Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Exposed turrets and rifle scabbards

After many elk hunts plus a couple Canadian and Alaskan hunts using horses I'd never want a big scope or exposed turrets on my rifle. Unless you have a custom made scabbard that'd accommodate them! My favorite horseback rifle is a 30/06 that has a 22" barrel and a fixed 6x36 Leupold.

Don't own any, didn't grow up with any, and can barely stay on one. Did survive a small rodeo in Idaho once upon a time.

Do know that horses wreck stuff. They are teally good at bendjng things. Even if you're careful.

Trying to put together a rifle for horseback now. Tryong to talk myself into a barrel longer than 22 inches.

why?....

This.

I've done it quite a bit. Definitely prefer a scabbard if I am riding in a ways and not just hunting from the back of the horse. Big packs tend to get tangled up in the brush and can be a PIA in other ways. It is nice to rest the lumbar pad on the cantle though...

I think I am at 3 fishing poles, 1 rifle and 1 shotgun stock that have been snapped in two due to rodeos. It is something a guy just has to accept at some point. PVC fishing pole cases have eliminated broken poles, but they're heavier than I'd like. That's the horse's problem though

As far as turret caps, most standard scabbards will be too tight for them, IME. If you really want to take a rifle so scoped, that's fine but have the wranglers pack it in a hard case on a pack saddle. They may or may not agree to due to the weight and bulk.

Check out a Trailmax scabbard.

That looks like a winner and cheap insurance on a hunt.

tape them and use a neoprene cover

I’ve guided horse back hunts for 18 years. Given an oversized scabbard, which we actually have some for our hunters to use, the problem isn’t the rifle on the horse. It’s the hunter using the long range rig. It may be my number one red flag.

And I’d never let a hunter ride with his rifle slung. I’ve seen hunters fall off the most gentle dude horses around.

A low mounted 6x36 LR Leupold is my favourite scope. Horseback hunts are part of that reason. My brother and I have carried our rifles with that scope for literally hundreds if not thousands of miles in a scabbard and have never had that scope shift zero. There have even been a few wrecks along the way.

That's the point. I can seem to be able to do it.

Another option for you, for packing turrets.
It's not glamorous, but it works.

I often tape the turrets, it only takes a second to rip it off if I get time to set up for a long shot and dial

I didn't use a neoprene cover, but I did tape my turrets when hunting from a horse last fall. Like the OP, I was using a 2.5-10x42 NXS.

Mine was in Tally lightweights atop a New Haven M70 SS Classic Fwt in a Brown Precision stock (270Win). I took my deer @ 560yds with one shot in the waning hours of the last afternoon of our hunt. The rifle was in/out of the scabbard and logged many miles that week with 0 issues when it was time to put the rifle to work.

Yup.

Anyone tried the TrailMax Long Range? Seems to be made for it.

https://www.outfitterssupply.com/TrailMax-Long-Range-Rifle-Scabbard/productinfo/WSC147/

Exactly my recommendation mtn boomer. It’s a huge scabbard and fits my LR rifles with nightforce exposed turrets. I also use a scopecoat over the scope.

NW Montana company. I sell that rifle scabbard and everyone has been happy after using it. I use it as my main rifle case for my long range rigs. My buddies 300rum is 26” plus brake with McMillan game hunter and NF 56mm and its tight but fits. Only non pelican type hard case that rifle fits in whether strapped to a horse or not.

I'm tempted to get one. My 7mm with suppressor is every bit of 53". Only thing else I have seen, and considering, are a few 60" drag bags. Not horse bound and undecided...

The only horse back riding was for running my trapline 30 yrs ago and I left the rifle home and packed a 22 handgun. Duke wouldn't put up with shooting off his back but if I got off and stood in front of him and he could see the pistol he could care less.

Now I do carry a scabbard on my back when I'm hiking, skiing, bicycling or on the MC chasing coyotes. I tried a scope with tall turrets, what a pain and gave it to my granddaughter.