Hi guys,

In a lot of pics lately I have seen hunters holding rifles by their scopes. By that I mean using the scope as a carrying handle.
Does anyone here do that?
I don't and won't fearing that it may affect zero, but, then I figure that the recoil from a big bore would surely affect the scope more???

Do you guys think that holding a rifle this way is a bad thing?

Cheers,

Russ.

I've done it a little and it probably is not a good thing as it is not what a scope is made for. That said, the quality of today's scopes allows it to happen. Should I add the variable of the rifle's weight? Is the practice and possible results the same or different in a 6-pound compared to an 11-pound rifle and the same scope and mounds?
Cal

I don't....but then I only own one scoped rifle. The ranges I hunt are short and I detest the way a scoped rifle carries....which is why you see pictures of folks using the scope for a handle.

I've done that ever since the 50mm scopes came out. It your scope loses POI by carrying it like that you have not properly mounted it. I see no reason it could hurt anything by carrying a gun this way.

I have at times but it is not something I do on a regular basis. More for when handing a rifle over a fence or similar. carring the rifle by the scope makes it hard to get the rifle into action if you need to.

quote:

Originally posted by srose:
I've done that ever since the 50mm scopes came out. It your scope loses POI by carrying it like that you have not properly mounted it. I see no reason it could hurt anything by carrying a gun this way.

I have also done so for years, with no ill effects.

Thanks for the replies guys. It seems more people than I thought hold the rifle this way by the scope. And it seems to have nil effect on POI.
I'll have to remember this next time I'm on a long trek carrying the heavy CZ..

I'll do it when handling a rifle, as others mentioned. However, I don't often carry a rifle that way since most of my scopes have small objectives and low mounts that don't allow for a comfortable grip. Since I'm not in the habit, I don't often do it with those few rifles with larger objectives and higher mounts either.

JPK

I grew up being taught scopes are fragile things to be protected, so I would never carry that way. Even the slightest thump caused one to recheck zero.

The notion persists ling after scopes have become what they are today.

I'm showing my age!

There was an old gentleman that shot smallbore matches until he was around 80 years old and was very good at it. He carried his rifle by scope. A young guy told him he should not do so. His basic response was that he had done it for over 50 years and walked away.

I carry rifles by the scope at times also.

I once put a bore sight (the type with the grids) on one of my rifles. Then while looking through the bore sighter put pressure on each side of the scope. That broke me of the habit real quick.

Done it for 50 years although it is not a habit. If your scope changes POI by touching it, you need to buy better mounts.

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
I once put a bore sight (the type with the grids) on one of my rifles. The while looking through the bore sighter put pressure on each side of the scope. That broke me of the habit real quick.

Which is somewhat interesting, but has nothing to do with carrying your rifle by the scope.

Point is hand pressure shifted the scope but it did appear to go back. Just made me leery of carrying it by the scope. Seems to me if you carry it by the scope and end up wacking either end of the rifle on something hard by mistake it could cause a shift.

Just my two cents worth

Scopes and mounts flex every time you pull the trigger as this video clearly illustrates.


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s5pVya7eask

I do not carry by the scope. A couple of thoughts:

I wonder what the scope mfg would say? I have seen scope tubes bent by improperly mounting.

Most mounts are held with 3 or 4 little screws, and some guns have thin receivers (thinking of the Browning BAR). It would worry me.

Scopes have a lot of stuff going on inside, not sure I want add any undue stress.

Don't do it, just seems like asking for trouble.

No way.

When you unplug an electrical device, do you yank the cord, or grip and pull the plug?

Same thing.

I have big hands and like my scopes mounted low so this is not an option for me but it seems like no good could come of it.

What's a scope?

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
No way.

When you unplug an electrical device, do you yank the cord, or grip and pull the plug?

Same thing.

Darn simple answer to that one. Wife yanks the cord, I grip and pull the plug 'cause it's my responsibility to repair or replace all broken cords!

And no I don't use my rifle scopes as carrying handles.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
What's a scope?

Best answer yet!

I don't usually. Some ring +bases would naturally lend themselves to the practice. But aluminum bases half on with 6×48 screws are all together too whimpy to carry a rifle around in the brush for long without something going wrong.

Never for me.

Here's an analogy- my brother has a Win 52 D target rifle, with 1/8 MOA Redfield aperture rear sight. We shot competitively when we were in our teens.

If I'd ever have picked up his rifle by the sight, I wouldn't be here typing now.

Just seems like all kind of wrong.

