New, Vortex Razor is probably the best value and can be found used for very reasonable pricing. fluoride type coatings make a big improvement on seeing those small holes. JMO

The 100mm Unertl is not reasonably priced, but thanks for letting him know you have one, same goes for your buddies Kowa.

I've purchased several really good quality spotting scopes used, and never paid over $100 yet. I have a Kowa 20x that cost me $10 at a gun show, and is a wonderful scope, but not good for spotting .22 holes in the black.
I have another Kowa 60x that came from our local gun show and cost me $95 with it's original hard case. It's older, but the optics are as good as anything newer, and it easily lets me see .22 holes in any area of the targets.
Tough to say a newer brand that will be as good as a high quality used scope, as like anything prices are much cheaper if one keeps an eye out for used instead of new.

My Celestron Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope is more than adequate for my needs. The only time I have had trouble spotting small holes at 200 yds is when the mirage is running high.  I snagged it off of eBay for a good price.  The is an issue with the rubberized coating on the body that was very tacky.  It took effort scraping and soaking in lighter fluid to remove it.

I have been using a Bushnell Legend HD, 20-60 x 80mm for a long time.  If you can find a decent used one ( they are discontinued ) it should do the trick.  If there isn't a bunch of mirage it'll see 22 holes at 200m.   

I've compared it to a couple of decent Kowa scopes and there didn't seem to be much difference.  Light mirage was maybe a little easier to pick up with the Kowas, but the difference was quite subtle.

Chris.

Believe it or not but I've got an older Simmons 25x50 scope that is as clear as my Kowa. I can see 22 holes at 200 yds on most days. I think I paid about $50 for it years ago You can find them on ebay sometimes. The model is a 1209. None of the other models from Simmons are near as good.

I have a 100 mm Unertl team too. It spots .22’s very well at 200 with its 24 mm eye piece. My outfit has the 15x & 24x missing the 32x It won’t spot .22’s at 200 under all conditions. Neither will other club members large objective Kowas .

At distance you are looking through air that’s like a bowl of soup. Sometimes it’s thick sometimes thin. Further complicated by sunlight variance bright to cloudy, direction too, illuminated from front side or back. Difficult conditions no scope will resolve .22 holes at 200 good condition many will, even low cost scopes. 

My opinion low cost options are used Kowas, the smaller objective models lot cheaper used than big ones. Like the older fixed power Leopold too, have had several, 20x60 mm Probably best resolver, but use a little 25x50 more due easy to pack. Leopold has the advantage lifetime guarantee. Used it twice a nice advantage. Vintage B&L 20x another quality bargain used.

New my opinion Kowa way to go. Largest objective lens aways best.  Buying used look for condition, Unertl or B&L goes bad expensive to repair, older Japanese brands parts can be difficult 

Boats

I have tried everything from Bushnell, every Kowa, Swarovski, to various Unertl's including the 100mm team scope and more. When (in Indiana anyway) Mirage is really acting up I am totally convinced there is no such thing as a spotting scope that can see through it. The only two things that give any help at all is to back off the power on the scope and or use a red filter that will cause the .22 hole to slightly show up as black holes. If you can get some clouds to move in or possibly some wind can help other than that it becomes a guessing game.

Spotting strikes or holes then marking on a cork spotting board with push pins is very useful. Condition changes even a light breeze can reveal a strike that disappears when it goes flat. Marked you have a reference without reference to the scope, shoot a string able to get a profile point of impact, group size and more from the board. Also know were to look for a strike that fades in and out.

Boats

Skalkaho wrote on May 8^th, 2024 at 9:34am:

I have to agree with Pete, about Swarovski 80mm scopes.

I've never owned one, because of the cost but, the club I founded has one that I have borrowed and I think it is the way to go, if you can justify the price.

Friend of mine just bought the 99 mm objective Kowa Promar, 30/70 eyepiece. We used it last weeks practice session perfect visibility day . Real nice, it resolved 22 holes on the red ASSRA 200 target better than my Unertl 63mm x 24x  The 63 rarely fails  .32 holes .22 can be difficult . It’s my most often used due easy transport and performance. Kowa 99 just as portable.

Next time will bring the 100 mm team, see how it compares . I suspect the big Kowa is as good as you can get. Did not ask how much it cost .

Boats

My Swarovski is even earlier than yours! They told me if it ever needed much more than cleaning they likely couldn't repair it if parts were needed. It's the first spotting scope the company ever offered.
Fortunately it's in perfect condition, and works extremely well.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)