Best Spotting Scope for Target Shooting Review 2024

When you’re out at the shooting range trying to show up your buddies, you need a spotting scope that can deliver. You need something that can perform well at long distances and has the clarity to see the holes on the paper.

So, to help you find the best spotting scope for target shooting for yourself, we’ve put together a list of four the top performing spotting scopes for use at the shooting range. Our number one pick is the Leupold SX-1 Ventana Spotting Scope. We’ll tell you why at the end, but see if you can pick out our reasons based on the reviews below.

Our Pick: Leupold SX-1 Ventana Spotting Scope

This is one of the best spotting scopes for target shooting thanks to the wide 20-60x magnification range and the good sized 80mm objective lens. It has Leupold’s Multicoat 4 treated optics. Rugged construction make this spotting scope waterproof, fogproof, and shock resistant. It measures 18.6 inches long and weighs 4.6 pounds.

PROS AND CONS

This scope has twist up/down eye cups to provide better eye relief for those who wear eyeglass. The retractable lens shade is a simple feature but one that really comes in handy when you’re out at the range in full sun. Leupold’s proprietary nitrogen fill process contributes to this scope’s durability and high performance. The focus knob turns smooth, but as this is a bigger scope, you will need a sturdy tripod to keep it steady.

What people are saying…

100% of all buyers gave this scope a rating of four or five stars. It was cited as performing excellently at the shooting range, providing exceptional clarity and performing well even in hazy low light conditions. A few buyers mentioned that without a sturdy tripod, they had problems keeping it steady with any sort of wind, but that is to be expected with the size of this spotting scope.

Runner-Up: Alpen Rainier 851Ed-P Spotting Scope With Straight Eyepiece

With a magnification range of 20-60x and a wide objective lens size of 80mm, the Alpen Rainier has plenty of power to see down range. The BAK-4 prism and ED (extra-low dispersion) and HD (high density) glass provide crisp details and exceptional clarity. It has fully multi-coated UBX optics and is waterproof and fogproof.

Pros and Cons

The ED and HD glass of the optics provide clear details even at a distance. The 20-60x magnification provides enough power to see the target and your shots at any distance. The objective lens isn’t huge, but it’s still a good wide size and lets in a lot of light to see even in low light conditions. This is a full sized scope, though, so a sturdy tripod is necessary to support it properly.

What people are saying…

This spotting scope was rated five stars by 80% of all buyers. The ED and HD glass were heralded as excellent, providing crisp images even in less-than-ideal light. Of the few complaints, this scope’s size was mentioned.

Also Great: Redfield Rampage 67600 Target Shooting Spotting Scope Kit

This scope has a magnification range of 20-60x with a 60mm objective lens. Its structure is rugged but engineered to be very light. Fully multi-coated optics provide crisp images and brightness protection that help prevent glare in the full sun. This is a full-size target shooting spotting scope; it measures 16 inches long and weighs just around 5 pounds.

Pros and Cons

This scope is water and fog protected and includes a table-top tripod and a lens cover, case, and strap. It has twist-up/down eyecups for better eye relief, but some users may find the eye relief too short with goggles or safety glasses on.

What people are saying…

Out of all buyers, this spotting scope was ranked four or more stars by 85% of all buyers. Numerous buyers compared this scope to higher-end scopes and stated that it performed as well or better. Many buyers also said that the quality of the view-thru case was way beyond what they expected and that the tripod did hold up well enough on the bench. A slight image shift was noticed at maximum magnification, but otherwise, this spotting scope was stated as performing very well at the shooting range.

Honorable Mention: Barska Blackhawk AD11114 Spotting Scope Kit

The Blackhawk is a full-size spotting scope with a magnification range of 18 to 36x and an objective lens of 50mm. Multi-coated optics provide excellent light transmission, while the rubber armored housing affords protection and shock absorption. It measures 17.5 inches long and weighs only 3 pounds.

Pros and Cons

This spotting scope is comparatively light for a full-sized scope. It comes with a table-top tripod, soft carrying case, and lens covers. The lighter weight lets you get away with more compact tripods and allows the included tripod to suffice just fine. It has a close focus of 23 feet and a field of view at a thousand yards of 137 feet, which affords greater versatility at the range. This is an entry-level target shooting spotting scope but offers premium optics and durability to hold up when target shooting.

What people are saying…

88% of all buyers gave this target shooting spotting scope a rating of four or more stars. Many buyers stated that they bought this scope specifically for use at the shooting range at that it performed very well. The light weight and the way the carrying case holds the tripod separate from the spotting scope were some of the most highly praised features. The only negative comment was on the front lens cover not fitting properly, which could have been an individual problem.

How To Choose A Spotting Scope For Target Shooting 2024?

If you’ve been wondering how to choose a spotting scope for target shooting, we hope this list gave you an idea of what to look for and some great options for your next purchase. As mentioned earlier, our favorite was the Leupold SX-1 Ventana Spotting Scope.

This scope is available as part of a kit with a tripod and hard case, but we like the scope alone for a better price with all the same great features. Leupold’s known for their great optics, and this one is no different. It has everything you need to see exactly where on the target you’re hitting, with high performance and sleek design to make your friends jealous.

Sources and Official Brand Websites:

Leupold  |  Redfield  | Barska | The High Road