Best budget spotting scope?

December 17, 2019, 04:47 PM

Got into a local range that has 100, 300 & 500 yard ranges. Going to spend more time there. So mainly just hitting steel plates with bulk ammo in .223. Don't really care about how close together holes are.

Is there any recommendations on budget spotting scope out there for just seeing dirt splash on misses and calling hits? Will usually have someone with me for calling hits / misses.

So really just need to see bullet splash or dirt splash on berm.

Edit to add if it'll clamp or comes with an attachment to clamp to a bench vs sitting on a tripod. That'll be a big bonus for me for the ranges setup.

Train how you intend to Fight

Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.

December 17, 2019, 05:24 PM

Micropterus

Really depends on how much you want to spend. I have a Bushnell Spacemaster. I really, really like it. I think its 15-45 power. It's really clear. On a clear, low humidity night, I can see (faintly) the rings on Jupiter. I don't remember what I paid for it, but it wouldn't have been too much or I wouldn't have bought it. $200 maybe. There are all sorts of after market tripods and mounts.

If you want to go ultra-inexpensive, the spotting scope sold my Harbor Freight for like $50-$60 actually gets pretty good reviews. I think it's like 20-60 power. Just to see bullet splashes, looking at deer, and girls on the beach, it would probably be just fine.

Of course, you can spend as much as you want.

_____________
"I enter a swamp as a sacred place—a sanctum sanctorum. There is the strength—the marrow of Nature." - Henry David Thoreau

Train how you intend to Fight

Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.

December 19, 2019, 08:10 AM

dewhorse

I bought a 20-60 power Celetron for maybe $200 or so and 4 or so years later ....meh it's ok

The glass is ok but the power adjustment collar does nit move well so I keep it on 60x.

It's pretty clear to 200m....maybe my eyes just suck

For my use ( range visits maybe once a month, certainly not a precision shooter)

December 19, 2019, 05:19 PM

barryinpa

I recently bought an Athlon talos 20-60 to replace an old spotter, I am pretty happy with it, paid like 129 on sale at midway with free shipping. thought it a decent deal. not a high end, but did not cost $1000. either.
Barry

December 20, 2019, 07:51 AM

myrottiety

quote:
Originally posted by barryinpa:
I recently bought an Athlon talos 20-60 to replace an old spotter, I am pretty happy with it, paid like 129 on sale at midway with free shipping. thought it a decent deal. not a high end, but did not cost $1000. either.
Barry

The Athlon was one that was on my short list.

Train how you intend to Fight

Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.

December 20, 2019, 08:31 AM

Jimbo54

quote:
Originally posted by fritz:
No personal experience, but I've heard that Konus makes respectable scopes for the money.

My Konus has been excellent and a good value at the $200-250 price point.

Jim

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December 20, 2019, 12:06 PM

SgtGold

quote:
Originally posted by Jimbo54:
quote:
Originally posted by fritz:
No personal experience, but I've heard that Konus makes respectable scopes for the money.

My Konus has been excellent and a good value at the $200-250 price point.

Jim

^^^^This^^^^

I got to look through that exact Konus model and it's optical clarity was excellent. I doubt you will find a better scope in that price range.

_____________________________
'I'm pretty fly for a white guy'.

Train how you intend to Fight

Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.

December 20, 2019, 01:04 PM

myrottiety

I'll probably save and upgrade the scope later at some point. But for tripod I'm likely going to grab this Sinclair bench mount. Buddy has one and it's solid. I can always use it on the next scope I buy as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Sinclai...-MOUNT/dp/B07F6SCMQ7

Train how you intend to Fight

Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.

December 20, 2019, 01:41 PM

Jimbo54

quote:
Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
quote:
Konus and spend a little on a better tripod.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
I am happy with my Konus. Where would you suggest getting a better tripod???

The tripod in my picture is one I got at Cabela's. The one that comes with the scope is garbage for sure. I can't remember what I paid for it but it made a huge difference.

Jim

________________________

"If you can't be a good example, then you'll have to be a horrible warning" -Catherine Aird

December 20, 2019, 03:11 PM

RNshooter

quote:
Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
quote:
Konus and spend a little on a better tripod.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
I am happy with my Konus. Where would you suggest getting a better tripod???

I am partial to Manfrotto tripods. Some can splay out so you can use them prone.
Many old models can be found with the Bogen brand name. Look on eBay. You can find them for $100, if you try.

Edit: also, get the pistol grip head.

Bruce

December 20, 2019, 04:21 PM

NikonUser

quote:
Originally posted by RNshooter:
quote:
Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
quote:
Konus and spend a little on a better tripod.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
I am happy with my Konus. Where would you suggest getting a better tripod???

I am partial to Manfrotto tripods. Some can splay out so you can use them prone.
Many old models can be found with the Bogen brand name. Look on eBay. You can find them for $100, if you try.

Edit: also, get the pistol grip head.

Bruce

Warning, Will Robinson.

Manfrotto tripods can cost a few dollars. I have one for my Kowa spotter, a carbon-fiber Manfrotto with a Stainless Steel/Magnesium pistol grip head. Cost for the tripod: $500, cost of the head: $200.

You have been warned.

December 20, 2019, 09:18 PM

RNshooter

I picked up my (non-magnesium/non-carbon fiber) old model Bogen/Manfrotto tripod for about $90. It will go from 5 feet to 5 inches off the ground. It's not new, light, or pretty but it works. The pistol grip head cost about $75. I probably shopped and stalked auctions for 2 months but I found them.

Research. Wait. Pounce.

Bruce