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

Got a question, can one use 12x50 binoculars to see a bullet hole at 100m?

If not what about 16x50?

I can see bullet holes at 100m with a 6x scope so I would think yes (unless they are very small holes )

Holding them steady enough might be an issue. The other is seeing bullet holes in white target is easier than in a black target

I can see a 357 bullet hole without any assistance using only my normal glasses at 100yds, using my home made fluorescent splatter targets . Each shot makes approx 1 inch diameter mark. A 22 round makes about 1/2 inch mark.
Peter

As channel12 says, the background is the issue. We shoot black targets with a dark background, so seeing a 5,5mm hole at 50m is difficult with a 9x 'scope, hence the need for binoculars. Especially as we tend to spot for/ridicule each other. I am inclined to say 16X although they need to be held steady and are probably not as practical as a 12x.

As an aside, I have just moved to a 10x42 Sidewinder as it has parallax from 10 yards upwards and the glass seems OK so it will be interesting to see how it goes on the range and just what I can see with it.

I was using our 7x22 binos and at 50m could see the shoot 'n' see holes - not the ones outside on the actual target though.

So figured that I would get a set of more powerful binos however it is not that simple, is it.

I have a Spetsnaz issue spotting scope that is a 4-20 and can clearly see holes at 100m with it set on 16x without them being on splatter type targets.The mounting clamp helps as any movement is eliminated.

is there any reason why you cant just use a cheap spotting scope? I know everyone "knows" that anything not made of Gold and Virgin blood wont work, but in the real world the cost of a decent 16x bino will buy you a perfectly serviceable 50-60x spotter and that will be far more stable than a set of binos at anything much over 10x handheld.
of course if you insist on binos then one of these would be almost essential

A club member bought a cheap spotting scope that was on offer from one of the German supermarkets, useless is the kindest thing I would say about it.

For use at my club's 25 & 50 yd ranges I bought a pair of pre-owned 12 x 50 bino's off ebay for about £15 and converted them to a monocular with a hacksaw for less weight and less bulk in the range bag.

kennyc,

I much prefer binos to a spotting scope. Just habit I guess.

channel12,

Well done for thinking outside the box