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Rifle Scopes Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

USGILT

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 6, 2007
174
54
41
KS, Leavenworth
I am currently looking for an economical spotting scope to view 5.56 & 7.62 caliber hits and holes in paper targets from approximately 100-400 yrds. What is everyone else using to be effective?

Anyone have positive/negative experience with the following?
Cabelas 16-48x50mm Professional Series Spotting Scope

SpottingScope.jpg


Thanks,

USGILT
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

Take a look at the Bushnell spotter with a mil dot reticle in it. Everyone needs one of those. I have a Cabela's spotter and it works, but a shooting buddy has the Bushnell and I like the Bushnell better.
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

What are your perimeters for "economical"?
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

What would be the appropriate zoom, objective size for said spotting scope for my specified purpose?

Thanks,
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

I suppose the terms economical and budget would be interchangeable at this point......$350 or less.......
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cazorp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How does the Bushnell FFP spotter compare to the Leupold Mk IV spotter in terms of quality? </div></div>

I have heard that the Bushnell compares pretty even, but the Bushnell is alot cheaper
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

I don't think you will get a low end scope that will spot 5.56 holes at 400 yards. I have a Konus and a Alpen both in 20x60x80 and they do well at 100 yards, OK at 200 yards and so so at 300 yards. The Konus is a better scope that the Alpen. I would go with a Konus for a budget spotter again.
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

The Leupold Sequoia 20-60x80mm will spot 5.56 at 400yds $499 at Cabela's with hard case and tripod. This is spotting scope I own.
The Leupold Sequoia 15-45x60mm is $399 with hard case and tripod at Cabela's, but may not spot 5.56 at 400yds. Nikon has a nice scope at $350ish 15-45x60mm I'm not sure if it comes with a case or tripod, but pretty nice for the price.
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cazorp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How does the Bushnell FFP spotter compare to the Leupold Mk IV spotter in terms of quality? </div></div>

I have heard that the Bushnell compares pretty even, but the Bushnell is alot cheaper </div></div>

Ok! I heard quite a few of the Bushnell FFPs were returned to dealers, seemed to have some issues with quality on the first batch, anyone knows if this has been fixed?
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

Not fixed yet. I have a spotter that is at Bushnell right now. CS has been less than helpful in getting things moving on replacements/repairs. They seem oblivious to the problems with these spotters. Nice spotter for the price if you can get one free of defects.
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

Trying to narrow my choices down. What is the glass quality between the Konus 20x60x80 and the Leupold Sequoia 20-60x80mm? Any noticeable issues in low light conditions?
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

Here is a link to a bird watcher group that did a review of a bunch of spotters. They are a good resource for spotters since they are picky as hell when it comes to seeing the bird. On the right side of the page is a link to a spread sheet on how they all did sorted by price range.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=272&srcid=667#top
 
Re: Suggestions on an Economical Spotting Scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strickland</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Konus... might not make good rifle scopes but their damn spotting scope is great.

http://jarheadtop.com/KONUS.htm

</div></div>

+1

I keep my Konus in a soft cover and have had many people remark how nice the glass is and ask "how much did you pay for that" thinking it's a mid-high end spotter. They are always surprised when I tell them, about $180.

CM