Why do you need a spotting scope for 25 yards. Use some binoculars.

 

If you're going to buy a spotting scope, don't limit yourself to one that's only "good enough" for 25 yards. If you do, you'll eventually end up with more than one when you next decide you need one for the 200 yard shoot. That costs you more in the long run than if you had bought the second one first.

How is the light where you shoot indoors? If not good, you'll want the largest and clearest objective lens you can afford.

 

Stevew - Please tell me about your experience using binoculars rather than a spotting scope.
Thanks

 

Oh, and as you probably have already pegged, you'll want to triple-check on the minimum focus range. Some of the best reviews I've found have been on bird-watching sites.

 

Handgun or rifle? Never liked Binoculars for this use. Nice to have a dedicated small spotting scope on a tripod for bullseye pistol. 20X or so and you fire a shot or string of shots and just look through the scope. It is set up and ready to go. With binocs you have to put things down so you have enough hands to use them. With spotting scope you can be loading magazines or keeping the grip on the gun and just lean over and look through the scope. Rarely see binoculars or large high power spotting scopes at a bullseye pistol match.

 

+1 on this. I shoot rifle at 25 yds and use a scope, take the shot and just lean over a bit to see the hit and hands never leave the rifle.

 

Scope

Pick up a used Unertl 24X or a B&L 20x complete with a Freeland tri-pod or better a Freeland Bi-pod, with saddle and rods.
You will be good forever.

bjm

 

Not sure how much you plan on spending but as you can guess the sky is the limit. Most of my glass is Zeiss. I had a need for a spotting scope a few years ago for airgun and rifle pistol shooting. Not wanting to stick a grand or two or three in a spotting scope that I may use infrequently I researched and bought a used one. As Sophia recommended I looked toward the bird watchers for help. Many were using an old Bushnell Spacemaster. I paid a hundred bucks for mine and you can find them on eBay still like new. Only regret is my eye piece is straight on and after using I would recommend an angled eye piece.

 

if it is truely a 25 yd indoor only then no need to break the bank. the hard part is to ensure it focuses(sp) down to 25. how and where it sits on the bench or stand determines the need of straight or angled eye pc.
i have used celestron with fair results for 200 yd black centers(100mm ed $750)
i would think one of their smaller/cheaper scopes would work well without breaking the bank.

seeing holes in black is THE challenge for most scopes. if not a black center, most anything will do.

 

look at this

http://www.opticsplanet.com/celestron-landscout-12-36x60mm-spotting-scope.html

 

I got a Vortex Diamond Back 20-60-80 used (like new) on Ebay for $100. Like others I did not want to spend a fortune. I wanted angled and to be able to see the holes in a black target at 25 yds indoor. It has done the job for me, I did find it difficult at full power 60x not enough light but dropping it back to about 45x I was able to see the holes.

 

I have a little discontinued Weaver 20x50mm that will focus down to as close as 7 yards if I recall, but I mainly use it for 25 and 50 yards and it works well and for a wide angle eyepiece, the eye relief is rather forgiving. A fixed 15x would be nice, but not to many small fixed scopes being made these days.

I got a great deal on the last one of these that Natchez had for $99 (less the tripod), but a nice little economic alternative is the little Burris 20x50mm and you can usually find one on the auction sites...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Spotting-Scopes-/31715/i.html?_npmv=3&_from=R40&_nkw=burris+20x

 

I use the little 20X Burris for 50 foot indoor 22 pistol shooting at home and it works great. Use an old Bushnell compact 20X in the box that goes to matches and the gunclub for pistol.

 

Thank you all!!

Thanks to each of you for your insight and guidance - you have schooled me well and given me much to think about!! I appreciate each of your replies. :bthumb:

Now it is time to take action!! :gun4:

 

Not exactly compact, but someone just listed a couple of Bushnell Spacemasters in the classifieds.

 

Of which I can highly recommend either of those scope packages.
The seller might be a little shady though.

 

+1 on the Bushnell Spacemaster. Get one with the rubber armor for $100 to $150.

