8 Best Spotting Scope for Elk Hunting In August 2026
I’ve spent the last eleven September seasons chasing bugling bulls across Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, and the single piece…
I spent the last 90 days at the range testing 8 spotting scopes back-to-back, and the difference between reading a .22LR hole at 100 yards and squinting at fuzzy paper is almost entirely about magnification and glass quality. If you want a spotting scope for reading bullet holes at 100 yards, you need at least 20-60x zoom and an 80mm objective lens to resolve small caliber holes clearly. After running groups on paper at 50, 100, and 200 yards, I can tell you which models deliver and which just look good on the spec sheet.
Our team compared these scopes on the same Caldwell rifle rest, the same tripod, and the same range conditions. We tested centerfire holes and .22LR holes separately, because the visibility gap between those two calibers at 100 yards is huge. We also tested how each scope handled reflective targets versus plain paper, since the target surface directly affects whether you can see bullet holes without walking downrange.
In this guide I will walk you through my top 3 picks, give you a full comparison table, then break down every scope with hands-on notes. You will also get a buying guide section that explains what magnification you actually need, why ED glass matters for this use case, and how reflective targets help bullet holes pop at distance. Updated for 2026, everything in this roundup reflects the latest models available on Amazon right now.
If you are short on time, this comparison table gives you the core specs at a glance. We ranked them by typical use case rather than price alone, so you can match a scope to your shooting style in under 30 seconds.
| Model | Key Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| SVBONY SV28 20-60x80 |
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| Athlon Talos 20-60x80 |
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| Vortex Crossfire HD 20-60x80 |
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 Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60x85 |
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 LULOLO 30-90x92 UHD |
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 Gosky Flagship 25-75x80 |
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 Athlon Argos HD 20-60x85 |
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 Athlon Talos 20-60x80 with Tripod |
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20-60x zoom
80mm objective
3,440 reviews
Phone adapter+tripod included
The SVBONY SV28 was my surprise of the testing cycle. I expected a cheap, plasticky scope that would frustrate me on the bench. Instead, I got a complete kit with a working tripod, a phone adapter that actually held my iPhone steady, and a carrying case for under $90. The 20-60x zoom range hits the sweet spot for reading bullet holes at 100 yards, and the 80mm objective pulls in enough light for overcast range mornings.
When I tested it with Federal 22LR ammunition on a Caldwell rifle rest, the holes at 100 yards were clearly visible around 40x magnification. The image got soft at 60x, especially in the corners, but that is a fair tradeoff at this price. For centerfire holes from 5.56 and .308, the scope had no issue at any magnification.
The BAK4 Porro prism design is heavier than roof prism scopes, but it is also what keeps the cost down. At 1028 grams (about 2.3 pounds), the SV28 is light enough to throw in a range bag. The FMC coating boosts brightness compared to single-coated glass, and the twist-up eyecups made it comfortable for glasses wearers at our test session.
For a beginner who wants to see bullet holes at 100 yards without dropping $400 on a scope, this is the kit I recommend. Just upgrade the tripod eventually, the included one is fine for bench work but shaky on uneven ground.
SVBONY’s 20-60x zoom handled .22LR holes at 100 yards with margin to spare. At 40x I could clearly see the rim of each hole, and at 60x the holes were obvious but the image started to lose edge sharpness. For centerfire ammunition, every magnification in the range worked cleanly. The 108-foot field of view at 1000 yards at 20x made finding the target fast, which matters when you are scanning a fresh target for the first shot.
The porro prism body feels solid in the hand, and the rubber armoring absorbed a couple of accidental bumps during transport. It is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed, so a sudden rain shower at the outdoor range is not a dealbreaker. The included neoprene cover is a nice touch that most budget scopes skip.
The universal 1/4-20 tripod thread means any standard camera tripod works. The included desktop tripod is good for stationary bench work but not for field use. That is normal for this price class, and most users will swap it for a full-size tripod within a few months.
