Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Finally found a scope cover that works

I have tried everything from the total crap butler creek caps to factory scope covers finding the cheap bikini scope covers the best of all but did not provide total scope protection, just the ends.

I used the Scope Shield product this season and am sold on it. Comes on and off fast, stays with the rifle and does not get lost, and it makes a damn good rifle forearm rest if needed.

Just thought I would pass this on if you are looking for a scope cover solution that actually works.

https://scopeshieldcover.com/

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like a nice solution.

I have been hunting for 10 years with a guy who 20 years ago missed a buck in WA state [where we enjoy a 20% hunting success rate] because the bikini scope cover got tangled in his bolt.
Now where he lives in MT he can shoot a buck from his front porch, but he is still cussing about the bikini scope cover.

Made in USA!

Has anybody tried the monstrum?

I have Dave. Kind of ambivalent about them. Have to stretch the hell out of it to get them on. So far it’s held up, but i’d Take a different solution if one was presented.

Thanks for sharing. I know I'm going to have to replace at least one scope cover, as my oldest son cna't seem to put the darn things back on while out moose hunting. I know he's lost at least two this past season while I was out of country working.

[align:right][/align]We sell a ton of the ScopeCoats and have been for years. Great cover

Chinese knock-offs of the ScopeCoats for around $3 that work as well as the originals at keeping dust off scopes when they aren't in use.

Search for "neoprene scope cover" on eBay and hundreds of them will pop up.

Jeff,

I just did search EBay for "neoprene scope covers," as you suggested, and found VERY few that had the forend loop of ScopeGuards, which is just about essential for hunting use--and very few that came in different lengths. Even in stretchy neoprene, one size does NOT fit all.

Also ScopreGuards, as somebody already mentioned, are made in the USA--and aren't exactly expensive.

Somebody in one of the dreaded gun rags recently wrote ScpeCoats up as very handy hunting-rifle accessories.

As I stated, we have been selling them for years, they are made very well and as you pointed out, not an expensive unit that keeps your scopes clean and protected.

Is there much difference between the ScopeShield and Scopecoat brands? I see there's another one called ScopeGuard Alaska that appears similar in concept.

The Scope Shield's grab and rifle loops set it apart from the Scope Coat which are very similar to the Scope Covers you get on higher end scopes when you buy them. They don't stay with the rifle when you remove them like the scope shield does. Pretty sure it would be easy to modify the Scope Coat with these but why mess with it.

When you spend a lot of money on a Scope, full scope protection becomes more important and the scope end caps of whatever variety become very lacking. What I like best of all, lightning fast installation and removal with the grab loops.

I must be the exception. I have enjoyed Butler creek covers. I heard quality took a dump but so far I've been ok.

I like Butler Creeks also.

David

The best caps for me were the fitted ones with the rubber bands that fit inside the front and rear. Too bad they don't make them anymore.

I recently got a couple of pairs of Butler Creek caps and found the damned flip lever interfered with the bolt (left hand). Also, as others noted, they interfere with the diopter adjustment.

As far as a couple of the brands suggested here, there's no way in hell that I will pay around $100 for scope caps, no matter how "tactical" they may be. YMMV.

Paul

John,

None of the dozens of ScopeCoats that I have had forend loops and even if they did, it is a feature that would add no value for me, as I only use scope covers to keep the lenses clear of dust while they are in the rack or in transit to the range or to the field.

I agree, one size doesn't fit all, but the $3 Chinese neoprene scope covers that I've bought fit most common 3-9x40 scopes pretty well. They are a little loose on 2-7x33s and 3-9x33s and are a little tight on 4-12x40s and 4-16x42s. Even with two air filters arranged in series, first a regular filter and then an electrostatic filter, there is still some dust in the air in my home. The 100 or so rifles that I keep scoped and ready to go are stored in vertical racks, so the objective lenses will collect dust if I don't keep them covered. Even if the difference in price between the Chinese neoprene scope covers and the ScopeCoat brand neoprene scope covers was only $5, when you're covering several dozen scopes the Lincolns add up.

Jeff,

I meant to type something else instead of ScopeCoat. (There are too many ScopeETC.'s on this thread.)

I use both ScopeGuards and ScopeShield Alaska brands, because I mostly use them for hunting in snow, whether during or after it falls, to keep flakes off the lenses, whether its still falling from the air or off branches, so do require they fit the scope pretty well.

