Using spotting scope to see bullet holes at 600 yds... possible?

[mbohuntr]

I am getting ready to stretch 'er out to 600 yds soon, and am wondering if I am better off with a camera system, or a spotting scope? I don't mind using the shoot-n-see style targets if it works...

[Robinhood]

Good question. I pick the camera. Has anyone tried the Caldwell?

[ToolAA]

I am getting ready to stretch 'er out to 600 yds soon, and am wondering if I am better off with a camera system, or a spotting scope? I don't mind using the shoot-n-see style targets if it works...

With Shoot-N-See targets and a very high end Spotter like a Vortex Razor HD you might be able to resolve shots at 600yds. However for $300 you could buy a Bullseye Target cam. $600 for the extended LR version. I’ve used it and It’s a good product.

However you could also build your own for probably $150 in parts. I posted a DIY build on Maryland Shooters. https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=201095. My home range is 200yds but I’ve tested it using the dual antenna setup out to 600yds at Ft. Meade range. The antenna’s I used should allow me to extend out to a mile. There is nowhere I could shoot that far near Maryland but I’ve been meaning to just set it up along a straight road and test it out at a mile just to prove that it works.

Feel free to post questions here or on Maryland Shooters. I don’t mind answering them in the public forum it might help others to build their own.


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[mbohuntr]

With Shoot-N-See targets and a very high end Spotter like a Vortex Razor HD you might be able to resolve shots at 600yds. However for $300 you could buy a Bullseye Target cam. $600 for the extended LR version. I’ve used it and It’s a good product.

However you could also build your own for probably $150 in parts. I posted a DIY build on Maryland Shooters. https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=201095. My home range is 200yds but I’ve tested it using the dual antenna setup out to 600yds at Ft. Meade range. The antenna’s I used should allow me to extend out to a mile. There is nowhere I could shoot that far near Maryland but I’ve been meaning to just set it up along a straight road and test it out at a mile just to prove that it works.

Feel free to post questions here or on Maryland Shooters. I don’t mind answering them in the public forum it might help others to build their own.


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Oh GREAT!! Another obsession... my second hobby is electronics.... I suppose it will have a pan tilt zoom on it as well.... i was looking for another project anyway... good stuff! Thanks!

[ToolAA]

Oh GREAT!! Another obsession... my second hobby is electronics.... I suppose it will have a pan tilt zoom on it as well.... i was looking for another project anyway... good stuff! Thanks!

If you do take on a project like this I’d be more than happy to share notes and my 3d printed parts. To be honest I researched using Arduino or RPi to build my own camera with gimbal but in the end the Foscam worked well enough to get the job done. However having a mechanical zoom would be quite handy. Also I wish I knew how to program an app or something that could be specifically designed to recording and scoring targets.




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[DT400]

How about an actual telescope?

Darrell

[ToolAA]

How about an actual telescope?

Darrell

Like a celestial telescope? I think the principals are the same. Unless you spend decent money on low dispersion glass you might see a target at 600yds but you wont see the projectile holes. Save for .50 bmg rounds.

I’ve got a $300 spotting scope with a 100mm objective lens. It can see .223 holes at 200yds but just barely.


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[Robinhood]

Tool, I went down this same path almost identically. I just recently decided POE was the only way. Great post and information. DIY'ers will love you for this.

[ToolAA]

Tool, I went down this same path almost identically. I just recently decided POE was the only way. Great post and information. DIY'ers will love you for this.

Do you mind sharing what you did. Maybe some photos.


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[DT400]

Like a celestial telescope? I think the principals are the same. Unless you spend decent money on low dispersion glass you might see a target at 600yds but you wont see the projectile holes. Save for .50 bmg rounds.

I’ve got a $300 spotting scope with a 100mm objective lens. It can see .223 holes at 200yds but just barely.


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Yes. Considering that spotting scopes usually top out at about 60X, and you need good glass to have a clear bright image) a telescope goes up into the hundreds or power. I don't own one and never tried to use one for spotting bullet holes, but I did a quick Amazon search and found a couple compact (read short design) telescopes around 250X with great reviews for under $200 some under $100. And with Amazon Prime you can try it and if you don't like it send it back for a full refund.

