Will wrote:I've got a Vortex rifle scope and it doesn't come with any scope covers.
I will only be taking my rifle out to shoot once a month or so, in decent weather.
Butler creek caps seem handy, but they're $70 a pair and don't feel super strong I gotta say.
I figure I can just give them a wipe when needed and drape a cloth over it while it's in storage and it will do the same job?
That, or should I just suck it up and buy some covers?
The only reason I've found for scope covers is rain, but it is nice to know the lenses are protected just in case of stones hitting them.
I use flip-ups but I break them a lot. I've had pins fall out so the cover gets lost. When open the covers get caught on things and need very little effort to snap them off. I've even snapped them off laying a rifle on a bench. I don't let them flip-up under spring tension as that can break them as well, so the ones that have a separate catch I just find fiddly to use.
I haven't found a better solution though so I just keep replacing the damned things with cheap Chinese knock-offs. Non flip-ups are a hassle for me, either requiring transfer to a pocket or banging around on a tether.
I'd like to machine my own out of aluminium if I ever find the time.
I've tried transparent covers as well but there's no advantage to them - you can't see through them well enough for any practical purpose anyway.
I generally just use a rear cover as I've found the front to be unnecessary. I sling my rifles muzzle down and they live in the safe muzzle down as well. I carry them with a single-point sling so they're also muzzle down so it's difficult to get rain on the front lens.
With the heavier calibers I've also had the front covers come off under recoil.
Frankly, I find scope covers bloody annoying, but when I go out without them I am very much aware of having to protect the lens from the weather.
Your idea of cloth is good. I'm thinking a simple flap of T-shirt material might be a very much better solution! It can't break, it's silent...I'm going to try that myself.