Rifle scope extension pros and cons

[Scott S]

My new Vortex scope came with a four inch long tube that threads on the end of it. What are the advantages of it. Thanks!

 

[jmr40]

It's a sunshade. In bright light it will help reduce glare if the sunlight is coming from just the right direction. I've never had a need for one, but it wouldn't be bad to have.

 

[LoonWulf]

bulky, can get in the way, adds weight.......but if you need em they are nice to have. I actually have the shade attached to my EP5, simply because the things huge and a brick anyway, and its on a big brick of a rifle to begin with.

My smaller shades only get taken out when i THINK i might need them for an early morning hunt/shoot, or late evening hunt.

 

[Walkalong]

If you are shooting into the sun they can be handy.

 

[CaptHank]

Here you go Scott. 4-16x44 Vortex with sunshade.

 

[jmorris]

That are intended to block indirect light but at some point I suppose they would help with mirage from the barrel heat too.



Most people wouldn’t want to hang that much off a scope though and use other solutions.

Like this for mirage.



And setting up the range so you are not shooting in the suns direction.

 

[JFrank]

They have a cool factor as well.

 

[lightman]

I agree with the others, its a sun shade. They can be beneficial.

 

[Varminterror]

I use sunshades on all of my match rifles. It helps keep dust and debris off of the lens a bit (especially muzzle blast dust), as well as rain. I shot for a while without my sunshades, and between glare from varying sun angle and dust on the lenses - and the IMPOSSIBLE battle of keeping rain off of the objective lens, I went back pretty quickly.

There's a slight improvement in contrast, which can make the the image appear more clear, but it's a pretty small improvement, and it really takes side by side comparison and a careful eye to discern it.

 

[CapnMac]

If a person is laying in the dirt as dawn breaks to go wear out a prairie dog mound, that sunshade can be very handy.

 

[Varminterror]

Not saying to do as I do, but I often have found myself using my sunshades for additional leverage to steer my rifle on target as well.

 

[Frulk]

Several of my scopes have them but not all.

Weight of them is negligible. I like they keep sun glare at bay especially on stainless barrels. Also in the occasional mist or light rain keeping droplets off the glass ( if you’re already set up and not carrying rifle over shoulder).

 

[Ks5shooter]

My hunting stand in PA get sun in my face early am so I use one hunting.Target shooting guns get them for all the above mentioned reasons.