spottong scope power range
- Thread starter copper
- Start date
For several years we conducted HP rifle matches on a 200 yard range without target pits, making it very desireable to be able to see your bullet holes at that range. Several observations:
1) Mirage in S. Texas is fierce.
2) The closer to the ground your line of sight is, the heavier the mirage.
Often the bullet holes in the black could not be seen at 200 yards with even the best scope on the line. Shooting blind was not conducive to decent scores, so we (individually and collectively) began to experiment in upgrading both individual and club equipment.
To make a long story short, I went through 3 scopes(Inexpensive Bushnel,more expensive Unertl,and what many HP shooters at that time considered to be the top of the line, Kowa). The results, no silver ring. None of these scopes would reliably spot .30 caliber holes in the black @ 200 yds. let alone .22 cal. holes.
The quest did not end w/my personal scope. I convinced the club to invest in a Unertl 100mm Team Scope. Now this is the scope used by US All Army Team, so it must be the very best, right? It was about 3ft. long and came in a chest the size of a footlocker. The tripod is of the type used for surveyor's transits. Still no prize! Can't see .30 cal bullet holes @ 200 yards. Yes, there were days when we could see the holes with the team scope, and I have even seen .30 holes in my target @300 yards with both my Unertl and Kowa, but not in S. Tx.
15-20X is plenty of power; resolution is more important than power.
Best bet is to go to a range and ask folks what they are using in your area and take a look through their scope if possible. Maybe the mirage is not so fierce in your area.
Regards,
hm
1) Mirage in S. Texas is fierce.
2) The closer to the ground your line of sight is, the heavier the mirage.
Often the bullet holes in the black could not be seen at 200 yards with even the best scope on the line. Shooting blind was not conducive to decent scores, so we (individually and collectively) began to experiment in upgrading both individual and club equipment.
To make a long story short, I went through 3 scopes(Inexpensive Bushnel,more expensive Unertl,and what many HP shooters at that time considered to be the top of the line, Kowa). The results, no silver ring. None of these scopes would reliably spot .30 caliber holes in the black @ 200 yds. let alone .22 cal. holes.
The quest did not end w/my personal scope. I convinced the club to invest in a Unertl 100mm Team Scope. Now this is the scope used by US All Army Team, so it must be the very best, right? It was about 3ft. long and came in a chest the size of a footlocker. The tripod is of the type used for surveyor's transits. Still no prize! Can't see .30 cal bullet holes @ 200 yards. Yes, there were days when we could see the holes with the team scope, and I have even seen .30 holes in my target @300 yards with both my Unertl and Kowa, but not in S. Tx.
15-20X is plenty of power; resolution is more important than power.
Best bet is to go to a range and ask folks what they are using in your area and take a look through their scope if possible. Maybe the mirage is not so fierce in your area.
Regards,
hm
hm1996 has it right. I considered mentioning mirage as the biggest factor but he told it better. I have used fixed 20's, 20-60x60, and now have both a fixed 20x50 and an 18-36x60 that I use at the range and for hunting. My local range is only 100 yards so haven't tried it on bullet holes farther. The problem is that increasing scope power magnifies the mirage, making the image even more blurry.
A sheep guide in northern BC told me that it is rare to be able to use more than 40 power because of mirage. Sometimes there is little mirage on cold clear mornings but as soon as the sun comes out mirage swtarts. That's been my experience also. Seldom can use my 18-36 at more than 25 or 30 power and sometimes 18 is too much for the mirage.
Maybe do your shooting on cold frosty mornings?
A sheep guide in northern BC told me that it is rare to be able to use more than 40 power because of mirage. Sometimes there is little mirage on cold clear mornings but as soon as the sun comes out mirage swtarts. That's been my experience also. Seldom can use my 18-36 at more than 25 or 30 power and sometimes 18 is too much for the mirage.
Maybe do your shooting on cold frosty mornings?
I can see .22 holes on white targets at 200 yards with my Leupold 15 - 45x HD scope. Can't pick them up at 300 yards however or for that matter. Even .30 cal holes if its hot out at 300 yards can be tough to see. But overall the Leupold HD is one heck of a scope. But the HD is quite a bit better than the standard Leupold in my opinion. I sold my old Leupold to buy the HD version.
AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
As in scopes guality of glass and coatings will more that make up for power. My new Bushnell Legend spotter is far and away better than my 40 yr old spotter even though it has 15X less power. The Ledend is about as low of quality I'd recomend, I also have a Burris 20x fixed that leaves alot to be desired, I leave it in the back of the van set up on a tall tripod to glass prespective hunting areas.
AWS
AWS
Wackmaster
New member
I would go with the shoot'n'see targets. They work great! I have the Swarovski 20X60X80mm HD and it will pick up the holes in the black out to 300+ but the shoot'n'sees are way cheaper!
Thanks for all the help. I understand resolution is very important but I am not sure how to measure it or afford it. I guess that leaves me with a cheap spotting scope for the 100yd stuff and adding shoot n see targets for the long stuff. Running 300 yds and back has been good practice at breathing control.
goatpacker
New member
Quote:
I would go with the shoot'n'see targets. They work great! I have the Swarovski 20X60X80mm HD and it will pick up the holes in the black out to 300+ but the shoot'n'sees are way cheaper!
Amen, quality glass is the only way, mirage distorts any view over 40x even in the best conditions. You can't stop at just the scope, a high quality tripod is a must as well, if the scope is not steady even the best will not perform. Go with the Shoot-n-C but I have better luck with one of those 1" orange stickers on a piece of plain white paper. If you are grouping tight the Shoot-n-C will hide some holes.
I would go with the shoot'n'see targets. They work great! I have the Swarovski 20X60X80mm HD and it will pick up the holes in the black out to 300+ but the shoot'n'sees are way cheaper!
Amen, quality glass is the only way, mirage distorts any view over 40x even in the best conditions. You can't stop at just the scope, a high quality tripod is a must as well, if the scope is not steady even the best will not perform. Go with the Shoot-n-C but I have better luck with one of those 1" orange stickers on a piece of plain white paper. If you are grouping tight the Shoot-n-C will hide some holes.