inexpensive spotting scope recommedations (2024)

springfield art said:

I often see used backyard science astronomy telescopes at auction. But they say anything over 60x is too much for target shooting, Why I don't know. But they seem to all be 60x when dedicated for target work.

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Many telescopes intended for astronomical uses invert the image. This can be confusing.

morehops52 said:

While it's not what you asked for I always recommend a pair of high power binocs for ML shooting. If you are limiting your shooting to 100 yds which is max ML range for me I can pick out evey shot of my 50 out to that range. My reasonably priced Nikons go to 22X and discern the target no problem. The adavantage to binocs is that your not concerned about the spot scope moving on your bench ot taking up two benches but more impotantly you have a more universal optic than a spotting scope that does single duty.

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I have a scope too, but I would have bought a pair of 12 or 15X binoculars to put on a tripod first for all-around range and hunting use if I had known how bad sitting on a hill out west for hours at a time looking through a scope sucks.

I have used spotting scopes of various brands for a great many years. Bench shooting and when shooting long distances from 200 to 600 yards.

Spotting scopes are for great if you are shooting from a bench. OR, for others to observe while standing away from the shooting area.
Binos are iffy when trying to observe from longer distances. But are great for field use especially to observe game.

I believe my first was a Bushnell Sentry. Worked great from the bench at 100 yards. BUT, eye relief was poor. It seemed like a struggle.
But, it was clear. And needed more magnification.
This is just to make a point.

After you've tried a few from inexpensive to higher end you will begin to understand the real difference. If you can, see what others are using and ask it you can take a look. You do need a good quality spotting scope. Yes, they can be expensive. But, so are the rifles we shoot.

I've been using a Kowa since the 1990's. Before that several that were average but could not get close to the quality of the Kowa.
I would definitely go for the scope body that offers an angled eyepiece - usually 45'. Try and get an eyepiece that offers long eye relief - it really helps.
I base this from experience shooting longer distances and while shooting from different positions. Others may find straight body scopes more suitable.
BUT, you can't get past the need for quality optics, clarity, definition, and long eye relief.

mc1960 said:

... inexpensive spotting scope...

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Contradiction in terms.

Don't bother with an "inexpensive" spotting scope. You'll be throwing away your money. There is no such thing as "inexpensive" optics that are functional or usable. I brought a $200 Barksa scope with 5-star reviews and it was not usable on the range except at 25 yards. It was very dark and wouldn't focus sharply.

Now I have a Bushnell Forge spotting scope, and I got a very stable video tripod to go with it. I'm very happy with this scope.
I can see my shots on the paper target at 325 yards if there's not too much heat rising. But that's probably the max usable range for seeing bullet holes in a paper target.

Bushnell Forge
$1,100
https://www.bushnell.com/all-products-1/forge-spotting-scope/P01530.html

User_Dan said:

Vortex makes some great glass

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I had the opportunity to test Vortex and Bushnell scopes at the same store.
High-end Vortex scopes are not nearly as good as Bushnell's scopes.

I posted this back in 2022, nothing has changed since.
I have a Kowa and a Konus, Kowa is the better of the two, have a 27 power long eye relief and a 20 X 60 zoom eye piece for it.

It is my go-to scope for the 500 yard rams.

I bought a Johnson surveyors tripod from Menards and mounted an adapter on it to hold the scope after struggling with the shaking in the wind with a conventional tripod. If you ever tried to shoot at Whittington Center in the wind you understand.

French Colonial said:

27 power long eye relief and a 20 X 60 zoom eye piece for it.

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Really good stats

capnjc said:

I have a scope too, but I would have bought a pair of 12 or 15X binoculars to put on a tripod first for all-around range and hunting use if I had known how bad sitting on a hill out west for hours at a time looking through a scope sucks.

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A well known hunter/writer said that using cheap binocs for hours will suck the eyeballs out of your head. I don't remember the author but David Petzal re-quoted them.

Flint62Smoothie said:

FWIW Konus is the only ‘lesser’ brand that I’d trust …

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I have a Konus 80x and it is truly wonderful. Before I moved, I was using it to spot targets at 950 yards and it worked very well for that.

morehops52 said:

A well known hunter/writer said that using cheap binocs for hours will suck the eyeballs out of your head. I don't remember the author but David Petzal re-quoted them.

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He liked to quote Warren Page. Jack O'Connor...not so much. Maybe that explains my eyesight, or mebbe all the welding... or carb cleaner I'm always squirting in 'em. Pay more for glass than you want to.