I need something that will show 40 caliber hits at half a mile. These will be bullet impact on steel targets.

School me gentlemen...

Rich

Well, Rich, you need a Hubbel . . .

I'll look over your shoulder in the schooling process here, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

I'm hoping that you get some good responses so that I can make use of the same info.
Many years ago when I fancied myself as a photographer, I relied on Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Schneider, Olypus, Kowa glass for lens.
I can't afford Zeiss and Leica.
I'd recommend a spotting scope with an 80 mm minimum and larger.

Jim

Either the Zeiss or the swarovski in an 80 mm that will magnify up to 60X should do it. I would imagine the Leica would too but I don't have any personal experience with them. Still make sure your plate is in a bright area. I glassed goats 2 weeks ago with a zeiss at a range of 7.5 miles. I was so impressed I have one coming in the mail either today or tomorrow.

Clarify: I mean to see the bullet splashes on the steel.

Anybody with a Kowa 77 or larger?

Thanks again

Rich

Rich, If you need the best go with Kowa or Swaro

I have the Swarovski ST80 20-60X 80MM. It shows great detail at long ranges. The only downside is that it is large and heavy. The hubell of spotting scopes.

I picked up a Leupold Kenai recently. Was able to see the vapor trail to the 500 meter plate and a little dusty puff just before the bang. It comes with two eye pieces. One is 25-60x and the other is a fixed 30x wide angle.

Zeiss Victory FL Diascope 85mm Spotting Scope with 20-60x Vario Eyepiece

Detail that defies description, excellent contrast and image qualities: The Zeiss Diascope spotting scopes are impressive in every respect. They combine a first-class optical system with a particularly robust design and strong mechanics.

A class by itself.

The Zeiss Diascope spotting scopes are naturally water and dustproof as well as nitrogen-filled. An extendable sunshade keeps interfering stray light away, and provides a notch site that facilitates the locating of objects. The Zeiss Diascope 85mm provides the best image quality and extremely high detail recognition. Also available in a smaller, more compact 65mm version, its lower weight and shorter body than the 85mm and therefore ideal for the mountains and travel. Both are light weight and compact enough for the field, day in and day out.

The Zoom Eyepiece offers, even at higher powers, above average viewing fields. With a low magnification, the object is found quickly and then you can zoom in to see the fine details.

An Overview of Digiscoping

Every birder, every hunter, every observer of wildlife of any kind, has thought at one time or another "I wish I had a camera that could take a picture or video of what I am seeing right now!"

The magic of digiscoping is that you can bring home sharp, correctly exposed, frame filling images of birds and wildlife, with a minimal extra investment beyond the scope you are already going to carry for observation, with minimal extra weight and equipment, and from such relatively great distances that you barely intrude on the creature's life. With practice and a well-developed eye for composition and for the behavior of birds and wildlife, you can bring back images to rival any ever taken: cover shots.

The Zeiss Diascope FL spotting scopes are ideal digiscoping tools. The provide a visual images that is second to none. Their exceptional color correction (due to the FL glass in the objective) makes for crystal clear, intensely colorful images. They are relatively light-weight so that adding a camera and adapter to your gear still leaves you with a rig you are willing to carry in the field.

At Zeiss, they realized the digiscoping potential early on, and were among the first to provide a dedicated digital camera adaptor. The Zeiss design, which allows the birder to switch almost instantly between visual observation and image capture, and which accepts the widest variety of camers, is still relatively unique on the market. And, of course, the Wuick Camera Adapter is Zeiss quality..and appropriate match for our award-wining Diascopes.

Which Camera?

The cameras the work best with the Zeiss Diascopes are:

■Compact digital cameras, pocket sized to as large as the average 35mm compact.
■Cameras with a 3 to 1 zoom range, to increase the likelihood that you will get a full-frame, unvignetted (shadowed) image: some 4 to 1 zoom cameras work for a portion of their range
■5-8 megapixel. For image quality and the ability to crop when necessary.
■Cameras with a large, bright, wide-angle LCD display for composition and, rarely, focusing.
■Cameras with a "program" setting, as opposed to full auto only. You may need to be able to control ISO settings directly and to adjust the exposure point for back lighted situations.
■Cameras with the quickest start-up times and the shortest "shutter-lags". Quick start up so that you can go from observation mode to image capture quickly. Short shutter lags so that you have a better chance of capturing particular poses or behaviours of the birds or wildlife.
Necessary features unique to the Zeiss Quick Camera Adapter
■Cameras with a tripod socket. Placement of the socket is not critical, but extreme placements (at the corners of the camera) make it harder to get a secure mount.
With a Zeiss Diascope, the Quick Camera Adapter, a suitable digital camera or video camera, you can take a picture of what you are seeing "right now". You can bring back images of the birds and wildlife you see in the field: images that will provide lasting satisfaction.

