{"id":4681,"date":"2024-02-16T04:51:41","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T04:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=4681"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:35:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:35:59","slug":"best-spotting-scope-for-long-range-shooting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-spotting-scope-for-long-range-shooting\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Spotting Scope Finding the Best For Long Range Shooting"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-spotting-scope-for-long-range-shooting\/#Best_Spotting_Scope_Finding_the_Best_For_Long_Range_Shooting\" >Best Spotting Scope Finding the Best For Long Range Shooting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-spotting-scope-for-long-range-shooting\/#Spotting_Scope_For_Long_Range_Shooting_-_Best_Spotting_Scope\" >Spotting Scope For Long Range Shooting - Best Spotting Scope<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-spotting-scope-for-long-range-shooting\/#Optical_Performance_of_80mm_-_Best_Spotting_Scope\" >Optical Performance of 80mm - Best Spotting Scope<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-spotting-scope-for-long-range-shooting\/#Fixed_Power_vs_Zoom_Eyepiece_-_Best_Spotting_Scope\" >Fixed Power vs Zoom Eyepiece - Best Spotting Scope<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-spotting-scope-for-long-range-shooting\/#MRAD_Reticle_Eyepieces_-Best_Spotting_Scope\" >MRAD Reticle Eyepieces -Best Spotting Scope<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-spotting-scope-for-long-range-shooting\/#Straight_or_Angled_Body_-_Best_Spotting_Scope\" >Straight or Angled Body - Best Spotting Scope<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Spotting_Scope_Finding_the_Best_For_Long_Range_Shooting\"><\/span>Best Spotting Scope Finding the Best For Long Range Shooting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><strong>If you&#8217;re into competing in PRS, ELR or NRL type events, or even pinging targets out to 1,000 yards, finding the best spotting <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"scope\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"917\">scope<\/a> for long range shooting can be difficult. <\/strong>In this blog we&#8217;re going to present the facts about different scopes and how you might benefit.<\/p><h2>Spotting Scope For Long Range Shooting &#8211; Best Spotting Scope<\/h2><p>What truly makes a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/spotting-scope-vs-high-power-binoculars-whats-the-right-tool-for-the-job\/\">spotting scope for long range shooting<\/a>? A <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/benefits-of-custom-rifle-scope-turrets\/\">spotting scope<\/a> for <a title=\"The Engineer \u2013 His Set-up. His Story\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/the-engineer-his-set-up-his-story\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1106\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">long range shooting<\/a> and the proper eyepiece will provide the needed resolution\/clarity at long range but also valuable intel to make an accurate shot. That information obtained by a spotting scope will help you read mirage make proper wind calls and for you competitors, gain valuable points.<\/p><p>We have seen first-hand the growth in high powered <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"binoculars\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"918\">binoculars<\/a> at events across the country, but sometimes shooters are finding that a 10x or even 15x bino is just not enough to get the information they need (especially when it comes to seeing what others shooters are doing). Seeing the exact point of impact is a difference maker.<\/p><h2>Optical Performance of 80mm &#8211; Best Spotting Scope<\/h2><p>In <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"optics\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"916\">optics<\/a>, the center of any lens will be the sharpest. Therefore, the larger a lens the greater the &#8220;sweet spot.&#8221;\u00a0 An 80mm objective lens will be more advantageous in regards to light gathering, increased resolution, and overall performance vs the smaller 65mm or 50mm compact <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"spotting scopes\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/spotting-scopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"919\">spotting scopes<\/a>. Not to say that smaller objective spotting scopes don&#8217;t have a place. But we&#8217;re addressing the needs of the shooter who requires a <a title=\"5 Reasons to Own a Spotting Scope\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/5-reasons-to-own-a-spotting-scope\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1182\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spotting scope for long range<\/a> shooting. This means high magnification with the maximum amount of light and overall clarity.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_4684\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4684\" style=\"width: 970px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/toric-uhd-27-55x80-angled-spotting-scope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4684 size-full\" title=\"Best Spotting Scope\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Spotting-Scope-Editors-Choice.png\" alt=\"If you&apos;re into shooting competitions or pinging targets out to 1,000 yards, finding the best spotting scope for long range shooting can be difficult.