Long-range shooting out to 1000 yards is thrilling, but it is even more fun when you use a spotting scope. Having the best spotting scope for 1000 yards shooting will boost your shooting confidence, enhance your odds of placing a clean shot and make your shooting trips more enjoyable.
In this post, we are going to take you through a number of spotting scopes that are optimized for shooting in the range. These scopes make target shooting an easy task even in the most challenging shooting environments. They are simple to use and great for all shooters including those who are just starting a new hobby in target shooting.
What Makes a Great Spotting Scope for Shooting?
A great spotting scope for 1000 yards shooting is made of several features that work together to give you the best performance in the range. Firstly, the scope should have high-quality glass and proper lens coatings. These two features play the biggest role in enhancing your shooting accuracy by providing a clear and detailed view of the targets.
Furthermore, the scope needs to have a magnification power that is enough to cover the 1000-yard range. At such a long distance, the scope also needs to have a large objective lens that maximizes image brightness and clarity even at the highest zoom settings by drawing in more light.
Long-range shooting takes place outdoors. This calls for a spotting scope that is waterproof, fog proof, and dustproof. The scope also needs to have robust housing to withstand the rough handling often associated with outdoor use.
Another thing that makes a spotting scope good for 1000 yards shooting is a focus adjustment that is not just quick to use, but also precise.
8 Best Spotting Scopes for 1000 Yards Shooting
The longer your shooting range is, the more quality of a spotting scope you need to cover that range efficiently. Here is a list of the best-performing spotting scopes ideal for long-range shooting out to 1000 yards. Let’s have a look.
1) Vortex Razor HD 27-60×85 Spotting Scope
First up, we have the Razor HD 27-60×85 Spotting Scope from Vortex. This high-end spotting scope has a wide range of user-friendly and high-quality features that make it arguably the best spotting scope for 1000 yards shooting.
It is equipped with a broad zoom range of 27x to 60x for use at different ranges. Complementing the vast magnification power is the large 85mm objective lens to draw in more light and ensure that the images generated at every zoom level are rich in clarity and quality.
Moreover, the spotting scope employs premium HD glass elements that offer excellent color accuracy and edge-to-edge sharpness. The lenses are fully multi-coated for effective light transmission and glare elimination. This gives you stunning image quality even in low-lighting shooting environments.
Vortex built the spotting scope ready for use in all environments. It has a rugged construction that withstands shock and impacts. Additionally, it boasts scratch-resistant Armortek coating for added protection in the field. It is also waterproof and fog proof for all-weather reliability.
Features
- HD lens elements
- Angled body design
- Adjustable eyecup
- Built-in sunshade
- Waterproof and fog proof
- XR Plus fully multi-coated lenses
- Porro prism optical path
- Rotating tripod ring
Pros
- Rugged construction
- Excellent image quality
- Quality glass
Cons
- Big budget
2) Vortex Viper HD 20-60x85mm Spotting Scope
The Vortex Viper HD 20-60x85mm Spotting Scope is your go-to sighting tool if you want to take your long-range shooting skills a notch higher. It is built with high-end features and a powerful 20-60x zoom eyepiece to get you closer to every action and make you a better shooter.
The spotting scope is ideal for shooting even in low-light settings. It has a massive 85mm objective lens that maximizes light collection and fully multi-coated lenses that offer excellent transmission of the light collected. As a result, the images produced are bright, clear, and razor-sharp.
Furthermore, the spotting scope is built with an ultra-smooth, fluid and sleek helical-style focus dial for tack-sharp viewing. For more convenience, it has a built-in sunshade to block stray light and a tripod mounting collar that gives you the flexibility to rotate it into different viewing angles.
Durability is another outstanding feature of this Vortex scope. It has a durable base and a rubber-armored body to enhance ruggedness and shockproof properties. It is also built with an Armortek coating that makes the lenses resistant to scratches.
Features
- Sleek helical-style focus dial
- 20-60x magnification
- Built-in sunshade
- HD optical system
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Angled eyepiece design
- XR anti-reflective lens coatings
- Armortek lens coatings
Pros
- Clear and sharp images
- Outstanding durability
- Easy to zoom and use
- Versatility
Cons
- The clarity of the image declines with an increase in magnification
3) Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 Spotting Scope
Zeiss takes pride in making high-quality optics and the Conquest Gavia 85 Spotting Scope is not any different. Getting this premium quality spotting scope for your target shooting pursuits will change how you shoot at different ranges and make you better at this activity.
The spotting scope is built with ease of use in mind. It has features that even beginners find simple to use and a compact and lightweight design for easy carrying in the field. It also comes with a comfortable eyecup that reduces eye strain during lengthy glassing sessions.
