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Q:
Spotting scopes? What do you think? Never used them before, always used a pair of binocs but I found one for cheap and bought it. Figured I could use it for hunting and maybe some bench shooting.
Question by Rem700-06. Uploaded on March 16, 2010
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Answers (15)
first off what kind is it, Second i have bought cheap ones before and they have a tendency to break. Also i would not reccomend it if you are hunting short range. But you can definetly use it for bench shooting
Good for LONG range spotting and or bench shooting. But if its a cheaply made one not so good long range.
I use one for sighting in only. Not much use for one otherwise. Have a lower quality one and it really loses light when you crank the magnification.
Spotting scopes are fantastic for spot and stalk but it's more bulk and weight to think about
Harbor Freight sells a cheap one. I have thought about getting one for the range.
A high quality spotting scope is essential for sheep hunting. At the shooting range it sure makes life easier working up loads and sighting in. I did not use one for other types of hunting until the last 10 years. Recently, the super spotting scopes are great for difficult North American animals like Coues deer, Mule deer, and elk in the hard to draw long range zones for trophy animals.
Wonderful at the range, but most of the time mine sits at a friend's farm so he and his grandkids can scope out the deer in the soybeans.
I only use a spotting scope on the range. I scout with binos.
There are lots of poor quality spotting scopes out there. Save your money until you can afford something that is clear and will focus at long range. I have the Leupold gold ring 12-40X and consider it to be barely adequate.
I have a Bushnell spotting scope that I received as a gift a few years ago. It is too bulky to hunt with and it's OK at the range, but at higher power, the resolution is poor and not much use late in the day. I have a Burris compact spotting scope that I use sometimes that works well. I let the wife's school kids play with the Bushnell looking at the swans and birds.
I'd say a decent quality spotting scope starts out at about $1,200.
Only time I used a spotting scope is when I was in Alaska. We would take our ATV's in a good 10 to 100 miles and setup on a good vantage point and watch the Caribou and try to pick out the best place to ambush them. In my rifle scope Leupold 3x9x40, Caribou are the sizes of a mite so tiny if you don't see them move or know they are there, you'd miss them. Spotting them at that range only gives you less than 15-30 minutes to intercept them coming across the ridge. So a good spotting scope is a must in those conditions. But if you can get by with a good pair of Leupold 10x40 binoculars, that's the my first choice, especially if your on foot!
With few exceptions, a spotting scope is better left on the range. Happy and CC have pointed out where a spotting scope can be an advantage, but in most types of hunting, the best pair of 10 X 40 or 10 X 50 binoculars you can afford will serve you much better.
I just bought a Bushnell Compact to use on the range. These old eyes don't see bullet holes like they used too. I could have used one in British Columbia but it would have added quite a bit of weight to an already heavy backpack.
I received my Bushnell compact spoting scope 12 -36 x 50 today. From what I can tell I love the way it looks and the clarity of it. I was afraid that because of the cheaper price it may not be worth buying. From looking at things around here I am well pleased. The only thing that I need now is a tripod that I can stand up and look through.
I got one for Christmas this year. I wanted it for use at the range so I don't have to walk down to check my target after every shot.
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first off what kind is it, Second i have bought cheap ones before and they have a tendency to break. Also i would not reccomend it if you are hunting short range. But you can definetly use it for bench shooting
I use one for sighting in only. Not much use for one otherwise. Have a lower quality one and it really loses light when you crank the magnification.
Spotting scopes are fantastic for spot and stalk but it's more bulk and weight to think about
Harbor Freight sells a cheap one. I have thought about getting one for the range.
A high quality spotting scope is essential for sheep hunting. At the shooting range it sure makes life easier working up loads and sighting in. I did not use one for other types of hunting until the last 10 years. Recently, the super spotting scopes are great for difficult North American animals like Coues deer, Mule deer, and elk in the hard to draw long range zones for trophy animals.
Good for LONG range spotting and or bench shooting. But if its a cheaply made one not so good long range.
Wonderful at the range, but most of the time mine sits at a friend's farm so he and his grandkids can scope out the deer in the soybeans.
Only time I used a spotting scope is when I was in Alaska. We would take our ATV's in a good 10 to 100 miles and setup on a good vantage point and watch the Caribou and try to pick out the best place to ambush them. In my rifle scope Leupold 3x9x40, Caribou are the sizes of a mite so tiny if you don't see them move or know they are there, you'd miss them. Spotting them at that range only gives you less than 15-30 minutes to intercept them coming across the ridge. So a good spotting scope is a must in those conditions. But if you can get by with a good pair of Leupold 10x40 binoculars, that's the my first choice, especially if your on foot!
With few exceptions, a spotting scope is better left on the range. Happy and CC have pointed out where a spotting scope can be an advantage, but in most types of hunting, the best pair of 10 X 40 or 10 X 50 binoculars you can afford will serve you much better.
I just bought a Bushnell Compact to use on the range. These old eyes don't see bullet holes like they used too. I could have used one in British Columbia but it would have added quite a bit of weight to an already heavy backpack.
I received my Bushnell compact spoting scope 12 -36 x 50 today. From what I can tell I love the way it looks and the clarity of it. I was afraid that because of the cheaper price it may not be worth buying. From looking at things around here I am well pleased. The only thing that I need now is a tripod that I can stand up and look through.
I only use a spotting scope on the range. I scout with binos.
There are lots of poor quality spotting scopes out there. Save your money until you can afford something that is clear and will focus at long range. I have the Leupold gold ring 12-40X and consider it to be barely adequate.
I have a Bushnell spotting scope that I received as a gift a few years ago. It is too bulky to hunt with and it's OK at the range, but at higher power, the resolution is poor and not much use late in the day. I have a Burris compact spotting scope that I use sometimes that works well. I let the wife's school kids play with the Bushnell looking at the swans and birds.
I'd say a decent quality spotting scope starts out at about $1,200.
I got one for Christmas this year. I wanted it for use at the range so I don't have to walk down to check my target after every shot.
Post an Answer