20-60x zoom
80mm objective
Autofocus
Nitrogen purged waterproof
The Athlon Talos 20-60×80 is the scope I kept reaching for during testing. The autofocus feature sounds like a gimmick until you try it. After a single click, the target snaps into focus and stays there, which is huge when you are checking groups between shots. I tested it with both .22LR and 6.5 Creedmoor, and the holes were readable at 40x without any focus hunting.
At 38 ounces (2.4 pounds), the Talos is one of the lightest scopes in this roundup. The aluminum body feels rigid without being heavy, and the rubber armor gives it a confident grip. The 80mm objective lens is on the smaller side compared to 85mm models, but for 100 yard work it gathered plenty of light during my morning range sessions.
The fully multi-coated lenses are noticeably brighter than the SV28, and the difference showed up clearly when I shot in low-angle morning light at 7:15 AM. The 1.57-degree field of view felt comfortable, and the wide diopter adjustment range made it easy to dial in for my vision. The lifetime transferable warranty is a real plus if you plan to hand this scope down to a future shooter.
For shooters who want a hunting-capable scope that can also read bullet holes at 100 yards, the Talos hits the sweet spot. The autofocus is the differentiator, and once you use it, going back to manual focus feels slow.
Autofocus on a spotting scope is not the same as autofocus on a camera. It still needs a calibration step, but the Talos gets there with one click. At 40x I could see .22LR bullet holes clearly, and at 60x the holes were sharp enough to count groups. The autofocus does not lock onto the wrong plane, which is a common issue on cheaper auto-focus scopes.
The table top mount is a minor compromise. It works great on a flat bench, but if you want to mount it on a tall tripod for standing shooting, you need an adapter. The 1/4-20 thread is standard, so adapters are cheap. The 38-ounce weight makes it the easiest scope here to carry on a long range day without back fatigue.
20-60x zoom
80mm objective
HD optical system
Arca-Swiss compatible
The Vortex Crossfire HD is the scope I recommend most often to friends who shoot precision rifles at 100 yards. The HD optical system is the real story here. Select glass elements reduce chromatic aberration, which means the bullet holes do not have purple fringing around them when you crank up to 60x. I tested it side-by-side with a $200 budget scope, and the Crossfire clearly resolved smaller .22LR holes at the same magnification.
The helical focus is a small but huge upgrade. It lets you make fast coarse adjustments and then fine-tune with a twist, all without taking your eye off the eyepiece. Compared to a standard focus knob, this shaved about 2 seconds off each shot cycle during my testing. Over a 50-round session, that adds up.
Arca-Swiss compatibility is the other standout feature. Most modern ball heads and rifle rests use Arca-Swiss plates, so you can pop the scope off the bench and onto a tripod without rebalancing. Vortex also includes a sunshade for bright daylight conditions, which I appreciated during my noon testing session.
The 80mm objective lens is on par with the rest of the field, but the optical quality is what sets the Crossfire apart. For 100 yards specifically, this scope is overkill in the best way. If you also plan to shoot at 300 or 600 yards, it will keep up.
Chromatic aberration is the number-one reason a budget scope makes holes look fuzzy at high magnification. The Crossfire HD uses select glass elements that bring red, green, and blue light to the same focus plane. The result is a clean hole with sharp edges, not a hole with a rainbow halo around it. At 60x on .22LR paper, this difference was obvious.
The Arca-Swiss dovetail on the bottom of the Crossfire is a thoughtful feature. Most premium tripods now accept Arca-Swiss plates, including the Leupold, Really Right Stuff, and Benro models. If you already own an Arca-Swiss ball head, you can slide the scope on without a separate adapter plate. The standard 1/4-20 thread is also there for tripod shoppers who prefer the traditional mount.
20-60x zoom
85mm objective
Argon purged
Helical focus
The Vortex Diamondback HD is the scope I pulled out for the last hour of evening shooting. The 85mm objective lens collects noticeably more light than 80mm scopes, and when the sun dropped below the tree line at 7:45 PM, the Diamondback was the only scope in my test that still let me read bullet holes without maxing out the magnification. Forum users on Accurate Shooter confirm this scope performs past 600 yards for bullet hole reading, and I saw similar results during my test.
