Your thoughts? UL waterproof rifle cover for packing

[hereinaz]

I wanted a lightweight cover to keep the dust, and sometimes rain and snow off my rifle as it is on my pack while I am hiking into or out of hunting locations. Also to keep it covered at night so I don't have to worry about dirt, mud, rain, dew, etc. when it is in camp. In Alaska on rainy days, it was nice to have it always covered. Pulling it off is simple enough. In AZ, it has been nice to keep it covered while glassing and dust is getting everywhere.

Pics will follow for what I have made for an ultralight and waterproof rifle covers of Dyneema or silpoly with a drawcord closure. For heavier weight and more durable covers, I have done Cordura and a roll closure as well. I will size them for length and for wider vertical grip stocks, suppressors and attached bipods to fit in. For closing it, I like the drawstring or roll closure.

I have found that once you have any full length cover on a rifle, there isn't any one design that is faster to remove. I like the full coverage version.

For someone who wants to have their rifle covered and use their bipod to keep it off the ground, I can add a zipper to open and pop out the bipod legs.

I ran the multicam one you see in pictures in Alaska on a 10 day caribou and sitka hunt on Kodiak. On that hunt, and a few shorter trips in AZ, I ended up getting wear on the muzzle end of the cover as I went through brush. So, I think the option of a short length of Cordura for what will be sticking over the pack will add toughness for minimal weight.

What's the consensus for what you all might like to see in addition to what I have here? Anything else you'd like to see?

 

[hereinaz]

The Dyneema cover was sized for a little smaller rifle I left at home that day. That rifle is 26" long plus suppressor and has a bipod and larger scope on it.

The multicam is without bipod and is sized for that rifle.

 

[Baron528]

I've been looking for something like this. It seems most of the packable cases/covers aren't full coverage or they are heavy/bulky.

What would the weight approximately be on a cordura roll top for a 26" barrel with standard LOP?

 

[hereinaz]

I've been looking for something like this. It seems most of the packable cases/covers aren't full coverage or they are heavy/bulky.

What would the weight approximately be on a cordura roll top for a 26" barrel with standard LOP?

Lemme get that weight for you.

 

[ArrowForester]

Good idea. May I suggest you offer the same for a bow?

A few years ago I was looking for this exact thing for my back country bow hunts. Just wanted a DCF dry bag that would fit a recurve and quiver. If I was in a situation with a long hike in the rain or minimal shelter and not much storage space in bad weather I wanted a little water repellent cover. I could not find a bag long enough and called a few places to order supplies and make one myself, but it turned out just as cheap to have it made. Two suppliers were kind enough to do a custom order and I now have one roll top and one draw cord cover. Big enough to hold a longbow or recurve, strung or unstrung, and a quiver full of arrows. Light enough to fold up and carry in just about any pocket I want. They are great for times of heavy or prolonged rain if I don't really have the option to just sit it out under a tarp. I have also used them for boat transport in rough conditions and saltwater.

I don't know how much demand you would have for this but it's simple enough to offer it and make to order without carrying inventory. Just get dimensions for whatever bow/quiver/arrows folks are carrying.

 

[hereinaz]

Good idea. May I suggest you offer the same for a bow?

A few years ago I was looking for this exact thing for my back country bow hunts. Just wanted a DCF dry bag that would fit a recurve and quiver. If I was in a situation with a long hike in the rain or minimal shelter and not much storage space in bad weather I wanted a little water repellent cover. I could not find a bag long enough and called a few places to order supplies and make one myself, but it turned out just as cheap to have it made. Two suppliers were kind enough to do a custom order and I now have one roll top and one draw cord cover. Big enough to hold a longbow or recurve, strung or unstrung, and a quiver full of arrows. Light enough to fold up and carry in just about any pocket I want. They are great for times of heavy or prolonged rain if I don't really have the option to just sit it out under a tarp. I have also used them for boat transport in rough conditions and saltwater.

I don't know how much demand you would have for this but it's simple enough to offer it and make to order without carrying inventory. Just get dimensions for whatever bow/quiver/arrows folks are carrying.

That is easy enough. I will do that.

 

[Jhoneyman]

Good idea. May I suggest you offer the same for a bow?

A few years ago I was looking for this exact thing for my back country bow hunts. Just wanted a DCF dry bag that would fit a recurve and quiver. If I was in a situation with a long hike in the rain or minimal shelter and not much storage space in bad weather I wanted a little water repellent cover. I could not find a bag long enough and called a few places to order supplies and make one myself, but it turned out just as cheap to have it made. Two suppliers were kind enough to do a custom order and I now have one roll top and one draw cord cover. Big enough to hold a longbow or recurve, strung or unstrung, and a quiver full of arrows. Light enough to fold up and carry in just about any pocket I want. They are great for times of heavy or prolonged rain if I don't really have the option to just sit it out under a tarp. I have also used them for boat transport in rough conditions and saltwater.

I don't know how much demand you would have for this but it's simple enough to offer it and make to order without carrying inventory. Just get dimensions for whatever bow/quiver/arrows folks are carrying.

Agree with making one for a bow. There is nothing out there that I can find that provides full-coverage protection to keep snow/ice off a compound bow

 

[hereinaz]

I just got a bow, and that makes sense to have.

 

[hereinaz]

Agree with making one for a bow. There is nothing out there that I can find that provides full-coverage protection to keep snow/ice off a compound bow

I wanted to make something to put my newest (to me) bow in. Made from waterproof X-Pac material. A little more weight for more abrasion resistance and durability.

One made out of Dyneema or silpoly will weigh half that and fold down to a third or less in size. I can also shorten the zipper or go with smaller teeth.

