Scopes in the rain?

[hibernation]

Figured I'd post this here where I know people hunt in the rain all day. How are you keeping your scopes clear? Equipment, practices, how do you all deal with rain on your lenses?

Scope caps? Neoprene covers? Rain-x? Carry microfiber in a waterproof bag somewhere? Just accept that it's going to be wet and your sight picture's going to suffer?

 

[T_Widdy]

Paper towels in a ziplock bag in my pocket or bino harness

 

[Marbles]

So far, just accept it will be wet.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Taped up butler creeks. Just assume that they are good for one use per day, as soon as they get wet, you better not close them until they are 100% dry!

This is also where the swfa's are nice. As the objective lens is set back a bit farther than most scopes. Does a good job at keeping the rain out while carrying in hand.

I'll keep the caps closed up until I think I might need to make a shot, then pop the front cap. I'll only pop the rear cap if the gun is getting shouldered.

 

[AKBC]

I switched from Butler Creek caps to neoprene covers.

 

[TheViking]

I have a neoprene cover and also another cover that's made out of synthetic material that sheds rain/snow. I don't like flip up caps of any sort.

 

[Pokerface]

I have used rubber bikini covers. Hate hunting in the rain these days, but you got to be out there to kill one… Joe

 

[Grizzle]

I find the rubber bikini covers from butler creek work really well unless your taking them on and off repeatedly. I tape my barrel and use those covers and I've always been good to go, just don't take them off unless your ready to shoot. Some scopes are also way better than others, unfortunately leupolds are the best I've found. I have moved to mavens and haven't had enough time to say 100% but so far they haven't given me a problem, I sure hope they don't because they are already giving up some usable low light performance if they fog easier than the leupolds I'll be pretty disappointed.

 

[TaperPin]

Figured I'd post this here where I know people hunt in the rain all day. How are you keeping your scopes clear? Equipment, practices, how do you all deal with rain on your lenses?

Scope caps? Neoprene covers? Rain-x? Carry microfiber in a waterproof bag somewhere? Just accept that it's going to be wet and your sight picture's going to suffer?

Butler creek caps work, but you have to be 100% certain there isn’t a drop of water in them when closed or they fog up the lens. They can be used with the rifle in any position while being carried. It’s always good practice to have something handy for the time the lens gets wet and it will.

A big downside to butler creek if the scope has marginal eye relief for a heavy recoiling cartridge is the thickness it adds, effectively reducing eye relief another 1/4” ish.

Neoprene isn’t as sexy but works almost as well. You do have to pay attention to how the rifle is carried so rain drops don’t get inside and follow gravity down to the lens closest to the ground.

One of the little tent like covers protects the receiver as well as scope and in freezing rain keeping water off the bolt is almost as important as water on lenses.

Whatever method you use it’s important to stop once in a while and check to see if any moisture has gotten in and fogged up until you’re confident in the setup. I had some bad experiences with neoprene and switched to butler creek, but it was my fault for not checking everything was dry. Today I’m back on the neoprene wagon.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

Aadland Engineering

Aadland Engineering

aadmount.com

Flip Up Caps from these guys, not cheap but they are the best out there in my honest opinion

 

[sodaksooner]

I second moisture on flip up caps. I'm mostly a bowhunter but had an early rifle tag a couple of years ago. Saw a buck I wanted to shoot, so dropped off the ridge and made a big loop around to get into position. On a whim while I was taking a quick break on the way there (it was 12500 feet and I am fat and old...lol) I flipped up my scope covers and both ends were covered in condensation as we had some rain the day before. I got lucky since I wouldn't have had time when I got set up. Just make sure that you check for that..... Really not something I would have thought of.

 

[tall]

I also use a neoprene cover. As others have said, once the scope is wet on a rainy day, it's wet all day. I keep the cover on until it's go time.

 

[roosiebull]

Figured I'd post this here where I know people hunt in the rain all day. How are you keeping your scopes clear? Equipment, practices, how do you all deal with rain on your lenses?

Scope caps? Neoprene covers? Rain-x? Carry microfiber in a waterproof bag somewhere? Just accept that it's going to be wet and your sight picture's going to suffer?

The only thing I have found that works is the butler creek bikinis, and if you take it off, you better fill your tag, because it will be fogged when you take it back off

I have tried other versions, and the crappy butler creek are the only ones that work. The timber creek ones are useless in wet weather

I would like to try some good quality flip ups in combo with the stone glacier scope and action cover, but haven’t had faith that it will be reliable enough to test

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I use Leupold flip ups. I have used them for years. They have an O ring that seals. I replace the O rings every year. I had problems when I first started using them and I called Leupold and talked to one of their tech people and he said to replace the O rings and I have never had a problem. Keeps dust and such off the glass too.