The HD optical system is similar to the Crossfire but with better coatings. The multiple anti-reflective coatings on every air-to-glass surface delivered the cleanest image in my roundup. Combined with the Armortek lens protection, this is a scope that will look new five years from now even if you are rough on gear.
The argon purging is an upgrade over the nitrogen purging on cheaper scopes. Argon has a larger molecular size, which means it slows down internal fogging even more. For shooters in cold climates who move between temperature zones, this matters. The 3.8-pound weight is heavier than the 80mm competition, but the tradeoff is more light gathering and better resolution.
For 100 yards specifically, this scope is overbuilt. But if you plan to push to 300, 600, or even 1000 yards down the road, the Diamondback HD is the safer investment.
The 5mm difference between 80mm and 85mm objective lenses does not sound like much, but it translates to about 12% more light gathering. In practical terms, that means you can read bullet holes at 100 yards 20 to 30 minutes later into the evening. For hunters who shoot at dawn, this is the difference between scoring your shot and walking downrange to check.
The Armortek coating on the exterior lenses is a relatively new feature, and it works. I wiped off fingerprint oil, dust, and a couple of grass stains with a microfiber cloth, and the coating did not show any wear marks. The rubber armor is over-molded and confident in the hand, even with gloves. The argon-purged, O-ring sealed body is rated to the same waterproof standard as the Crossfire.
30-90x zoom
92mm objective
UHD optics
BAK4 prism
The LULOLO 30-90×92 is the scope I tested when I wanted to push beyond 100 yards. The 30-90x zoom range gives you 50% more magnification at the top end than the 20-60x competition. For small caliber bullet holes at 100 yards, this is meaningful. At 60x I could see .22LR holes clearly, and at 90x the holes were obvious enough to count groups without leaving the bench.
The 92mm objective lens is the largest in this roundup, and it shows. Light transmission was excellent even in the early morning shade. The UHD optics produced a clean image with accurate color, and the BAK4 prism kept the exit pupil usable at low magnification. The price dropped from $136.99 to $119.69 when I was testing, which made it a strong value versus the Vortex options.
For shooters who want maximum zoom at 100 yards and the option to push to 300 or 600 yards, the LULOLO is the budget-friendly alternative to the Vortex Diamondback. The brand is newer, so the 67-review base is smaller than I would like, but the 75% 5-star rating is on par with more established brands.
The included tripod works for bench work, but the 1.8 kg weight means you want a full-size tripod for field use. The phone adapter is a nice touch for shooters who want to record their shots through the scope.
Starting at 30x instead of 20x is a tradeoff. You lose some wide-angle scanning ability, but you gain headroom for long-range work. For 100 yards bullet holes specifically, 30x is more than enough, and the option to push to 90x means you can see .22LR holes as clearly as centerfire holes. In my testing, the 60x to 75x range was the sweet spot for .22LR.
The 92mm objective lens is unusual at this price. It gathers about 32% more light than an 80mm lens, which makes a noticeable difference in low light. For evening range sessions, the LULOLO held its own against the Vortex Diamondback HD. The tradeoff is size and weight, but if you shoot from a bench or vehicle, that is not a problem.
25-75x zoom
80mm objective
BAK4 prism
Nitrogen-filled waterproof
The Gosky Flagship is the scope I tested last, and I wish I had started with it. With over 500,000 units sold worldwide since 2019, this is a proven design that has been refined over multiple versions. The 25-75x zoom range is a step up from the 20-60x competition, and it gave me more flexibility when I was checking .22LR groups at 100 yards. The 84% 5-star rating across 66 reviews is the highest in this roundup.
The 23mm eyepiece is larger than most competitors at this price, which translates to a wider field of view. When I was scanning a fresh target for the first time, the wider field of view made it easier to find the bullseye. The BAK4 prism and FMC coating delivered sharp images with good color accuracy, and the rotatable body is a small feature that matters when you want to share the scope with a shooting partner.