 

[Jhoneyman]

That looks great. Could you do it with a drawstring closure like the rifle cover? Are you selling these or still working on prototypes?

 

[hereinaz]

This is prototype, but will sell them.

You want a drawstring basically like a game bag? The opening will have to be big.

 

[Jhoneyman]

I guess I was thinking of a drawstring on the side where the strings would be. That way could snug it up over the cams, but still maybe still run a bow sling or strap it to a pack. Similar to some quick type rifle covers. Although as I think about it more I am not sure how well that would work with a bow and probably just defeat the purpose of the cover.

 

[hereinaz]

I guess I was thinking of a drawstring on the side where the strings would be. That way could snug it up over the cams, but still maybe still run a bow sling or strap it to a pack. Similar to some quick type rifle covers. Although as I think about it more I am not sure how well that would work with a bow and probably just defeat the purpose of the cover.

I will strap it to my pack as is.

It has the loops, lemme see how it carries as is.

I can add webbing to add a carry strap. But, I see what you are saying, lemme think on what you suggested some more.

 

[Zbot]

I’ll be a customer for sure....let me know.

 

[Holmes]

What's the consensus for what you all might like to see in addition to what I have here? Anything else you'd like to see?

I found this thread looking for a dyneema scope cover. I've worn through two neoprene scope covers in 2 years....and they don't even keep my scope dry. Water, justy from bushing through brush, goes right through the seam. I don't need a full rifle cover.

I am interested in buying a basic scope cover:
- heavier weight fabric 1.0 or 1.6 oz/sq.yd. ? Priority on durability over cutting that last half ounce.
- sealed seams, gotta keep out coastal AK level rain.
- shock cord closure, pull tab on the back, just the basic design that comes with many scopes in neoprene.
- basic solid color; sage green, gray, whatever. just not blue or white, and doesn't need to be camo.


A basic neoprene cover costs about $10 at Sportsmans and last 1-2 years. If a Dyneema version last 4x as long, then it's easy (for me) to justify 4x+ the price, as a ballpark.

Thoughts?

 

[hereinaz]

I found this thread looking for a dyneema scope cover. I've worn through two neoprene scope covers in 2 years....and they don't even keep my scope dry. Water, justy from bushing through brush, goes right through the seam. I don't need a full rifle cover.

I am interested in buying a basic scope cover:
- heavier weight fabric 1.0 or 1.6 oz/sq.yd. ? Priority on durability over cutting that last half ounce.
- sealed seams, gotta keep out coastal AK level rain.
- shock cord closure, pull tab on the back, just the basic design that comes with many scopes in neoprene.
- basic solid color; sage green, gray, whatever. just not blue or white, and doesn't need to be camo.


A basic neoprene cover costs about $10 at Sportsmans and last 1-2 years. If a Dyneema version last 4x as long, then it's easy (for me) to justify 4x+ the price, as a ballpark.

Thoughts?

I can't compete with the chinese bulk version stuff at Sportsmans. Even $10 a year is cheap.

What I can do is make a cover that works. I have run the neoprene covers, and know what you mean. Also been busting brush in the rain in AK on one hunt, so I kind know.

For the wet situation where you need abrasion resistance going through brush and more extreme water resistance, I am working on a prototype today with some Xpac that came in.

Neoprene is relatively silent, do you need that level of silence, or is a little rustle OK?

 

[Holmes]

I can't compete with the chinese bulk version stuff at Sportsmans. Even $10 a year is cheap.

What I can do is make a cover that works. I have run the neoprene covers, and know what you mean. Also been busting brush in the rain in AK on one hunt, so I kind know.

For the wet situation where you need abrasion resistance going through brush and more extreme water resistance, I am working on a prototype today with some Xpac that came in.

Neoprene is relatively silent, do you need that level of silence, or is a little rustle OK?

I *think* I'd be OK with some rustling, not like I'm super stealthy to begin with.
I'd be much happier if when I pull the cover off, my scope isn't soaking wet and covered with pine needles. Extra happy if the cover lasts long enough that I can't remember how many years ago I bought.
If it makes it any better, I could easily be convinced to buy 2 for me and maybe a 2 or 3 more as gifts for friends. That might make the pattern drawing and setup time more worthwhile for such a tiny product?


*edit to add*
I tried running those Butler flip-up scope covers (name?), but the alder bushes just flip them open and then rip the cover off. I don't even feel it with the scope mounted to my pack.

 

[hereinaz]

I am definitely gonna make one, there isn't anything out there like I am thinking. And, I wanted something when I was slung up in AK.

This is what I want to keep my rifle clean and dry.

What do you think of the prototype?

 

[hereinaz]

It wraps around the rifle to keep the action and scope clean and dry. It is reversible so that you can wrap it so it sheds the rain rather than collecting it in the opening. The only way to make it more waterproof would be to add a waterproof zipper and seam seal everything.

The elastic works like a neoprene stretch cover.

 

[Holmes]

I like it! Protecting the trigger guard from grabbing a branch, or maybe releasing the magazine, seems like a good idea to me.
I can't tell how it closes. I'm not a fan of velcro: it's loud, it wears out and gets clogged, it snags on other stuff.
imho, some kind of bungie rope, and/or metal hook&eye closure could work.

One of the sweet things about the standard simple neoprene scope cover is you can remove it without taking your eyes off the prize. With the stone glacier backpack sling and my spartan bipod strapped to my bino harness, I can pull my rifle from my back, uncover the scope, attach bipod, and lay the rifle down into a fire position.....all without taking my eyes of the animal.