Nice summary... you generally get what you pay for... IF you buy quality

It used to be the guys that were really serious about long range silhouette shooting used a binocular like combination of two spotting scopes with 80MM front ends.

If you want to go on the cheap end, the Nikon Prostaff spotting scopes are exceptional values and have several different eyepieces available. Occasionally you can get one really cheap on an ebay auction.

LWD

hey rich - 1st you have to hit the target

step out there and watch me. You will see the puff of smoke, but you'll never hear the "bang" from that old Sharps.

Rich



Good News, I found an old Unertl Team Scope for about $1200

Hey Rich,

You might also consider a Meade Telescope .. I have a very similar set-up(90mm ETX-AT) for " Night Star Gazing " or " Daylight/Spotting Scope/Photo Set-Up " observations.

I picked it up after reading an article a few years back (10?) on " GUN TEST MAGAZINE " ; Spotting Scope Reviews ? ..

You will need to buy the accessories; Eyepiece(s),Stand, etc.

http://meade.com/

http://www.shopatron.com/produ...28926.0.0.0.0?pp=25&

http://www.shopatron.com/produ...323.0.1.1.0.0.0.0.0?

PAPI

Here's one more to consider !

Optolyth TBS 100mm GA/APO Flourite Spotting Scope.

http://www.deutscheoptik.com/c...th=4&products_id=448

http://www.bearbasin.com/optolyth-spotting-scopes.htm

http://www.optolyth.si/files/O...talog%20angleski.pdf

http://www.6mmbr.com/SpotterReview.html

PAPI

This is one of those times when only the best will do. And even that wont work all the time.

As long as we are "helping" spend your money,
as mentioned above the big Zeiss and Swaros are the starting point. I am a dedicated Swaro scope guy but I think the Zeiss might be better in this application and Zeiss certainly has mucho experience on which to draw to biuld these.

One other to consider is the best and biggest Pentax (100mm) primarily for the excellent Pentax eyepiece. You can also use the eyepiece for telescope work too. The Zeiss and Swaro eyepieces are proprietary for their respective scopes only.

You will likely need a heavy duty, and heavy tripod to use these babies. Something like the geared head Bogens etc. The tripod probably weighs 30 lbs.

And finally you might add a new camera if you dont have one . Just to take those incredible long range pictures - because for only a few bucks more you can add the digiscope set up to the spotting scope you choose. Long range shooting and long range pictures all in one!

The costs on this kind of set up can get up there quick. They sell these to bird watchers. They dont have to pay for rifles, scopes, and taxidermy fees on their trips - so their optics get pricey (Sorry Mom - A bird watcher ). So $2 -3000 for the scope, $500 each eyepiece, maybe 500-750 for the tripod, a hard case to carry it in, the new camera, the digiscope kit, and then another airfare for the lady to run it all while you are hunting, ......

Let us know which one you get.

Oooops I did not see Warriors post. But still the same.

quote:

Anybody with a Kowa 77 or larger?

The Kowa is superb, but just make sure you get one of the XD lens models. Depending on the light level, for 1/2 mile you should be fine with the 663 but I like the 773 best. IMHO the 883 comes into its own for long range F class but is too big for hunting use.
I prefer it to my friend's Swarovski, but he swears by the Swaro brand and they certainly are a good choice too.

Hey Rich,

With all of the suggestions provided .. What did you finally decide on getting ???

PAPI

Hello,

Anyone have tried the Meopta Meostar APO x75mm?

Thank you!

PH

hey rich - hits with a 106 should be visible in your scope

I was always sorta partial to Kowa, but it was really just Ford vs Chevy. Zeiss, Swarovski, Leica, and Unertal all make excellent products.

One brand that is often overlooked becase they are not well distributed or marketed in this country is Fuginon. The most expensive ones are equal to Zeiss et al in quality and price, but they are a full 8oz lighter. If you ever plan on backpack hunting and using the spotter, then this is sorta a big deal.

Birders are fanatical about their glass and Fujinon has a good reputation with that crowd

Ihave used all of these at least a little bit and some a fair amount. All are good and it is a lot like when folks ask about the best boot. Just like we all have different feet, we all have different eyes and some folks like some brands over others

Rich
Found the solution to spotting hits way out yonder, will even work if you use 22 caliber rifle.
I've got two daughters and one step daughter, that makes three son-in-laws. Can you think of a better use for a son-in-law then to stand beside the target and point out the holes?

Jim