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If you’re an experienced shooter, chances are that you already own a spotting
scope. If you’re new to the shooting sports, it’s definitely one piece of
equipment that you’re going to want to purchase at some point in time.
Spotting Scopes vs. Binoculars?
Although you can use a pair of high power binoculars (i.e. 16x70, 20x80, etc…)
for many of the same tasks for which you might use a spotting scope, including
BPCR Silhouette, binoculars are virtually useless when you’re laying on the
firing line trying to view your target. Binoculars simply aren’t designed for
the specific needs of the Long Range shooter. A spotting scope is a much better
choice.
A spotting scope enables the shooter to view the target to determine where the
last shot impacted. It can be used when testing loads at the local range, when
spotting for a fellow BPCR Silhouette shooter, or when either competing (looking
at your own target when you are in the prone position on the firing line) or
when spotting for a shooting partner at a High Power or Long Range BPCR match.
Spotting Scope Makers
Spotting scopes run the full gamut when it comes to price, features, quality,
and size. Most of the major manufacturers of camera lenses, telescopic rifle
scopes, and binoculars also make a line of spotting scopes. Scopes made by such
names as Nikon, Kowa, Bushnell, Pentax, Leupold, and many others are readily
available.
Before Buying A Spotting Scope, Do Your Homework
Before you run out to buy a spotting scope, take your time and do your homework
to determine which spotting scope and spotting scope stand is best for you.
Since most spotting scopes do not come with a stand upon which to mount the
spotting scope, you need to determine which stand will work best for you as
well.
Here is what I would recommend:
1) Use the Internet
There are several very good web sites that offer detailed discussions on the
various features that you should consider when buying a spotting scope. Although
these sites are oriented toward bird watchers, the same basic features apply to
spotting scopes used for shooting-related activities. Bird watchers are probably
the largest group of users of spotting scopes.
Orion — “Choosing a Spotting Scope or Binoculars?”
http://www.telescope.com/content/learningcenter/content2main .jsp?iContentID=824&CCNavIDs=19,20,82
Birding.com — “Choosing a Spotting Scope”
http://www.birding.com/scopeGuide.asp
Optics4Birding.com — “Choosing Scopes”
http://www.optics4birding.com/chscop.aspx
LookSmart — “Choosing a Spotting Scope”
http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_3_48/ai_ 82551657
All About Birds — “Choosing a Spotting Scope”
http://birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/GearGuide/Scop es/
2) Talk to Other Shooters
The next time that you are at your local shooting range or at a match, make note
of the manufacturers and models of the spotting scopes that seem to be used by
the majority of the shooters in attendance. This holds true whether you are at a
BPCR Silhouette or Long Range match, or a modern High Power match.
Ask the shooters why they purchased the scope that they are using, what features
they like and don’t like about their particular scope, and if they would
recommend it to others.
3) Visit Your Local Sporting Goods Store
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area that has one or more of the “mega”
sporting goods stores like Cabela’s, Gander Mountain, Galyans, or Pro Bass
Shops, visit the stores and see what they have to offer. Then compare the
different models by testing them (looking through them at a distant object) to
see how they compare with each other.
Once you’re familiar with the differences between scopes and understand the
various features they offer, ask yourself the following questions and make a
checklist of the features that you want in a spotting scope:
 How Much Money Do I Want To Spend?
The answer to this question will narrow the range of scopes that you will want
to consider.
How Much Magnification Do I Need?
The magnification power, light gathering capabilities, and quality of a scope
that is only going to be used at the local 100 yard range are different than
those needed when spotting targets at 1,000 yards.
Generally speaking, consider at least 20x magnification as a minimum for Long
Range shooting. I use a 27x power eyepiece on my Kowa Model TSN-821 scope. I
also have a 20x to 60x zoom eyepiece that I use from time to time.
Remember that at 800, 900, or 1,000 yards you are not going to be able to see
the bullet hole in the target. The spotting scope simply needs to be powerful
enough to give you a reasonably close view of the target.
What you are going to be looking for when you look through your spotting scope
is the position of the 4” disc that is placed in the bullet hole (the Shot Hole
Spotter) and the 5” bright orange disc that is hung next to or near the value of
the shot, which is indicated by its position around the edge of the target frame
(what I call the Score or Value Spotter).
For a picture of what the target should look like when viewed at a distance, see
“Target and Scoring” in the “Competition” section of this web site.
Would I Prefer a Straight or Angled Eyepiece Model?