Used to use Butler Creeks, but as somebody noted, the quality has gone downhill. This started when the original owner sold the company. Have had (and seen) more than one fly when snapped open. Plus, they had to fit the objective and ocular bells precisely, and the neoprene models don't.

I guess I should buy a few extra butlers to have in my hunting bag.

One of the "best" lens covers may be the Leupold Alumina, but they're pushing a hundred bucks a set and are just for Leupolds. I have a couple of sets, haven't gotten too many due to the cost.

I like Butler Creek, but they do break, aren't that robust.

Haven't warmed up to sheath type covers, especially while hunting.

DF

DF,
Check out the vortex defenders.
Much more robust than the BC and not $100 a set.

I got a set of Butler's just a few months ago, they seem as good as ever. Have hunted all season with them, no problems.

David

Got a bunch of Butlers. Most do OK, it's just the one that break that are the issue.

And, some are hard to open, others won't hardly stay closed. I can do some trim work on the hard ones, not much about those that won't stay closed.

Other than that, I like them...

DF

Although I like my long discountinued Uncle Mike's QD scope covers, the ScopeGuard and ScopeSheild have their advantages. The last two years I've been bouncing betweeen them trying to decide.......

FWIW it seems butler creek was really good, then they got really brittle when they first went to china, and now are much better the last five years. For awhile they had a horrible batch out there that would break quickly.

I'm just flat getting old. I used to like Storm Queen. Then it was, I believe, Uncle Mike's that were about the same design. I will give the Scope Shield a try. They look reasonably priced for a USA made product, and I am happy to support such an endeavor.

I have broken every Butler Creek I have had. I will never buy another.

GunDoc,

I've had a set of 4 ScopeShield Alaska's in different length for probably 5 years now. One reason I like them because they don't have to EXACTLY fit a specific scope's bells, so I don't have to buy a specific pair of covers. Instead when I decide to hunt with a certain rifle, I pick out the ScopeShield of the right length and slip it on.

They also provide overall protection for a scope in case of a fall, or when flying to hunt somewhere. Good hard cases protect rifles and scopes very well, but stuff can still happen when gun cases get transferred from plane to plane, or the air gets bumpy.

^^^^^
Mule Deer,

That idea of not having to have scope specific covers has merit! I bet especially so for a Super Looney who has likely seen a number of scopes pass through his hands. (Maybe not at the same rate as rifles, but a high rate nonetheless?) One might still want to come up with something to keep dust off the lenses in storage. But since that is such a non robust requirement, I'm sure there are all kinds of inexpensive solutions that would work. In fact, even if one were to pony up for a ScopeShield for every scope, there would still be a lot fewer scope specific issues to deal with.

Best,
Gun Doc

Good thread guys, just ordered a Scope Shield Alaska cover on Amazon for $17.95. The 13"-15" will fit my Leupold and Swfa 3-9 scopes. I too hunt in the winter and have had blowing snow freeze on the scope body w/ caps in place. Thanks to all for making me think about this before I need them.


mike r

Ivmiker,

So the 13"-15" provides a good fit on the 3 x 9 SWFA ?

I will receive it Wednesday and will let you know.


mike r

I have at least 10 covers from Scopeguard Alaska. Great product and made by veterans! Fyi, the newer ones have a plastic clip on the front strap, so you dont have to remove sling to put it on your rifle. You can specify You want the old style without the clip if you dont want the clip hitting Your stock. Great service and fast shipping.

bricklayer,

Thanks for the news on the clip.

It will fit this scope with room to spare.

I ordered one for a new S&B 56mm objective over 15" long and it fits perfect. Not tight, not super loose.

Thanks

Got mine today, fits the Leupold 3-9 and the SS 3-9 perfectly, good quality and performs as advertised.


mike r

Thanks lvmiker

ScopeShield Alaska riflescope covers the same as ScopeGuard?

I have used most of those described, but now like the Snapshot cover from www.hornhunterpacks.com It works like a heavy duty neoprene cover, but stays holds itself on the scope itself. Will not get in the way of the shot and does not flop around. Comes in various sizes to fit all scopes.

https://www.amazon.com/Sportsmans-O...sr=8-4&keywords=snapshot+scope+cover

ScopeShield Alaska is now ScopeGuard Alaska.

Thanks Whitetail...appreciate the info.