Just seems the natural progression if you want more magnification and you don't run the risk of someone accidentally shooting your camera. What sort of range does the camera system you guys are talking about have?

Darrell

[mbohuntr]

Thanks for the info... after some research, I see that the investment (money+time) between the homemade version, and the Caldwell cam is about equal, and given my propensity for doing things the hard way, it seems I would be better off with the Caldwell...provided someone doesn't shoot it... I have 2 range memberships, and haven't made it out this year at all...

[ToolAA]

Thanks for the info... after some research, I see that the investment (money+time) between the homemade version, and the Caldwell cam is about equal, and given my propensity for doing things the hard way, it seems I would be better off with the Caldwell...provided someone doesn't shoot it... I have 2 range memberships, and haven't made it out this year at all...

Some a-hole deliberately took too shots at mine. I didn’t realize it until i got to the car. At first I assumed I has some crazy errant shot by me. Then at home I analyzed the trajectory by putting a cleaning rod through the holes to measure the angle of incidence. At about 90yds from the firing line the shots came from a position 30ft to my left. There was a guy shooting from there so I’m sure it was from him but at that point there was nothing I could do.

Fortunately the shot just embedded into the 3/4” mdf frame inside of the case and didnt hit the camera or antenna.

[mbohuntr]

Some a-hole deliberately took too shots at mine. I didn’t realize it until i got to the car. At first I assumed I has some crazy errant shot by me. Then at home I analyzed the trajectory by putting a cleaning rod through the holes to measure the angle of incidence. At about 90yds from the firing line the shots came from a position 30ft to my left. There was a guy shooting from there so I’m sure it was from him but at that point there was nothing I could do.

Fortunately the shot just embedded into the 3/4” mdf frame inside of the case and didnt hit the camera or antenna.

I have read some people put a AR plate in front of the camera to protect it from idiots...

[DT400]

I have read some people put a AR plate in front of the camera to protect it from idiots...

Nice way to protect the camera but it is going to draw attention and people are going to want to ring it.....

Darrell

[ToolAA]

I have read some people put a AR plate in front of the camera to protect it from idiots...

In my design that would block the omnidirectional antenna signal, which happens to be the second most expensive component.

Ive taken it our dozens of times without incident so maybe this the one and only dick move that ill have to experience at the range.

[bearcatrp]

Have a camcorder? Some camcorders have nice zoom features. Plus, use the targets that show your hits. Some are fairly large now.

[ToolAA]

Have a camcorder? Some camcorders have nice zoom features. Plus, use the targets that show your hits. Some are fairly large now.

I’ve got a friend who uses a Canon digital camera with combined 50x zoom to see his targets from the firing line. It does work, but at 100yds even with the 50x zoom it’s not as clear. He can see impacts on steel at 600yds but not bullet holes for sure.

Before I built the wifi cam I was using a 25x Surveyors Theodolite which had great glass. I would attach my phone to it and digiscope out to 200yds. But still that’s as far as I could see clearly.

IMO trying to see bullet .22 and .30 cal holes at 300yds and beyond is really not feasible with optics at a reasonable cost, and by reasonable I’m still talking $1000-$2500. Spotting scopes were deigned to observe targets (Man/Animal Sized) and nearby shooting conditions, at long distances, not bullet impacts.


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[ttexastom]

Why not try a drone. It can be down to your target in mere seconds. They are becoming more useful as the price comes down more

[ToolAA]

Why not try a drone. It can be down to your target in mere seconds. They are becoming more useful as the price comes down more

Ive been thinking of the drone idea too. Probably very useful at really long ranges when shooting steel.

[Mozella]

My guess is that a DIY camera would be the least expensive, a commercial one next, and a spotting scope capable of seeing impacts at 600 yards WAY more expensive. Electronic targets are now available for less than eight hundred bucks now and that would be a serious consideration for me, especially if you could share it with two other shooters.