[Hogfield]

I need some help with rifle scope glare. I have a Schmidt & Bender 56mm scope. When the sun has fallen below the treeline or just before the sun breaks over the treeline, if I aim in the direction of the setting/rising sun I get a terrible glare. If I quarter away from the horizon then the glare goes away. Also, once the sun has completely risen or set the glare goes away.

No one I know has ever had this problem and no gunsmith I've spoken with has experienced this problem.

Has anyone ever heard of this or have any recommendations on how to address it?

[rcmodel]

Any optical device, be it a scope, binoculars, or camera, will experiance lens flair to some extent if pointed towards the sun.

The only cure I know of is:
Don't do that!

[Hogfield]

I'm really not pointing it at the sun since that isn't where the deer is standing; just in the general direction of where to sun set or is rising. The glare only lasts for about 15 minutes and when the sun is fully set or up the glare goes away. Of course, by that time, the mature buck I'm trying to get in my scope is gone!

[Ridgerunner665]

Its the light reflecting up from the barrel into the scope...

Have you tried a sunshade?

[Hogfield]

I haven't thought of the reflection issue. The gun is stainless.

I've thought of a sunshade but am concerned it would impair the light transmission in very low light conditions. Do you have any experience with sunshades?

[rcmodel]

Well, you could try a lens shade.

I don't know if Schmidt & Bender makes them for your scope, but I imagine they do.

Yep, they do!
http://www.eurooptic.com/Schmidt-Bender/product~description~SB_56mm_Aluminum_Sun_Shade.htm

You could experiment with a rolled up tube of cardboard about 6" - 8" long and see if it helps. If you go that route, spray paint the inside of the tube with flat-black paint to absord stray light.

[Sunray]

"...in very low light conditions..." Take it off. Plan 'B' would be to Duracoat or one of the other finishes for SS(cold bluing doesn't work on SS). Just having it sand or bead blasted will cut the refective shine.
Or this. http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm#stainless

[Ridgerunner665]

If it were me...I'd paint the barrel...Krylon is cheap. (and easily removable)

[Brian Williams]

More likely lens flare then reflection from the barrel, try a sunshade and see what it does.

[ranger335v]

You need not actually see the sun through the scope to get flare, just having the sun, or and direct reflection of the sun, hit the objective glass will do it. And it happens in some degree to ANY optical device.

Only "cure" is a sun shield and that may not be practical on a hunting scope.

[Hogfield]

Thanks to everyone for your comments and advice. I've ordered a sun shade and will see how it works. I'll post on the results later.