low dollar spotting scope

[cornhusker]

wondering if anyone might be able to suggest a good spotting scope with which to
see 22 call holes at 300 yards at least..i can usually make them out with
my 36x sightron...but sometimes need something a little better..thank you..

 

[308pirate]

a low dollar spotting scope with which to see 22 call holes at 300 yards at least...

Does not compute

 

[fdkay]

What is low dollar?
To some folks, $1500 is an entry level spotter.

 

[MRADIndustries]

is versatility or weight consideration? some of those cheaper telescopes if you dont really need it to be as portable might be an option

 

[cornhusker]

thinking around 1500.00 or so

 

[Jeremybj]

For that money I would go Nightforce TS-80 spotter. The thing is nice and the size isn't huge so it is very usable for hunting and leaving in your truck for use when the need arises. I think it will definitely be able to do what you are looking for it to do. The price is slightly over your budget, but if you contact someone who knows people who know people (like me!) I would guess it can fit into your budget.

Option 2 would be to keep your eyes open for a used Meopta S2/Nightforce TS-82/ Cabelas Instinct Euro spotter. They are all the same spotter and that spotter is SHARP as a tack.

Jeremy

 

[cornhusker]

thanks. I have looked at them and they look very worthwhile.

 

[fdkay]

Leupold, Sightron and Vortex all make nice scopes that fall within your price range.

 

[USMC 308]

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...tics-for-sale/6709314-athlon-ares-15-45x65-ed

You missed out on this....would have been a steal for $350. I have the Ares 20-60x85 ED spotter and it is pretty amazing.

 

[cornhusker]

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...tics-for-sale/6709314-athlon-ares-15-45x65-ed

You missed out on this....would have been a steal for $350. I have the Ares 20-60x85 ED spotter and it is pretty amazing.

I checked it out.looks great for bird watching...what about at the range for checking bullet holes?

 

[patriot07]

Dang, I was watching this thread thinking "man if I can get something for like $100 that would be ok, I'd consider it". $1500 for a "low price" spotting scope - nice!

 

[308pirate]

I bet Kowa makes something that will fit the bill

 

[USMC 308]

If your 36x Sightron can do it....no question the Ares will do it better. My range only has steel past 250 yards. 5.56 on light colored paper at 250 yards....very easily seen.

I checked it out.looks great for bird watching...what about at the range for checking bullet holes?

 

[wigwamitus]

I have three dedicated spotters but 99% of the time I try to use the spotters I am already carrying on my rifles/carbines.
At 500yds with white paper, my burris xtr2 3-15x scr-mil and 5-25x can see 5.56 holes in white paper and so I'm sure they can see .22lr holes in white paper at 300yds.
If you use "easy-see" stick on dots ... or even regular colored dots on the white paper for aiming points, then you should even be able to see the holes in the dots.
It is hard to see black holes in the black circles on the nra paper targets at longer distances.

I have a tangent theta on my wish list ... might be the best "spotter on the rifle" I can afford ... resolution !!!

Plus if you use the spotter on your rifle, you don't have to spend time switching back and forth to the dedicated spotter to look for the holes. You saw the hole appear in the target already !

 

[cornhusker]

I have three dedicated spotters but 99% of the time I try to use the spotters I am already carrying on my rifles/carbines.
At 500yds with white paper, my burris xtr2 3-15x scr-mil and 5-25x can see 5.56 holes in white paper and so I'm sure they can see .22lr holes in white paper at 300yds.
If you use "easy-see" stick on dots ... or even regular colored dots on the white paper for aiming points, then you should even be able to see the holes in the dots.
It is hard to see black holes in the black circles on the nra paper targets at longer distances.

I have a tangent theta on my wish list ... might be the best "spotter on the rifle" I can afford ... resolution !!!

Plus if you use the spotter on your rifle, you don't have to spend time switching back and forth to the dedicated spotter to look for the holes. You saw the hole appear in the target already !

Mirage makes it tough to see the holes sometimes you know..Really looking for something more clear than my sightron scope..

