I posted here because I think 22 is a little different..or maybe it’s not but mostly we are spotting from 25 to 300 yards..Will 15x Binos work? Or do I need a spotter? I have about a grand and the more I research the deeper the rabbit hole gets..So what are you guys using for the NRL22 matches and PRS22 matches? And Happy New year everyone!!
What are people spotting 22 Matches with?
- Thread starter Lastsaint21
- Start date
so far the best thing I've used spotting for prs22 was a set of (borrowed) swarovski 6x binos
second best was my niteforce 8-32 scopes, third was my element optics scope
distant last were a whole bunch of spotting scopes - with the understanding that none of them were particularly upmarket, I'm sure a spotting scope from the likes of niteforce/swaro/zco etc would be awesome.
consider #1 optical clarity, distant second magnification (mag can be your enemy, especially on cheaper optics)
second best was my niteforce 8-32 scopes, third was my element optics scope
distant last were a whole bunch of spotting scopes - with the understanding that none of them were particularly upmarket, I'm sure a spotting scope from the likes of niteforce/swaro/zco etc would be awesome.
consider #1 optical clarity, distant second magnification (mag can be your enemy, especially on cheaper optics)
12x or 15x. Since targets get closer it is hard to often fit them all in the field of view so a spotting scope is harder to use. 15x can also be hard thats why I went 12x50. I have been thinking of stepping up the the 15x56 to see farther targets but am unsure about losing the field of view. I would say look through some at your next match and see what you like.
Although I only shoot at home and haven't competed since the mid 90s, I use my Trijicon 5-5x56 scopes.
They are 1/8 MOA clicks which is a must have for me, they focus down to about 9 yards and the hi power and parallax
allows me to use them as range estimators.
When the object is in focus, I look at my oversize parallax wheel for the yardage that I have marked on it and then adjust
for elevation using my DOPE card. At 40X the reticle is at a 1:1 ratio and works great for quick hold over or windage.
Sometimes I use the reticle but most often I use the turret for elevation. I always use hold over for windage.
I love the tool-less, zero feature. My normal zero is 50 yards and I set my zero stop 5 MOA lower than that for closer
targets. In that way, I don't risk getting lost with my up / down. It's not difficult to do if your shooting 10 / 100 yards and
constantly spinning the turret between lanes.
I need to see and evaluate things before and during the shot, not to evaluate things afterwards.
I use them for all of my accuracy testing..... even on my average rifles. See last photo. LoL
B&H photo will allow you to test drive them on your gun for a month and will take them back if your not happy.
With that kind of offer, I could not pass it up. Bought the second one a few months later. I wanted to try a March
8-80 but they stopped making them.
They are 1/8 MOA clicks which is a must have for me, they focus down to about 9 yards and the hi power and parallax
allows me to use them as range estimators.
When the object is in focus, I look at my oversize parallax wheel for the yardage that I have marked on it and then adjust
for elevation using my DOPE card. At 40X the reticle is at a 1:1 ratio and works great for quick hold over or windage.
Sometimes I use the reticle but most often I use the turret for elevation. I always use hold over for windage.
I love the tool-less, zero feature. My normal zero is 50 yards and I set my zero stop 5 MOA lower than that for closer
targets. In that way, I don't risk getting lost with my up / down. It's not difficult to do if your shooting 10 / 100 yards and
constantly spinning the turret between lanes.
I need to see and evaluate things before and during the shot, not to evaluate things afterwards.
I use them for all of my accuracy testing..... even on my average rifles. See last photo. LoL
B&H photo will allow you to test drive them on your gun for a month and will take them back if your not happy.
With that kind of offer, I could not pass it up. Bought the second one a few months later. I wanted to try a March
8-80 but they stopped making them.
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I’ve used everything from slc 15x, str80, spotter 45, vector 21 at 7x and 10x.
They all work fine. Just use whatever you’re comfortable with.
They all work fine. Just use whatever you’re comfortable with.
I hunt, and 10x binos cover a lot of scenarios for me. No issue spotting impacts at our local comp out to 200 yds, although I suppose I could miss an edge graze out at the outer limits.
12-15x binos work for 90% of the targets, for the upper 200-yard to 300's I usually employ a spotting scope.
It just depends on the type of match or the situation of the given stage layout.
Sometimes a stage with two small fixed plates at distance does great with a full size spotter with some zoom....
Other stages featuring multiple plates with horizontal sweeps or fast sweeps in range do better with a pair of low to medium powered binos.
