just to ask what type of spotting scopes are you who shoot at 1000+ yards using ?

[acudaowner]

I was just at the range today and had the chance to look through 3 different spotting scopes and I have to say I cannot see shooting 1000 yards and seeing the hits with an 20x60x80 cause with none of the 3 spotters present could any of us see 700 yards 224 holes on paper . All 3 spotters were clear , some of the other features were a little nicer on the more expensive scope as compared to the cheaper scopes , but none of them not even the Swarovski STR 80 HD Spotting Scope 20-60x 80mm and it had a lot of neat features none of which helped see the shots any further than the others . I have seen a video or two of people using giant binoculars but there has to be more besides having to get a telescope or shot cams isn't there ? mine was a sightmark latitude 20-60x80 think it was the cheapest even though I bought it at the wrong place and payed more for it . and a vortex razor hd 27-60x85 . I was a little let down thinking 10 power more than my rifle scope might see the group at 700 when It could not . Even with younger eyes a young kid could not make them out . so what is able to see tiny holes at that range ?

 

[MCSO1357]

I don't know of any spotter that can see .224" holes in paper at 700 yds. At match last weekend, had no issues seeing hits on steel targets out to 700 yds with 223 using Vortex 12x binos on tripods, team match that required 1 rifle to be 223.

 

[Strykervet]

I use a straight USO observation scope but that was more due to a divorce than anything. I wanted a Hensoldt. A Leupold would have been okay too but I got a really good deal on the USO and it was what I needed. Plus it's built like a tank. And I can mount my LRF on top of it, not that any of that shit was ever designed to go together.

But I don't expect to see holes in paper with it very far out. It's best to have a buddy with you and someone spotting trace at long ranges. That's not always possible though. That's why steel works better at long range. You can usually hear a thump or whack a second or two later and almost always see dust or debris kick up when it hits too. Sometimes you can see the marks on steel targets from a distance a little better but I wouldn't count on that. Then there are the ones that swing, etc. Lots of options that way.

If you wanna see holes in paper then I'd look at a cheap telescope but I can't tell you which one to get. But I bet the guys at Cameraland can and I'm sure there's some guys here using 'em.

But what I think most people are doing today for observation on paper at long range is using a wireless camera. That's really gotta be the way to go.

 

[acudaowner]

I was thinking that the impact splatter on fresh painted steel should be easier just not nothing on paper sort of threw me off a lot . I may ask them about a telescope if not a shot cam that's good for a mile thought reading the label on a hikers back pack from 2 miles with the telescope may be even better just not with my luck so far .

 

[Covertnoob5]

I’ve got a spotter 60 and even with that you’d be hard pressed to see 224 holes on paper. For that distance and caliber I’d suggest fresh painted steel.

 

[kingston]

Meopta S2 w/ 20x-70xEP

 

[Steel head]

Seeing holes that small on paper at that distance is gonna he tough for any spotter.
I doubt even my buddy’s Kowa Prominar could do it.

Solution-shoot Steel.

 

[kingston]

Yea, I missed the part about paper—just answering the title question. You’re going to need a camera system or steel.

 

[PDXGS]

You're not going to see holes in paper at 1000 yds... That's what a pit with human target markets is for.... Or a video spotting system, or a drone....
We routinely shoot to 1000 and beyond. Well painted steel and a Leupold MK4 seem to work well to spot impacts. Even with a higher power telescope, the paper hole will be lost in mirage. Even a Shoot-N-See target gets real fuzzy at that range.

 

[Caveman0101]

Yep, past 600 or so steel is a must if you're not using a camera system. Try gong crazy out of Idaho they have some good deals.

 

[tomcatfan]

Mirage and environmental effects will make just about any optical system damn near impossible to see paper holes at that distance. If you need to see 0.22" holes at 700 yards on paper, a camera of some sort is your only option.

 

[marc.]

This doesn't seem to pricey and should do the trick. Didn't even know it existed until a couple days ago.

