Scoping Myself Due to Flip UP Covers

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May 1, 2024
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Hopefully i dont get to much grief with this, but looking for a solution. I have a nightforce on my tikka and when at max zoom and to keep a clear picture though the scope i have to be moved in a good ways. Normally not an issue, but with the nightforce flip up cover on, as it sticks out a good bit, this doesnt give much room from my face to the scope which has resulted in scoping myself a few times if im not holding the rifle just right. Does anyone have a good solution or ran into this issue before with these covers? I like the flip up covers, but with adding the additional length to the scope im not sure if its for me, atleast not the night force ones. I know i can do a scope coat, which i have used in the past and had no issues with but wanted everyones take.
 
The new Scope Bumper caps look like a good solution.

That said, why are you shooting on max zoom? And what is that max zoom number?
 
The new Scope Bumper caps look like a good solution.

That said, why are you shooting on max zoom? And what is that max zoom number?
14x and most of the time i am not, but when practicing shots out to 700 i am. Most of the time in the field i am no where near that. Honestly dont think i have taken a shot past 350 yet, but would rather practice much longer than an actual hunting situation.
 
You’re not alone. The current trend towards shorter eye relief scopes, shooting styles that lack solid a constant head position, a lack of emphasis on how to set up scopes for recoil, and the general perception that any contorted position a shooter can get himself into is acceptable fosters many scope bites, most we don’t hear about.

If there is a quicker way to develop a wicked flinch than getting a scope on the eyebrow or getting your glasses smashed into your sockets I don’t know what it is.

Gaining 1/4” in eye relief by ditching the scope covers may not fully solve your problem. I don’t know what the eye relief is, but there are many scopes on the market I would stay away from based on eye relief alone. If the scope is staying no matter what, a softer recoil rifle will be safer. If you pull the stock in firmer to the shoulder more firmly the entire rifle won’t recoil as far. MThere may not be any way around setting the scope far enough forward you just start to see the edge of the field of view when you’re at the natural point of aim. It’s not less accurate, and actually is a comfort to see for those of us with heavy recoil who set up scopes that way, and we just ignore it while shooting.

Just the mechanics of shooting with overly high rings puts the head higher and less supported, so if you don’t need the height in whatever rings you’re using to clear the objective, that helps. So does a check piece that provides better feedback on head position.

More than anything, shooting prone squared up to the rifle requires the scope to be set fairly far back, and then when shooting seated you’re automatically crowding the scope in a natural feeling hold. Not enough is said of this.

It’s funny eye relief is a simple question, but gets at a wide variety of topics, so I’m sure it will take some work to figure out what works for your situation and shooting style.
 
Ever thought about switching to a heavier gun or a smaller caliber so you can manage the recoil?
 
You’re not alone. The current trend towards shorter eye relief scopes, shooting styles that lack solid a constant head position, a lack of emphasis on how to set up scopes for recoil, and the general perception that any contorted position a shooter can get himself into is acceptable fosters many scope bites, most we don’t hear about.
Why is there a trend toward shorter eye relief scopes?
 
Why is there a trend toward shorter eye relief scopes?
On paper a short eye relief produces the benefit of a wider field of view, and folks talk bout field of view all the time when discussing pro and cons of scopes, 10x more than eye relief, maybe 20x more. 🙂
 
Took the covers off my NX8 after the 1st shot and threw them away. You lose almost 1/2" with those things on there. Been using a foam tube type cover ever since.
 
I will once again be the weird duck in the group. I use the Butler Creek Bikini covers on my scopes. I have about 10 of them I have been using for close to twenty years. They seal up and you don't have to worry about moisture. When its time to use the scope you just pull off the back end and the front will flip off and you shove it in your pocket. Every now and then I will try the flip ups, but after a couple times trying to get a scope opened up to use, it's just faster for me with my Bikini covers.

Butler Creek Bikini Rifle Scope Cover​

 
Hopefully i dont get to much grief with this, but looking for a solution. I have a nightforce on my tikka and when at max zoom and to keep a clear picture though the scope i have to be moved in a good ways. Normally not an issue, but with the nightforce flip up cover on, as it sticks out a good bit, this doesnt give much room from my face to the scope which has resulted in scoping myself a few times if im not holding the rifle just right. Does anyone have a good solution or ran into this issue before with these covers? I like the flip up covers, but with adding the additional length to the scope im not sure if its for me, atleast not the night force ones. I know i can do a scope coat, which i have used in the past and had no issues with but wanted everyones take.
Not an expert but I would question your rifle set up. ie. How the scope was installed. Did you set up your eye relief while aiming your rifle and then level and tighten?
 
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