Bench Optics, Binoculars or Spotting Scope

[Namerifrats]

Wonder what most of you use for bench optics. I can currenty shoot out to 200 yards are my range. Just got a few rifles today and will be hoping to sight in some scopes at 100yrds in next next couple of weeks. Thinking I'd like to have a peice of glass at the bench to assist. What do you guys prefer or recommend? 4 scopes I have are all 3x9 Nikons, excellent clarity. I've looked at some Nikon Binoculars recently. I can see a lot at 9X through the scopes, but the holes will be smaller. 223, 22-250, 17HMR

 

[Bailey Boat]

There is no substitute for a good spotting scope, every shooter needs one but usually buy another gun instead since the cost is about the same. Skip the gun and be able to see where you're hitting.....

 

[CZfool68]

I usually shoot at an indoor range out to 100 yards. So a huge spotting scope isn't really needed. I grabbed one of these https://swfa.com/vortex-11-33x50-razor-hd-spotting-scope-3.html last year. Added a small, sturdy tripod and it works great. Very good glass. I also like that it is small enough to throw in a backpack for other uses. If I was shooting 800 yards or something it would likely not be as useful, but for most of my shooting it works great.

 

[CZfool68]

There is no substitute for a good spotting scope, every shooter needs one but usually buy another gun instead since the cost is about the same. Skip the gun and be able to see where you're hitting.....

I resembled that remark for a few years, and finally wised up. Your words are truth. No substitute for having a good scope and being able to see exacttly what you are doing quickly and easily.

 

[Joker00]

I have a Bushnell t series with mil reticle. Works awesome and small enough to put in a pack. I have a manfroto tripod with a ball head. It's 45 power max. Don't cheap out on a tripod. A cheap one will give you a headache.

Most of the time i have it at 30 power and we shoot out to 1000 yards on steel. I have another spotter that's 60 power and its useless when there is any mirage.

 

[Namerifrats]

Preferably wanting one where I can see bullet holes at 200 yards of that's possible. I'll use splatter targets at that range to assist in visibility.

Looking at the Nikon 20-60x82mm Prostaff 5, $600. Looks like it may do what I want. Any real difference in straight and angled designs? Thinking angled would be awkward as you would need to stand up from you shooting position each time to look through it.

 

[Bailey Boat]

Angled is the only way to go, it looks difficult, but in use it makes more sense and is easier to use from a variety of positions....

 

[Joker00]

Preferably wanting one where I can see bullet holes at 200 yards of that's possible. I'll use splatter targets at that range to assist in visibility.

Looking at the Nikon 20-60x82mm Prostaff 5, $600. Looks like it may do what I want. Any real difference in straight and angled designs? Thinking angled would be awkward as you would need to stand up from you shooting position each time to look through it.

I personally like straight. If i was in the mountains having to look up hills while I was on the ground spotting animals I would use angled. Shooting prone I can have a straight right beside me and not have to get up and get on my knees to see through the spotter. Standing I would much rather have a straight piece. But that's just my opinion

 

[Catfish]

I use binocs out to 100 yds because they're so much easier to use. Beyond that I can't see .22 cal holes without better glass so I either use stupid-high magnification on the gun or set up a $60 spotting scope. 300yd is as far as I can shoot and my cheap-ass glass works to that distance. My spotting scope is straight and I use it seated at a bench, so that works well. I've tried to use it for moon and stargazing and the straight config really made that difficult. I really prefer binoculars for the versatility. Before you buy consider both how you will be using it at the range and how else it might be used because it doesn't have to be a single-task item.

 

[CZfool68]

Preferably wanting one where I can see bullet holes at 200 yards of that's possible. I'll use splatter targets at that range to assist in visibility.

Looking at the Nikon 20-60x82mm Prostaff 5, $600. Looks like it may do what I want. Any real difference in straight and angled designs? Thinking angled would be awkward as you would need to stand up from you shooting position each time to look through it.

Angled vs straight is likely preference. But it also depends on whether you are prone or bench shooting. And how adjustable is your bipod.

If you haven't already try to go to a few stores and look through different models. Glass quality makes a big difference. Just like with scopes, objective size isn't everything.

 

[cjcullom]

An angled spotter will give you more choices on where to place the unit(left or right), and the ability to rotate the eye piece for a varied head angles. Straight is straight....you have only left or right to choose. Im referring to prone rifle position and using the spotter with the gun. As was said above, it really depends on the situation.
Im looking at "spotters" for a long range class and am chewing on the same fat as you @Namerifrats

Rooster

 

[two77]

I own a spotting scope but it is aggravating to use. I have found that the "Splatterburst" type targets make the spotting scope unnecessary.

 

[Namerifrats]

I own a spotting scope but it is aggravating to use. I have found that the "Splatterburst" type targets make the spotting scope unnecessary.

Just curious but why do you say it's aggravating? Reasons, issues? I haven't gotten anything yet, but will need something sooner than later. I have 4 rifles and 4 scopes I'm getting ready to mount together and sight in in the coming weeks. One probably this weekend. Feel like some sort of bench optic will take some of the time and wasted shots out of the task. Planning to start at 25 yrds and work out to 100-150 yrd set up. Not sure which distance I'll go with yet. I do have my eye on a couple spotting scope options though.

 

[two77]

They are just so jittery that it is hard to keep one focused to the same spot. If I set it up on the tall tripod, it is a little more stable but I have to stand up to look at it and then have to settle back into my shooting position. Even on the small tripod, it is difficult to set it up on the same bench that I am shooting from. Meanwhile, with the Splatterburst/Shoot-N-See type targets I can see instantly through the scope where the shot landed without having to move at all. At either 50 or 100 yds (where I usually shoot from) the splatter targets make for a more enjoyable experience. When I shoot at 300 yds (max distance I have access to) I shoot at a steel plate and if it is freshly painted I can easily enough see where the shot hit as long as I connect with the steel. If you have access to longer range shooting, I could see where a spotting scope would be a great asset, especially if you had a spotter on the scope while you shot.

 

[CZfool68]

They are just so jittery that it is hard to keep one focused to the same spot. If I set it up on the tall tripod, it is a little more stable but I have to stand up to look at it and then have to settle back into my shooting position. Even on the small tripod, it is difficult to set it up on the same bench that I am shooting from. Meanwhile, with the Splatterburst/Shoot-N-See type targets I can see instantly through the scope where the shot landed without having to move at all. At either 50 or 100 yds (where I usually shoot from) the splatter targets make for a more enjoyable experience. When I shoot at 300 yds (max distance I have access to) I shoot at a steel plate and if it is freshly painted I can easily enough see where the shot hit as long as I connect with the steel. If you have access to longer range shooting, I could see where a spotting scope would be a great asset, especially if you had a spotter on the scope while you shot.

Sounds like you just need better tripods. The spotters I have rented with wobbly tripods act exactly as you say. Too much movement makes it hard to use. With the ground, a stable bench and a good tripod mine works fine.

 

[Joker00]

Sounds like you just need better tripods. The spotters I have rented with wobbly tripods act exactly as you say. Too much movement makes it hard to use. With the ground, a stable bench and a good tripod mine works fine.

+1 on the tripod. As I stated before you will save yourself some headache if you get a good tripod.