What scope to see .17 holes in paper at 100 yards

[henry22]

Hello guys. My dad and I are looking for a good scope in order to shoot 2" potatoes at 100-150 yards, and to see .17 bullet holes in paper - clearly enough to know if we missed - where we missed to, and how from the point of aim we were off.

We want to mount it on a CZ 455 Varmint, .17 cal bull barrel.

These are the candidates we're looking at:

Vortex Viper 6.5-20X50: $669 CDN
OR
Vortex Diamondback 4-16X42: $549 CDN
OR
Nikon Monarch 3 5-20x44 BDC SF: $599 CDN

What scope would fit the bill best, so we don't need to get into a spotting scope?

Much thanks.

[Mistered]

A caliber that small might require an accessory spotting scope on a tripod. .17 holes are pretty small - even for a higher magnification scope. And even if you have a scope such as this you might be actually shooting with a lower mag setting and will have to increase the mag level to see the target. Look into a spotting scope.

[JEBar]

there is no doubt you should be able to see what a high speed 17 does to a tater but a hole in a target at the distances you are shooting would be something else .... I well understand your reservations but with two of you at the range, a powerful spotting scope does make sense .... as to a scope, my preference would be a very strong Nikon

[Ojaileveraction]

Any of those you have listed will work.
"Shoot and See" type targets are a great help also.

[Henry88]

I buy very few accessories, but even I have a spotting scope. To my surprise most at the range I go to don't, and people do ask if they can look at their target with mine, for which I am happy to oblige. Frankly I am surprised how many people with apparently $$$$ don't have them or bring them to the range.

As for the scope, there are so many fine scopes available it would be difficult to do wrong, though I suppose that remains a possibility

My guess is you could get an incredible scope for half the prices you mentioned.

Suggestions to follow............

[North Country Gal]

As above and per my PM to you, get a spotting scope to see individual 17 cal holes at 100 yds. Some days, some light conditions, even 40x and my spotting scope doesn't quite cut it at 100. Yes, splatter target are always a plus, but that assumes you're keeping all your shots in the target. 17 cal holes in either the black or the white on ordinary paper need a LOT of magnification to see.

As Henry88 mentions, I find it more than just surprising more people shooting at 100 yards don't being a spotting scope. There are times when I find it downright rude and annoying. I've actually been shooting next to someone who asks everyone to stop shooting so he could walk all the way down to his 100 yard target, sit there and inspect for a few minutes, then walk all the way back only to repeat this whole thing in only another 5 shots and, once again, everyone has to stop shooting and wait. The comments I overhear from other shooters when he does this is not something I can print. That is NOT a good way to make friends at the range. Do yourself a favor and everyone else and use a spotting scope when shooting small caliber bullets, even at 50 yards. Those big 44 and 45 cal holes are one thing, 17 and 22 cal holes are another.

For 100 yard work, you'll want at least a 60mm objective spotting scope objective (last number), as in a 15-45x60 or a 20-60x60. A 50 for a last number is pushing your luck. A 60mm scope is still small enough to mount on a bench tripod and stay on the bench and, assuming any kind of quality, will have the resolution (think optical muscle) to handle the job.

Greater distances, depending on just how much greater, will sooner or later require a larger objective (last number) for the sake of sharpness at the higher magnification you will need, such as a 20-60x80, but then the bigger scope size means more of an issue of stability and room when trying to use a bench mount. For a scope that size, I usually use a full size tripod or a pole tripod setup next to the bench.

[henry22]

Ok then, that puts it into perspective. And since my post today, I went Googling, and I found this:
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7467/scopedistance.jpg

If you look at the first 2 rows, 100 and 200 yards, then look at the last image on the 200 yard row, that's a Nightforce at 22X magnification. It's more of everything, and not a Viper 6.5-20X50, but I thought the Viper would be close enough to the Nightforce 200 yard image.

If I look at the chin of that 200 yard target at 200 yards, that's about the diameter of 2.5-3" potato - and that's at 200 yards. At 150 yards, probably clearer and larger still.

I just didn't want to go MONDO scope, and that Viper 6.5-20X50 is a mountain of a scope. I was thinking if we stick to 100 yards, we'd probably fare pretty well with a 4-16X42, and something with clearer glass. But we are at a fixed price range. I could never justify a $1000 scope for plinking potatos. But there's fun in the idea of stretching out to the point where hit smaller objects at 100-150 yards. I think our goal, is to be able to hit a shelled peanut at 100 yards with this .17, and make it repeatable.

Maybe we should dial down the scope, and just commit to a spotting scope. Great idea actually.

Much thanks guys.

[The Wiz]

I always bring a pair of binoculars ( Bushnell 7x35) that I have had forever to see, even at 25 yrds for any cal. I do most of my shooting indoors and the lightening can be iffy at times depending on the range. I suppose I could buy a spotting scope but this works for me. And I too get asked, now and then, if I would share.

[North Country Gal]

Plus one on the binoculars for large enough holes. We also use ordinary 10x42 binos at 50 yards when shooting our 357s and it does a good job for holes that large. have even used the binoculars for44 and 45 cal holes at 100 yards when using splatter targets. Love shooting the small stuff, but, have to admit, love those big bruiser holes left by a 45 cal bullet. Adds to the fun.

[henry22]

OMIT - double post