Optically, the scope employs a high-resolution lens system that yields high-quality sight pictures that are rich in brightness and color. Further, comes with a rapid focus system that makes it easy to focus and a wide field of view for easy target finding.
Accessory-wise, the spotting scope comes with a universal tripod plate that works with a wide range of tripods. Other than that, it brings to the table a weatherproofed body that makes it safe to use even in extremely adverse weather conditions.
Features
- Rapid focus system
- High-resolution lens system
- 30-60x zoom eyepiece
- Roof prism optical path
- Waterproof and nitrogen filled
- Angled design
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Good for Digiscoping
- Solid construction
- Superb light gathering and image quality
Cons
- Costly
4) Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope
Next up, we have the Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope which is designed to take the glassing experience of every gun enthusiast to a higher level. It has premium HD glass that optimizes resolution and color accuracy, and index-matched lenses that deliver true color across the visible light spectrum by cutting all color aberrations.
Burris made this spotting scope last for ages. It has a die-cast magnesium body that is more rugged than its counterparts made from aluminum and is armored to maximize durability. With this quality construction, you can subject it to any condition and it will still perform. For use in any weather condition, the scope is waterproof and fog proof. Besides, it comes with a built-in sunshade that blocks glare and shields the objective lens from rain, snow, and scratches.
The other essential features included are an adjustable eyecup that provides long eye relief and coarse and fine focusing knobs for quick and precise focusing.
Features
- Angled eyepiece
- Die-cast magnesium body
- Rugged rubber armor
- Adjustable eyecup
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Coarse and fine-focusing adjustment
- Built-in sunshade
Pros
- Manageable weight
- Ease of use
- Stunning picture brightness and quality
- Solid construction
Cons
- Big and heavy
5) Kowa 88mm Prominar Spotting Scope
The Kowa 88mm Prominar Spotting Scope is the best spotting scope for 1000-yard shooting for beginners. It is simple to learn how to use and comes with virtually every feature you need to grow and better your shooting skills.
The selling point of this spotting scope is the high-end optical features. It is made with fluorite crystal glass that provides stunning resolution in virtually any lighting condition. Also, it has a fully multi-coated lens system that eliminates aberration and maximizes the image brightness in low light settings by enhancing light transmission.
Moreover, the scope is built to last long and deliver reliable performance in any environment. It has a polycarbonate chassis that enhances both strength and rigidity without being bulky. It also has a waterproof body that is charged with nitrogen gas to keep the lenses free of fog.
Features
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Waterproof and nitrogen filled
- 15-45x zoom eyepiece
- Twist-up eye cup
- Polycarbonate housing
- Fluoride crystal glass
- 8ft close focus
- Dual fine and coarse focus
Pros
- Crystal clear glass
- Lightweight and durable
- Compact form
Cons
- Narrow field of view
6) Leupold SX-5 Santiam HD 22-55×80 Spotting Scope
The high quality and crisp clear optics of the SX-5 Santiam HD 22-55x80mm make it one of the best spotting scopes for long range shooting. Its performance in the shooting range is nothing short of incredible irrespective of what you encounter.
The scope has a zoom power that is adjustable from 27x to 55x to be usable in different ranges. To complement the versatile zoom range and make the optic more functional is a large 80mm objective lens that collects as much light as possible to yield great sight pictures even at the highest zoom levels.
Leupold optics are known for their legendary ruggedness and this spotting scope is not built any different. It has a robust chassis that maximizes its strength and durability. Besides, it is waterproof and fog proof for usability in any terrain you want and in any weather condition.
For more convenience, the scope is built with a smooth focusing system that you to use bring the images into fine focus. It is also designed to provide unequaled optical performance under any lighting condition.
Features
- HD glass
- Retractable sunshade
- Twist up eyecups
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Guard-Ion DiamondCoat 2 lens coating
- Fully multi-coated lens system
Pros
- Smooth and quick focusing
- Excellent optical glass quality
- Durable and reliable
- Stunning low-light performance
Cons
- Heavy
7) Leupold SX-4 Pro Guide 20-60×85 Spotting Scope
Next on our list of the best spotting scope for 1000 yards shooting is the Leupold SX-4 Pro Guide 20-60×85 Spotting. This is a multi-functional spotting scope that is designed to maximize your efficiency in the shooting range and hunting field.
Leupold made this spotting scope with a Twilight Max HD Light Management System that provides the brightest image views even in dim lighting conditions. The large 85mm objective lens complements this system by collecting more light in poorly lit conditions. Besides, the scope is built with a Guard-Ion rain-shedding coating that repels dirt and moisture to keep the field of view clean.
