Scopes Question - Waterproofing and caps for adjustment knobs

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

My question, if any knows, is whether, on scopes that come with screw-on aluminum caps for the elevation and windage adjustments knobs, on scopes that claim to be "waterproof", if you were to just leave the caps off, would they:

A. Still be waterproof, most makes / models
B. Definitely not be waterproof anymore, most makes / models
C. Varies greatly; just depends upon the specific make / model

???

Thanks.

Obviously, some scopes don't have caps ("uncovered target turret" scopes), and these are waterproof (if made & claimed to be so). Are the caps JUST for preventing accidental movement of the adjustments, or are they for both that AND waterproofing?

Specifically, I'm wondering about my Nikon Omegas / Slugmasters. Love these scopes, and they have the finger-adjustable 'target turrets' UNDER the caps; wondering if I could just leave the caps off and hunt in the rain. I don't fear bumping them - they seem pretty resistant to accidental bumping. Want to be able to quickly come up from a 200 yard zero to 250, 300, or 350.

 

[JR47]

The caps are predominately for protection against bumping the adjustments. I've tested my scopes by leaving them outside in 30 degree weather, than placing them in a bucket of 100-110 degree water. Most everything over $100 in street price passes handily. No fogging internally, and no trail of bubbles.

 

[rcmodel]

Want to be able to quickly come up from a 200 yard zero to 250, 300, or 350.

It seems the more fiddling & diddling you do with scope adjustments in the field, the more likely it is you will get mixed up and end up missing.
It's unlikely you will keep a log book of sight changes in the field while hunting.

What ever happened to zeroing at one range and remembering how far to hold over at longer range?

It works for us for 500 yard coyotes, and it worked for us in the military.

rc

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Taken under advisement, RC - I'll consider options after testing at range. You may be exactly right - KISS principle (particularly on a scope without a zero stop).

Thank you sir, JR47! When you did your test, you mean that you did as described withOUT the caps?

 

[JR47]

Yes, that's exactly what I meant, sir. Looking at the caps, they have no additional sealing capability beyond the threads. The net effect would have been to allow for water to fill the void beneath the cap, while allowing bubbles to escape. I wanted to insure that, if the seals into the scope were leaking, there could be no mis-understanding.

 

[dagger dog]

A lot of the bullet drop compensating reticules offered may be the ticket you're looking for, Nikons BDC, Burris Ballistic Plex, are two that come to mind. They are intended for use by hunters primarly, where the mil dot is more for military-law enforcement designated marksmen.

Work your favorite handload or pick out a factory load that fits the bill, take the new scope to the range and shoot the living daylights out of it until you are positve you know where the vertical tics on the compensation will put the bullet then transfer that data to the masking tape on the fore arm. After a while you won't need the masking tape info.

Some other scopes also have reticules for windage as Leupolds Varmint Hunter.

Any reticule that will keep you from twisting the knobs is a plus as chances for error are elminated. By not having to remove the caps this solves the waterproofing question.