What is your budget? If you have the jack, look at Kowa. Be ready to drop close to $3000.

 

@Newbie2, somewhere between 1000$ and 2000$ would be a good price for me.

 

Ive got an old B&L Discoverer? variable that goes up to 60x, it is the straight tube and fairly long.
Ive been through a number of tripods, and adjustable ‘heads’, at the higher powers a heavier and more solid tripod and head is imperative to see itty-bitty 22 holes.
My best tripods have been a survey type and currently a heavy duty motion camera tripod (found both at buy/sell shops). I really like this last one! Wimpy tripods aint worth spit. The head needs to be smooth and controllable, glitchy literally feels rotten.
With the straight tube you have to be able to get the heights you (or your spotter) need to stand or sit comfortably right behind it and sometimes for a good long time. You dont want to be hunkerin’ down or straining your neck to get a view.
I have admired the angled viewer scopes of my friends, they are pretty user friendly and I really like the small fine tune focus knob compared to my large adj. rings. Buying today it would be one of these. Hopefully someone will chime in with some ‘best bang for the bucks’ on brands.

 

This is an old article on how to choose a spotting scope but can still give you some insight on what you need. Good luck. I love shooting my 22's at 200 yards still using peep sights on my 513T and 52C Winchester. I find now that I am older that paying extra for the "Shoot N C" targets is worth it at those distance and makes my shooting experience less frustrating , hope the link is helpful to you. Good luck and good shooting.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/howto/how-to-choose-a-spotting-scope-for-target-shooting.html

 

If you intend to use the scope for ranges under 600 yards as I do, all you need is the Vortex Viper HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope which will run you about $900 or so.

 

@GladesGuy, thanks for the info. Quick question: I'm really hesitating between your suggestion (the Viper HD 20-60x85) and the Razor HD 22-48x65. Any thoughts which one would best suit my needs? Is the Viper's 60x magnification and 85mm objective essential or do you think the Razor's 48x magnification and 65mm objective will be enough? Again, the goal is to see bullet holes in targets at 50, 100 and 200m.

 

In the $1000. - $2000. price range there are many excellent options available from Kowa, Meopta, Athlon, Leupold, etc. Please feel free to give us a call to discuss options.
I am out of the store today, working from the tackle shop, however, you can call me today at 631-225-8862 to discuss different options and what would be best for you.
I'm back in the store, 516-217-1000, tomorrow.
Thanks

*** May I suggest you read this review posted by a member on another forum about the Athlon Ares 15-45x65ED https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12399316/re-spotting-scope-review#Post12399316

 

Spotting scope

I recently purchased a Vortex Viper 15 - 45 x 60, Angled. You may want more power, like 60. the nice thing is that the scope can be rotated in its mount. Great bang for the buck! I built my own mount for on the bench out of a piece of 8" round, 3/4" plate. weights in at 8+ pounds, and is rock solid.
Optics Planet, with Military discount, your looking at a little over $500.

 

I recently purchased a Vortex Viper 15 - 45 x 60, Angled. You may want more power, like 60. the nice thing is that the scope can be rotated in its mount. Great bang for the buck! I built my own mount for on the bench out of a piece of 8" round, 3/4" plate. weights in at 8+ pounds, and is rock solid.
Optics Planet, with Military discount, your looking at a little over $500.

@jimbo60, how well and at what distance can you see .22 bullet holes with your Vortex Viper 15 - 45 x 60? What kind of targets do you use?

 

"Seeing 22 holes at 200m is tough even with the best spotting scope. Conditions have to be perfect".

I 100% disagree with this statement (sorry).

Many decent 45-60x scopes can see .22 cal holes even on black targets at that distance unless the mirage is horrible.
My range has a pair of 15-30X Leupold scopes mounted on permeant poles that can do it, but I believe that going to 45x makes it a no brainer.
https://www.leupold.com/spotting-scopes/hd-spotting-scopes/gr-15-30x50mm-compact This is the ranges scope discused above.

