I know this is probably outright wrong, but I put two-piece scope bases on my rifles so that I can slide my hand under the scope and use it as a carrying handle. Does anyone else want to admit to this?! And, has anyone ever had a problem result from doing so?

Guilty here...............

I have a few rifles that sorta lend themselves to carrying by the scope.

No, and I would beat my kid for doing it...

No, I don't do it. Maybe under the best of scenarios it's okay, but my luck doesn't catch fish in those waters. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

All the time.

i hate to say it, but i do it all the time , specially when i'm climping my 20 ft deer stand.
sambo

and then I use the barrel as a pry bar.

Carrying your rifle by the scope is kinda like throwing rocks over the fence at your neighbors Pit Bull - It might never get ya, but when it does it could be a major pain in the azz.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Why tempt fate? Slings aren't expensive and can help you shoot better..........DJ

I attach my sling to my scope, just to make sure that it doesn't come off.

Those scope mounts look a hell of a lot more stout than the little studs. You can jerk on it really hard, and it won't come loose.

I only wish that carrying the gun by the scope was the worst thing that I had ever done. (Falling down and watching the gun bounce off a tree scope frist) And that my freinds is why I still buy Leupold.

If carrying it by the scope could cause a problem then the game would be safe.

8mmwapiti that should stir things up!!

all the time.

hmmmmmmmm you guys would [bleep]. ive packed deer with my 270. barrel trew one leg and but through the other. i also broke scope doing this a cheap tasco busted the eye peice off.

Jeeeezussssss...

THAT,is funny!................

Nope, it never occured to me. I've always thought of scopes as precision optics and treat them as such.

At the beginning of the day.. no. By the end of the day, Yes!

I thought that's what the extra high ring mounts were for, so you could get your gloved hand around the scope to carry it......



no I don't carry by the scope normally.

I have never held a rifle by the scope.

Jamie

No, got cussed pretty good for doing so and haven't done it since.

I spend as much or even more money for the scope than the rifle. I wouldnt even think of useing the scope as a handle. Mabee if I used bushnels or tasco crap but I'd never grab a rifle by the leupold.

Jamie

Guilty. The scope also makes a dandy attaching point for a pull rope.

ever think about the wrist or sling at a swivel?

Never. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

OK, OK, I'll quit being lazy.

Rick

Smiling as always, huh Rick? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Just from looking at pictures, I'd swear you hated hunting.

...what he said!

I don't carry it that way but I will lift it out of the back seat by the scope (and feel concerned every time!)
I do use the scope often in another way- carrying the rifle by cupping my hand under the (wide) bottom of the stock seems somewhat insecure and uses full finger strength, so I often carry it upside down, with my my last three fingers cupped around the bolt, tips in the ejection port, and with my index finger straight, against and perpendicular to the scope, countering gravity's torque.

LSU
He loves hunting... it's the chloroform he hates! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


For those curious, the Rickster is on the North side of Uganik Bay with the Village Islands in the background.
CC

I thought it was a handle, that doubled as a lookin tube........

Actually, I got a sickness once at camp. the other guys called it "hang over" I think? Well, I find all kinds of lazy a$$ ways to cart a rifle through the woods in that condition. but for the most part the floor plate blueing gets worn from my hand on my good days.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Now that's a great way to make the hunt more sporting! Slower to mount the gun and may change the point of aim. I'll just keep using the sling and stock. Never was much of a sport, I guess.

Wow! That is a new one on me. Kinda like use poking the barrel into the dirt as a walking stick.

I'm guilty of toting my spotting scope by it's main tube and often grab my bino's by the barrel too.

I s'pose one goes to hell for that,but that's where my pards are,so it's cheap admission...............(grin)

Maybe cheap admission but the attractions suck...... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm guilty. I always figured if my scope/mount setup was too delicate to grab onto once in a while, I'd better be lookin for a new setup.

No. I never considered doing it. If saw someone doing it I'd keep my dog out of it as long as that person was handling the firearm safe <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Yep, I do it from time to time. Never had a problem.

I carry mine upside down, palm on the magazine and fingers between the scope and bolt, kinda like carrying a 30-30. I use tally bases and rings, and even on my short action, there is enough room. another reason to avoid extension rings when possible. I keep a sling in my pack but not on the rifle as it adds weight and can get in the way. however, I have grabbed them by the scope before and I really do not see how it would hurt them. if it did, I would be shopping for another brand of scope. to think about it, you have maybe a 4" span, supported well on each end. how much stress could there be. then again, I use leupolds so strength is not a problem <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Rick, great photo, perfect timing. rifle looks to be bear medicine!

Big Stick, I'm pretty sure you are trying to make a point by saying you pick up your binos and spotting scope by the tube, but it's lost on me. They were designed to be picked up that way, rifle scopes aren't. Besides, binoculars and spotting scopes are only supporting their own weight. It seems to be a weak comparison.