\" width=\"970\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/Spotting-Scope-Editors-Choice.png 970w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/Spotting-Scope-Editors-Choice-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/Spotting-Scope-Editors-Choice-768x475.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/Spotting-Scope-Editors-Choice-485x300.png 485w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/Spotting-Scope-Editors-Choice-150x93.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 970px) 100vw, 970px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4684\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/do-you-need-a-spotting-scope-for-the-range\/\">Best Spotting Scope<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><blockquote><p>When you attend <a href=\"https:\/\/barbourcreek.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">James Eagleman&#8217;s Long Range Hunting School<\/a> you quickly learn how valauble a quality spotting scope is.\u00a0 He makes it clear that you need a spotting scope light enough to carry in the field and teaches that a &#8220;75 to <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/toric-uhd-27-55x80-angled-spotting-scope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">80mm objective lens<\/a> is critical for light gathering.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote><h2>Fixed Power vs Zoom Eyepiece &#8211; Best Spotting Scope<\/h2><p>When it comes to long range <a title=\"Getting Into PRS Shooting\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/getting-into-prs-shooting\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1162\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting with a rifle scope<\/a>, the majority of shooters will tell you that high magnification is often misunderstood. Most new shooters to the sport are convinced that the higher the magnification of their scope, the better shooter they will be.\u00a0 When in fact, to much magnification can be a problem, especially with the movement of the reticle (percieved to be moving far greater at higher magnification), less field of view to see your misses and your lack of intel to read the atomoshperic conditions as well as you should.<\/p><blockquote><p>&#8220;For <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tekoa-hd-4-16x44-rifle-scope\/\">long range hunting<\/a>, a spotter should have minimal amount of lenses in the eyepiece for clarity. For example, a straight 35x magnification is better to read mirage than a zoom 20-60 eyepiece.&#8221; James Eagleman &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/barbourcreek.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Barbour Creek Long Range Hunting School<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><p>According to James, a big misconception is that you need a 20-60 zoom eyepiece. &#8220;I use a fixed 35x eyepiece and shoot out to 1,786 yards weekly in all my classes with no need for anything more.&#8221;<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MRAD_Reticle_Eyepieces_-Best_Spotting_Scope\"><\/span>MRAD Reticle Eyepieces -Best Spotting Scope<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>Can you get by without a reticle eyepiece in the <a title=\"Choosing the Best Rifle Scope for Deer Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/choosing-the-best-riflescope-for-deer-hunting\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1243\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">field of view<\/a>, you sure can. But it may cost you some valuable intel that can make all the difference.\u00a0 The <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/spotting-scopes\/eyepieces\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MRAD reticle eyepieces<\/a> offered by TRACT is a great option for spotting for other shooters. It features an offset reticle that does not obscure the field of view while allowing precise target measurement and follow up shot correction. The reticle grid provides larger hash marks every 1 MRAD and .5 MRAD, as well as smaller hash marks every .2 MRAD. This allows for accurate range estimation and visuals for elevation and windage correction.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_4683\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4683\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/spotting-scopes\/eyepieces\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4683 size-full\" title=\"Best Spotting Scope\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/MRAD-Eyepiece.jpg\" alt=\"Best Spotting Scope\" width=\"1880\" height=\"1518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/MRAD-Eyepiece.jpg 1880w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/MRAD-Eyepiece-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/MRAD-Eyepiece-1024x827.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/MRAD-Eyepiece-768x620.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/MRAD-Eyepiece-1536x1240.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/MRAD-Eyepiece-372x300.jpg 372w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/MRAD-Eyepiece-150x121.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1880px) 100vw, 1880px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4683\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Best Spotting Scope<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Eagleman teaches at his <a href=\"https:\/\/barbourcreek.