Spotting Scope For Range Work

[Davyalabama]

I need a spotting scope for range work, I don't want to spend more than $200. This is more for 100 yard zeroing, maybe load testing, and hopefully for 200 and 300 yard practice. I am shooting splatter targets, not just white paper. I make my own using cardstock, sheet protectors, and black spray paint. Anything?

 

[BigGameJames87]

Not a lot that's any good available at that price point. Maybe a Bushnell or Vortex Crossfire. I've not looked through either so can't tell you how good they are. What kind of magnification are you looking for?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

In that price point the only one I can suggest in good conscience is the Athlon Talos 20-20x80

 

[desertdwellerdyl]

Do you zero at a range? Have you checked to see if they have rentals?

 

[TaperPin]

At 100 yards even the cheapest scopes should work.

My range scope for 200 yard use has always been an old 30x60 Leupold from the 1990s - they are getting long in the tooth as seals leak, focus knobs get stiff and folks improperly clean lenses and scratch coatings off. Still, if there’s anything on the new or used market that can touch it for $200 I don’t know what it would be. A used Nikon Fieldscope 2 might be found for that price but it won’t be as good. A Fieldscope 3 or ed50 would be at least as good if not better, but those are another hundred $.

I keep two of these, and give them away as gifts to young hunters in the family. This one is listed now, but it will sell and it may take a week or month for another to show up, but estate sales will keep a steady supply of them on eBay.

 

[TaperPin]

I pair them with a heavy aluminum Gitzo professional-quality tripod out of the 1980’s to 2000’s - also one of the best values for a tripod that won’t be carried.

If it says “Studex” it’s a 300 size and will be steadier than any new cheap tripod - maybe 8 lbs. The “Pro Studex” is 400 size and is the preferred size for stand up spotting in most of our family and is more like 10 lbs. The “Tele Studex” are the 500 series big boys around 12 lbs - wind hardly makes a difference with this one.



Art Wolfe used to use a 400 series aluminum tripod before the carbon fiber ones came out, to take many of his iconic wildlife shots. He also liked the big 55mm Studioball head, which is now like $100 used.

 

[Davyalabama]

Do you zero at a range? Have you checked to see if they have rentals?

No range, except for club land. None of my hunting buddies own one either, we just walk it.

I pair them with a heavy aluminum Gitzo professional-quality tripod out of the 1980’s to 2000’s - also one of the best values for a tripod that won’t be carried.

If it says “Studex” it’s a 300 size and will be steadier than any new cheap tripod - maybe 8 lbs. The “Pro Studex” is 400 size and is the preferred size for stand up spotting in most of our family and is more like 10 lbs. The “Tele Studex” are the 500 series big boys around 12 lbs - wind hardly makes a difference with this one.

View attachment 827225

Art Wolfe used to use a 400 series aluminum tripod before the carbon fiber ones came out, to take many of his iconic wildlife shots. He also liked the big 55mm Studioball head, which is now like $100 used.

View attachment 827243

Do you think a tripod would really help, or just the small one something might come with in the box?

 

[TaperPin]

No range, except for club land. None of my hunting buddies own one either, we just walk it.

Do you think a tripod would really help, or just the small one something might come with in the box?

For range work any short tripod is all I use, but if you ever want to stand up while watching someone else shoot the taller one is nice.