NO, never. Mr. Murphy and I are close enough acquaintances already and I see no point in issueing an invitation.

I have seen scopes bent by using them gently to turn in a dovetail ring... They are not that strong...
art

I do it now and then, and have never had a problem. Jon Sundra mentioned it in an article years ago, and he has hunted more than I have (he's 10 years older) and never had a problem.

Might be a problem if the rifle weighs 12 pounds or so but most of my big game rifles don't.

MD

Huh? Every read those little papers that come with the product? Instructions, warranty info, care and use, etc? I always thought it was an internally complicated, technical, precision engineered tool that should be treated with care.

Maybe I've been missing out...

I've seen a fella "finish off" his deer by hitting it over the head with his rifle (someone else brought him). I guess I shouldn't be suprised.

Try using your shotgun barrel as a hunting horn. Not only does it work well, but it gets lots of attention too. And there is all that room you get on future hunts.

For some reason I feel the need to point out:

"Always keep a firearm pointed in a safe direction, away from yourself and others".

Just in case :-)

I have used my shotgun barrel as a hunting horn before but I took it off the receiver first <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

hmm, I thunked a jackrabbit with a shotgun barrel once after running out of ammo & attempting to take the beastly bunny down with my bare hands ...... but I don't know what a hunting horn is...... hmm, horn-hunt? Hmmm, hunting horn? I just can't think of what that could be.....

I use Trashco's and Simmons as hammers.......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Rick

Is that a 5 lb Remington in 375 ultra mag ?

Conrad

Nope. But I have used the lever on a lever action to open a beer (grin).

BMT

Yup, I used to with a 7 and a half pound rifle. My new one weighs 11 and a half pounds, so I use the sling now. If the scope won't handle a little weight on it, how's it going to handle 35 or 40 pounds of recoil? Besides, like someone else said, "That why I buy a Loopy." I have a 33 year old bushnell on the Tikka in the light rifle that has had me land on it scope down against a rock. How many foot pounds is a 275 pound man falling from 5'11" onto an imoveable rock?? I quit hunting for the day, and went to a gravel pit to check the zero. Shot right to the same point as before. Happy me!

no, i don't. the thought never occured to me.

while i don't think it is good for the scope to do it, i don't think any damage can be done from carrying hunting-weight rifles that way. dunno - i just don't do it. haven't done it, and doubt i'll start.

Make me proud to own a pitbull. Of course mine is an inside dog that is quite tame.

Hunting horn...for calling in the dogs I presume. You know..toot, toot.

I've never held a rifle with a scope. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Regards, sse

The way I look at it, if you can't trust your scope as a handle, your scope or mounting system shouldnt be in the field in the first place.
Somethings wrong.

I carry my 7lb 14 oz 338 in the field by the scope and if the system can handle a 250 bullet haulin butt, it sure can handle my
delicate fingers.

Well, I guess this got quite the thread started. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I have carried a 30-06 with an old Tasco World Class on it quite a bit by the scope with no problems ever. I have carred my .260 by the Leupold 2x7 Compact for a few years with no problems. Yes, I do use a sling, but scope-carrying with no sling on it gets pretty addictive pretty quick. I'll let you guys know in a few years if I ever have problems--I don't anticipate any. It would seem crazy to me that a scope could take the G forces of severe recoil (say 375 or 458) and yet not handle the minute forces that carrying an 8 pound rifle would cause. All I can say is "Try it, you'll like it!"

!! I laughed out loud at that !!

Sycamore

Saying that if a scope will handle recoil it should be OK as a carrying handle is a false analogy. Scopes are built to withstand the direct horizontal forces of recoil. They aren't designed to take the perpendicular stresses of being used as a carrying handle with the weight of the rifle used as a lever and fulcrum.
Fortunately scopes are usually well built and tolerate all sorts of needless abuse. But it's best to not abuse them.........DJ

Oh well, I guess I will keep on abusing it until something goes wrong. I can't say as I think it is abusive anyway. I'll just have to hope that the 3 piece tube on the Leupold doesn't fall apart on me now...Maybe I should email Leupold and ask their opinion.

I use NightForce and Leupold scopes and Badger Ordnance mounts and if I can't carry my rifle by the scope, Marty at Badger would be getting these mounts back. I don't think twice, and my rifles weigh between 9 and 14#. I guess that's the beauty of using mil-spec gear....

A hand can barely fit between the rings. There is no lever and fulcrum affect worth considering.

Not just no, but hell no!

I don't use the scope as a handle. I do have a good buddy that does and never witnessed any problem. While a good scope may not suffer for it, it still isn't what it was designed for and I don't think Leupold or any other scope manufacturer would recommend it as an accepted practice.

It would be interesting to see Mule Deer or Jon Sundra to write an article in Rifle or some other major hunting publication about this with photos. I would like to hear what scope manufacturers would say and what reader response would be.

