Scope protection

[Lsfan]

I have relatively cheap scopes but 2 of them came with plastic end caps with elastic bands to keep them In tension.

I recently acquired a Simmons scope which didn't come with any caps so I bought a neoprene cover which is really tight.

I would prefer the plastic cap and elastic band arrangement but they seem hard to come by and rather expensive for what they are.

What does everyone else use on their scopes?

[Wm.Traynor]

I use Butler Creek lens covers. They were never cheap, I'm sorry to say.

[bigpete]

I did use butler Creek covers,now I just don't worry about it.

[GQshayne]

I like the neoprene covers, as they are good in the safe and gun case to protect a bit from a small knock. In the field, I do not use scope covers.

[on_one_wheel]

I also gave up on scope covers long ago
Had some quality flip up covers until one snapped off.

If I was hunting in rain and snow (screw that) I'd probably want something to keep the lenses dry but I just haven't had a problem without them.

[Lsfan]

Ok. Yes I've seen Butler creek ones online. They look rather delicate. Maybe I'll just persevere with the neoprene cover.

[Oldbloke]

Yep, prices are stupid.

Baby socks? Lol

[disco stu]

Rain/snow protection is my biggest need. The plastic covers would catch on my pack with rifle slung over shoulder and would click click with every step, so I went to a cheap neoprene cover.

I read of people using rubber inner tubes or those exercise bands tied to the right length to cover scopes in the field. That would be more water tight, I'll make something one day

[bladeracer]

I've used lots of different products, and found virtually all of them are compromises of longevity, ease of use and price.
The worst are the flip-ups as they break very easily at the hinge, even simply laying the rifle on a bench. And they open, or just fall off very easily, so you have your rifle across your back for a few hours only to discover the lenses have been out in the rain the whole time.
The most effective are the caps tied together with elastic or rubber, but you need to have somewhere handy to stow them, not conducive to leaving them on until you are ready to shoot. And the straps get caught on things. The silicone bikinis work well, but they don't last long, especially in cold weather.
The neoprene covers are the best for protecting the scope, but with the same drawbacks, although much better in cold weather.
The best I've found are the moulded one-piece flip-ups as they don't have a mechanical hinge to break. I thought mine were Butler Creek, but I'm not finding them now - I'll keep looking.

I have relatively cheap scopes but 2 of them came with plastic end caps with elastic bands to keep them In tension.

I recently acquired a Simmons scope which didn't come with any caps so I bought a neoprene cover which is really tight.

I would prefer the plastic cap and elastic band arrangement but they seem hard to come by and rather expensive for what they are.

What does everyone else use on their scopes?

[bladeracer]

https://www.nightforceoptics.com/store/ ... ens-Caps/0

I found something from Nightforce. Mine have a little nubbin so you can flip it up and it stays open.

I'll have to have a closer look at these.

[9.3x64]

The silicone bikinis work well, but they don't last long, especially in cold weather.

I like these as well, they are easy to shove in the pocket, and carry. If you have to crawl through some thick stuff then I have them on hand if needed.
They are not to expensive so I always keep a spare.

[Oldbloke]

The silicone bikinis work well, but they don't last long, especially in cold weather.

I like these as well, they are easy to shove in the pocket, and carry. If you have to crawl through some thick stuff then I have them on hand if needed.
They are not to expensive so I always keep a spare.

Sound sexy. Lol What are they?

[9.3x64]

The silicone bikinis work well, but they don't last long, especially in cold weather.

I like these as well, they are easy to shove in the pocket, and carry. If you have to crawl through some thick stuff then I have them on hand if needed.
They are not to expensive so I always keep a spare.

Sound sexy. Lol What are they?

... these are the ones I was talking about. Not sure if they are the ones bladeracer was referring to.
I think they are rubber, they seal well to.

[Oldbloke]

I still have NFI what they are?

[Harrynsw]

I have relatively cheap scopes but 2 of them came with plastic end caps with elastic bands to keep them In tension.

I recently acquired a Simmons scope which didn't come with any caps so I bought a neoprene cover which is really tight.

I would prefer the plastic cap and elastic band arrangement but they seem hard to come by and rather expensive for what they are.

What does everyone else use on their scopes?

Get on ebay. I got a rubber style cover with rubber caps for around $15. I noticed they come and go.

[9.3x64]

I still have NFI what they are?

