What is the best scope for target shooting? Long-range shooting requires a skilled hand and optics specially designed to cover the distance. Nothing beats spotting scopes when it comes to long-range shooting. On that note, we have compiled a list of the best spotting scopes for long range shooting. Read on and find a spotting scope to go the distance with.
For long-range shooting, you need a quality optic that provides additional clarity. The best spotting scopes for long range shooting offer powerful magnification to help you reach the distant target with ease. They also have high-quality optics to ensure clarity even at the highest magnification.
Spotting scopes come in different designs and price tags so you pick the right model for your needs. However, with the sea of products available on the market today, finding the right spotting scope for your needs can be overwhelming.
What Makes a Good Spotting Scope for Long Range Shooting
A good spotting scope for long range shooting is made of several features among them high zoom power. With high magnification, you will find it easy to locate your targets at any distance. A good spotting scope for long range shooting is also made of:
- Large aperture to ensure good low-light performance
- High-quality construction to offer long-term durability
- Waterproof and fog proof construction to ensure unimpeded field use
- High-quality optics that offer good edge-to-edge clarity
- Comfortable eye relief and eyepiece to minimize eye fatigue
8 Best Spotting Scopes for Long Range Shooting
To help you find the best spotting scope for your long-range shooting needs, we have put up this list of the top-rated spotting scopes for long range shooting. These spotting scopes are durable, reliable and suitable for use under any condition.
Without wasting any more time, let’s take a look.
1) Maven CS 1 15-45X65 Spotting Scope
The Maven CS 1 is a steadfast spotting scope suitable for long-range shooting. It brings to the field excellent optics and durability to ensure that you explore different fields with ease and hone your long-range shooting skills.
This powerful spotter is built with extra-low dispersion glass which provides stunning detail of targets at extended ranges. Better yet, the fully multi-coated lenses eliminate glare and light loss through reflection. This enhances light transmission to provide exceptionally clear, bright and high-contrast images.
The CS.1 is compact but built like a tank. It has a durable aluminum/magnesium frame that enhances durability. It is also built with scratch resistance for added protection and a waterproof and fog-proof body to ensure unimpeded field use.
Maven CS 1 spotting scope is well-balanced to deliver uncompromising performance. This powerful and dependable spotter will be a valuable addition to your shooting arsenal.
Solid construction, dependable shooting companion and weatherproof design for lasting durability are some of the admirable aspects that make CS.1 one of the best spotting scopes for long range shooting.
Features
- Premium ED glass
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Scratch resistant lenses
- Durable polymer frame
- Schmidt-Pechan prism
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to operate
- Crisp clear optics
Cons
- Plastic lens caps
2) Vortex Razor HD 27-60×85 Spotting Scope
Vortex is a household name in the field of optics. It is known for its top-notch optics and this is clear in the Razor HD 27-60×85 Spotting Scope. It is engineered with an oversized lens, superior glass and specialized optical coatings that make it one of the best spotting scopes for long range shooting.
The scope provides bright, sharp and crisp clear image views even in low light settings. This is thanks to the large objective lens that enhances low-light performance and the anti-reflective coatings that minimize loss of light. The true-to-life views of the targets make the Razor HD spotting scope a prime choice for long-range shooting.
Regarding construction, this spotting scope has a lightweight magnesium chassis that is armored to provide slip-resistant handling. For fast, yet fine focusing, this product comes with a helical focus system with a wide adjustment collar.
It also boasts a tripod collar that gives you the flexibility to rotate the eyepiece to a position that is most comfortable for you. Above all, the spotting scope comes with a built-in retractable sunshade to reduce glare and it is also O-ring sealed and argon-filled to be fully waterproof and fog-resistant.
The superior craftsmanship employed in creating the Razor HD spotting scopes helps create a top-tier spotter ideal for long-range shooting, birding and hunting.
If you are looking for a premium spotter with uncompromising performance at all levels, look no further than the Vortex Razor HD 27-60×85 Spotting Scope. Surely, it is one of the best spotting scopes for long range shooting.
Features
- Angled viewing
- Helical focusing collar
- Dielectric-coated Porro prism
- High-density, ED glass
- Rotating tripod collar
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Magnesium alloy chassis
- Rubberized armoring
Pros
- Consistent image quality at every zoom power
- Good range of magnification
- Lightweight design
- Built to last
- Unbeatable warranty
- Vortex customer service
Cons
- Expensive for those on a budget.
- Doesn’t come with accessories like a carrying bag
3) Leupold Mark 4 12-40x60mm Tactical Spotting Scope
The Mark 4 12-40x60mm Tactical Spotting Scope is built to meet the needs and demands of every professional hunter and shooter out there. It is designed, machined and assembled in the USA and guaranteed for life.