If it was strictly 100yds and in....I'd lean more towards binos. I myself sometimes bring a spotter as that's all I have and the lowest power of 22X is good for most situations (except obviously the sweeps) or 25yd shots.
No reason you can't carry both. Find a competitor in your squad with a tactical dump truck and just toss it in with his shit. lol
Sometimes a stage with two small fixed plates at distance does great with a full size spotter with some zoom....
Other stages featuring multiple plates with horizontal sweeps or fast sweeps in range do better with a pair of low to medium powered binos.
If it was strictly 100yds and in....I'd lean more towards binos. I myself sometimes bring a spotter as that's all I have and the lowest power of 22X is good for most situations (except obviously the sweeps) or 25yd shots.
No reason you can't carry both. Find a competitor in your squad with a tactical dump truck and just toss it in with his shit. lol
8x42 Forge last season. I really liked the FOV. I do have a set of 12x50 Engage coming to try this year.
10x--15x binos or 12-40 Mk4 Leupy Spotter.
Mag on spotter helps for spotting the 50y KYL kissing/glancing impacts, but a bino's FOV is nice for the multi target stages.
I am interested in the Bushnell LMSS2 which has ED glass and lower end 8x, bet it's nice...
Mag on spotter helps for spotting the 50y KYL kissing/glancing impacts, but a bino's FOV is nice for the multi target stages.
I am interested in the Bushnell LMSS2 which has ED glass and lower end 8x, bet it's nice...
For centerfire matches I use 15x binos, which offers perfect magnification and it translates well for getting behind my actual optic for a stage because I shoot everything right around 15x.
For rimfire matches I've found 15x is just too much. You end up having to pan on your tripod to transition between targets on a stage because you don't have enough FOV on 15x binos. For rimfire matches I use my 10x Sig BDX 3000s, which works out twice as nice because we use them to verify range on targets as well. If you've got $1k, I'd highly recommend the Kilos so you get the ranging functionality and a great bino that can be used to spot both rimfire and centerfire matches if you wanted to.
For rimfire matches I've found 15x is just too much. You end up having to pan on your tripod to transition between targets on a stage because you don't have enough FOV on 15x binos. For rimfire matches I use my 10x Sig BDX 3000s, which works out twice as nice because we use them to verify range on targets as well. If you've got $1k, I'd highly recommend the Kilos so you get the ranging functionality and a great bino that can be used to spot both rimfire and centerfire matches if you wanted to.
There is some give and take and where to give an takes is the hard part. I shoot at the range 300 yards a spotter would be nice so I didn’t have to wait for a cold call to go check. A reticle would be nice to mil the target so you know where to hold on the target to hit the sweet spot between your kestrel wind calls. My original plan was the RT90 with the forges. I am going to stick with the RT90 for sure..I am going to give Doug at cameraland today and discuss it with him. I think he will probably push me towards the Athlon Ares + 22x reticle.
These have been on my mind too.. and they talk to the kestrel. If I was smart I would have bought them during the get a free kestrel when you buy a range finder deal..I was wondering when the 10k’s were going to ship
I use the Sigs also. Walk up to the stage- find the targets - range them- . Keeps you from getting hosed by a target at the wrong range.
I could see where this wouldn’t be a big deal on center but rimfire, it wouldn’t take much to get hosed
I rarely see a spotting scope at a NRL22 match. I've seen a few at several NRL22X matches where distances went beyond 300 yards. My personal experience mimics this. My Sig 10x or Swaro 8x worked great up to around 250 to 300 where I find myself wanting a little more.
I'd recommend buying a QUALITY set of binos vs. a spotter unless you're going 250 plus more than under 250.
8x forges are perfect. I used the 15x for centerfire but have found that the 8X is absolutely enough magnification because the glass is so clear. The 15x are fantastic but the depth of field is so thin that it makes it much harder to find closer targets and then get them in focus
Just seeing impacts or actually seeing bullet holes to 200?
If you are proned out, looking for holes, an angle eyepiece makes it easier to get behind the optic. Spotting someone elses shot, the 25LER eyepiece makes my TSN-1 a lot more comfortable to use
If you are proned out, looking for holes, an angle eyepiece makes it easier to get behind the optic. Spotting someone elses shot, the 25LER eyepiece makes my TSN-1 a lot more comfortable to use
I use a set of Burris 12x Elites for all my matches to date. I just bought a Bushnell 15-45 Spotter w/ reticle in it that I am going to give a try and use for PRS CF Matches.
