I have been using a Burris 15x45 Landmark spotter scope for some years; it wasn't bad at one time for what I used it for, but I need to move to a better scope. I will be using it for range use, punching paper between 100-300 yards looking at .22 to .30 caliber holes. While I have looked through Leupold and Kowa spotters in the $1000 range, I am not ready to spend that much, looking at $300-$600 instead. My questions are:

Are spotters like the Nikon Prostaff good for range work, not just hunting?

Would I want a scope with more weight (over 35 oz.) to reduce shake?

Will a 20x60 spotter be superior at spotting holes in paper than a 15x45 at the same range, or is the quality of the glass more important?

Glass quality trumps power range when they are that close. Save up and spend what you have to in order to get a quality spotter. You will be glad you did. I went down the same path and decided to do it once and do it right...getting what I wanted. I ended up with a Swaro STS 60mm w/ 25-50x wide angle lense and am quite satisfied I went that route. I looked and looked, with some patience and found a body on sale at Gander Mountain, shaving $500 off the retail price. I then bought the new wide angle lens from Doug at CameraLand. All in it set me back $1300.

Go to EBAY find a Bausch&Lomb NEW YORK MADE. I repeat older ROCHESTER NEW YORK made zoom lens 15x-60x and you should get it for $250 or less and I defy you to beat it. Mac truck tough and very clear optics. Foreign made Bausch & Lomb--forget it.

Have a look at the Vortex Nomad 20-60x60.

If it's as good as the Sandpiper it replaced, then it'll do what you ask at least as well as many more expensive makes.
They also carry a lifetime no fault warranty.

I'd keep and use what you have and continue to save until you can get something substantially better. Otherwise, you'll be doing the whole thing over again sometime down the road.

Thanks for the words of wisdom! I'll wait a little longer and save up for the better glass. I have gone to shows and looked through the Kowa scopes, and used the Leupold Golden Ring spotters in the Army, so may look to those.

Maybe it's my old eyes, but I have a real hard time seeing .22 calibre or even .30 calibre holes at 300 plus yards. That's why you need a spotter in the pits.

Pentax 65mmED, light weight for size, 7 deg FOV, and get a 28X (10XW?) eyepiece and never look back. Get a Good camera tripod (Manfrotti).

VR
Earl