Flip-up scope caps, I am thinking of removing them from my hunting rifles.

[mcb]

So I have Butler Creek or Vortex flip up scope caps on nearly every scope and red dot I have on a rifle or braced pistol. That said about 90% of the time they are open when I am hunting. I do a lot of stalking so if my feet are on the ground and I am walking the rifle is in one or both hands with caps open. The only time I actually close the caps it when it's pouring rain, roping the rifle into a stand, or if I am carrying the rifle slung. If I am sitting in the stand or walking through the woods the caps are always open. The desire to remove them is they to often are a snag problem on my other gear and in the brush.

Just something I am considering after the past few weekends in the woods. How many of you run naked optics on your hunting rifles? Is there a better option than flip up scope caps for a hunting rifle?

 

[shoobe01]

Not me, but I know a number of folks who go for rubber bikini caps as they are very protective when on (in camp, in transit) but then just remove them when stalking.

Sometimes depends on wx you hunt in. Good caps will keep out rain, snow, ice, etc. and if you go out in bad conditions, can be an option to keep them on till game presents itself, and part of practice and hand-positioning is to be able to release them when preparing, and even when shouldering.

Regardless, removing caps is non destructive and rubber bikinis are cheap. Try it and see how you like it.

 

[tominboise]

I like and use the rubber bikini's on my scopes. I carry one in my pack when hunting, for use if the weather goes south.

 

[JDeere]

I like the flip up covers but I get what your saying mcb. I have broken a couple walking through thick brush and getting hung on a branch while open. I just replace them as they are cheap enough. I have a couple of those neoprene scope coats that work well. The only issue I have with them is they do not do a good job of keeping out dust while in the Jeep rack. I hate having to clean my lens after I get in my blind while dark out. They are also just another item I have to keep up with and put in my pack. Just my .02 worth on the subject...

 

[Bartojc]

I have never used the flip up caps on a hunting rifle for the reasons you mentioned. Once in a while I miss them, but usually not. I carry a set of rubber bikini style covers with me. I keep scope covered in the morning while walking in and uncover when I am in the stand. Other than that they are never covered unless in heavy rain, or in the case of last week heavy snow .

-Jeff

 

[Sav .250]

Tried them years ago. Not for me.

 

[Sniper66]

Never liked them...still don't and I'm primarily a hunter, usually with my rifle slung over my shoulder. I've very rarely found a need for them.

 

[sparkyv]

I have some and don't really like them. I prefer a sock type, the ones made from what looks like diving suit rubberized materials. They seem to keep the rain out and prevent marring, but when hinting, I run my scopes bare.

 

[dh1633pm]

They always seem to cover up the adjustment knobs and otherwise get in the way. Convenient they are, but with caveats.

 

[Armored farmer]

I like my flip-ups. They fo get broken and lost though.
I keep a butler creek size chart stapled to my cabinet door in the man-cave. When one gets lost or broken....I just order a new one.
I'm missing one from my xbow now...

 

[lightman]

I've never cared for them personally.
I much prefer the bikini style. Now that I can no longer walk and stalk like I once did my scopes stay covered until I get seated in my blind. I have a small shelf in all of my blinds for binoculars, coffee cup,water bottle, ect and beneath each one I have a small "J" hook screwed into the wood to hang my lenses covers on. When I get ready to leave after dark its easy to locate them.
A buddy cuts a large rubber band out of a used auto inter tube for his scope covers. It works well but for the looks.

 

[BigBL87]

In addition to the bikini covers, I've also seen a number of people that have mentioned really like the Scopecoat neoprene covers. I had one for a micro dot on my AR back when I first got it, worked well for the short time I had it.

 

[taliv]

try just throwing some saran wrap on the ocular with a rubber band. if you carry muzzle down, you don't need to protect the objective, or vice versa.
to me, the biggest thing is when it's freezing, not accidentally breathing on the ocular and having it frost up. second issue is making sure sticks and stuff don't scratch my lenses but that's usually not too much of an issue.

