomplish this mission? Right now I'm eyeballing are the:

Bushnell Trophy XLT 20-60x65mm
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 20-60x80
Leupold SX-1 Ventana 20-60x80mm

 

[garandman]

I recently got the big Konus, which is def good to 300, even in the black, with no shoot-n-c. Not a chance on paper at 500. Didn't try 400.

http://swfa.com/Konus-20-60x100-Konuspot-Spotting-Scope-P48974.aspx

 

[TwoNiner]

I've read some good reviews on that scope. How would you describe the glass quality? Is it easy to focus and does your eye get tired quickly with it? I like the 100mm objective, which I assume will have better pupil diameter. I find it funny that some of these 60mm spotting scopes zoom to 60mm; not sure how you could get a sight picture with them.

 

[no1special]

two big problems with the larger (80mm plus) are with the heavy scope a heavy bipod/tripod is also needed. (added$$$) secondly they seem, to me, to take longer to get set to use. poison in a competition. burning up time which could be put to better use. ie observing and shooting.

 

[threetrees]

ddoptics, the pirschler spotters.

i compared the 16-50x70 with a 30x75 swaro and personally, i prefer the pirschler. also, about 1/3 of the costs of the swaro

 

[TwoNiner]

I'm not aware of a company called ddoptics. Do they distribute in the US?

 

[sandwarrior]

For "budget", you might look to a Burris Landmark. They run from $125-$175 used and $230 new.

 

[TwoNiner]

Well I pulled the trigger on the big Konus because it was on sale at midwayusa for $299. I'm looking forward to testing it out in the desert next week.

 

[Eblade2004]

I just bought a Vortex Nomad on sale for 199$, normally 350$. It's my first spotting scope so I don't really have anything to compare it to but it seems ok to me. And The Vortex warranty is great.

 

[threetrees]

ddoptics: german bino/scope/spotter producer

link: http://www.ddoptics.de/

at least within europe you can 'order for testing'. if you like it, you keep and pay it. if you don't like it, you ship it back. that's how i got my binos and spotter. now a friend is ordering their scope.

we compared the kahles/swaro vs their illuminated scope. both the swaro and kahles have, what we call, fly-shit in the center of the illuminated reticle. basically meaning that the illuminated part is broader/thicker than the reticle lines. ddoptics is using a fibre with the end connected to the centre of the reticle. so, similar to the s&b, you don't notice anything being broader when the illumination is switched of. really nice and big advantage over the swaro/kahles scopes.

if you look at the new edx series of the spotter: swaro didn't patent their connection. so you can order the ddoptics spotter and use all the swaro accesoires (connector to camera and such) on the ddoptics spotter.

 

[elfster1234]

so, how did it work? im also looking for something to see .223 @ 300yards.

Well I pulled the trigger on the big Konus because it was on sale at midwayusa for $299. I'm looking forward to testing it out in the desert next week.