What do you guys like to use for scope covers when its snowing pretty hard? I have always used the stretch rubber "Bikini" models and the flip ups. I have even draped a heavy cloth over the scoped action and cradled it under my arm. I always carry dry paper towels in a baggy to dry off my lens after it invariably gets snow on when I shoot or try to get a shot. Just curious, what do you guys like that works pretty good in the heavy snow?
I have 2 Mod 94 BBs in .375 & 444 but they are "heirlooms" for one of my grandbabies, they are far too pretty to hunt in the rain/snow with, ha.

I used the inexpensive Butler Creek flip open covers when I lived in Prince William Sound. A normal winter might see 5' of snow accumulated at sea level. The plastic caps aren't super durable but they're cheap and effective. For maximum protection, we'd seal them to the scope body with electrical tape around the cap and tube. And, try not to open the covers too much when it's precipitating, moisture under the covers can cause fogging on the lenses.

Don't forget to tape over the outside of your muzzle too! A buddy had a .30-06 that turned into a shotgun. A look down the length of the exterior of the barrel showed a few "walnuts" in the diameter - probably got some snow or ice in there or maybe spruce needles or something.

I like to cover the scope and use the Butler Creek neoprene covers with a piece of elastic tied between the tags that are provided at each end. Simply a case of flicking off the cover back or front and it'll hang off the scope by the elastic. These covers are also good when in bush as will keep scope clean and dry also helps keep snow, rain and debris out of the action too.

The neoprene cover is soft and folds up small into a chest or pants pocket when not immediately in use.

On my Leupold scopes I like the Alumina covers they make. A little expensive but they last a long time but in reality Butler Creek work great too.

I use a piece of inner tube. Simple, cheap, seals tight.
Bfly

quote:

Originally posted by Black Fly:
I use a piece of inner tube. Simple, cheap, seals tight.

Ditto. Had to replace a tube on my JD5300 front wheel. Enough material to last me a lifetime.....more. Quite a bit thicker than the Butler creek version, opposite end doesn't tend to hang up when you pull one end off.

I've used Butler Creek scope covers for a long time and am very happy with their performance.

I put a plug of paper tissue on the lens then i remove it the rifle are ready to use and if i got fog on it i already have the paper in my hand.

And on my bad days, there is the old nasty sandwich bag in one of my pockets with that old red bandana that sometimes finds its way to be a lens cloth.
Oh, that I were sharper at 4 o'clock in the morning as I go out the door.
Bfly

I'm sure all the above remedies work but I use the scopecoat since it covers the whole scope and even some of the action, easy to remove and protects from bumps too.

Zeke

use a neoprene cover works great for the snow or the rain we have here ... not rain forest nor big snow falls ...

ScopeCoat neoprene covers for mine.

I am old school.

Kramaba or after Uncle Mikes bought them out.
Wish Busnell would bring them back.

Can find then used at gunshows for normally $2 - $ 5 a set, and redo them to fit what ever scopes I have.

J Wisner

Scopecoat

Tried them all and the best I have found is the Neoprene Scopecoat.

I'll have to check out the Scopekoate. I used the flip up caps one year and when they were open ( I was on a couple, but couldn't see their head, spike only area) and they got snow on them, had to get under a big spruce and wipe it all down to close/keep lens clean again. So then I went back to the Bikini (for the rifle, I prefer "Speedo" for me) Eeewww! ha

Jim, My system is anything “but” hi-tech. Being the “cheapskate” that I am...I just get an used automotive tire tube. You’d be amazed how many good scope covers you can make from one tube! If you get an appropriately sized tube....easy on easy off. And “no tears to shed”, if lost. In addition to the usual lense drying materials... they seem to work pretty well. memtb

you should avoid wiping your lenses with paper towels or anything more than a soft lens brush.. The lens coating is only microns thick, and an abrasive paper towel can screw that up pretty quickly..
You can turn a Zeiss into a Tasco after a couple wipes with a Bounty "quicker messer upper"

I use the butler creek scope covers on all my objective lenses to keep them clean and dust free when not in use and only put the ocular cover on when i'm planning to go out in bad weather.

quote:

You can turn a Zeiss into a Tasco a

Hey, Butchloc resents that comment. What's wrong with a Tasco? :-)

I meant to say I just "dab" at the water them use the little lens cloth that comes with most good scopes. I certainly understand about the lens coating. One time, I ruined a nice Leupold, had to send it in for repair, ha.

I can cut out about 100 or so scope covers from a car innertube, best Ive found, some I cut fancy with a flipper hanging on the back end..they are tight, waterproof and when flipped off will fly 10 to 20 feet..I always have too extras or more in jacket pocket, I don't even stop to pick them up some of the time..I use the rest of the innertubd cut in one inch width rings on my saddle horn to grab the rope when Im hooked on to a steer..

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
I can cut out about 100 or so scope covers from a car innertube, best Ive found, some I cut fancy with a flipper hanging on the back end..they are tight, waterproof and when flipped off will fly 10 to 20 feet..I always have too extras or more in jacket pocket, I don't even stop to pick them up some of the time..I use the rest of the innertubd cut in one inch width rings on my saddle horn to grab the rope when Im hooked on to a steer..

