Need Help Selecting Spotting Scope

G

glagen

Guest
I am doing more and more bench shooting mostly with a .223 and 30.06 @ 100/200yds. The scope I have is an older Nikon 15-47x with a 66mm objective. It's fair at 50yds and poor @100. Can't see holes @200. I would like a Kowa 82mm but it cost over a grand. Can anyone suggest a less expensive alternative that might have comparable quality. I hate to buy something and regret it only to have to spend even more money to buy a third scope - already have one I am stuck with. Thanks.
Steve
 
If you are doing bench shooting you could kill two birds with one stone. Buy a good quality 36 power BR scope like a Weaver, Sightron, or a used Leupold and put this scope on your rifle. Not only will this negate the need for a spotting scope it will also improve your shooting. It's no big deal to swap the scope back and forth on the 223 and the '06.

Otherwise the Celestron Optima 80 is what I have and it is an excellent value at under $200. I see a lot of them at the range.
 
depends on the target color.
i have a celestron optima 100 and can see holes at 100/200 in the white, but not at 200 in the black unless the light is just right.
they are not great scopes, but an excellent scopes for the money, but they aint a kowa or similar high end scope.

i'm with you i'd like to have a kowa 82 or a lica or.......
 
I use a KOWA with the 82mm lense and a 27X eyepiece. I can see the pin on a pop rivit at 350 yards on a bright and sunny day. I didn't buy the scope with the flourite lense coating as they said I didn't need it for what I was using it for. Altogether I have about $750 in my setup. But remember you can spend a zillion dollars on a good scope and kill the picture with a cheap mounting system. I use a heavyduty camera tripod with a dove tail claw mount
gary
 
Gary,
$750 isn't too bad - which model scope and 27x is your Kowa and where did you buy it? Thanks.
Steve
 
glagen said:
I am doing more and more bench shooting mostly with a .223 and 30.06 @ 100/200yds. The scope I have is an older Nikon 15-47x with a 66mm objective. It's fair at 50yds and poor @100. Can't see holes @200. I would like a Kowa 82mm but it cost over a grand. Can anyone suggest a less expensive alternative that might have comparable quality. I hate to buy something and regret it only to have to spend even more money to buy a third scope - already have one I am stuck with. Thanks.
Steve
Click to expand...

Sent you an e-mail. Jim
 
glagen said:
Gary,
$750 isn't too bad - which model scope and 27x is your Kowa and where did you buy it? Thanks.
Steve
Click to expand...

It's a model TSM-822M and the 27x eyepiece is the one they recommended for my use. I also bought the cover for the whole thing as well. Mine came from SWFA. The tripod I use is a heavyduty camera tripod with a female claw adapter. The male part of the dove tail mount then attaches directly to the spotting scope. I think I would opt for the 45 degree eyepiece setup if I had to do it over again. Champions Choice sells several scope mounts, and they are pretty nice. I still like my tripod setup better if it matters
gary
 
If your patient and comfortable with Ebay there are occasionally nice used 82 MM Kowa's available for around $600. with eyepiece.
Got mine from a birder selling his stuff on Ebay and it's really nice....scope with 20x60 eyepiece,tripod,case and bird books like-new for $550. The older TSN-1 and TSN-2 Kowas are 77 mm and almost just as nice as the 82's (even smoother focus ring) and turn up frequently.
 
twentytwoguy said:
If your patient and comfortable with Ebay there are occasionally nice used 82 MM Kowa's available for around $600. with eyepiece.
Got mine from a birder selling his stuff on Ebay and it's really nice....scope with 20x60 eyepiece,tripod,case and bird books like-new for $550. The older TSN-1 and TSN-2 Kowas are 77 mm and almost just as nice as the 82's (even smoother focus ring) and turn up frequently.
Click to expand...

how's the resolution with the 20x/60x eyepiece? Also do you have anytrouble with eye relief when wearing glasses (if you do)?
gary
 
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