 

[wigwamitus]

Mirage makes it tough to see the holes sometimes ...

Yes it does. Getting the spotter (or the spotter on the gun) off the ground helps with that. Hence I shoot off tripods a lot. But glass is glass, whether in a rifle mountable scope or a non-rifle mountable scope.
A burris xtr2 with 3-15x, 4-20x, 5-25x or even 8-40x runs around $1,000 with available discounts.

 

[cornhusker]

Yes it does. Getting the spotter (or the spotter on the gun) off the ground helps with that. Hence I shoot off tripods a lot. But glass is glass, whether in a rifle mountable scope or a non-rifle mountable scope.
A burris xtr2 with 3-15x, 4-20x, 5-25x or even 8-40x runs around $1,000 with available discounts.

will check on them as well

 

[Longshot85]

I've never looked down a sightron so I can' compare but are you familiar with the Bushnell Legend T Series spotter?

I don' habe one just throwing out a possible option you might not have come across.

the Leupold Mark 4 is in your price range. If $1500 was my budget I would find a way to spend a little more and snag a Leupold Mark 4 20-60 with reticle

 

[USMC 308]

The Athlon Ares blew away the Bushnell side by side. Compared on same power, and all the way zoomed in and out. The Ares was awesome. Liked the compactness and reticle of the Bushnell but it could not hold up against the Ares. Was checking clarity, sharpness, resolution on that water tower way out yonder.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

It would be our pleasure to discuss different options with you. The Ares 20-60x85 would do what you're looking for and we have an as new open box unit for $699.99, http://cameralandny.com/products.ht...+20-60x85&catalog[sort][on]=relevance&x=0&y=0

Thank you for your continued support.
If there is anything else we can assist you with please let me know.
Doug
Camera Land
720 Old Bethpage Rd
Old Bethpage NY 11804
516-217-1000
Please visit our website @ www.cameralandny.com

 

[rymart]

When the mirage is not running too hard I have no issue seeing 6mm + bullet holes at 500 yards with my Celestron Ultima 80 Spotter for <$200 shipped. It is currently how I do ladder tests.

 

[Robo]

I bet Kowa makes something that will fit the bill

I have a Kowa TSN-82SV and couldn't be happier; the glass is great out to 1000+ and it's nice to be able to switch out a 25x wide angle or variable up to 60x for finer work. It's in this price range.

 

[hk dave]

I like Barska myself.

 

[Ornery]

I would go for Kowa Prominar TSN-533 Fluorite Spotting Scope, 15-45X 55, around $1,500.

 

[TheGerman]

Youre definitely looking for a Spotter 60.

 

[shakin_bakin]

I like Barska myself.

I'm just going to add... I use my black friday $40 Barska. Is it as good as a $1500 spotter nope. But if you are looking for a spotter to hold oyu over until you can look through other peoples spotters and figure out what you want. Its good for the money. You could turn around and redonate it to a buddy who's getting into shooting later on. I mounted mine on an old video camera tripod that I had at the house. The tripod helped a lot in stabilization, which in return helped the picture. Like I said, its no Ares or Vortex at that $700 mark. Its also no $1500 spotter. But if you want something to hold you over until you can physically look at spotting scopes in the real world, it would hold you over for sure.

 

[Robo]

I would go for Kowa Prominar TSN-533 Fluorite Spotting Scope, 15-45X 55, around $1,500.

Kowa makes several nice versions, including this one. I've never heard anyone complain about the quality and know many guys who have them.

 

[carlm338]

Kowa makes several nice versions, including this one. I've never heard anyone complain about the quality and know many guys who have them.

Agreed. I used to use a Kowa when I was shooting High Power comps. Now I just use my rifle scope (works fine for paper close in and steel farther out).

 

[Robo]

Yeah, with the higher power, excellent rifle scopes out there these days, my buddies and I often just use our rifles at max power, usually around 24x, to spot for each other. Great for long distance steel but a good spotter is still worthwhile, IMO, for looking at bug holes closer in.