Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scope as carry handle

I am amazed that this hasn't been the case. It is always nice when they overlook an opportunity to lecture and condemn.

They will.


While not standard protocol I've carried like that with some frequency since I've been 12 years old.

Never have used my scopes for a handle.

Have and still do depending on bases used.

I don’t carry like that. Probably nothing wrong with it but just don’t choose to.

Have never heard that Leupold scopes ‘are not as strong’ as Zeiss scopes.

I've often wondered if Leopold's light weight is achieved by using thinner tubes. That might explain a lot.

I do not carry my rifles like that. I might occasionally grasp one by the scope, but not for long.

If I have the bipods down and have to move quickly, I do. Or if I just want a break from carrying over the shoulder. Never had a problem.

I hope those weak Leupold tubes dont give out one day.

Always, every time, for decades. That's the first purpose of a scope as far as I'm concerned. If a scope couldn't handle it, then it would in no way be able to handle recoil.

Had a post 64 featherweight 270 Win with Leu 1.5x5 fall on concrete when a sling connection came off the stud. I landed solid on the Leu with a good mark to show impact point. I checked the sight in that same evening. Poi had not shifted.

Brother killed a few bulls with it later and had to have it. On a later hunt above Vallaceto lake in Col we rode horses to camp after dark and his horse slipped and fell coming down a steep, rock face. He bailed off and landed on the rifle which he had slung on his back.

Yep, another solid rock mark was left on the scope so he stayed in camp the next morning and checked it out. Poi was still spot on. The next morning he got sight of a small 5x5 and heart shot it. He said it just looked up sadly at him from about 50 yards. In disbelief he shot again in the ribs farther back. It still stood there and he knew the gun was off. As he went to shoot again the bull fell over and died.
On remembering the events afterwards he felt the bull knew he was dead from the first shot. I wonder if a heart shot on a calm animal may put it in shock of if the animal is smart enough to know it is dying and not moving in order to stay alive as long as it can.

I once flew an arrow through the liver of a big 5x5 bull following a few cows past me on a trail. It jumped and ran about 5 yards then stood there and slowly bled out. Legs spread and head down. It wasnt a pretty sight and it was partially covered by timber where I could only see its head and neck and butt. I slowly knocked another arrow but when I tried moving to the side to get another shot he alerted and I was afraid to move any more, not knowing at the time how well he was hit nor how far he might run.

It was nice slowly easing through the East Texas timberlands on cool, wet, cloudy mornings toting that rig by the scope in my right hand hanging down and moving nothing but my feet, legs and eyes a few steps at a time, stopping every few feet and travelling slower than a buck on his search for a doe in heat. In that manner got some of my own deer meat.

I once heard a sgt. exclaim "that is a MF'n sighting device not a MF'n carry handle you limp dikd MFers. I still hear that voice in my head.


mike r

I always do that sometimes.

Yup. No ill effect.

I'll pick a rifle up by the scope sometimes, but not carry one in the field like that. To each their own..

Ever since I discovered bolt action rifles. Just fell into place.

Not unless I have to. But I will admit that it is easy to do. I just don't make a habit out of it.

I have carried my 52B Winchester target rifle to the car many times a year using the steel tube K-6 as a handle with no ill effects.

I believe the know-it-alls will tell you that this is acceptable...if it's a Leupold.

I've only had a couple of rifles where I could get my fingers under. I've got Johnny Bench-type hands.

I never tried, because I didn't think it was proper. I'm also the kind of shooter that nearly always puts a sling on a rifle when it's going to be afield. Most of the time when I'm out hunting, it is cold and the last thing I'd want to do is wrap my hand around cold steel.

If y'all use the scope as a carry handle, I've got no problem with it.

Its like marrying your 2cousin . Probably safe to do but just not appealing to me.