 

[Speedo66]

There are also scope caps with clear or yellow lenses, so protection, non snagging, and don't have to remove or open to use.

 

[mcb]

There are also scope caps with clear or yellow lenses, so protection, non snagging, and don't have to remove or open to use.

I had a set of those on my old 10/22 scope. I might have to see if I can get those in sizes for my favorite hunting scopes.

 

[doubleh]

I have only used one set and they went in the trashcan long ago. I have always hunted with bare lenses. Bikini or sock cover when put away.

I recently found a Bushnell shiny finish 4x Scope Chief at a gun show and it now sits on top of my Henry LBF. Of course it didn't have a cover but it now wears a bikini cover.

 

[3Crows]

I have decided for my purposes that the flip open caps are a PITA, will often not stay closed when I want them to and hang up and get broken off when opened. Scopes are meant to be used and live in the elements, a bikini cover for in transit and one of those neoprene socks perhaps for storage.

Not only that but I had some Butler Creek covers on my Nikon African and the sharp edge cut a divot out of my shooting glasses under heavy recoil. Good thing I had on glasses. The scope itself however has a rubber pad that would have not cut had it been left bare. Also, they add length to the scope, reducing the distance between brow and scope bell, not good with heavy recoil rifles.

 

[Varminterror]

Flip UP caps suck - Flip OVER caps are awesome. Get 270degree caps like the Vortex Defenders. These lay flat against the scope tube so they’re far less apt to snag. Run the front cover horizontally (even flipping downward) so it tucks tightly against the scope on the side instead of the top and it becomes even less opportune to snag.

 

[12Bravo20]

I prefer flip caps. With that being said, I am not a fan of the Butler Creek caps since they do not fold flat against the scope. The flip caps that come with the Swampfox Optics scopes fold flat agains the scope (270 degrees).

 

[somethingbenign]

Flip UP caps suck - Flip OVER caps are awesome. Get 270degree caps like the Vortex Defenders. These lay flat against the scope tube so they’re far less apt to snag. Run the front cover horizontally (even flipping downward) so it tucks tightly against the scope on the side instead of the top and it becomes even less opportune to snag.

View attachment 1116538

I spent most of the day debating if it was a stupid idea to suggest rotating the covers so they flipped down instead. Thanks for answering that for me. I run a box fed lever action so the rear cap flipped down wouldn't get in the way of running the action, I assume it would be annoying on a bolt action.

 

[jmr40]

Tried them, didn't care for them for hunting. I've used the bikini covers in the past and like them better. But like this even better. They protect the scope better and are faster to use. Just grab the rear and sling shot them off the rifle if needed in a hurry. One size fits most and they cost less.

SURE FIT RIFLESCOPE COVER X-LARGE (14-16 LENGTH) : VORTEX OPTICS SURE FIT RIFLESCOPES COVERS | Brownells

 

[herrwalther]

I like them on my lever action hunting rifle. They keep parts of trees and branches out and off the lens when I am walking around. I can make a fairly fluid movement of opening both caps with my thumbs, and moving the hammer from half cock to full with a round in the chamber already.

 

[BreechFace]

All my hunting rifles wear Leupold with their screw
In flip up caps that will fold flat against the top of the scope body. The easy of deployment and magnetic retention works very well, and is something I feel is great insurance in protection of the scope lenses.

It’s baffling to me that other scope manufacturers haven’t developed something similar because they are the best bar none.

The vortex defenders are a good second As they fold flat as well. As shown by @Varminterror

 

[DesertFox]

On the fence here, some have them some don't. Have some bikini covers as well as the neoprene sleeve shown.

 

[Legionnaire]

I have flip caps on several hunting rifles. I've hunted in enough snow and rain that I like having them. I find I can pop the Butler Creek caps while mounting the rifle. They work for me.