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

First horseback hunt and want to make sure I am going to make life hard on myself.

Will I have any issues with a typical scabbard with a NXS compact 2.5-10x42 OR a Leupold 6x36 w/M1 turret?
Both scopes have exposed elevation and capped windage. Both rifles are twin custom Win Mod 70's (280rem/300wm), Talley lwt lows.

I don't anticipate dialing on this hunt but I hate breaking rifles down once a rifle is properly setup.
If the turrets pose a problem I would probably just consider a different rifle that is already setup without turrets.

I assume that you are talking about the scope turrets. So yeah. I agree that you don't want to breakdown your rifle once you've got it setup properly. Maybe try a different scabbard, one that is designed to hold a scoped rifle.

I would think that as long as both have zero stops you'd be fine.

Make sure the scoped rifle fits well BEFORE you head out

It's just not that hard to get in the habit of checking your turrets when you pull it out......

or you can cheat and put on a neoprene cover.....

I put a piece of tape on the Leupold turret. Works...

If those turrets stick out more than regular scope caps, the rifle isn't going to fit in any standard scabbard .Even guys using horses found out that those big bell objective lenses don't fit either,.

Interesting bit. A few years ago I guided a gent that had those twirly turrets and an expensive range finder. I got him all set up and told him to watch for elk up in a bowl at day light.Sure enough it got light and a bull with several cows were feeding. He ranged it, twirled those turrets and commenced to shoot about 15 times, missing every time. Since the elk didn't know where the shots were coming from, they just kept milling around.They were about 400 yards. He must have ranged over their backs and the ranger finder said 700 yards and by God that is how far he was shooting.The elk finally left

Buy one of the oversized scabbards and take it with you.

Saddlesore,

I second your sentiments. A scabbard gun needs to be a basic and compact carbine. Even protruding bolt handles can be a problem.

A savage 99, Winchester model 88 or BLR carbine would come to mind.

The leupold fixed 2.5, is an ideal, compact scabbard scope.

Those low profile turret caps leave nothing to hang up.

Like the long rangers tune their rifle set-ups for the long shot, a scabbard gun should get equal consideration.

Leave the long ranger stuff at home.

I'd read too many stories about the horse falling and breaking a stock or hooking the rifle out of the scabbard in the brush. I just slung the rifle over my head and shoulder which seemed to me a better alternative to being separate from my rifle. One of our guys missed out on getting a shot at a big mule deer because the heat from the horse melted the snow down into the rifle's action and the firing pin froze up. That guy put his bolt in a camp fire to melt it out. Not recommended. I could never see the need for those exposed turrets myself because 225 was the farthest I ever shot an elk and Kentucky windage worked well enough.

Not to hi jack this thread ,but:

If you carry your rifle like that, you essentially strap a 3 foot piece of re-bar to your back.When you come off that horse unexpectedly, the rebar does not bend, but your back does, but not in the right direction.This does not even consider that rifle bouncing around on your back if the horse breaks in a trot or spooks into full blown gallop. A broken stock or lost rifle is a small price to pay for safety. There are several ways to mount a scabbard so you rifle won't come out or get caught on brush. Butt to the rear with a loop of saddle string around the stock is one. I probably have carried rifles in scabbards for 50+ years of hunting seasons and have never lost one but broke one. A green mule did break one ML stock I unwisely had the butt forward and it lunged into a tree with the tree being between the mule and the scabbard. A few years ago, I cautioned a hunter on putting the rifle across his back, but he rode of from the trail head anyway. About 1/2 way into their camp, the horse reared, the guy went off backwards, broke the stock and fractured his back.Flight for life helo took him out.

Bad things can happen around or on horses and they happen fast.The stupid things don't even need reason to spook or act silly .

Yep, slinging rifles while operating animal power is a no-go.
Just plain dangerous.

Leupold hunting scopes with low and covered adjustment dials would get my vote. Also, prefer the Leupold style focus adjustment without the Euro style rubber focus rings that can sometimes grip the case as your trying to pull it out, especially if it is soft leather.

My rifles have turrets, and I use them in scabbards on my horses. They work fine. As huntsman said, just give it a quick look when you pull it out. Capped elevation and windage would be best.

Same with backpacks......