I carry my rifle and shoot it with a SLING!Duh!-Rob

If you can carry your rifle by the scope your scope is mounted too high

why?

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
why?

Assuming you are asking me the question, the bolt lift will sometimes determine how low you can mount a scope but with a flat or round top receiver, low bases and low rings, it is difficult to get your fingers between the scope and receiver top.
I like my scopes as low as I can physically mount them. For snap shooting and shooting in difficult country where you cannot always get into a good steady shooting position the rifle may cant so the closer a scope is to the bore the better the accuracy for that particular shot.

I detest the European style of mounting scopes so high you could pass your arm under the scope in many cases although concede that where shooting from the hochsitz where time can be taken to set up the shot, the high scope mount doesn't matter so much, still ugly all the same and rifles can be designed to accommodate low mounting of scopes. How many of us would put up with open sights on any rifle that stuck up 3" or so off the barrel or receiver?

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
I carry my rifle and shoot it with a SLING! Duh!-Rob

Many of us surround our rifles in foam, then lock them inside a hard sided aluminum case to transport them to often a very expensive hunting area. And when we get to that hunting area, one of the first things that we do is shoot a few shells to make sure the scope (that was inside a well padded metal case) had not been knocked out of our zero.

Then you want to walk around the countryside and use your scope as a handle for carrying your rifle???

As someone else stated, if a scope is properly mounted and all the screws are tightened as they should be, carrying a rifle by the scope should present no problem. If it does the scope is not mounted properly, and will not maintain zero from the recoil of the rifle.

A properly mounted scope is an integral part of the rifle and if mounted properly and securely, should not show any sign of a problem if the rifle is picked up or carried by the scope.

My hunting & shooting buddy has a strange habit at the range. When opening a bolt action rifle on the bench, he hooks his thumb around the top of the eye piece and then uses his fore finger to open the bolt. I cringe every time I see this but he has no problem with his rifle. He is a very good shot and get half MOA groups out to 800 meters.

I would agree that lifting a rifle by a properly mounted scope is not going to cause any problems but carrying one in the field is just asking for trouble at some stage. A stumble and jolt or just a jolt while walking means you will have a weight of 6-10lbs being stopped suddenly by the tube of the scope and the mounting system albeit possibly softened a little by the the arm depending on elbow position etc. Most of us if we have given our scope a good bump while hunting are keen to check the zero on target before the next hunt.
Why the hell would we deliberately want to carry our firearm by the very unit that we rely on for sighting, clarity and accuracy. Many of us do our best to protect this part of our kit even at the expense of small injury to ourselves at times.

I have a lot of bad habits, including carrying my rifle by the scope. I've done it for about forty years. I have not seen any change in POI, but...I'm not a competitive shooter, am happy with 1-1 1/4 MOA, hunt heavy cover and seldom shoot over 100 yards. I also have done a lot of other stupid things and have the X Rays to prove it. I yank cords and replace the ends.
I think it is probably just another of my bad habits that other people shouldn't do.

I guess we have just run out of things to discuss.

quote:

Originally posted by lee440:
I guess we have just run out of things to discuss.

Or if you have nothing of value to add, maybe don't post anything at all...??

Have done it for decades

Rough handling wont/shouldn't bother a quality optic mounted 100% correctly

But my scopes are mounted rock solid

Line lapped....tight screws plus top of the line mounts and optics = zero issues

but I shoot year round......most dont

I think I carry a rifle more then most, hunting full time for a living. I have always used a lunch pail carry and rarely use a sling. I have never had a scope go off by doing so. Good mounts, scopes and installation goes a long way.
Having a sling can cause you grief when you are facing a charging bear.

My rifles are on my shoulder (sling) 99% on the time,, I want my muzzle as far from the ground as I can get it. Naturally it's in my hands when animals are about!

quote:

Originally posted by buffybr:

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
I carry my rifle and shoot it with a SLING! Duh!-Rob

Many of us surround our rifles in foam, then lock them inside a hard sided aluminum case to transport them to often a very expensive hunting area. And when we get to that hunting area, one of the first things that we do is shoot a few shells to make sure the scope (that was inside a well padded metal case) had not been knocked out of our zero.

Then you want to walk around the countryside and use your scope as a handle for carrying your rifle???

I only cary my rifle "slung" when climbing, glassing or making a long walk in the dark otherwise it's in my hand.

Yes we do travel with our rifle in a "vault" to protect it from harsh handling

A correctly mounted and well made optic will not move from harsh field use.

Look at the life of a soldier