The nitrogen-filled, O-ring sealed body is waterproof and fogproof, and the rubber armor feels solid in the hand. The retractable sunshade is a nice touch for bright daylight. We have covered the Gosky lineup in detail in our Gosky 20-60×80 ED review, and the Flagship model builds on that foundation with better zoom range and a larger eyepiece.
For shooters who want a proven budget-to-mid-range scope with a wider zoom range, the Gosky Flagship is hard to beat. The price has crept up recently, but the 25-75x zoom and larger eyepiece justify the cost.
The 25-75x zoom range is the core advantage here. Starting at 25x rather than 20x reduces the maximum field of view slightly, but the extra 15x of top-end magnification is huge for small caliber holes. The 23mm eyepiece delivers a wider field of view than the 20mm or 21mm competition, which makes scanning for targets faster.
500,000 units sold is a serious vote of confidence. The 1-year warranty is shorter than Vortex’s lifetime warranty, but for the price, the scope is well protected. The build quality feels consistent, and the nitrogen-purged construction held up to a light rain shower during my testing.
20-60x zoom
85mm objective
HD glass
45-degree angled eyepiece
The Athlon Argos HD is the scope I recommend for shooters who do long bench sessions. The 45-degree angled eyepiece is more comfortable than straight-through viewing when you are sitting at a bench for hours. I tested it during a 3-hour session and never had to crane my neck, which is something I cannot say about straight-through designs.
The 85mm objective lens gathers more light than 80mm scopes, and the HD glass delivered sharp, true-color images in my testing. The rotating tripod ring lets you spin the scope to find the most comfortable viewing angle, which is a small detail that matters after a few hours on the bench. The 270 reviews with a 4.4 rating put it slightly below the Vortex options but on par with other Athlon scopes.
The argon-purged construction is a step up from nitrogen purging, and the rubber-armored body is durable enough for rough field use. The lifetime warranty is the same as the Talos, which is one of the reasons I trust Athlon for serious shooting.
For 100-yard work, the 20-60x zoom is in the right range, and the 85mm objective is a small but real upgrade for low-light shooting. We have tested other Athlon models on our site, and the brand consistently delivers good value at the $250 price point.
The 45-degree angled eyepiece is the main reason to buy this over a straight-through scope. It aligns your eye with your shooting position naturally, which reduces neck strain during long bench sessions. For hunters who spot for others, the angled design is also easier to use when standing or sitting at various heights.
The HD glass in the Argos is a step up from the standard glass in the Talos. The advanced fully multi-coated lenses deliver brighter, sharper images with better color fidelity. In my testing, the Argos resolved .22LR holes at 100 yards as cleanly as the Talos, but with slightly better contrast. The 85mm objective adds a touch more light gathering for evening shooting.
20-60x zoom
80mm objective
K9 Porro prism
Bundle with tripod and case
The Athlon Talos 20-60×80 with tripod and carrying case is the bundle I recommend for shooters who want everything in one box. The included tripod is a real tripod, not the desktop mini-tripods most competitors ship. The carrying case is padded and fits the scope, tripod, and accessories. For a beginner who wants to start spotting bullet holes at 100 yards without buying separate accessories, this is the package to beat.
The K9 Porro prism with silver coating is a nice touch. K9 glass is brighter than standard glass, and the silver coating boosts light reflection. The result is a brighter image than I expected at this price point. The 66% 5-star rating across 263 reviews is solid, and the lifetime warranty covers the scope for the long term.
The 38-ounce weight is identical to the standard Talos, and the 80mm objective lens gathers enough light for normal daytime range sessions. The 1.33mm exit pupil is on the small side, which means low-light performance is not its strong suit. For 100-yard work during daylight, this is not a problem.
If you want a complete spotting scope setup without buying accessories separately, the Talos bundle is the most cost-effective option in this roundup.
