Spotting Scope Suggestions

[Dragonetti]

I am looking at picking up a new Spotting Scope. I am looking at either a Vortex Razor HD, Leupold GR, or Leupold Mk4. I am wonder if having a reticle worth it. I currently used an old school Bushnell Spacemaster. We are getting a new 2000 yard range, so I need to upgrade for sure. I am currently using hand loaded 6.5 creedmore and shooting steel and paper targets. I think my budget will be about 1600 to 1900.

I am leaning towards the Leupold GR. I know you can get the impact reticle, but that is MOA, and I mainly use Mils.

Vortex would give me the ability to change out the eye piece, if I can get my hands on the eye piece with the reticle.

I put the MK4, because I do like the TMR.

Any suggestions? Is it worth getting the reticle?

Drag

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We have an open box, same as new, Leupold GR 12-40x60mm HD Spotting Scope - Impact Reticle #120373 for only $1,099.99

 

[Dragonetti]

That is a nice deal, but it comes with the reticle. Would the reticle make it too busy for spotting? That grid seems to be on the lower one third, and I believe Leupold is in MOA.

Never looked thru a spotter with a reticle, so this is unknown territory for me.

 

[sako17]

Consider the Sightron SIIBL 20-60X85 HD-A

 

[6gunner]

I have the Vortex Razor HD. I really like the scope. I went ahead and picked up the mil reticle eyepiece. It’s reticle isn’t busy, 22 powder, and I can still spot hits at 600 yards, I haven’t taken it it out any farther.

 

[themightytimmah]

I have the mil MK4, and really like it. I’ve spotted trace and hits on steel out to 1100 or so, and I do really like the reticle.

Depending on what you want to achieve, it makes second shots a lot easier. Very common for us to hit the edge of a plate and call a dead center shot two seconds later.

 

[Dragonetti]

How much of a difference in glass between the Mark 4 and Gold Ring? And should I stick with 12-40 or go for broke and get the 20-60?

 

[TheGerman]

 

[Mortalpawn]

I will put in a vote for the Mark IV 12-40x60mm with the TMR rerticle. Excellent glass. The reticle is a must if you plan to do any ranging with the spotting scope and very useful if working in spotter-shooter pairs. Also the TMR reticle is mil-rads so you can use it to easily make adjustments at any range to a mil-rad scope by just adjusting your impact by the amount shown on the TMR reticle.

 

[Dragonetti]

Which reticle would be better? The TMR or the Impact? I see the impact is a blend of Mils and MOA.

 

[Mortalpawn]

Leupold's web site is currently only showing the TMR and Mildot reticles - of the two the TMR is much better for ranging and spotting in my opinion. They used to have the H-32 and H36 (and inverted ones), but you would probably need to get one of those used. I'm not sure a Christmas tree reticle is all that useful on a spotting scope, though, since you really are not doing holdovers like you might on a rifle.

 

[Dragonetti]

Yeah, the Leupold Gold Ring has the Impact Reticle. I like the GR, because the glass is HD, but I would probably get better use from the TMR on the Mark 4.

 

[jetsurgeon]

Kowa scopes are fantastic. Give Doug a call at CameraLandNY, he will fix you up.

 

[CATM15]

Bushnell has put out some great stuff as of late. Their tactical line of spotters are great quality and they have a decent warranty now.

 

[M8541Reaper]

Leupold MK4 12-40x spotter w/ an H36 here. Fuckin love it.

That being said, you don’t need a grid-pattern reticle for milling targets and can’t go wrong with a TMR if you don’t like the grid. If in doubt, get the TMR. If you like the grid, then go for it and you won’t be disappointed.

 

[Dragonetti]

I would get the H-32 grid, but they do not offer that reticle currently on either GR or Mark 4. The Impact Ret is a mixture of Mils and Min. I was just seeing anyone has experience with it. I am going to probably go with TMR, since it is just Mils.

 

[patriot07]

I've got a Vortex Razor 11-33. While I love it and it's worked well for me, I can't imagine trying to spot at 2,000 yards with even a 40x. I'd lean towards going with something that goes up at least to 60x. But I'm not the guru here.

I do think most of the options you're looking at have good enough glass for the task if you get enough mag

 

[Novak77]

I've got a Vortex Razor HD with Mil Reticle and I love it. I went to a local store and sat there for about half an hour comparing the Vortex and a Swarovski. The Swaro was a nicer scope, better at picking up things in the dimly lit corners, better depth etc., however I didn't find it to be $1000+ better lol.

The Razor is built like a tank and they've got a stellar warranty. We use ours w/ the 22x mil reticle for paper and steel out to 500, and it suits our needs well. I've played around with the stock 27-60 lens and I think it could get you out to 2k no prob.

 

[wadisc]

A&A Optics refurbished Vortex scopes, are they okay to do business with ?

 

[FiremanSamiam]

A&A Optics refurbished Vortex scopes, are they okay to do business with ?

Not sure why someone sells refurb vortex scopes when you can send it back to vortex for repairs yourself?