One of the attributes that make the Mark 4 12-40x60mm Tactical Spotting Scope stand out among the best spotting scopes for long range shooting is the TMR reticle. This reticle comes in handy when acquiring distant targets.
Built with Leupold’s Professional-Grade optical system, the spotting scope provides stunning brightness and clarity required for positive target identification, even in poor lighting conditions. It also boasts a fully multi-coated lens system which ensures great image clarity and color contrast.
The spotting scope is built to survive rough handling and anything you subject it to. This is thanks to the tough and rugged magnesium housing. The exterior lenses also feature a DiamondCoat 2 lens coating which provides the greatest level of abrasion resistance.
This tactical spotting scope from Leupold is also fully waterproof and fogproof to be usable in all weather conditions. Mark 4 12-40x60mm Tactical Spotting Scope brings the highest level of performance taking your target shooting skills a notch higher.
Features
- A fully multi-coated lens system
- 100% waterproof and fogproof
- Straight viewing
- Protective DiamondCoat 2 lens coating
- Rugged magnesium housing
- Leupold’s Professional-Grade optical system
Pros
- Compact design
- American Quality
- Crisp clear optics
Cons
- Expensive for the budget buyer
4) SightMark Latitude 20-60×80 XD Tactical Spotting Scope
When it comes to versatility, the SightMark Latitude 20-60×80 XD Tactical Spotting Scope is hard to beat. It is suitable for long range shooting, hunting, tactical observation and wildlife watching among others.
The spotting scope features a rugged rubber-armored coating that shields it from impacts and scratches. It also has IP67 waterproof, dustproof and fogproof protection to ensure that you glass confidently in all weather conditions.
Another outstanding feature of this spotting scope is the first focal plane mil-radian reticle that keeps your objective in focus. Furthermore, this product is designed with a folded light path to maintain a compact design.
Other essential features included are fully multi-coated optics, extra-low dispersion glass, twist-up eyecup and a central focus system. This precision-engineered tactical scope is arguably one of the best spotting scopes for long range shooting under $1000.
Features
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- Folded light path
- Fully multi-coated optics
- First focal plane mil-radian reticle
- Central focus system
- Straight viewing
- Waterproof, dustproof and fogproof
Pros
- Clear glass
- Easy-to-use reticle
- Fast focus
- Comes with lens covers, a carry case and accessory rings
- Durable construction
- Unbeatable versatility
- Stunning images in all magnification settings
- Comes with a reticle for optimal focusing
Cons
- No drawbacks
5) Nikon Monarch 20-60 FIELDSCOPE 82ED-A W/MEP
Gracing our list of the best spotting scopes for long range shooting is the Nikon Monarch 20-60 FIELDSCOPE. The scope employs an advanced optical system and a field flattener lens system which delivers superior sharpness and constant clarity through the whole field of view.
This field scope is easy to operate even for beginners. It features an optimized focusing system for speedy focusing. It also features comfortable eye relief and an angled body design for snug glassing.
Like any Nikon product, this spotting scope is built to last. It is built with high-quality features to stand up to any handling. Besides, it is fully waterproof and fogproof to be safe to use even in harsh weather conditions.
Features
- 20-60x magnification
- ED glass
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Angled viewing
- Field flattener lens system
- Multi-layer lens coatings
Pros
- Digiscoping adaptable
- Easy to use
- Excellent fit and finish
- Crisp clear optics
Cons
- Heavy on the wallet
6) Bushnell Forge 20-60×80 Spotting Scope
The Bushnell Forge spotting scope has a powerful 20-60x zoom eyepiece that makes target finding a breeze in long ranges. The eyepiece is set in line with the body tube to maintain a low profile and make it easy for you to track moving targets.
To complement the vast magnification power, this spotting scope features an oversized 80mm aperture to ensure views stay bright and clear, even in low light conditions. Besides, it is designed to offer comfortable eye relief at all magnifications to minimize eye fatigue and improve comfort.
For all-weather reliability, the spotting scope is O-ring sealed to an IPX-7 rating. It is also filled with nitrogen to be resistant to internal fog build-up. It is also equipped with an extendable sunshade which prevents lens flare for better contrast and clarity
This product also brings to the table a two-speed focusing mechanism and a tripod collar that allows for easy positioning of the eyepiece.
Features
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- 2-speed focusing mechanism
- Straight viewing
- BAK4 Porro prism light path
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Rotating tripod collar
- Fully multi-coated optics
Pros
- Solid construction
- Easy to use
- Excellent low-light performance
Cons
- Heavy
7) Celestron Regal M2 100 ED Spotting Scope
Next up we have the Celestron Regal M2 100 ED Spotting Scope. This angled viewing spotting scope offers the best combination of value and performance. It includes a 22-67x eyepiece suitable for intermediate to long-range glassing, and a massive 100-objective lens to ensure that nothing is left undiscovered.