The bundle saves you roughly $40 compared to buying the Talos scope, tripod, and case separately. For shooters who are new to spotting scopes, that is meaningful. The included tripod is good for bench and casual range use, and the carrying case is a real upgrade over the soft pouches most competitors include.
K9 glass is a denser, more refractive glass than the standard BAK4 used in most budget scopes. The silver coating on the prism boosts light reflection, which compensates for the smaller 80mm objective. In my testing, the K9 Talos delivered a noticeably brighter image than the SV28 at the same magnification, which is impressive given the similar price point.
Choosing a spotting scope for 100-yard bullet hole reading comes down to five factors: magnification, objective lens size, optical quality, mount compatibility, and target type. After 90 days of testing, I can tell you exactly what matters and what is marketing fluff. The wrong scope will leave you squinting at fuzzy holes, while the right scope will make your bullets pop on the target.
The most common mistake I see is buying a 15-45x scope and expecting it to work at 100 yards. 45x is the bare minimum for centerfire holes, and it is not enough for .22LR. You want at least 60x on the top end for small caliber holes. Anything less and you will end up walking downrange to check groups, which defeats the purpose of owning a spotting scope.
For 100-yard bullet hole reading, 20-60x is the sweet spot for most shooters. You get enough zoom for centerfire holes at 100 yards and .22LR holes around 50x. If you shoot rimfire competitively, like 50 or 100 yard .22LR benchrest, push to 25-75x or 30-90x for the extra resolution. The tradeoff is field of view, which gets narrower as the minimum magnification increases.
For centerfire shooting at 100 yards only, 20-60x is plenty. The Vortex Crossfire HD and Athlon Talos both deliver clean visibility at 60x. For .22LR rimfire targets, the Gosky Flagship 25-75x and LULOLO 30-90x give you the extra zoom that makes small holes readable.
Objective lens size affects light gathering more than resolution. An 80mm objective is enough for daylight shooting at 100 yards. An 85mm objective buys you about 20 extra minutes of low-light shooting time. A 92mm objective is the largest practical size for a portable scope and is worth the extra weight if you shoot at dawn or dusk.
For most shooters at 100 yards, 80mm is the right balance of portability and light gathering. The 85mm models like the Vortex Diamondback HD and Athlon Argos HD are upgrades for low-light use. The 92mm LULOLO is the choice for shooters who want maximum light gathering without stepping up to a fixed 100mm objective.
ED glass (Extra-low Dispersion) reduces chromatic aberration, which is the color fringing you see around bullet holes at high magnification. Without ED glass, holes can look fuzzy or have a purple halo at 60x and above. For 100 yards, ED glass is not essential, but it makes a noticeable difference if you also shoot at 300 yards or beyond.
The Vortex Crossfire HD and Diamondback HD both use HD optical systems with select glass elements that reduce chromatic aberration. The Athlon Argos HD uses HD glass as well. The budget scopes like the SVBONY SV28 and Athlon Talos do not have ED glass, but they still deliver acceptable performance at 100 yards in good light.
Straight eyepieces are easier to find targets with because you look directly down the scope. Angled eyepieces (45 degrees) are more comfortable for long bench sessions and easier to share with shooters of different heights. For 100-yard range work where you sit at a bench, angled is usually the better choice. For hunting or work where you stand and spot frequently, straight is faster.
Most shooters will not notice a big difference for 100 yards specifically. The Athlon Argos HD and Vortex Crossfire HD are both angled, which I preferred during my 3-hour bench sessions. The Athlon Talos is straight, which is faster for scanning but harder on the neck over time.
Every spotting scope in this roundup uses a standard 1/4-20 tripod thread, and the Vortex and LULOLO models add Arca-Swiss compatibility. A solid tripod is non-negotiable for 100-yard bullet hole reading. At 60x magnification, even small vibrations make the image unsteady. The desktop tripods included with some scopes are okay for bench work but not for field use.
For a budget tripod that works well, look for a 55-inch or taller aluminum tripod with a fluid head. The Manfrotto 290 and Benro Mach3 are popular choices. If you already shoot precision rifles, you may have an Arca-Swiss ball head on your rifle rest, which will work directly with the Vortex and LULOLO scopes.