Very close to my response.....good to see that you’re catching on! I wasn’t always rich and good look’n.... that was a “poor boys” scope cover! memtb

One doesn't hardly see "inner tubes" in the city hardly. Tubeless tires are everywhere! ha

"Innertubes" ain't really that hard to find..takes a modicum of effort, just ask any roper, they'll give you one...

Been useing intertubes for YEARS and they do EXCEL service.
VERY cost effective / cheap too.

I like flip caps over stretch covers because it is a lot faster and more convenient to flip a couple of caps open or closed than get out and put on a stretch cover or take it off and put it somewhere. For many years I used the Uncle Mikes flip caps. I broke quite a few. When I moved over here to Europe, hunting during worse weather conditions, I found myself breaking them more often. Uncle Mikes over here costs from $10 t $20 each (approx.) I have started using the Chinese made flip caps found on Ebay. They cost around $2 to $4 each and are MUCH more durable than the Uncle Mikes caps. They are made of a more flexible plastic. Also they make less noise when opened or closed. The caps for the obj and eye piece are the same, so you don't get that little red button to open the eye piece cap that the UM's do, but I do not need that. They work great for me. RJ

I use Snug Fit neoprene scope (skins) covers in snow or really wet weather. I keep a pair in backpack. They flip up quickly and stay with the scope. Otherwise, Butler Creek lens covers pretty much cover my needs the rest of the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Biggs300:
I use Snug Fit neoprene scope (skins) covers in snow or really wet weather. I keep a pair in backpack. They flip up quickly and stay with the scope.

Exactly as I posted and answers the OPs question as he mentions draping cloth over the scope and action to keep the scope and action dry.

I have used flip ups, bikinis, inner tube, original covers that come with most scopes but for covering the whole scope and most of the rifle action when in heavy rain, snow or brush hunting debris you cannot beat the neoprene covers, nothing else does this as well.
Mine don't flip up each end but I just flip mine off the scope where they hang on the elastic tie.

Bikini cover for me.

quote:

Originally posted by dukxdog:
Bikini cover for me.

Nothing wrong with the bikini but nowhere near as good when on a rifle scope.

quote:

Originally posted by Black Fly:
I use a piece of inner tube. Simple, cheap, seals tight.
Bfly

What a novel idea! A piece of bicycle tube from wal mart would work nicely.

First of all on a snow type day the snow will normally enhance the brightness.
I would use a short sun shade and some type of lens cover.
When you remove the lens cover as long as your rifle is horizontal the sun shade should keep and snow from hitting your objective lens.
Some folks may say the sunshade may reduce brightness but if there is snow on the ground there is little to be concerned about. Your contrast with the animal will be enhanced. It works for me.
If I am sitting with a bipod on a rifle and it is snowing I just put something under my buttock to keep the gun level or facing a bit down and get nothing on my objective. I keep a flip up closed on the rear lens
Could be an issue if your rifle is in a scabbard on a horse.
I use a sunshade quite often. Especially useful if shooting a few degree off the sun at sunset or sun rise. They assist in flare control. Will only add a few oz. Very useful little accessory.

EZ

RJ 308,
A piece of innertube is easy to pull over a scope in one easy pass, not really all that complicated and not slow!

But, only if you can't chew gum and walk at the same time..

As a bonus, a piece of inner tube is not a bad fire starter.

I like the flip-off nature of the old Uncle Mike's covers, though they may not keep all water out, but have missed shots at deer because even they are too slow to get into action.

My favourite solution at the moment is a quiet(-ish) three-quarter Ridgeline raincoat, the bottom of which I drape over the scope. This comes away quicker than any cover as I raise the rifle and doesn't require enhancements that add tunnel vision. This works best with the so-called Safari Sling, which, though lacking much application in the conga line of African safaris, suspends the rifle horizontally at waist height, ready to go in a mo.

Coats with a split skirt at the back or splits on each side might be even better in this regard, or perhaps one with a special flap sewn on at the perfect height.

Back when I was a US Special Forces sniper instructor (early 90s), all of the Leupold M3 Ultra scopes on our M-24s came with the Butler Creek covers. I still use those covers on my hunting rifles.

Butler Creek and QD rings so I can shoot irons if it’s blowing sideways.

They all work, except bicycle tires which are only a little over an inch in diameter. So,e work better than others but one advantage I have found with using cut up inner tubes is that besides being cheap and dispensable, they make pretty good firestarters even when wet.

Scopecoat.

Phil,
Im a tech expert or sorts, but only on innertubes..You must have the proper size tube depending on scope size. a tight fit is a must as it seals out all incumbent weather, and it must have a velocity of 50 FPS so it can used to knock over a bunny or roadrunner for supper as it leaves the scope therefore does not make your chosen bear aware of your exsistents..It only works as a fire starter if you have matches btw and matches are likewise a good firestarter...

Furthermore it keeps grass weeds and foreign matter out of scope lens in a saddle scabbard, just an after thought..to be continued.

Sambarman,
Quit using tractor tires, they are too loose and allow moisture, find someone in aussie land with a small car and offer to repair his flats ..