Some scopes may be offered in two different configurations — a straight eyepiece
vs. an angled eyepiece. The angled eyepiece model probably accommodates a wider
range of conditions and positions than a straight model. But, the choice is up
to you.
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These Kowa scopes are a good example of the Straight (TSN-822) and Angled
(TSN-821) configurations mentioned above. |
Does The Scope Manufacturer Offer a Rain Cover?
A rain cover can provide an added level of protection for an expensive piece of
equipment. If one is available for the model you are considering, I would
recommend buying one.
Does The Scope Manufacturer Offer A Carrying Case?
Once again, a carrying case made for your scope can protect it from damage when
transporting your equipment to a match. A good, hard cover or padded soft-sided
carrying case is a smart investment!
Selecting A Spotting Scope Stand
As I mentioned earlier, most spotting scopes are not sold with a stand. Although
a couple of manufacturers do bundle their scope with a small tabletop tripod,
most do not come with a stand of any type.
The reason is because people use their spotting scopes for different purposes. A
person who is watching birds will probably use a standard or heavy-duty camera
tripod to mount their scope. A shooter may also do the same when spotting at a
Silhouette or High Power match.
But the High Power and Long Range shooter will generally want to purchase a more
versatile spotting scope stand made specifically to accommodate the needs of
someone shooting from the prone, sitting, kneeling, or standing positions. A
camera tripod is simply not designed to address all of those requirements.
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This is the Giraud Spotting Scope Stand, just one of many different stands that
are made to address the needs of the Long Range and High Power shooter. |
Finding The Right Stand For Your Spotting Scope
Spotting scopes have a 1/4” x 20 threaded insert or drilled and tapped hole on
the base of the scope. This is the standard thread size used by camera
manufacturers for use with a camera tripod.
Spotting scope stands that are made for shooting generally consist of a
relatively heavy base with a small footprint, so the stand can be positioned
close to a shooter who is laying on the ground. They generally have some type of
vertical pole and an adjustable head on which the spotting scope is mounted.
This allows the shooter maximum flexibility in adjusting the height of the scope
to accommodate the prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing positions assumed by
shooters in various types of competitions. It also enables a spotter to position
the scope at a height that will accommodate someone sitting in a chair or on a
stool while spotting.
Here are just a few of the spotting scope stands available on the market:
C&S Accuracy:
www.benchrest.com/csaccuracy/spotting_scope_stand.html
Gehmann:
www.gehmann.com/english_final/spottingscopes_and_stands.php
Georgia Precision Shooters Supply:
www.georgiaprecision.com/cart/items/FSScopeStand.htm
ChampionShooters.com:
www.championshooters.com/Stands.htm
Ray-Vin Classic Scope Stand:
www.ray-vin.com/cat/scopestand/classicstand.htm
Giraud Spotting Scope Stand:
www.giraudtool.com/prod01.htm
Ewing’s Scope Stands 509-455-5677
Champion's Choice Shooting Supplies & Equipment:
www.champchoice.com
Positioning Your Spotting Scope On the Firing Line
When you are laying in the prone position on the firing line during a match, you
want to have a spotting scope stand that you can quickly and easily position and
adjust to your needs.
You want to have a stand that can hold your scope about 12” to 16” above the
ground and close enough to your shooting position so that all you have to do is
move your head slightly to one side in order to look through your scope. This is
where a scope with an angled eyepiece really shines!
Look at the pictures shown below for an illustration of this point:
Notice in picture “A” that the spotting scope is positioned close to the
shooter’s head without interfering with his view of the target. After firing, in
picture “C”, he simply tilts his head to the side to view the target. This
allows him to stay in the solid, comfortable shooting position he has
established without having to change his position to use his spotting scope.
Picture “B” shows the same position from a slightly different angle.
Most shooters prefer to position the spotting scope on their weak side (in this
case the left side) rather than have to lean over the stock of the gun in order
to look through the spotting scope.
Notice also how the wind flag is positioned off to the side of the shooter’s
firing position, but close enough so that he can see it out of the corner of his
eye. Remember, wind shifts at the firing line have the greatest effect on the
flight of the bullet.
One Final Word
Be sure to buy a Daylight or U/V (Ultraviolet) filter for your scope. This will
protect the front lens of the scope from the harmful effects of the black powder
smoke that invariably drifts back into the shooter’s face from time to time.
It’s far better to ruin a twist-off filter than the front lens of your new
scope.
By Darryl Hedges
Copyright© 2010 All Rights Reserved.
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