[Oldbloke]

Sexy. Lol

[bladeracer]

Sexy. Lol

They're quite good, but the cords go hard and break quite soon. I've had them break in the safe, only to have the new replacement break straight away when putting it on. I can only put it down to temperature extremes affecting the elasticity of the silicone. My safes are not in a house where temperatures are kept more stable, so they see temps from below zero up to 45+ during the year.

They're not expensive so I bought a lot of them luckily. But I won't buy more of them.

[No1Mk3]

il_570xN.861056901_htbt.jpg (35.4 KiB) Viewed 11786 times

leather_scope_cover_03_by_bear_crafter-d5rv47x.jpg (82.4 KiB) Viewed 11786 times

I have used a lot of leather caps over the years and like them as much or more than the plastic with elastic type. Can be readily waterproofed and if you know a leather worker can be customized. Companies such as March scopes sell their own and a bloke called Rick Averill sells them on ebay for many modern scopes, Cheers

[bladeracer]

il_570xN.861056901_htbt.jpg

leather_scope_cover_03_by_bear_crafter-d5rv47x.jpg

I have used a lot of leather caps over the years and like them as much or more than the plastic with elastic type. Can be readily waterproofed and if you know a leather worker can be customized. Companies such as March scopes sell their own and a bloke called Rick Averill sells them on ebay for many modern scopes, Cheers

What keeps them on?

[bladeracer]

The best I've found are the moulded one-piece flip-ups as they don't have a mechanical hinge to break. I thought mine were Butler Creek, but I'm not finding them now - I'll keep looking.

I managed to find it on an old Ebay listing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/183977273886?nma=true&si=AECT7UBnn%252Bs1Rfd%252F46iOHXn9ZFg%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

All moulded in one-piece so no hinge or spring to break, and it's flexible.
I only bought one or maybe two of them but they seem to be unavailable now.

Found it on Amazon also.
https://www.amazon.com/Butler-Creek-One-Piece-2-310-2-360-Inch-58-7-59-9mm/dp/B008FUDDYC

[bladeracer]

https://www.nightforceoptics.com/store/accessories/details/Rubber-Lens-Caps/0

I found something from Nightforce. Mine have a little nubbin so you can flip it up and it stays open.

I'll have to have a closer look at these.

Nope, these are crap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByeL9oNixHg
Talks about the covers around the 11:00 mark.
Nothing to hold them open.

[Oldbloke]

leather is even sexier. LOL

[bigpete]

Leather....rubber....latex...all very sexy....

[Die Judicii]

All my Zeiss scopes have their own plastic caps with rubber straps, and they are good.
But, in saying that I leave em on the dash board or in my shooting bag once I'm set up (sniper style),,,,,,,,,, and then my biggest issue
that I face is when it's icy cold and dew formation.
I have cured that by using one of a pair of gators.
It is a loose fit and slightly longer than the scope so when draped over it covers the scope body and the lenses.
Then its a simple step to just flip it off when a shot presents. Works in my situation anyway.

For scrape protection the neoprene scope coats are good too,,,, and relatively cheap.

[boingk]

XHunter neoprene scope covers.

Keeps the body from marks or damage and very effectively keeps out dust.

- boingk

[No1Mk3]

Russian PE Sniper.jpg (116.14 KiB) Viewed 11722 times

The attachment il_570xN.861056901_htbt.jpg is no longer available

The attachment leather_scope_cover_03_by_bear_crafter-d5rv47x.jpg is no longer available

I have used a lot of leather caps over the years and like them as much or more than the plastic with elastic type. Can be readily waterproofed and if you know a leather worker can be customized. Companies such as March scopes sell their own and a bloke called Rick Averill sells them on ebay for many modern scopes, Cheers

What keeps them on?

A simple twist of the cap to tighten the strap on the scope, a simple, and quick, twist loosens them for use. This was the snipers field method from WW1 to some Balkan snipers today. This method got these scopes through Stalingrad and all the way to Berlin.

[bigpete]

I find Durex is good

[Oldbloke]

Kids socks in a pinch

[disco stu]

Was looking through Quake products and noticed they have a few different scope covers. One is a rubber boot style, and the others are flip caps.

Prices seem much cheaper than alternatives. Will probably be ordering one of their slings soon for some friends to take home from the US, tempted to try the scope covers also