I have a set of Leupold wind river 10x that work pretty well. Sky is the limit on Binos.
The issue is holding them steady enough to see .224 holes in paper.
Resting elbows on a bench helps but it's still a PITA.
Spotting scope on tripod is the best bet for seeing groups on paper.
Steel strikes @ 400 yds is doable with 10x binos.

 

Out to 400 yards? May want a spotting scope instead of binoculars.

 

I have a really nice spotting scope. What I'm looking for here is something more compact. Spotting hits on steel swingers/flashers at 400 shouldn't be a problem with decent binos; we aren't talking about scoring hits on paper.

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/LEUP...9-126626007-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03981380&rid=20

I bought these after using cheapo tascos for years. Love these things. They don't break the bank, but I can see antlers several hundred yards away. Really bright at dusk. I found mine on clearance on some site, just googled for a bit.

 

My wife bought a set of armored 10x32 Bushnell's for my birthday this year. She paid around $200, I think. I've always (incorrectly) considered Bushnell to be less than the best, but these binos are well built and have excellent glass. Very good value.

Spotting steel strikes at 400y is doable with these, but seeing detail at that range would obviously be tough.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-16003-P...ocular/dp/B00LDYHZGY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451059018&sr=8-1&keywords=Nikon+7s

Highly rated on multiple sites. One of the best bangs for the bucks. Be sure to get the "s" model if you go with these, they were a significant redesign/upgrade.

 

Not close to your price range but the Steiner binos are freaking awesome. I use them at woodys for all the matches. They're the image stabilized with compass and reticle (no idea what the measurement equates to though) and they're just flat out awesome. I use them without my glasses, and everyone that's looked through them are amazed as well. They pretty much self focus and I still have no idea how that works but it's very cool. Got them here a few years back for a steal. Highly recommended!

 

I've purchased 3 pairs of Stiners from:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/binoculars-and-scopes~d~7043/

They don't have any Steiners today, but the two they do have are probably great deals. They have great prices on all types of merchandise, including binoculars.

 

And home office is in WY!
Right down the street from thunderbeast

 

I'm thinking these might be the way to go

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004803YTW?ref_=cm_wl_huc_item

 

Midway has the Vortex 10x42 on sale for $130 and ships free. I have a pair of Nikon compact binoculars that I have used for over 25 years-- paid about $100 for them in the late 80's. They still work.

 

Here is a video review I did about a nice budget friendly set I have.

http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Oceana-Porro-Binocular-71189-B/dp/B006ZN542A

 

Go by an Academy sports and you can see the Steiners along side the Nikon Acculon
http://amzn.com/B00BD53BWU I found the Acculon to be the best bang for the money. Extremely bright, great light transmission, even compared to the more expensive Steiners or the vortex. They had Vortex at Academy, try before you buy.

 

Not close to your price range but the Steiner binos are freaking awesome. I use them at woodys for all the matches. They're the image stabilized with compass and reticle (no idea what the measurement equates to though) and they're just flat out awesome. I use them without my glasses, and everyone that's looked through them are amazed as well. They pretty much self focus and I still have no idea how that works but it's very cool. Got them here a few years back for a steal. Highly recommended!

I disagree.. For some reason at Woody's, BOG's Steiner Binos always seem to miss my projectiles hitting steel... Even as close as 142 yards!!! Now I have looked through them and could see two gnats having an argument at 595 yards... but for some reason they just don't seem to register my impacts. (Not anyone else's mind you... just mine)

 

Best I ever used is Minox http://swfa.com/Minox-BL-10x44-HD-Comfort-Bridge-Binocular-P65400.aspx

Spotting Trace with binos is a bear. FOV is so wide its hard to pick up.

Unless you use stable imaging

 

Not close to your price range but the Steiner binos are freaking awesome. I use them at woodys for all the matches. They're the image stabilized with compass and reticle (no idea what the measurement equates to though) and they're just flat out awesome. I use them without my glasses, and everyone that's looked through them are amazed as well. They pretty much self focus and I still have no idea how that works but it's very cool. Got them here a few years back for a steal. Highly recommended!

These bino's totally freeked me out. Prior to these I had always hated binos.

First look through BOG binos: WHOA.

I saw stuff I had no business seeing. Look out over a field and you see every bee......at 500 yards.

 

I got these giant things for Christmas. They work great but they are huge. $50

http://www.amazon.com/BARSKA-X-Trai...r/dp/B000A7B9RQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451319611&sr=8-2&keywords=binoculars+70

 

Only way to know what you want is to go somewhere that has a huge selection, cabelas, bass pro, field and stream, etc... You can research and look at reviews all you want, and that's good to know for the sake of quality, but you need to try them first. Just hold them up one after the other. I wanted to get vortex until I tried the nikon monarch right after. However I still haven't bought a pair. Just be aware that people F with the diopter settings on those things when they try them, so be sure to fix it to your liking before making a final judgement on the pair.

ETA: After you find what you want, go buy them online cheaper!

 

http://www.telescope.com/Binoculars/Sport-Hunting-Binoculars/pc/5/70.uts

Lots of info on Binos. Not bad prices either.I have a Orion brand pair which are not bad...