Suppose your friend challenged you to a shooting match. It would be pretty hard to refuse when you know your buddy is a pro at it, right? You are all set to shoot your target, but unfortunately, you missed by a mile. How do you make sure of a better result next time? One piece of advice would be to use the best spotting scope made for shooting purposes. Before you pull the trigger, make sure you have the right spotting scope for the task at hand. A spotting scope is not just for looking at your target as it’s in front of you but also to help spot where your shot landed. Spotting scopes are built for many purposes, so figuring out what scope best suits your shooting needs is of utmost importance.
Don’t worry; I am here to help you. My today’s guide will help you to find the best spotting scope for target shooting based on features and quality. Read on as we take a look at some of the best spotting scopes for target shooting that are currently available in the market today.
What are the Best Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting?
Here are the Top 8 Best Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting I recommend:
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8 Best Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting (Review)
This guide is specifically written for those who want a perfect spotting scope for target shooting. This type of scope needs to have the ability to magnify objects clearly and from a long distance while providing bright light. In order to make our spotting scope guide as objective as possible, we’ve divided the best spotting scopes into different varieties based on important factors such as magnification, the field of view, and price range. Read on to find your perfect spotter:
1. Vanguard Endeavor 82A Spotting Scope
Ok, so let’s get started with the best spotting scope for target shooting. Vanguard Endeavor 82A is a great choice for those who are looking to get an angled spotting scope with a 20-60x zoom eyepiece and a stay-on case.
When a shooter tries to shoot a target from a distance, it often becomes difficult to spot the exact spot where the bullet landed. With this angled spotting scope, it becomes much easier as you are able to view the entire shooting range from one angle.
This scope offers a high magnification range and long eye relief that helps you to spot your shot clearly from as far back as 200 yards away. I am not joking; let’s see what features it offers:
Who doesn’t hate color fringing? It’s one of the most frustrating things that can happen when trying to spot a target from a distance. However, it’s good to see that Vanguard has included a great feature that should help reduce or eliminate any type of color fringing.
Shooters oftentimes forget to bring a lens hood with them when they head out to the range. I think, especially if you’re shooting optics in bright light, that a lens hood is essential. This will it help to protect your scope from the sun’s harmful rays, and it also doubles as an eye protector when using the scope at long range.
Okay, this might not be one of the features of the scope itself, but it’s definitely a nice touch. When you’re not using your scope, you can rest assured that it will stay locked in place. You won’t have to worry about it accidentally falling off of your shooting range tripod.
Let me now explain to you what makes this spotting scope so great. I know I can’t randomly just pick a spotting scope and claim it’s the best, so here is the explanation from me.
Firstly, it offers a high magnification range of 20x60x, which will help you to spot your shot more easily from long distances. In addition, I felt that the eye relief was great. It provides a relief that helps you to spot your shot clearly from as far back as 200 yards away.
You can also be sure of a quality scope lens with quality glass coatings, which make this scope durable and long-lasting. Even when I was checking reviews of this spotting scope, I found that many people mentioned how great of an optic it was.
I think the best part of all is that Vanguard includes a retractable lens hood with this scope, which makes it perfect for shooting in bright light. This eye protection will help to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays and also keep you looking sharp on long-range shots. Here are some of its pros and cons to consider before you give it a try:
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2. Celestron UpClose Spotting Scope
When people first start their shooting career, they lack the skill of spotting the target accurately, even at long range. In addition, beginners often face trouble locating their shot spotter precisely in field conditions. It results in low confidence, low accuracy, and wasted shots.
Never let that happen to you again. Guys, I know I have faced this issue myself. Luckily, I managed to find a spotting scope that was enough for beginning-level shooters. Yeah, it’s from Celestron. The scope is compact, lightweight, and easy to use. What’s more? Let’s find out below:
As I said above, a beginning-level shooter will struggle with spot-taking accuracy and field conditions. Why? Because spotting scopes are delicate things and can be easily damaged. To help you out, the UpClose 60mm Angled Spotting Scope comes with a premium hard case that is durable enough to protect it from scratches, bumps, and drops.
The easy-focusing feature of the spotting scope is a God-send for beginners. You don’t have to fumble and search for the right spot on your target in order to hit it. Instead, all you need to do is move the objective lens closer or further from your eye in order to view the target more clearly. Plus, the eyepiece has a hinged side objective lens so you can position it easily while looking at the target.
I saw many people praising the build quality of the spotting scope. For one, it’s lightweight and compact. This is my most desired feature when it comes to spotting scope because I hate carrying around heavy things.