Ah yes, of course...... I guess I just whistle for my dog.
I have emitted a blood curdling mountain top yodel through a freshly extracted floppy elk wind pipe though... there was alcohol involved and the intent was to swoon a female sasquatch.... (unsuccessful attempt but it's the closest thing I can think of on the topic of "hunting horn").

On that particular day my Burris brand carrying handle was safe back at camp, no guns with my whisky, just a pack frame. (I'm silly but relatively harmless & safe)

I don't know if it's right or wrong but it works. I've been doing it for over thirty years without a problem.

Only when that's all I can get to in a crowded gun safe, and only for a few seconds. Those tubes ain't made for that----might be OK, might give out in the tall uncut, might just wander the reticle around enough to miss something I really want to hit.

Always.
Been meaning to ask this very question myself for years but wanted to avoid the appearance of being, well, not exactly stupid but something close. I have never had a problem and I never carry a rifle any other way. Just seems natural.

Scopes that a heck of a lot worse beating when the rifle fires than when its being carried.
Charlie

Using scopes as handles are why 50mm and 56mm endbells were invented!

Rick-Bin,

Nice spot. Out of curiosity, what's the sling for? Doesn't it just add unnecessary weight :-)



If you have to work; work hard - do it right.

If you must stand; stand firm - be ready.

If you choose to sit; sit straight - pay attention.

If there is no need to sit; lay down - listen.

If there is no need to be awake; go to sleep.

- my g.grandfather

Yeah, and I use my Bible as a coaster. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Would never consider it. To me, seeing another hunter do so, would be about like hearing someone drag their fingernails down a chalkboard.

If my scope can�t hang in there while I use it as a handle, it doesn�t belong on my rifle. I want to know how the helk it is going to stay on with twenty pounds or more of shocking recoil....
How much does your rifle weigh....

I sometimes carry my rifle by the scope. Heck, when I really tired and climbing down a mountain at the end of the day, my rifle get's more abuse than simply carrying it by the scope. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I carry lotsa my stuff by their scope expressly.

One of 'em is the Easy Rider 7-08 and today I dialed dope and watched my Boss smoke a 12oz water bottle at a Mr.Leica confirmed 838yds,despite some less than absolute calm conditions(3MOA wind).

Am thinking it takes more than the 14.34lbs suspended weight of the Easy Rider,to fuss and muss a Leupie MK4 10x in M1 configuration.

BUT,I could be "wrong"........................(grin)

At first dialing in the windage doesn't sound like a good idea, but then a guy trys it..........

Perish the thought! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

In today's conditions,I coulda easily chased the wind less dope and just subtend the switches,but I've some familiarity with said system.

He was pretty much new at the game,had never shot half that far and was more than a touch intrigued at how things worked. So I gave him the wind calls,via the turret and he held center on the dainty jug and smoked it. That from the prone,with an inner tube/kittylitter all weather bag.

Now that's with an itty-bitty 120gr V-Max,which is fairly affected at that distance,by modest wind switches. With 162 A-Max's,a guy coulda just held the modest windage required and have done some pretty impressive work.

Am thinking that he'll be cutting some hefty checks,so as to field his own implement and hone his skills.

Ain't it funny,how GOOD [bleep] sells itself?!?...............(grin)

You can keep your innertube crap...I've perfected the idea, as you can see below...worn around the neck it keeps you toasty, and worn under the rifle it makes things mo'better

This is a standard issue pair of the most expensive socks on the planet, worn once, chewed by worthless hound, filled just so with pee gravel(from the ground), tied together at proper length from foreend to stock....................top it.



P.S. They also look like pretty decent boobs when worn properly beneath your jacket........

P.S. That's an ugly old M700 Ti in .260, and a plain old 6x42 Leupold with a drop chart taped along side that goes to 1250 yds with moly coated 108 gr Scenars.............................it may not kill an elk at that range, but it will make a bad day for a crow or a coyote !

The Tactical Faux Titties,are under advisement.

Might toss my Ti in the rig this morning too.................

I would bet it's more of a throw than a toss...... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Actually,I went ROCK-ish 223AI instead,as the winds seemed calm.

Saw lotsa snow,but no Woof's nor their tracks............

Jeez, I've never even considered such an activity, and I thought this post was a joke 'till I read on. I've never carried my rifle by the scope. I was always taught to protect the scope whenever possible. (I have been accused of using a trigger guard from time to time as a bottle opener, though.)

DD And all this time I've been using my carrying handle as a scope <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Never done it. Never will.

grouseman

Do I? Absolutely. Been doing it for 40 years and never considered it to be an issue. It never hurt any of my scores or groups shooting centerfire or rimfire bench competition. I don't see a structural problem in doing it, so I just do it. Like the guy above said, extra high rings help getting your fingers between the rings with gloves on while hunting.
Don