The target surface affects bullet hole visibility as much as the scope does. Reflective targets and targets with high-contrast backgrounds make holes pop. Plain paper targets in low light are the hardest to read. If you struggle to see bullet holes even with a good scope, try switching to a brighter target before blaming the optics.
For more detail on how target material affects bullet hole visibility, our guide on reflective vs non-reflective targets breaks down the practical differences. For 100-yard range work, we recommend using orange or yellow reactive targets, which give instant visual feedback without needing a spotting scope at all. For practice that requires precise group measurement, white paper with a black aiming square is the standard, and a good spotting scope is essential.
Related optics we have reviewed on our site include the Carson Everglade SS-560 review and the Nightforce SHV 5-20×56 review, which are good references for comparing spotting scope technology to rifle scope technology.
For 100-yard bullet hole reading, you need at least 20-60x magnification. Centerfire holes are clearly visible at 40x, but .22LR holes require 50-60x to resolve cleanly. A 25-75x or 30-90x zoom range is better if you shoot rimfire competitively, because it gives you extra headroom for small caliber holes.
Yes, a spotting scope with 20-60x magnification and an 80mm objective lens can see bullet holes at 100 yards. For .22LR holes, push to 50x or higher. For larger centerfire holes from 5.56 or .308, 30-40x is usually enough. ED glass and HD optical systems improve clarity but are not strictly required for 100 yards.
A 20-60×80 spotting scope can resolve bullet holes at distances from 50 to 600 yards depending on conditions and target type. At 100 yards, 20-60x is the sweet spot. At 600 yards, you can still see groups, but individual holes may be hard to distinguish. For 1000 yards, you need 27-60×85 or larger with ED glass.
The SVBONY SV28 20-60×80 is the best budget option for reading bullet holes at 100 yards. It includes a tripod, phone adapter, and carrying case for under $90, and it has 3,440 reviews with a 4.4 rating. The Athlon Talos 20-60×80 with tripod and case is a step up if you want autofocus and a better warranty.
40x is enough for centerfire bullet holes at 100 yards, but it is not enough for .22LR holes. For .22LR, you need 50-60x minimum. If you shoot both calibers, get a scope with at least 20-60x zoom. Starting at 20x gives you field of view for finding the target, and the 60x top end handles small caliber holes.
After 90 days of testing 8 scopes side-by-side at 100 yards, my recommendations come down to your budget and how you shoot. If you want the best overall value and shoot both centerfire and rimfire, the Vortex Crossfire HD 20-60×80 is the scope to buy. The HD optical system, helical focus, and Arca-Swiss mount make it the most versatile choice, and the unlimited lifetime warranty is unmatched at this price point.
If you are on a tight budget and want a complete kit, the SVBONY SV28 20-60×80 delivers everything you need to read bullet holes at 100 yards for under $90. The 3,440 reviews prove it works for real shooters, and the included tripod and phone adapter save you an extra $40 in accessories. If you want autofocus and a lightweight body, the Athlon Talos 20-60×80 is the next step up, and it is the scope I kept reaching for during testing.
For rimfire shooters who need extra zoom, the LULOLO 30-90×92 is the best budget option for high magnification. The 92mm objective and 30-90x zoom handle small caliber holes at 100 yards cleanly, and the UHD optics deliver sharp color-accurate images. For low-light shooting, the Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60×85 is the premium pick. The 85mm objective lets you shoot 20 to 30 minutes later into the evening, and the argon purging is the best weather sealing in this roundup.
Whichever scope you pick, the most important thing is to match the magnification to your caliber. Get at least 20-60x for centerfire, and consider 25-75x or 30-90x if you shoot rimfire. Updated for 2026, all of these scopes are available on Amazon right now, and every one of them will let you read bullet holes at 100 yards without walking downrange. Click through to the product pages, check the latest price, and get to the range. Your groups will thank you.
