Spotting Scope for Range work

[Bominiscious]

I need to pick up something for doing load work and spotting hits and groups on paper out to 500 yards. I will take an occasional trip out west every few years. I don't want to break the bank but need something reliable for to and from the range in the truck.

I've never even looked at spotting scopes so I'm not even sure exactly what I need power-wise.

 

[Huntnful]

What's the budget? Athlon is a good budget spotting scope. And KOWA is probably the best for the money that I've used.

 

[Bominiscious]

What's the budget? Athlon is a good budget spotting scope. And KOWA is probably the best for the money that I've used.

I was looking at the Athlon stuff as your post came in. Thanks. I'd like to stay in Athlon price range, not Swarovski price range.

 

[Huntnful]

Proceed with confidence. They are well priced for their quality

 

[dfanonymous]

I have one of the UHD gen 2 Athlons amongst other spotters.
Idk if you'd be able to see holes through paper at 500…especially black paper.

Steel yes. Paper…is iffy.

 

[Bominiscious]

I have one of the UHD gen 2 Athlons amongst other spotters.
Idk if you'd be able to see holes through paper at 500…especially black paper.

Steel yes. Paper…is iffy.
View attachment 569563

DF, 500 is max and is rare for my shooting situation. 90% of my range work is 300 yards and in. At those ranges on paper what are your thoughts?

 

[19elkhunter51]

Just purchased an Athlon spotting scope and so far it has been worth the money. At two hundred yards had no problem seeing 6.5 bullet holes in white paper. Don't have any experience on paper past that yardage.
The Athlon replaced a five year old Vortex was miserable right out of the box.

 

[KsKevin]

I have a Vortex Razor HD 15-45x60mm and was just at the range looking at 7mm bullet holes in brown craft paper at 600yds (no mirage that morning). Vortex has since discontinued this model and replaced with their 22-48x66mm version but don't know how it compares to my older model.

 

[lancetkenyon]

If you REALLY want to spot long range, good glass is a must. Accurately seeing 6mm bullet holes at 600 yards on paper is not for a cheap spotter. These optics can spot where you hit at 1400+ on steel.

But mirage will kill the ability to see small holes in paper no matter how good of glass you have. So a good pair of boots will be your friend.

 

[wasskeet]

Watch out - folks like Lance will have you over budget! But he won't steer you wrong on the equipment capabilities.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We have some great options from
Athlon
&
Hawke
Your timing is great as we have started our Mother's Day Sale, Now - May 20th. Please give us a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss different options

 

[bill123]

If you REALLY want to spot long range, good glass is a must. Accurately seeing 6mm bullet holes at 600 yards on paper is not for a cheap spotter. These optics can spot where you hit at 1400+ on steel.

But mirage will kill the ability to see small holes in paper no matter how good of glass you have. So a good pair of boots will be your friend.
View attachment 569592

Brands?

 

[Jim’s Hunt]

I'm running a Vortex Viper 85 mm

 

[Jim’s Hunt]

DF, 500 is max and is rare for my shooting situation. 90% of my range work is 300 yards and in. At those ranges on paper what are your thoughts?

Black targets can be hard to see small holes even at 100 yds even at 40 and 50 power with my Vortex Viper. But of course old eyes don't help matters either