Binoculars enough to see bullet holes at 25yards?

Swatieson · #1 01-21-12, 13:41

Hello all,

Are binoculars enough to see .22LR holes at a paper target at 25 yards? Anyone with ACTUAL experience in this scenario?

I have a spotting scope but I find it too bulky for only 25 yards at the range.

Regards!

thopkins22 · #2 01-21-12, 13:46

"Good" binoculars can spot holes farther than that. It's not so much an issue of magnification as it is resolution and quality of glass.

Swatieson · #3 01-21-12, 13:49

Price tag for the minimum acceptable?

I was considering Nikon Monarch 8x42mm.

misanthropist · #4 01-21-12, 13:53

I think it would vary a bit from person to person but as the owner of some pretty nice binos (including a set of Monarch ATBs) I would say for me at least, that would be plenty. I could probably resolve .22 holes at 100m with those.

Swatieson · #5 01-21-12, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by misanthropist

I think it would vary a bit from person to person but as the owner of some pretty nice binos (including a set of Monarch ATBs) I would say for me at least, that would be plenty. I could probably resolve .22 holes at 100m with those.

8x or 10x?

Univibe · #6 01-21-12, 15:04

My binox are a $40 pair I got at Academy sporting goods store. 10x. They do just fine at 25 yards.

But when I'm shooting rifle I use a spotting scope that goes up to 60X.

misanthropist · #7 01-21-12, 15:17

If they'll be handheld, 8x is easier to use in my opinion.

I think you will find that 10x magnifies your movement sufficiently that the resolution doesn't really get better than the 8x, and 8x is generally a more useful size.

I have a set of 8.5x56 monsters that I use for low light, and that's about as much as I like to try to hold steady, myself.

TiroFijo · #8 01-21-12, 16:53

I have used 10X run of the mill binos to spot 22 LR holes at 25 m, and handgun calibers (9 mm and up) at 50+ m.

No doubt it can be done with high quality 8X binoculars at the same ranges.

CumbiaDude · #9 01-21-12, 17:31

Last Monday I used some Bushnell 10x50 binoculars to see some 7.62 bullet holes at 19 m. Not much of a stretch to go the extra 4 yds and drop down to .22.

Wildcat · #10 01-21-12, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swatieson

I was considering Nikon Monarch 8x42mm.

Should be a good choice.

Eliakim · #11 01-21-12, 20:53

I've got a pair of Steiner 8x30 Military/Marine binoculars that I bought about 20 years ago. Seeing .22 bullet holes at even 50 yds in paper is no problem.

The Steiners are good and reasonably priced binoculars

trinydex · #12 01-22-12, 03:14

8x is good enough to see at 25 yards. Its good enough to see further even. I have some celestron binos, i actually dont know what quality they are on the scale of binos but they are plenty fine for handgun work. Beyond 50 i need a spotting scope.

anthony1 · #13 01-22-12, 03:39

Everyones eyes are different. I can see 22 holes with 2x at 25yards. If its only for 25yds in well lit conditions l'd say just about any binos will do for people with average to good vision. l have some pos tasco binos in with my pistol range stuff, work just fine, they are 8x. l wouldn't sweat optic quality for well lit 25 yd shooting.

MAUSER202 · #14 01-22-12, 06:44

8 X will work 12 X will be better but will magnify you shaking. I would recommend the Canon 12X36 IS II, they are image stabilized so no shake. They are about $650. If you hunt a non stabilized 8X42 ( Nikon Monarch is a good one)would serve both purposes with the 42MM objective being best for low light.

Suwannee Tim · #15 01-22-12, 08:10

I have no problem seeing 22 holes at 50 yards with a 6.5 power rifle scope.

Swatieson · #16 01-22-12, 10:27

Thanks for the answers.

This is how I see 9mm bullet holes at 25y with my Scope (Celestron Ultima 80) at 30X:

Rayd8 · #17 01-22-12, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eliakim

I've got a pair of Steiner 8x30 Military/Marine binoculars that I bought about 20 years ago. Seeing .22 bullet holes at even 50 yds in paper is no problem.

The Steiners are good and reasonably priced binoculars

I have a set of Steiner Merlins that I got on sale a few years ago....they are GTG.

Skintop911 · #18 01-22-12, 14:57

Quality and clarity of glass is more important than raw magnification. Better binocs at a lower mag will give you a better view (subject to definition) than lesser binocs at umpteen power.

I like my Steiners. There are other great ones out there too.

zb39 · #19 01-23-12, 09:14

I have 2 pairs of Steiners. 6 x 30 I bought 23 years ago and 12 x 56 night hunter, about 8 years ago, Both work great for me. They both have long eye relief, yes I where glasses. Quality will last u a lifetime.

JonInWA · #20 01-23-12, 14:43

I have a Carl Zeiss/Jena set of "old school" 8 X 42 that have superb glass quality. And no, they weren't cheap, even back in the day when I got them (early 1990s), when I was stationed at Fort Hood TX, and got them from Brock's Gunshop in Copperas Cove. Brock had all sorts of hidden gems in his vault he'd haul out and sell if he liked you.

Best, Jon