The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

If you are off to Bisley take a couple of mates and split the target/marker between you. You end up paying just over six quid a head for the marker, around 170 times less than we paid for the 'scope and that does not include the stand.

Steve wrote:Looks like i've gotta make a trip to Jessops then.

Thanks everyone.

I try and keep out of discussions regarding photo dealers because I am one!

Looking at the crap Jessops currently sell you would be far better off going to an optical specalist like one of the London Camera Exchange shops, if you are lucky enough to have one near you.
PM me for your nearest branch, or some unbiased information.

Like Ovenpaa, I use a Kowa - not cheap but a great scope and I can see bullet holes at 600 yards (black holes on white target). When I say 'not cheap', I wasted money on two rubbish scopes before I got the Kowa.

But, if you don't want to pay Kowa prices, check out the Nikula spotting scope from Fox Firearms (www.foxfirearmsuk.com).
Honestly, I couldn't separate 'em - a great scope with a variable 45 degree eyepiece up to 60X all at half the price of the Kowa - at around £295 and it comes in a rugged Peli type case that must be worth £75!

I let another shooter with a Kowa check it out and he was of the same opinion.

Finally, it's no good buying a good scope and mounting it on a wobbly cheap camera tripod - get a proper scope stand.

Vince

Below are my perspectives on scopes, which might not entirely coincide with your requirements but I hope may include a useful snippet.

In competitive shooting very few people want to see the holes at full bore distances – far more useful is being able to see a few targets either side of yours within the field of view at the longest distance, so you can pick up on big wind changes that others have (collectively) missed.

Light gathering ability and general optical quality (low CA etc) for picking up mirage when poor quality scopes can’t see it.

Nitrogen purged, so no fogging.

Angled eyepiece for minimum disturbance to the prone position in order to see down the scope.

Long Eye Relief eyepiece or standard, depending on your preference.

The most popular high end makes are Leica, with a few Zeiss and fewer Nikon or Swarovski. Mid range: Kowa. Low end: Opticr*p. Jim Corbett has had his own brand made – I think they are mid range in price (Jim is selling these at Bisley until the end of the week – if he has any left).

You really need to test a scope on the range at whatever distances you will use it, mainly so you can see the field of view in multiples of target frames and compare the mirage seeing ability.

I had excellent service from Ace Optics. They suggested a choice of two eyepieces for my application and sent both for me to try on a sale or return basis.

I use one of the cheaper Kowas, a TSN-661 (angled) with a 25X LER eyepiece.