At the core of this spotting scope are fully multi-coated optics that maximize light gathering and ED glass that minimizes chromatic aberration. This gives you bright, tack-sharp and clear image views, in nearly all lighting conditions.
Furthermore, the scope is built to be usable in all weather conditions. It is sealed to lock out moisture and dirt, and nitrogen filled to ensure that lenses are fog resistant. In terms of construction, the scope has a rugged magnesium alloy housing that offers outstanding durability.
Features
- Dual focus mechanism
- Angled viewing
- Built-in sliding sunshade
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Magnesium alloy housing
- Nitrogen-filled and waterproof
- Extra-low dispersion glass objective
Pros
- Tripod mountable
- Crisp and clean optics
- Versatility
- Sleek finish
Cons
- Heavy
8) Sig Sauer SOO82001 Oscar8 Spotting Scope
Lastly, we have the Sig Sauer SOO82001 Oscar8 spotting scope. This is a premium, angled eyepiece spotter suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities including long-range shooting.
It is built with a fast focus adjustment to ensure speedy image focusing. It also boasts an industry-leading HDX optical design that combines ED glass and high transmittance glass to ensure stunning resolution and color accuracy. Even better, the lenses are fully multi-coated to provide unmatched image brightness and clarity.
The scope is built to be nearly indestructible. It has a robust aircraft-grade aluminum housing wrapped with rubber armor to provide a lifetime of use in any environment. You are also guaranteed unmatched performance in all weather conditions thanks to the waterproof and fog proof properties.
Features
- Variable power eyepiece
- Angled viewing
- Aircraft-grade aluminum housing
- HDX advanced optical system
- Schmidt Pechan prism
- Anti-reflection lens coating
- Waterproof and fogproof
- 5m close focus
Pros
- Customizable eye relief
- Lightweight design
- Crisp clear optics
Cons
- Pricey
Further Reading
- Best Spotting Scopes for Hunting
- Spotting Scopes for Backcountry Hunting
- Best Spotting Scopes with Reticle
- Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting
Choosing the Best Spotting Scopes for Long Range Shooting
With numerous options to choose from, you might find yourself unhinged on the best spotting scope to pick for your specific needs. Here are the major aspects to keep in mind when comparing different spotting scopes.
Magnification
The magnification power of spotting scopes varies from one product to the other. Below 500 yards, any model with less than 45x maximum magnification will suffice. But when it comes to long and extreme long range shooting of 1,000 yards or more, look for a product that offers 20-60x magnification power.
Objective Lens
The objective lens of a spotting scope is responsible for collecting light into the scope. For long-range shooting, look for a product that has a large objective lens. It will collect more light inside for optimal clarity.
Lens Coating
A spotting scope for long-range shooting demands high-quality lenses preferably extra-low dispersion glass. The scope should also have its optics coated with high-quality, anti-reflective coatings to enhance light transmission.
Build Quality
Find a spotting scope that is built to offer unmatched durability. The best spotting scopes for long range shooting are crafted from high-quality magnesium alloy or aircraft-grade aluminum. Such scopes are durable and rigid enough to stand up to any handling.
Weatherproof
To ensure unimpeded field use, look for a weatherproof spotting scope. It should be sealed with O-rings to keep dirt and moisture from getting inside the optics. The spotter has to be filled with dry inert gas to ensure that no fog builds up on the lenses when the humidity and temperature levels change.
Types of Spotting Scopes
There are two types of spotting scopes: straight and angled,
Straight spotting scopes have a straight, unbendable eyepiece. When using a straight spotter, you will have to bend to adjust to its level.
On the other hand, angled spotting scopes have a 45-degree view. You can easily turn the eyepiece from one side to the other until you achieve a position that is comfortable for you.
Read: Best Spotting Scopes for Elk Hunting
Benefits of Using Spotting Scopes for Long-Range Shooting
- High magnification helps you find targets easily at any distance or environment
- Crisp image view. Spotting scopes have high-quality optics that yield clearer image views, even at long distances
- Less eye fatigue during lengthy glassing periods
- If your spotting scope has a Digiscoping adapter, you can capture photos of your entire shooting expedition.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have found all the information you need about the best spotting scopes for long-range shooting in this post. As you can see, the market offers a plethora of spotting scopes suitable for long-range shooting. Look at the individual features that make the spotting scope a good purchase and choose one that works best for your long-range shooting needs.