Butler Creek scope covers

[WayBeau]

Who uses them and how do you like them? I'm thinking about getting a set for my hunting rifle and would like to hear what people have to say about them. Are they worth it? Should I save my money? Do they have any impact on hunting situations? etc.

Thanks.

 

[X-Rap]

Very good accessory IMO, I would opt for the see through Blizzard type if you can find them. They are not bullet proof but will not break the bank when you have to replace them.

 

[Furncliff]

I have the flip up covers on three of my scopes. When I put my rifles in their case the covers are always there, sometimes I forget the covers with my other rifles.

 

[MtnCreek]

They are well worth the money IMO. Only possible drawback is reduced adjustment on a traditional adjustable objective scope.

 

[Krusty783]

I have the flip up covers on my hunting rifle. I like them because they aren't some detachable accessory that I'd have to keep track of, like the Blizzard style covers. Hey, I'm lazy and I'd rather have something attached so I can't forget it in my car/lose it in the woods/drop it & break it.

The rear flip up is annoying if you're wearing a hat because it'll hit the bill if you mount it vertically. I just rotate it CCW so it opens toward my off-hand (LH) side and it's out of the way.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

I have the Blizzard covers on every scope I own.

The only downside for me is, variable scopes with eyepieces that rotate to change power take the scope cover with them, to odd and inaccessible places.
Same with target scopes with AO objective front lens housing that rotate.

I mount the covers with the lids where I want them to be at the power and range setting most often used.

If you have a variable with a power change ring that doesn't move the eyepiece housing they work perfectly!!

rc

 

[WayBeau]

Is shooting with the blizzard covers down truly a viable option?

 

[rcmodel]

Yes it is.

You lose some light transmission, but the yellow ones actually can improve the image in really bad rainy / foggy weather.

They don't have much if any effect on accuracy at normal hunting range.

rc

 

[pingpingping]

They can save your hunt in rain, sleet, or snow.

One day, me and a buddy were hunting in a ice storm. He had them and I didn't. After an hour, I could not see through my scope at all. My buddy could just flip his open and see clear as day.

I have not gone hunting without them since. Course I havent hunted in an ice storm since either.

 

[ghostwriter]

I strongly suggest you go to Cabela's web site, keyword search BUTTLER CREEK SCOPE COVERS and read the reviews. Here's the link in case you can't find it.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Butl...scope+covers&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products


I think last count was 54 pages of negative. They USED TO BE great covers, but in the past 5 years or so something has went amiss in the production, material selection and design departments and the quality has suffered horribly.
I just finished doing a product field review report on some of the bigger covers used on the Nightforce 12-42 x 56 NXS scopes and it wasnt a very positive review. Did you know that B.C. is actually owned or controlled by Bushnell? Well, I'm working with one of their product development managers to isolate the root cause of their problems and try to get the OLD qualty back.
I have a set that are about 20 years old and they work perfectly every time first time, the latest ones, well... they wouldn't release on the eyepiece end (a #18) and wouldn't seat flat nor stay closed on the objective end (a #51). Perhaps the smaller scopes would still be able to utilize them satisfactorily but for the above scope they have a long ways to go before they will sell good and not be returned.

 

[WayBeau]

Thanks Ghostwriter! I will definitely read SOME of the reviews on the Cabelas site. Don't want to get something that won't work when I need it to.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I have a set on a Nikon Buckmaster scope and like them very much!

 

[WayBeau]

There are a lot of really bad reviews on the Cabela's site. But there are a lot more good reviews. Seems like I'll probably just take my chances and get a set while the season's out. That way I can see if they're gonna make the cut for the season.

 

[X-Rap]

Ghostwriter, do you know if a change in country of origin correlates to the drop in quality?
Many things that are Made in China have loss of quality due to change in materials.

 

[dtalley]

I put some on one of my hunting rifle scope this year at the end of the season. I also put some on my 22rimfire scope last week and will probably put them on my recently purchased 22mag scope soon.

I like them and as said before nothing to leave laying around and misplacing.

 

[WayBeau]

sizing

Anyone have any suggestions on how the sizes run? I got my hands on a sizing chart but am a little unsure of the correct size for my 50mm Redfield. The bell of the objective falls on the line just under the 10 ring. How tight is too tight?

 

[ghostwriter]

OK, to answer a couple of questions:

X_RAP- I'm not sure yet what country of origin is responsible for the latest run of injection molded parts but to be honest, it's no doubt off-shore. I have found many mfg of other items have to use Mainland China to get a cheap mold base and labor cost to offset the almost double and sometimes triple costs of USA made although the USA steel is much higher quality and the craftsmanship is much better as well. The operators who run the machine doing the actual injection molding can "pack" the mold tighter which makes for a more dense item and reduce the chance of voids but at the same time it makes a less flexible part and thus has issues with fit up. The problems that have risen with regard to the #18 eyepiece cover (solid not see thru) is that the base portion will stretch slightly as it's installed over the eyepiece lens of the scope if the size is on the small side making for a tight fit. The cap (the swing up part of the cover) is not going to be stretched so it becomes a much smaller piece in relation to the base portion. Result, won't release first push of the red lever and it's hell to get closed with one finger push.

WAYBEAU- The size chart that they have is pretty reasonable but when you get into the larger sizes it becomes a rule to use the biggest cover assembly you can without it sliding off on it's own. Here's a chart for everyone to look over.