Major point: I highly recommend whatever you get, be sure it has an angled eye piece.

I have Leica 20-60X that costs' over $3000.
That level of scope quality is nesccsary to have a decent chance off seeing 6.mm bullet holes at 600yds on cream colored bench-rest targets.

So again many $ 400-$600 scopes can do what you're requesting at 200yds.
I"ve looked through many different brands at my range on dozens and dozens of occasions. No problem.

Smooth

 

@Smoothtrigger, sounds like good advice ;-) Sooooo, from what I understand, according to you, the Vortex Razor HD 22-48x65 would be a good choice, right ? Have to say tho', still wondering if the Viper HD 20-60x85 (or Razor HD 27-60x85) would be a better choice...

 

Spotting scopes are great for matches, where one person can shoot while another spots, but if I'm alone I find them to be a huge pain. For $2K I can put a (used) NF that goes up to 25X or 32X on and be able to see the holes without switching back and forth from the SS to rifle. I do use white paper targets that are optimized for seeing holes, though, for practice.

The matches are shot on those creme-colored targets but I can still see the holes fine most of the time, and like I said, if it's a match there are plenty of SS's around any way. I will often spot for another shooter with my NF.

I've even seen used NF Comp's that go up to 55X going for a little over $2K.

Most of the time my rifle scopes are much clearer than the SS's I look through, so long as I can use them in my BR setup, i. e., with a front and rear bag, etc.

 

The Vortex Razor HD 22-48x65 is more than good enough.
However those big 85mm objectives of the Viper HD 20-60x85 (or Razor HD 27-60x85) will give you a larger exit pupil, and of course, the 60X will also be a plus.

I always recommend purchasing the best that you can afford.
High quality spotting scope with lifetime warranties (probably will never need it) are ...well.... lifetime purchases.
My 1st post simply stated that the OP doesn't need to spend more than $400-$600 in order to meet his present needs.

Now as soon as he wants to start looking at targets at 300, and especially 500-600yds, the the high end, to very high end scopes will be able to meet the task with way better clarity.

By the way as far seeing bullet holes at anything past 6ooyds, it starts to require near perfect conditions (great light and near zero mirage), and truly superb optics (translation, expensive) to have any chance.
Higher powers above 60-70x will do very little if anything to help. At that distance the targets will have to have a cream colored scoring areas with light red or blue rings. Black is a no go.

Smooth

 

However those big 85mm objectives of the Viper HD 20-60x85 (or Razor HD 27-60x85)...

Yes... makes for a huge scope, but handles the higher magnification a little more better.

 

Spotting scope

I agree with Smoothtrigger! You'll never be sorry for buying quality, and nice glass is not cheap. For me, the Razor was not twice as good as the Viper.

 

You probably need to go to some shoots and look through some spotting scopes. Offering up to ‘spot’ for someone who has a scope you are interested in can let you find out if it works for you or not.

 

THAT! Jiggles at 200 make seeing the bullet holes impossible for me.

 

Thanks to all of you for the very useful advice!

 

Think ‘foundation’. Just as having your benchrest set up on a card table wont work neither will a spotting scope on a wobblie. Imo the Manfrotto stuff is good, though I would upgrade that suggested one to the 3Pod with fluid head for only a few dollars more. Ime the better head will be a joy at all, and especially longer, distances. Check the reviews of camera guys on tripods and heads for heavy cameras to get a sense of it. Once you have defined a product do an ebay search for used. After I did research I started hitting the buy/sell shops whenever I could (but stay focused, lots of distractions).
If buying new and you can bear to spend about $300 for a tripod and head you will be less likely to regret it. After all the scopes and stands Ive been through (and still have some of) I know I would have been far ahead by buying great stuff up front. Doesnt that sound familiar.......
If buying used you may luck out, my hd camera tripod cost me $50; I did not dicker!