See, I am not going to tell you that it’s super, damn, best, and blah blah. I am not among those guys who keep hyping every product. But I can tell you that it is a great spotting scope for beginner shooters and field conditions. The objective lens of the angled spotting scope is adjustable, so you can get the best view of your target no matter what shooting conditions are present.
Plus, the eyepiece offers a hinged side objective lens, which makes positioning it easy while looking at your target. I mean, it’s every feature clearly gives beginner shooters an advantage in the shooting field. All I can say is, try it out and see for yourself.
3. Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope
There is nothing like being out in the wilderness, a place where the call of the wild echoes across the hills and forests. Before you can say, “Bam, I hit that target!” take the field with Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope.
It is one of my favorite spotting scopes because of its magnification power, lightweight build quality, and price range. Oh wait, these are common features, right? No worries, Bushnell has put a few of its best features into the Trophy Xtreme spotting scope. You will be surprised to know these below:
Who doesn’t want to discover the distance of an animal or target beyond what their naked eye can see? Bushnell spotting scope has a magnification that ranges from 12x to 36x, so you can spot your target at a long range with ease. Better yet, it features real-time objective lens clarity for a high-quality shooting experience.
This spotting scope offers a 65 mm objective lens size to help you view your target clearly from a distance. I must say, this diameter is enough for most of the shooting needs.
What good is spotting scope if it can’t resist the drops and spills of nature? The good news is the Bushnell spotting scope is 100% waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about water getting into your view of the target.
Bushnell itself a name of quality and trustworthiness when it comes to spotting scopes. I think if a brand is not reliable, I would rather not put my trust in it. With that said, Bushnell Trophy Xtreme spotting scope is a quality product that offers high magnification and range for target shooting enthusiasts of all levels of expertise.
People were also praising it for the price tag. It offers quality magnification and range at a price that most of us can afford. I definitely want you to take a look at the Bushnell Xtreme spotting scope for your next target shooting range outing.
4. Celestron Regal M2 Spotting Scope
Don’t admit it, but you’ve always wanted to see the world from a bird’s eye view. If I am not wrong, there are many people who love bird watching as a way of relaxing and enjoying nature.
I know you are now thinking about your binoculars! Well, you might don’t know, but a spotting scope can be used to view birds as well. Yes, you heard it right. Imagine you are in a field, spotting a bird in its natural habitat. With a spotting scope, you can view details of the bird’s feathers, wingspan, and more. All without having to touch or disturb it. Amazing!
That’s why I pick the Celestron Regal M2 spotting scope as the best scope for target shooting. It offers a high magnification of 20-60x, which is perfect for viewing small prey or distant targets. Let’s dig out more!
I personally like to view large objects at close range. So, I appreciate a spotting scope with a magnification of up to 30x. This lens size gives me the clarity and detail I need to spot small details on far-away targets. Luckily, the Regal M2 spotting scope offers a magnification of up to 60x.
Optics are important. I know you are skeptical, but spotters often face harsh outdoor conditions. This can damage lenses and cause viewing problems. However, the Regal M2 features multi-coated optics that protect its lens from environmental damage.
This feature is cool. Celestron offers a limited-time warranty and lifetime technical support. This means that if you encounter any problems with your scope, they will help you fix them. Isn’t it nice to know that the company cares about its product?
First of all, above, I never pointed out a scope for bird watching and hunting. But what will bird watchers do when spotting a bird in its natural habitat? So, I felt I should also keep one scope for this purpose only. It’s best for all the features stated above. Wait, there are more. Its 80 mm objective lens ensures clarity of view and high-light transmission for low-light observation.
And, if you are a person who wants every single accessory with your spotting scope, then go for it. It comes with a tripod, lens cloth, eyepiece cap, objective cover, t-mount adapter, cleaning cloth, etc. Oh wait, before you jump for it, consider below pros and cons:
5. Redfield Rampage Spotting Scope
Let me first ask you what are your favorite things to do outside of the house. If you said playing in nature, spotting wildlife, or hunting on a field then this scope is perfect for you. It lets you spot targets very accurately. I never thought spotting scope could be this much fun. Its angled lens gives the shooter an unobstructed field of view. I mean, seriously? How could a spotting scope be that much versatile for shooting?
You don’t have to worry about any shaky shooting when using this scope because of the steadiness of the tripod. That’s not all; this model has a bunch of unique features.
Every single time when you spot a target, it’s irritating to reach for the eyepiece and struggle to get your eye in focus. This eyepiece twist-up feature makes spotting the scope much easier for you. You can just twist it up and be good to go.
Well well, this scope has got you covered no matter what range you are shooting at. You can spot targets clearly from 20-60x magnification. So, whatever the target distance is, this scope will help you see it clearly.