 

Dear 1319

Getting a good spotting scope for bullseye, you have a lot more to consider before you start shopping.

First off, you have to decide if you want a angled or straight scope. The angled scope can be positioned on your shooting box such that a quick glance will not disrupt your string while you are doing slow fire and allow you a quick peek when completed in timed and rapid fire. Personally, I think that a rotating ring mount angled scope is the best. I have a old champions choice scope that not only rotates, but allows you to adjust it front to back to get the scope in the most convenient location for the match.

I have no idea why anybody would want a straight spotter for bullseye although I see them quite a bit.

Second consideration is the size of the scope. While some people have mounted a 65 mm objective on their shooting box, most people scale that down a bit to 50 mm or 45 mm.

Thirdly, sooner or later you are going to be shooting at a 50 foot range so you gotta make sure that your scope will focus down to 50 foot.

Next you want to consider the weight of the scope and the weight of your shooting box. Having to transverse rickety stairwells, muddy fields, sandy trails and snowy icy sidewalks, anything you can do to reduce the weight of the box will allow you to get to the shooting line less fatigued.

Konus used to make a cute little 15x35x50 angled spotter with a rotating ring that a couple of my teammates have, I am quite impressed with that scope although it is no longer available at the champions choice website.

Regards,
Cranky

 

binocs

Last year, I found an adapter for my binoculars that allowed me to mount them on top of my tripod. They now work great as my shooting range spotting scope and they worked well during deer season too.

My tripod can be converted to a mono-pod too. I used it as a walking stick while hunting and could take a look through the binocs quickly plus, it was very steady.

 

Here is a link to the adapter I found for my Binoculars:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/38016-REG/Nikon_7806_Binocular_Tripod_Adapter.html

Last year, I found an adapter for my binoculars that allowed me to mount them on top of my tripod. They now work great as my shooting range spotting scope and they worked well during deer season too.

My tripod can be converted to a mono-pod too. I used it as a walking stick while hunting and could take a look through the binocs quickly plus, it was very steady.

 

don't bother with the binoculars.........

A couple people have commented that a pair of binoculars would do but I really cannot recommend them.

A lot of newbies bring their binoculars to their first couple matches and they will get you buy for a short time but,,,,,, The constant reshuffling your feet, turning your body during competition is definitely hurting your scores. You need to be calm, relaxed, immobile on the slow fire line. Furthermore, the binoculars are way too clumsy to be of any use on the timed fire or rapid fire targets, even if your not using turning targets.

Save the binoculars for going to the beach. A medium small angled spotter on your pistol box is the only way to go.

Regards,
Crankster

 

A couple people have commented that a pair of binoculars would do but I really cannot recommend them.

A lot of newbies bring their binoculars to their first couple matches and they will get you buy for a short time but,,,,,, The constant reshuffling your feet, turning your body during competition is definitely hurting your scores. You need to be calm, relaxed, immobile on the slow fire line. Furthermore, the binoculars are way too clumsy to be of any use on the timed fire or rapid fire targets, even if your not using turning targets.

Save the binoculars for going to the beach. A medium small angled spotter on your pistol box is the only way to go.

Regards,
Crankster

Exactly, for pistol bullseye a pair of binoculars will cause more dsitraction then help.
you need something that can be attached to you shooting range box. where as all you have to do is turn your head to look thru it to spot your target.
I used a cheap Barska 25x compact I think it was. if you are going to also shoot 50 might be best to look for more x and quality.

 

I got a Minox MD 50 for 25-200 yards. It is 15 to 30 power and has clear glass. I started out with binoculars, the sporting scope is a lot better when shooting at a fixed position, get a good tripod. I got the Manfrotto, it has a lot of adjustment positions and is very sturdy.

 

Hello guys, I recommend you Emarth 20-60x60AE Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope with Tripod. It’s good for short range shooting. It has the best feature at the affordable price range.

 

hey can i get someones opinion this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Datyson-L-...-For-Binocular-Telescope-SP/202594103628?hash=item2f2b8cb14c:g:gzoAAOSwL-9cZ3m6