bpjack wrote on Jul 13^th, 2021 at 1:35pm:


Thanks for the real time advice, Jack, but I think it might make my condition even worse. It will remind me that I used an ancient outdated rifle with a hundred plus year old barrel and an old used outdated two hundred dollar scope to post those scores. 
Not to mention the home made rifle rest and twenty year old blown out sandbags and the lousy Kowa spotting scope held up with a cheap Chinese tripod. The Redding powder measure I've been using since 1972. The list goes on and on. Whoa is me. 

Joe,

Maybe you should upgrade that equipment so the rest of us will have a better chance of winning.

westerner wrote on Jul 13^th, 2021 at 1:27pm:

And I feel so empowered to learn the infamous Westerner has been brought to his knees a trembling hunk of single shot prowess in a field of silent waffles. I can live with that

Opinion worth what it cost from a guy that has too many spotting scopes.

Standard for most shooters is the largest objective lens Kowa you can afford with a fixed power eyepiece about 25 power. Higher power too fussy and limits field of view, no substitute for large objective. Avoid variable. Kowa probably best choice overall, they are not cheap.

Have owned several older Bushnells all good none expensive never attached to any of them. 

Used reasonable price and trouble free fixed power Gold Ring Leupold is what I recommend . Bought my first one 50 mm x 25 x at HP Silhouette nationals 25+ years ago used. Still have it and rides in my range bag all the time having it with me big advantage . Added the larger 60 mm x 20 latter it resolves better than the 25x50 but not as portable  . Either one often sells for less than 200 on eBay 300 is not too much to pay considering Leupold will service then free lifetime, never needed with mine. Don’t buy the very expensive gold ring variables or any of the foreign made Leupold scopes . The Leupolds were most useful flying to Raton for Silhouette nationals, easy to pack & good enough. Little one 25x50 mm went with me many places for game spotting bigger scopes not easy to take. Small scope don’t go over 20 power unless it’s a good glass though. 

However have a weakness for Unertl spotters. Have 4 and lost the bid on # 5 last weekend, a rare 20x53 “45” angle eyepiece in near perfect condition, it went for 520 dollars top dollar.

Big team 100 mm crazy expensive and takes two to carry it it’s the best scope I have ever used. 15 25 & missing the 32x eyepiece. 

63x24 Unertl probably best buy for a rifle shooter and if bought carefully just within your budget. Bought a rough looking optically & mechanically perfect 63x24 angle eyepiece under 200 off this forum recently. Real shooters used Unertl & they often have scars.

Unert Pistol scope 20x53 less expensive and a at times real bargain. Any of the Unertl scopes resolve better than the same objective and power modern Chinese scopes. Disadvantage Unertl  service if dropped or you bought a problem. Never had either happen.

Any scope half the resolution depends on the tripod.

Boats 

On mounting 

My little Leupold is always packed with a compact Manfrotto fluid head tripod. Light reasonably stable and fast zero in on objects, even moving game. Sometimes portable is worth compromising other features. Manfrotto (former name Bogden) probably best of current manufacturers 

Unertl Pistol 20x. Mounts on a Freelands table top with extra counterweight under the legs. It will focus 10 meters something not all will do.

My Medium size Unertl scopes mount either on a Freelands scope stand, reasonably solid and able to stand close to the scope & self spot without coming out of position, often lash it to a shooting house post or rail. Or a Tilt All tripod, used when spotting other shooters, about the most stable tripod that’s portable. Used Tiltall a bargain compared to equal size new made.

Big Unertl tripod, built specifically for the 100 mm scope, weighs about 25 lbs. It’s used as a firing line scope available  to all competitors 

Different jobs different tools 

Boats

I still use a 70's era Bushnell 10X30 Variable Armour Coated spotting scope on a home made mount. Cost me a $100.00 at the time at half the selling price. I can clearly see 200 yard 25 caliber bullet holes. Just as clearly as some of the high end Kowa's I have looked through over the years. Not sure how it might do beyond 200yds never had a competitive shooting need to go there.   

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