Scope covers

[Coasthunterjay]

OK, im starting this because i just bought a really nice expensive scope and i am making plans on getting some covers but i want to hear your opinions and find out what you all have or what your using?

And what you do in the off season to protect your scopes?

Im thinking of getting the leupold butler style flip ups. Would that be good?

 or i could get the less expensive ones.

[Red Dawg]

the butler creek ones are the ticket. love them.

[actionshooter]

The BC are the same, might as well save some money.

[jackelope]

x3

[Ray]

I use the butler creek bikini scope cover

[robodad]

I have to use the removable ones because of the clearance of my bolt and scope there is just very little room with the bolt open, so when I go to eject a shell the flip up ones got in the way. There is a pair of them on Voodoo Mt if you want to look for them !!

[dbllunger]

I pm'd you back.  Like everyone else said including Robodad.  I only have them on my varmint rigs now.  They work but I don't want to mess with them.

[mossback91]

i got some that are no longer made but they are the qd ones form michaels out of oregon called uncle mikes or whatever they are pretty cool. butler creek ones are cool too.

[ICEMAN]

None. I would ruin or lose them. My past experience is that in western wa, they are not going to keep the rain out... and just be in the way. (Atleast with me....) Seems like I was spending more time reclosing them, or wiping them, or worrying about them, than needed. The last thing I wanted was to have to reach up and open something, so I could get a shot. Instead, I keep a chamois tied inside my jacket, and periodically wipe my lense. Problem solved.

Sometimes, less is more.

[catwithboost]

The BC brand I got for last yr broke at the hinge on the rear one.

[Intruder]

Have used the Butler's for years w/ no proplems.  Even got em on the front obj of my binos.

[BlackTail]

I have the leupold flip ups. Got them to throw them in when I bought my VX-III 4.5-14.  I absolutely love them and I have the butler creeks too.  They're more sleek, look night and day better, and with the magnets holding them closed they are silent to open and shut.  All that being said, I don't know if I would have paid $100 for them.   

[MountainWalk]

i agree with iceman.... its not if your glass gets wet, its when and how will you will deal with it.... so none... on a few tho i do have old inner tube as some sort of cheap bikini...with me,, if i have fat crosshairs,, rain is not too much an issue, as i can still see them... i do have field glass covers,, i spen more time looking thru them, not my scope

[Ray]

I think an important distinction is that I only use the bikini cover for storage and transport purposes. I agree that carrying something like that in the field is not helpful unless moving into or out of your camp along a trail when you are not hunting. but I didn't believe it was even worth noting that from my perspective until people started discussing it under a different light.

[tlbradford]

Everyone brings up some good points here.  The BC's won't keep moisture completely out.  Clearance can be an issue and the last thing you want to do is wedge a scope cover in between the bottom of your scope and the top of your barrel.  I like to use the Butler Creeks during transporting and target shooting.  I do not like to use them in hunting situations where you may jump an animal and need to shoot quickly.  I used to leave them open when this might happen, and they would end up catching on something and breaking, or working loose over time.  A little dab of rubber cement helps keep them from slipping off.  Careful that you do not twist them on and off.  You do not want to break loose the seals.  I think dust is the main enemy of scopes anymore, and scope covers eliminate a lot of that.  Since I couldn't figure out how to hunt effectively with the covers on, I started carrying a scope pen. 

I can't remember if you got the Illuminated Reticle or not.  On mine, I could not find a Butler Creek that went on the rear lens with the proper fit.

[SkookumHntr]

---I have the Butler Creek scope covers that you can see through, I believe there the Blizzard proof model, I have them on both my Leupold's and they are the only way to go! If you see a buck just pull up and shoot.

[Antlershed]

I use the butler creek flip ups. I can reach the rear one with my thumb while in my normal shooting position, and while I am sliding my hand up the stock to get into shooting position I hit the front one and release it. Never missed a shot because of them. They may not keep all the water out, but they keep pine needles out if you ever walk through thicker cover. Would hate to pull up to shoot and have to take the time to unload the pine needles from your scope.

[DJR]

Used BC for years. Liked them a lot. I have gone to Alumina Raincotes now. They are sacrificial if I scratch them and it keeps everything away from the $$$ lens. They also solve the long term problem with a screw cap. Highly recommend them.

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/mounting-systems-and-accessories/alumina-accessories/alumina-raincote-kit/

DJR

[ICEMAN]

What the? Hey DJR, educate me here a bit if you don't mind... These screw in front of your lense to help shed rain and keep the rag off the lense...?

[DJR]

Yes. They thread in and have an o-ring seal. Nothing gets to the primary lens. No moisture, dust, or cleaning solvents. There is a designer cap that threads over that for transport, storage, or when you are cleaning the rifle. I like them a lot.

DJR

[ICEMAN]

Hmmmm, may have to look into those.... I generally don't like caps, and worry about over wiping the lense with my chamois... sounds like a plan...thanks for the info!