Re: Spotting scopes and atmospheric effects
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Andreas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm using an
Orion 102 Maksutov as my spotting scope and find that it can just resolve .223 bullet holes at 300 yards. The limitation seems to be one of atmospheric effects. I'm wondering what kind of scopes other folks are using and how far away they can see their bullet holes.
I'm planning to get a .308 in the fall, and the larger bullet hole should help ;-)
—Andreas </div></div>
You have discovered the limitations of resolving bullet holes in paper targets with ANY spotting scope, regardless of make/model/cost/etc. I have posted this before, but I'll do it again I suppose...
Once you factor in any degree of mirage, less-than-ideal lighting conditions, etc. you are done past 300-400yds spotting .223 cal holes and you won't get much further than that with seeing larger bullet holes, including .30cal holes. The best advice is to move to steel targets (which will give you both visual and auditory confirmation of hits at extended ranges) or shoot-n-see type targets, or perhaps a remote target monitoring system if you want to view targets from "good-n-darn" far away.
Here are a couple good links to some good articles and posts of similar spotter discussions. Have a read:
http://www.6mmbr.com/spotterreview.html (author trying to resolve 6mm bullet holes in paper...carefully read his results with the given spotters)
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2039420
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2041479
Now, as for my spotter...I have a Pentax PF-80ED-A spotter that I regularly use out to 1000yds for targets and further for generally observation. I have both the 20-60x zoom eyepiece (don't use it all that often except for general observation), as well as a fixed XW10 (50x) eyepiece (stays on the scope almost constantly and is the best all-around eyepiece I have owned). 80mm glass, ED elements, fog and waterproof. The optical quality is excellent, color saturation/clarity is as good as scopes costing $500-1,000 more. I have used it side-by-side with comparable Zeiss, Kowa and Leica spotters costing MUCH more and there was little if any difference in the resolution/quality of the images (at least by my eyes) and you don't get any additional range trying to spot holes in paper targets with any of those scopes in my experience.
Again, as I said before...you aren't going to resolve bullet holes with any standard spotter at 600yds (or further) under anything less than ideal range/atmospheric conditions, but the Pentax will more than do the job for resolving scoring discs, hits on steel, spotting mirage, bullet trail, etc.
Good luck!!
