Currently shooting CMP/HP Service Rifle matches with a USMC surplus shooting jacket. Like to get something a bit more stable.
However, I also need to man-up and actually drop some money on a spotting scope and stand. Don't have either.
Going top-$ on all 3 items will put me well over $1200. I don't have $1200. So I have to budget appropriately.
Spotting scope stands appear to be the greatest financial hoax perpetrated against the shooting community, as far as I can tell. A weighted hockey puck with some folding legs, some screw-clamps, and a few feet of metal tubing shouldn't cost $300.
I think I'm going to try my hand at making one.
Optics... I have a friend down in Tucson that is playing around with making his own spotting scopes. He showed me a 20x50 with angled eye-piece the other day that was pretty nice. I may get one from him rather than a retail one, but I'm curious what you folks would recommend as a bare minimum on the market as a scope in case he can't come through for one reason or another?
Jackets:
There's 3 I'm looking at.
#1 - The basic CMP cloth jacket, at $75.
#2 - The Creedmoor deluxe canvas shooting coat, at $130.
#3 - The Creedmoor cordura hardback, at $300.
I'd really prefer to stay away from the hardback (or at least its price tag) and I'm interested in hearing if folks who go from no-jacket to either the CMP or Creedmoor deluxe notice increased stability from these lower cost options.