Amazon.com: Caldwell Ballistic Precision LR Target Camera System with 1 Mile Range, HD Video and Waterproof Construction for Outdoor, Long Range, Shooting and Hunting: Sports & Outdoors

Buy Caldwell Ballistic Precision LR Target Camera System with 1 Mile Range, HD Video and Waterproof Construction for Outdoor, Long Range, Shooting and Hunting: Sports & Action Video Cameras - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Bugzlife19]

Old 10x Swarovski rangefinder. I have one eye and Binos are hard for me to see out of. And most spotters are to cumbersome to haul around a match. Rangefinders glass is exceptional have no problem spotting hits and trace with it out to 1400

 

[tomcatfan]

The new 8x-80x56mm zoom March scope would work

You could have a 200x telescope and you wouldn’t be able to see 224 holes at 700 yds most of the time. Any humidity and no dice. Is it over 90 degrees? Not going to happen.

 

[mmlook]

You could have a 200x telescope and you wouldn’t be able to see 224 holes at 700 yds most of the time. Any humidity and no dice. Is it over 90 degrees? Not going to happen.

magnification technically won't be the limiting factor, it'll be angular/spacial resolution.

I don't think any spotting scope has the F number to achieve what's needed
- if my math is correct, about .06arcsec, assuming a 0.224" hole

you can correct for humidity, but, you'll need long exposure(CCD + software), plus something to true your system.

so short, answer.
Get a shot camera

 

[SmileMaker]

Leupold Mk4 12x40x60 spotting scope

 

[tomcatfan]

Seeing hits on steel is totally different than paper. A lot of spotting scopes can see steel hits by a 223 at 700 yds on a freshly painted target. On paper, good luck.

 

[Prebanpaul]

I am using the 80m reticle minox. If you can buy a coupon and get this for the deal you can buy it for its a freaking steal.

 

[Pilotscrappy]

The temp and atmosphere plays huge into glassing anything longer than 500-600 yards
Best spotter in the world can't cut thru heavy mirage, get a target camera if you wanna see paper hits at those ranges

 

[Mk32784]

Shotmarker is what I would use.

No spotting scope, no matter how good the glass/etc is will let you see holes in paper that far.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

I use a drone. Mirage is usually so bad where I shoot that the best spotter in the world still isn't going to get it done.

 

[I Spot 4U - "Eagle Eyes"]

We have a interesting variety of "spotting scopes" being used in our LR shooting discipline. We shoot at steel, no paper, so I can't answer that for you. But purchase the best you can afford or save up for to get what you really want. As to "Whats best" is very subjective as everyones vision and standards vary greatly.

Spotters being used:
1 Hensoldt Spotter 60.
3 Vortex Razor HDs
1 Kowa 85
2 USO spotters
2 Leopold MK 4
1 Bushnell
1 M49

U.S.M.C.

 

[clcustom1911]

Look up a target camera system. And consider the Leupold MK4 spotter with TMR reticle. Very good setup.

I have the 12-40 Mark 4 with P4 reticle with MLok cage around it. Its pretty awesome.

Seeing .224" holes on paper at 700??

In my opinion, it's not possible. You could likely spot trace out to that distance and approximate where you hit on the target.... I just don't think there's a way to see even 30 or 338 sized holes at that distance on paper.

 

[smoothy8500]

Money spent on a decent spotter will buy a Shotmarker or SOLO/Silver Mountain E-target. No problem getting immediate feedback from 500 through 1000 yds.
.

 

[acudaowner]

thanks for the idea's

 

[bbyars]

im using a cheapo bushnell with a reticle but will upgrade to a mk4

 

[chanrobi]

Consider a telescope for astronomy, like a celestron C90 - the big advantage is the 1.125 industry standard swappable eyepieces.

You have a HUGE amount of eyepieces to choose from.

Don't buy into systems with proprietary eyepieces. I was into amateur astronomy before I got into shooting. Always pained me to see people paying lots of cash for a proprietary setup.

You want lower mag, easy swap eyepieces. You want higher zoom, no problem.

You want something with huge FOV and incredible glass quality, drop in a nagler.

 

[acudaowner]

I am going to go with a shot cam either the https://www.shootingmadeeasy.com/target-camera-sniper-edition/#1509737853700-7fc68a22-553f
or the one in the what looks like a 50 cal can with a camera inside , saw someone dyi there own in the forums and I looked nice and way cheaper . I am not sure I am able to do the same , but its also a thought , I liked the way his turned out .