Spotting Scopes- What's Best?

sans911

I am looking to buy a spotting scope for benchrest shooting. I will be shooting from 50ft to 200 yds. Are the Weaver scopes any good? What would you suggest?

beachmaster73

Yes they are. For the shooting you describe any inexpensive scope will be more than adequate. You certainly don't need the mega dollar super scopes. Just remember that for the most part the more inexpensive scopes do tend to loose a little light and clarity early in the morning and late in the afternoon. That shouldn't be an issue though. Bushnell also makes an adequate scope for around $200. If you can try and get a 60mm objective diameter on the front and say somewhere between 15 and 45 power on the magnifier you will be well set for what you propose. Beach

coyote-man

San 911You didn't say what cal. of weapon that you were going to use, this can be important at 200 yrds. A few years back I bought the Leupold Variable with the 60mm and thinking that this would be just fine for 200 yards with my 22-250, but guess what? At the high end of the power I could not see the holes at 200 yrds, I even had the "range master" look thru it and he could not find them either. He also looked thru their Busnshell scope and no luck, so he then let me go down range to get a closer look.So I sold Leupold scope the following year and purchased a Kowa 821 with zoom eye piece and now I can see the holes at 300 yrds.

He Dog

Kowa is certainly highly regarded and with good reason. It is a quality scope and is durable. It is not cheap. Variable eye pieces with magnifications up to 60x will help in seeing holes, but more magnification will give more distortion and more heat interference. Best bet would be to hit the range and talk to folks with scopes. Ask to look, and ask what they like and don't like (most folks like to talk about their toys, right?). This should give you a good idea of what you like and what works. Then check www.bearbasin.com and www.eagleoptics.com for some prices. Good luck!

sans911

Thanks for the advice. I am shooting 22 rimfire. I will talk to the guys at the range for pro's and con's. I would like around 18 to 20mm eye relief for a good field of view with shooting glasses on.

beachmaster73

sans911...A lot of us have expensive and specialized scopes. After trying many I settled on the Steiner 24x80 which is used in the Teams because of its unbelievable ability to absorb damage. The Kowa is a great scope too.....but from what you describe your uses will be you just don't need the mega dollar scope. Shooting a .22LR most of your shooting will probably be at 50 feet or 100 yards....you won't be doing a lot of 200 yard shooting with a .22LR. A 30 power scope with a 60mm objective diameter will easily pick up 22 holes at 100 yards...you might have to crank it to 45 power and there will be distortion but you should also be able to pick the holes out from a bench with that scope at 200 yards. Can you quickly pick out your first two shots in rapid sitting at 200 yards or rapid prone at 300 yards....no...no way....but from what you've said you're not going to be doing that kind of shooting. Save your money. BeachP.S. If you're a millionaire and money has little meaning and you just want to really have the most expensive scope around go with the Zeiss or the Leica...both very nice and very overpriced. Beach[This message has been edited by beachmaster73 (edited 04-04-2002).]