While I was checking its review, many people seemed to be confused about whether it’s waterproof or not. Unfortunately, they didn’t clear it in the description section. Now, let me clear up this confusion. The scope is both waterproof and fog-proof, so shooting in all kinds of conditions is no problem for you anymore.
My family always told me, “Don’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your spotting scope.” Absolutely, this scope has the best of everything when it comes to spotting target shooting. You don’t have to worry about the magnification being too low or high. The eyepiece is adjustable, and you also have a tripod that’s stable enough for shooting long-range shots.
All of these features together make this scope one of the best spotting scopes on the market today. If you are not yet convinced, then read below the pros and cons to see for yourself why this scope is so popular.
6. Nikon Prostaff 5 Spotting Scope
Now, it’s time to introduce you to a brand that never compromised when it came to a quality spotting scope. Nikon has been a trusted name in optics for decades, and its spotting scope is no different. If you ask me which brand I typically recommend, there is no doubt in my mind- it’s Nikon.
Ever heard of scope magnification optics becoming too bright or heavy? I hate that. Nikon has mastered the art of creating a spotting scope that is both compact and has high-quality optics. This scope balances magnification well so that it remains lightweight but still highly effective at spotting targets clearly from 20x up to 60x magnification.
This scope comes with a 20-60x magnification range that is adjustable using the eyepiece zoom. So whether you want to spot your target at long range or closer up, this scope has you covered.
I can confidently say that the optics of this scope are some of the best clarity you’ll find on a spotting scope. Don’t waste your money on a scope that’s blurry. Remember, clarity is Key for spotting targets clearly.
From every aspect, like scope magnification, clarity of view, and size, this scope ticks all the right boxes. I wouldn’t have said that this one is best until I discussed its price point. This is really not that bad compared to other spotting scopes on the market- in fact, it’s actually cheaper.
Besides, it has a sunshade-eliminating lens coating to reduce eye fatigue. You can trust the quality of optics that Nikon has put into this spotting scope. Overall, I am pretty impressed with the quality of this scope.
7. Roxant Blackbird Spotting Scope
I saw many shooters, hunters, and even some scout-type users purchasing very high-magnification spotting scopes. But let me tell you, you don’t always need that much magnification. Especially if you are new to spot-territory shooting, a scope with a magnification of 20-30x is more than sufficient for most tasks.
That’s why I want to introduce you to the Roxant spotting scope. It has a magnification of 12-36x. Seems low? Absolutely, no. I will explain it below but before that, let’s explore some of its features.
High-quality images are the result of sophisticated light transmission. This spotting scope allows accurate shooting under low-light conditions with true color rendition. I like spotting scopes that are durable and non-slip. It helps me stay focused on a target, regardless of the weather conditions.
Another beneficial feature of this spotting scope is the angled eyepiece. It gives you a wider view field, making it easier to spot targets and move around the shooting area without losing target clarity.
So, I was telling you why log magnification is not an issue for many shooters. First of all, the Spotting scope at 12x magnification provides an extremely clear image that is perfect for spotter-level shooting. At 36x magnification, you will have a good view of both close-range and long-range targets. Everything from small games to big games will be visible with clarity and accuracy. Not only magnification, but it also has many fiery features, such as durability, clear images, wide view, perfectly angled, etc. All these features definitely make it the best.
8. Leupold SX-1 Ventana 2 Spotting Scope
Here comes my last and final spotter scope of the best spotting scopes for target shooting. This good, best, and perfect scope comes with a 20-60x magnification range and an angled eyepiece to give you a wider view field. It also has high-transmission light lenses offering clarity under low-light conditions. Here are some features that impressed me the most:
This lens coating provides long-term protection for the eyepiece from scratches and other external damages. It ensures that your scope remains in great condition for years to come. Sounds interesting, right? With this system, you can adjust the eyepiece to provide optimum viewing conditions in twilight and low-light settings.
This scope is designed to be used by professional spotters and hunters. It’s built with quality materials, and it looks truly epic. I believe even amateur long-range target shooters will love shooting with this scope.
Often, people think best refers to the most expensive, but in this case, the best spotting scope for target shooting simply refers to the best quality and features. Everything about this scope screams quality, from its durable construction to its high-transmission light lens. You will get a super performance from this scope, night or day. And when it is to target shooting, you can never go wrong with a Leupold scope. Trust me; every shooter should have one of these best spotting scopes in their arsenal.
Conclusion
In the end, we came up with 8 of the best spotting scopes for target shooting to help you shoot like a pro. All these scopes come with features that ensure better accuracy and performance. The right scope can even make your target shooting experience less stressful and more enjoyable. But choosing the right one is not an easy task. Be brave, choose smartly, and have fun while shooting. Are there any other brands you think should be listed? Do let us know in the comments below.