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">long range shooting schools<\/a> that a reticle eyepiece that does not obscure the center of the field of view is best for viewing targets and <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/eagleman-reticle-built-for-hunters\/\">reading mirage<\/a>.<\/p><p>TRACT&#8217;s fixed <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/22x-spotting-scope-eyepiece-with-mrad-prs-reticle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">22x MRAD eyepiece<\/a> (with 2.5 degrees angle of view) sports an incredible 19mm of eye relief, putting less strain on the spotter\u2019s eye and wider field of view over zoom eyepieces.<\/p><p>The fixed <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/30x-spotting-scope-eyepiece-with-mrad-elr-reticle-demo-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">30x MRAD eyepiece<\/a> (with 2.2 degrees angle of view) also sports the 19mm of eye relief but with the additional magnfication, it can help see mirage at those longer distances.<\/p><h2>Straight or Angled Body &#8211; Best Spotting Scope<\/h2><p>Is one better than the other when it comes to optical quality? Or how about asking yourself, &#8220;Should I follow what everyone else is doing?&#8221;<\/p><p>When it comes to <a title=\"Types of Rifle Scope Mounts\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/types-of-rifle-scope-mounts\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1150\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">optical quality on a spotting scope for long range shooting<\/a>, the answer is no.\u00a0 Whether the optical design is a straight line of sight or off set in an angled position, there is no change in resolution, FOV or eye relief. The main reason is because this is all done in the eyepiece not the body of the scope.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/toric-uhd-27-55x80-angled-spotting-scope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4702\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/TORIC-27-55x80-Spotting-Scope600x600_Still1.jpg\" alt=\"Finding the best spotting scope for long range shooting\" width=\"399\" height=\"399\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/TORIC-27-55x80-Spotting-Scope600x600_Still1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/TORIC-27-55x80-Spotting-Scope600x600_Still1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/TORIC-27-55x80-Spotting-Scope600x600_Still1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/02\/TORIC-27-55x80-Spotting-Scope600x600_Still1-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px\" \/><\/a><\/p><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/toric-uhd-27-55x80-angled-spotting-scope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">80mm angled body<\/a> is TRACT&#8217;s top selling long range spotting scope.<\/p><p>It&#8217;s true that with an angled body you&#8217;re looking down and not straight ahead (line of sight) which for some can take some time to get used to. However, because you&#8217;re looking down, the tripod is in a lower position which allows the tripod to be more stable. Typically, anything that can get lower to the ground will provide more stability and in the end a sharper image. Looking uphill is easier with an angled eyepiece because you can easily position your eye behind the scope. Because the body rotates, it will allow you to easily look through your eyepiece when shooting prone or standing up.<\/p><p>An angled eyepiece can have the potential to collect rain or moisture so it will be important to either rotate the body or put an eye piece cover on in those situations.\u00a0 Looking downhill (steep decline) would require you to completely reposition your entire body to get a full field of view whereas a straight body will be more line of sight.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gZeYi_4-1TM?si=aisgHEgkUfOCIaFz\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><figure id=\"attachment_1372\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1372\" style=\"width: 970px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1372 size-full\" title=\"Rifles Scopes\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/TRACT-ELR_970x250.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle Scopes\" width=\"970\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1372\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rifle Scopes<\/figcaption><\/figure><p><span style=\"color: #3366ff\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff\" title=\"Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tractoptics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\"><strong>FOLLOW US: FACEBOOK<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finding the Best Spotting Scope For Long Range Shooting<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12028,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside-2","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2255,2268],"tags":[2883,2894,2902,2939,3001],"class_list":["post-4681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside-2","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-extra-topics","category-spotting-scope","tag-james-eagleman","tag-long-range-hunting","tag-long-range-spotting-scope","tag-mrad-eyepiece","tag-reticle-eyepiece","post_format-post-format-aside-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4681"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12813,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4681\/revisions\/12813"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12028"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}