Orientation of Butler Creek (or similar) lens caps on scopes ... I don't get it!

[MCMXI]

I see a number of photos on line of "tactical" type rifles and scopes, and the majority have Butler Creek or similar flip-open lens caps. What I don't get is why so many have them orientated to open to the 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock position? I always mount mine so that they open to the 12 o'clock position. Who started this trend and why? I would think that it'd reduce your peripheral vision to have the cap open at the 3 or 9 o'clock position.

Here's what I'm talking about ... an objective lens cap open at the 3 o'clock position.

 

[Deus Machina]

I can think of a few things...

At 12, a good wind could blow a cap without any retention down.

At 3 (if you shoot with your right eye) you won't loose any vision--it's out of the way and blocked by your scope.

At 9 (again, right eye) it would block the vision of your left eye if you shoot with both open (like I tend to) and give a partial effect like closing that eye.

 

[stubbicatt]

Dunno. But the Hensholdt 4x scope for my G3 clone has rubber lens cups that perform the same way.

For the rear cap, I can say if you get it to open to occlude vision from your non shooting eye, it could assist in both eye open shooting (maybe) and it won't foul your baseball cap visor either. Unfortuately, on my bolt rifles the clearances are such that the lens cap interferes with the bolt if it doesn't open "up."

 

[ArmedBear]

12 o'clock blocks some of my peripheral vision (both eyes if I look above the rifle, left eye if I'm looking through the scope with my right). 9 obviously would.

3-o'clock makes sense to me (for a rightie anyway). I'll have to try it.

 

[psyopspec]

During Basic Rifle Marksmanship, recruits in the Army are taught to scan for targets with both eyes open, eye slightly over the rear sight. Spot target, drop down into your cheek weld, one shot one kill. So, keep the top clear of obstruction to scan for targets according to this school of thought. Keep the left clear because you're right handed and you want to have both eyes open with maximum field of view. That leaves the right side.

 

[MCMXI]

Hmmm ... some interesting points ... so there's a method to the madness. I'm now starting to see the logic of a 3 o'clock open position (on the objective lens cap) for a right handed shooter. Like ArmedBear ... I'll have to try this. I don't like the idea of having my left eye blocked by the ocular lens cap so those are staying put (12 o'clock) on my bolt guns at least. I could try a 3 o'clock position on my ARs though since there's no clearance required for a bolt handle.

Maybe Butler Creek needs a logo that has rotational symmetry!

Thanks for the comments.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Well, I have mine in the 9 o'clock position because any other way and I can't take my bolt out of my 700, because the lugs get in the way (I know, I know, I should just rotate it). I'm a right-handed shooter BTW.

 

[THE MACHINIST]

i dont have any on mine so 2 less things to worry about.

 

[MCMXI]

i dont have any on mine so 2 less things to worry about.

I'm not worried ... but I WOULD be without protective lens caps. I put Butler Creek (or Leupold on the Mark 4s) lens caps on all of my optics. That gives me "2 less things to worry about" ... the ocular and objective lenses!!

 

[JDGray]

With an AO scope, using my sunshade, mine is anywhere from 10 to 3

My non AOs are at 12

 

[rcmodel]

I am running 6 sets of them at 12:00 oclock.

Why?
Just puts the opening tabs right by my normal thumb positions where I can reach them easily without changing my normal firing grip.

They pop open on top of the scope and I haven't noticed them being in the way at all.

rc

 

[SquirrelNuts]

I have one set of them, and mine are at 12:00.

 

[MCMXI]

I am running 6 sets of them at 12:00 oclock. Why?
Just puts the opening tabs right by my normal thumb positions where I can reach them easily without changing my normal firing grip.... They pop open on top of the scope and I haven't noticed them being in the way at all.

rc, that's always been my thinking too ... but I'm open to changing what I do if there's a good reason. All of the photos on the internet had me wondering if there was "a good reason" and I realized that I installed my lens caps without a lot of thought. I notice with the objective lens cap at the 3 o'clock open position, one of the tabs is in virtually the same position (7 o'clock) as it is at the 12 o'clock open position.

I don't want to make a huge deal out of this but it's something that I'd been wondering about. I knew a post would provide some interesting feedback so I appreciate that.

 

[rcmodel]

Well the rear covers on all of mine have a single red lever latch.

You either put it at 12 o'clock, or you let go of the rifle to open it.

I like the ability to leave them closed while hunting, and open them as the rifle comes up to the shoulder for a fast shot oppertunity.

I really think it's the best place for them, but I ain't very TackyCool I guess.

rc

 

[Horsemany]

The main reason tacticool rifles are mounted at 9 or 3 is simple. You do not have to raise your head to make quick vertical adjustments of the scope. At 12oclock the open cap blocks the turret from the shooting position. It also blocks a quick peek downrange over the top of the scope from prone position.

All mine are at 12 oclock. The sideways caps remind me of a glock being shot sideways like a gang member.

 

[MCMXI]

Well the rear covers on all of mine have a single red lever latch.

I'm sure that's standard and it's certainly the case for mine too. I suppose the ocular lens cap could be rotated to open at the 9 o'clock position blocking the left eye for a right handed shooter. The red lever latch could be operated with the right thumb without changing the grip but I don't think that approach appeals to me.

It's not so much a case of being "tacticool" ... more a case of what works best for each individual. Whatever I end up with, at least I would have put some thought into it rather than just doing what everyone else does.

 

[MCMXI]

The main reason tacticool rifles are mounted at 9 or 3 is simple. You do not have to raise your head to make quick vertical adjustments of the scope. At 12oclock the open cap blocks the turret from the shooting position. It also blocks a quick peek downrange over the top of the scope from prone position.

Obviously you're talking about the ocular lens cap since the objective lens cap doesn't block the elevation or windage adjustment in any position. You could argue that a 3 o'clock open position on the ocular lens cap would block the windage adjustment.

 

[Horsemany]

Obviously you're talking about the ocular lens cap since the objective lens cap doesn't block the elevation or windage adjustment in any position. You could argue that a 3 o'clock open position on the ocular lens cap would block the windage adjustment.

Yes only the ocular. More adjusting is done with the elevation knob than windage. You'll even see some scopes that have been modified for long range use that ONLY have a tall elevation cap but not windage.

 

[Mags]

I dig the 6 O clock position and let gravity do its thing.

 

[Maverick223]

I think I may try out the 6 o'clock position (for the front) when the new scope arrives, but I may remove it to add a sunshade, the rear will likely go up. Keep in mind that if you were a real operator you wouldn't need covers...because it would never get removed from the case...except to show it off.

 

[Uncle Mike]

WOW...

I put all of mine at 6 o'clock....


hehehe

 

[Maverick223]

I put all of mine at 6 o'clock....

How does that work? Seems like the one on the ocular bell would get in the way @ 6.

 

[rcmodel]

I like mine on a variable scope that changes the oclock of the cover every time you change the power setting. Yes, I have one like that!

That covers all the bases on which is right and which is wrong.

rc

 

[psyopspec]

There really is no right or wrong. Just because you see it on the internet makes it neither "tacticool," nor right, nor wrong. It's a way, not the way.

 

[AK103K]

If I cant get them to lay flat at 6 o'clock, then I set them at around 4 o'clock, so they law down towards or against the side of the rifle, out of the way, even if I have to push them there.