Good tip about slinging my rifle. As a flat lander the only thing that I knew about horses I learned from watching westerns or the pony ring at the fair. I.E. not much. Everyone I know that ever had a horse had a the horse hurt me story. I appreciated one horse power and my buddy Gary who brought them a whole bunch when I had an elk down, but I saw more elk when I left the horse back at the tent.

And take the sling off before you put it in the scabbard. I carry my rifle horseback under my left leg, butt to the rear. With an attached sling, too easy to hook it on a limb and have it pulled out.

I signed a peace treaty many years ago in which I agreed to not ride horses any more and they agreed not to try to drown me, trample me, clothesline me, or bite me. It has worked out well. I can not give advice as asked but I can tell you that after 50 plus years hunting elk, quidding dudes for 9 of those years, I would not be caught dead using large turrets or scopes for that matter. Way too much to go wrong for that once per season chance at an elk. I saw many failures of rifle and scopes over the years. Big scope are far easier to get knocked out of alignment and turrets I assume would be the same. My serious hunting rifles are scoped with fixed power Leupold scopes with proper rugged scope mounts. Scope mounts are mostly horrid design and prone to failure these days.

A great horse back hunt is one that has NO wrecks!!!

3x9 sighted in at 200 yards
.
First shot should be in the BROWN part. Way to many shots go high.

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.

+1

I have seen some pain from some guys falling off wearing a 6 gun also....lots of screaming from some serious macho men.

I’ve never seen a scabbard that would accommodate a tall elevation turret including my own. Even with a low mounted Leupold and regular turrets it’s often a snug fit and it should be. Never ride with your rifle slung in your person.

I agree with mounting the scabbard so the stock is pointing rear wards. As mentioned here by KC, I think, I’ve had it mounted in reverse and had a branch get wedged between the stock and the horse and unless you have a remarkably gentle and tolerant horse you might be in for a rodeo. I’ve been in a couple — it’s fraught with bad outcomes.

A side note, take the sling off of the rifle before placing it in the scabbard as I have also had a stick pull my rifle out by catching a loop. As we were in a foot of fresh powder snow, I never heard it and by the time I discovered it we were another mile down the trailL. I found it by shuffling along as it was underneath the powder. If you’re going to walk anywhere you’ll have time to sling up.

My view anyway. 🙂

The trailmax long range scabbard will accommodate a lot of modern and custom rifles, especially with scopes that dial. Hung on the off side, nearly vertical, muzzle slightly aft, off of the pommel will keep the rifle readily accessible, out of the way, not under your leg and keep the butt protected from tree trunks and most brush. I have noted excessive wear on the muzzle end of the scabbard from brush etc, but it works well in my limited experience

We just had a hunter in camp with a gunwerks behemoth, giant nightforce, AND a can. It fit in our trail max scabbard but barely. It would not zipper close but the quick snap buckle would close and kept the rifle fine.

I'm an infrequent poster here, but a lot of my posts have involved horses in the backcountry, simply because that is what I know. Both my wife's and my families have been in ranching in the west in three states for well over 100 years. Both my wife's and my grandpas supplied horses to the US Government for forest and land management, survey and various other tasks. In addition I've hunted off horseback all over the west of the US and Canada, in Patagonia, in the Urals and the highlands of Scotland for near 50 years...and, until I discovered these hunting boards on the internet had NEVER seen a scabbard low on the offside butt aft.

Read this:



Then go to the Outfitter's Supply website linked a couple of times above and read this:
(FWIW Russ is a super good guy!)

Attaching a Rifle Scabbard, Bow Scabbard or Camp Tool Scabbard to your Saddle



The jist of this attachment is that you KEEP CONTROL OF THE HORSE, holding the reins in your left hand after you shuck the rifle and dismount.

I, personally, use the near exact hang slightly less aft canted, but on the ON side, balancing the load with a horn (pommel) bag to the off with all my possibles and water/lunch etc for when I'm in the saddle. Just a personal preference because I'd rather draw the rifle after I'm on terra firma...again, swing off the horse, maintain control with reins in left hand and reach up and shuck rifle with right.

With the offside, near horizontal hang some of y'all use, how do you control the horse as you go to the kicking, bucking end on a tight trail, near vertical with a skittish mount to draw the rifle?