I have been looking for a spotting scope to see .223 holes in the black at 200yds. I'm trying to spend less than $600.00 and am looking for recommendations. I have bought several $200.00 spotters and ended up taking them back after being unable to see clearly at even 100 yards. Have been reading reviews on the Bushnell 20-60x80 Legend Ultra, the Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 and the Leupold SX-1 Ventana 20-60x80 but reviews are so mixed. Several people see well and then several others cant. Can anyone comment on the three above or suggest something better within my price range?
Already posted under "optics" but apparently no one has a spotting scope worth a darn under $600.00.

Celestron Regal M2 20x60x80mm, just over $600. (best)
Bushnell 80mm elite, see them on occasion for under $600.

Thanks, I will look at both of them.

Well I only found 1 review on each. The Celestron was not so good and the Bushnell was pretty vague. One of those gee I can see birds pretty good kind of reviews. Guess I'll go back to buying, trying and returning until I eventually find one that does what I want.

I will comment on the ventana and the viper non hd.

I was able to play with the ventana you mentioned and a viper non hd 15-45x65 in the store reading barcodes off boxes at 84 yards. For wha I got to see the viper edged out the ventana by a little. Not a lot. I purchased the viper and have no issues seeing .223 at 200. On days with little mirage I can see .30 cal holes at 300 (non shoot and see targets, but in the black takes a minute to find. I now draw targets by hand on bright orange paper and the holes are plain as day.) But that's a lucky day kinda situation with any spotting scope at 300 and beyond. So back to your question I would buy the viper hd if you got the cash. I bought mine when they went on sale for $300 and didn't see the need for dropping the extra coin.

Thanks, that was extremely helpful. I will look at the non HD.

Leupold 12x-40x-60mm GRHD is among the best but will cost you $1100-$1200. Paying for it is the only thing that hurts. Great hunting scope for the mountains due to weight and compactness. I can see bullet holes way out there and judge elk in the 500-1000 yard range. Swarovski makes one I like better but it is $2500.

I listed a vortex razor hd 50mm spotter last week for $550 or so.
I had a ton of interest but it is still available.

It's a fine scope and will do what you want at 200 yards. The reviews are excellent and the razor hd glass is far better than the viper series.

Is that the Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50? I had wanted something bigger a 60 or 80. Why are you getting rid of it?

Yes,
Because I had a 25k tax bill I just wrote a check for....

One doesn't need a big objective spotter to get 'er done.

Had the same scope for a while for taking to the range, it was a great little scope and fit nicely in my range bag.

I had only purchased it for the range having a Swaro for hunting, after my local range added several spotters on solid stands for everyone to use so I traded it away.

something a bit out of the box but have you thought about one of the Bullseye Camera Systems? Uses a camera and wireless to show you your shots out to 1000 yards. You'd just need a laptop of some sort to go with it.

http://bullseyecamera.com/

Yes I had thought about a camera system. But shooting at a public range had me concerned. Would like to stay with something a little more portable. Although I could have some type of protective steel box welded up to protect the camera as long as it didn't interfere with the signal. Anyone tried this? Would hate for my range buddy to hit it by accident with his 45-70.