To eliminate eye strain during use, the spotting scope comes with a generous eye box that also makes it eyeglass-friendly. Furthermore, the eyecup is adjustable to add glassing comfort and the focus system is quick and smooth to operate for more convenience.
Construction-wise, the spotting scope comes with an integrated sunshade to block glare in harsh sunlight and rugged housing to enhance durability and longevity. It is also waterproof, fog proof, and guaranteed to perform for life.
Features
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System
- Waterproof and fog proof
- HD glass
- Built-in sunshade
- Scratch resistant lenses
- Guard-Ion rain-shedding coating
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Bright and clear optics
- Rugged and reliable construction
Cons
- No carrying case included
8) Vanguard Endeavor 20-60x82mm HD Spotting Scope
The Vanguard Endeavor 20-60x82mm HD Spotting Scope is another long-range spotting scope that is made with budget buyers in mind. It is reasonably affordable, yet durable and of great quality.
This spotting scope has a rugged magnesium housing that maximizes durability without being heavy. Its optical tube is filled with nitrogen to be thermally stable and resistant to fog. It is also sealed to prevent dust, debris, and moisture from entering the optics.
Complementing the solid construction is an optical system that offers unparalleled performance in any lighting condition. The scope features a large 85mm aperture, ED glass, and phase-corrected BAK4 prisms that work together to provide high-quality images that are rich in color contrast.
To further enhance the scope’s functionality is a dual focus mechanism that you use to make fine and coarse adjustments. The spotting scope is also equipped with a built sunshade that blocks excessive sunlight and a long eye relief to maximize glassing comfort.
Features
- 20-60x magnification
- Angled eyepiece design
- Waterproof and nitrogen field
- Rugged magnesium alloy housing
- ED glass
- Built-in sunshade
- Phase-corrected BAK4 prisms
Pros
- Long eye relief
- Clear from edge to edge
- Solid construction
- Impressive, user-friendly features
Cons
- Poor resolution past 40x
See Also
- 6 Best Spotting Scopes for Long-Range Shooting
- 6 Best Vortex Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor
- 7 Best Scopes for 30-06 Hunting Rifle
How to Choose a Spotting Scope for 1000 Yards Shooting
Magnification Power
The high magnification power in spotting scopes is what makes them ideal for long-range shooting. For 1000 yards shooting, you will need a zoom power between 15x and 60x. Most of the spotting scopes for use at this range have the 20-60x zoom configuration which is also the most versatile.
Objective Lens
The objective lens in the spotting scope is responsible for drawing light inside the optics. The larger the aperture is, the more light it collects and the brighter the images it will produce even in low-light settings. For long-range shooting out to 1000 yards, go for a scope that has an objective lens diameter between 50mm and 80mm.
Glass Quality
The best spotting scope for 1000-yard shooting must have the best glass elements you can afford. This way, it yields stunning picture quality in all lighting conditions.
Whether you are a beginner in shooting or not, go for a spotting scope that is made with fluoride-coated, HD, or ED glass. With such a scope, you are guaranteed high-quality sight pictures that are rich in clarity, brightness, and contrast even in low light conditions.
Durability
The next thing to consider is the build quality of the scope. You will want to get a spotting scope that is durably built to last long. A scope that is well-made will withstand constant use and rough handling to give you the best performance. For a scope to be long-lasting, it should also be built and ready for use in all kinds of weather conditions.
Eye Piece Placement
The other thing to consider is the eyepiece placement. Some spotting scopes have a straight eyepiece design where the eyepiece is at the same level as the objective lens. The other models have the eyepiece designed at an angle with the objective lens.
The best spotting scope for 1000 yards shooting has an angled eyepiece design. This design is versatile and ideal for taking shots at an uphill or downhill angle. The angled design also reduces neck and eye strain when you are using it for long hours.
FAQs
- What do numbers in a spotting scope represent?
Magnification power and the objective lens size respectively. Magnification brings the distant targets closer while the objective lens is responsible for drawing light inside the optics. So, in a 15-45×60 spotting scope for example,15-45x is the variable magnification power while 60 is the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters.
- How much should I spend on a spotting scope?
This majorly depends on how much you are willing to spend. The activity you plan to use the spotting scope for and your experience using spotting scopes will also play a role in determining how much you spend.
The wise thing is to get a premium-quality product even if it’s expensive. High-end spotting scope provides unequaled optical performance in any environment. They also tend to be more rugged and durable, so they offer value for money in the long run
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you have found this post on the best spotting scope for 1000 yards shooting to be insightful. All the scopes we have listed above have the features gun enthusiasts require to shoot more competitively. Look at each scope in detail, see if it has all the features you require to fine-tune your accuracy in the shooting range, and then choose appropriately.