Rifle Scopes Astronomical telescope for spotting?

[tnrplaya]

Hey Hide...
I'm in the market for some "spotting" Glass. The type of shooting I do is really more benchrest than *tactical*.

I have a nightforce NXS 5.5-22 which is plenty to see my .308 holes out to ~200-300yd...during my last trip to the range, I could BARELY make out the holes at 300.

So I've been looking at spotting scope and want to consider something different...an astronomical telescope.

I'm thinking something like this Telescope.

I know this would be far less portable than a traditional spotting scope, but the HUGE Objective (150mm) would have great contrast, and changing power with different eye pieces (or even a zoom eyepiece) should be easy. Field of view shouldn't be an issue because of the finder scope...

So what am I missing? Why dosen't everyone do this (other than portability)

I would like this spotter to be able to take me out to 1000yd eventually...

Very interested in your expert opinions... Thanks in advance.

 

[tnrplaya]

Re: Astronomical telescope for spotting?

Side note...I'm actually looking at getting the Orion 150mm OTA and adding the proper eye pieces/prism for terrestrial viewing (correct image w\ no reversal) ~50x and 100x

 

[SwVaGlocker]

Re: Astronomical telescope for spotting?

I think you are need of a good spotting scope, they are used to read hits on the target and such more than the scope on the rifle. Lots of different brands in many price ranges. what are you looking to do and how much willing to spend.

 

[CanPopper]

Re: Astronomical telescope for spotting?

I use the Apex 90 Mak. It can spot holes out to 300 yards. The 150 should work but it does have four disadvantages:

1. It is heavy as heck to lug around
2. It will have a longer setup time
3. Its long focal length means you will need really low power eyepieces. A 40mm eyepiece will still give you 45x.
4. The star mirror diagonal means you will have right side up but left to right images.

That said, I use a Televue 76 as a spotter sometimes. The advantage that astro scopes have over spotters is with no erecting porro prism for the light to pass through, an astro scope will always show more detail and be brighter than the comparable spotter.