Quoted:
Relative to precision rifle use.    What on the market now is good and won't break the bank?   I've spent so much on the rifle and scope,   I know not to skimp on optics but what's decent out there and affordable.  I don't know my price range.  Maybe 300.   I haven't done any research so if I have to pay more, I can save up and get one during the holidays when money seems to show up.   What dimensions do I need for sighting out to 1,000 yards?

Quoted:
Relative to precision rifle use.    What on the market now is good and won't break the bank?   I've spent so much on the rifle and scope,   I know not to skimp on optics but what's decent out there and affordable.  I don't know my price range.  Maybe 300.   I haven't done any research so if I have to pay more, I can save up and get one during the holidays when money seems to show up.   What dimensions do I need for sighting out to 1,000 yards?

Quoted:
Are you referring to a spotting scope?    Please confirm if you would be so kind...

Quoted:
I've done a lot of reading since I asked the question.  From what I gather, you need expensive optics to achieve 400-500 yars, beyond that, it's out of my price range and I need to either walk or get a spotter down range.  Most of my shooting will be under 500 yards.  While I do have a 1000 yard range at my deer lease, it not something I'll do frequently.   I've looked and priced several brands.  I own several vortex optics scopes and am leaning towards a vortex razor 20-60x85.  Seems it will do what I need to 400-500 yards and beyond that, I can't afford better.   Now that's for seeing where bullets hit.   I also want something I can carry for an elk hunt.  Seems what I mention will help to discern antlers out to 1.5 miles.  


Thanks for all the replies.  I'm going to save up a little.  As always, best not to skimp on optics.

Quoted:


if you're wanting to see hits on targets at a range, look at something like this (still a little above your stated price range, i know) http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-observation-devices/253356-thanks-targetcam.html
it will work better than any spotter possibly could, especially when there is mirage, but you can't use it for wind calls or switch between targets and stuff.


for field use, i highly recommend the leupold mk 4 compact  (look around for a used one or demo on the sample list or something)

for strictly range use, kowa is hard to beat (again, surf the high power forums for used ones)

Quoted:
I own several vortex optics scopes and am leaning towards a vortex razor 20-60x85.  Seems it will do what I need to 400-500 yards and beyond that, I can't afford better.

Quoted:
FYI, because the responses here have been all over the place:

Price - there have been scopes mentioned here from $300 (Celestron Ultima) to $1,500+ (Vortex Razor).

Size/Weight - there have been very large "firing line/tripod mount" only models mentioned (100mm Celestron), to "field packable" models (Leupold Mk4).

Magnification/Resolution - there have been scopes mentioned with max mag ranges as low as 33X, and as high as 65X.

Needless to say you could not "get more all over the place if you tried". If the selection criteria do not get more clearly nailed down/clarified, then this is pretty much going to be an act in futility IMHO!

One spotting scope is not going to do it all, and you really need to figure out:
- How will it be used? Static Firing Line, Field Portable, Combination of both?
- What ranges? Longer = More Magnification. REMEMBER, high quality magnification/resolution requires a very large objective and very expensive glass.
- Budget? You can have a list of desirable features/qualities, but what can you actually afford?
- Additional Features? Do you need to have something like a ranging reticle option?

Food for thought!

Quoted:


Your absolutely right with your comments.   I set 300 initially but stated I didn't really know what to spend.  I know optics are better when more money is involved.    The cost of the Vortex was for a used unit I came upon.  Not new.   I do appreciate all the responses and what I need to do is look through some of them.  Mentioning a few helps.    I have the ability to go out to 1,000 yards with a  precision rifle I'm having built.  I have a 308 now that can do nickle sized groups with factory ammo.  I plan on reloading some better bullets to get that down.   I need a scope that's portable.  Reason is for Elk spotting which is really why I'm trying for farther distances.   My range for now is 300-400 yards.  Really with the 308, that's all I will be trying for at first.   When my precision rifle is ready, It will be 1,000 yards.  

Budget, I can pay what I need to but I'll probably not spend more than a grand on a spotting scope.  I might look at some used better options or the Vortex Razor which I can get for about that.   I initially said, 300, that was nieve.

I don't need ranging.   I have a range finder that is rated to 1,000 but ideally probably will do well with what I want to do as far as elk hunting.   I'm just getting my ducks in order so that some day, I can take of to the field.   I purchased the bullseye target camer because it's good out to a mile.   @ greater than 40-500 yards with a quality scope, I won't be able to see bullet placement from what I've read and in my budget.    I will purchase a spotting scope for the purpose of hunting as well.  So I'll have both.   I won't need the bullseye camera for short trips to the range and the spotting scope will be adequate.  Hope that answers the question.   I discovered a lot of what I needed and what I could afford after doing much reading after I posted the question.  What I should of done was research first then ask but it was helpful to have a gammut of scope suggestions to research.

Quoted:
How can you be bored in Iowa   Did some of my schooling in Des Moines.   Happiness is Des Moines in your rear view mirror....I sang as I left.

Quoted:



I think about spotting scopes three different ways.



1-Dirt cheap: I have a $59 60x scope from Walmart for a few years. I love it..... Because it was cheap! Yes, its a piece of crap but for the price, it kicks ass. During the day, it works out to 1000 yards on steel. Are you going to see holes on paper at a 1k? Nope. But you can see holes on paper out to about 500 yards (30cal or larger). The glass sucks. Its dark zoomed out and a little fuzzy at any power.... But it works... And was cheap!



2-Mid priced: Something in the $500 range is a "best of both worlds" sorta deal. MUCH better than the $59 glass. Not as clear/bright as the $1500 scope. I call this the best bang for the buck. This is the glass for someone that needs a spotting scope maybe 6-10 times a year.



3-Upper Mid range: This is where I stop looking with my upper five figure income. $1500 is a lot of money to people like me and would have to be something I'm going to use on a regular basis for years to come. If you using/needing a scope at long range often, this range of glass is an INVESTMENT. I shoot mostly a 600-1000yd at night (target). The Vortex HD was my choice and works well.



I did make the mistake of looking though a $3500 scope in the dark. Don't do that! Don't ever look though glass you can't afford.......... Ever.

Quoted:

I think about spotting scopes three different ways.

1-Dirt cheap: I have a $59 60x scope from Walmart for a few years. I love it..... Because it was cheap! Yes, its a piece of crap but for the price, it kicks ass. During the day, it works out to 1000 yards on steel. Are you going to see holes on paper at a 1k? Nope. But you can see holes on paper out to about 500 yards (30cal or larger). The glass sucks. Its dark zoomed out and a little fuzzy at any power.... But it works... And was cheap!

- - - - -SNIP- - - - -  

Quoted:











Not saying that it could never happen, but per above, you MIGHT catch a .30 cal bullet hole in a paper target at 500 yards with PERFECT lighting conditions, but it is not the norm!