Cold weather and scopes
- Thread starter togmaster
- Start date
tony
6.5 Creedmoor
I've never had an issue while shooting but damage may occur when you bring them back into a warm environment. The cold will attract moisture and moisture will try to get into the scope. If it is not sealed properly it will let some in. You will most likely not see it until you have it out in the cold again and it fogs/freezes up. You might see drops of water in scope.
This is what I do:
If the rifle is in a cold hard case I wrap the case in a blanket really well then bring to the basement for a couple days and let it warm up slowly.
If not in a case I wrap rifle up good in a blanket and do the same. I want it to warm slowly so it doesn't attract moisture.
I NEVER leave it wrapped whether in or out of case for more than 2 days.
seems to work for me...
This is what I do:
If the rifle is in a cold hard case I wrap the case in a blanket really well then bring to the basement for a couple days and let it warm up slowly.
If not in a case I wrap rifle up good in a blanket and do the same. I want it to warm slowly so it doesn't attract moisture.
I NEVER leave it wrapped whether in or out of case for more than 2 days.
seems to work for me...
STS556
.223 Rem
I have been coyote hunting for many years up in Livingston Manor with an AR and a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 scope. While I don't recall ever hunting in this extreme cold, I hunted in January and February when it was still cold as an ice cube. I never had any problems with any part of the scope or any damage form moisture getting into the optical tube.
Like stated in a couple of posts above, I have never taken precautions to protect or cool down or warm the scope up. But that is a real good idea because I do it with my telescopes.
Like stated in a couple of posts above, I have never taken precautions to protect or cool down or warm the scope up. But that is a real good idea because I do it with my telescopes.
I have not had any issues with any of the scopes I own. I have shot down to 9*F and have come home cleaned the rifle and put it away. A majority of my scopes are Nikons but I do have some Simmons and Bushnell scopes on my rimfire rifles.
This weather is something else eh?
Its -6 ambient where I'm at today.
Its -6 ambient where I'm at today.
Wire reticles were designed to withstand the recoil, they are glued to the rear side of the glass. There were incidents of them falling off during dry-firing, when the bolt was slammed forward numerous times. Reticle wires would unglue and fall down. Old timers from the Army Maksmanship Unit told this story. I don't think the temperature played a role. All modern scopes have etched reticle.
tony
6.5 Creedmoor
You would never have to worry about the moisture during the summer as the scope warm (ambient temp). When the scope is frigid and you bring it into a warm (humid) house is when you could have an issue. Do you wear glasses? What happens when you come in from the cold? Mine fog right up. I am sure the scopes made today are sealed much better than when I started hunting in the late 60's...
the bolt slamming forward is a force in the opposite direction (of recoil) for which older lower end scopes were not designed to take. While never a member of the AMU I could be considered an old timer... or maybe semi-old timer...
the bolt slamming forward is a force in the opposite direction (of recoil) for which older lower end scopes were not designed to take. While never a member of the AMU I could be considered an old timer... or maybe semi-old timer...
Eddie Gunks
.338 Win Mag
My expensive bushnel 1-6.5x24 ffp has been abused by me for over four years.
This includes rain. Sun. Desert temps at 113. And as of jan 1, 2018 overnight (in the trunk) temps of -5 F followed by jan 1 shooting temps of 1-4F. Then back to the trunk and into the house.
I keep it in a bag so this may help keep the condensation down slightly.
It functions flawlessly. Never looses zero and returns to zero as needed after it has been dialed......
This includes rain. Sun. Desert temps at 113. And as of jan 1, 2018 overnight (in the trunk) temps of -5 F followed by jan 1 shooting temps of 1-4F. Then back to the trunk and into the house.
I keep it in a bag so this may help keep the condensation down slightly.
It functions flawlessly. Never looses zero and returns to zero as needed after it has been dialed......
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Acer-m14
20×102mm Vulcan
only problem i have with scopes in the cold is when you see that buck , get on the gun , then exhale and fog the lens up .. oh come on WTF LOL ..
Eddie Gunks
.338 Win Mag
Better coated glass solves much of this issue......not breathing on the glass solves all the issue!
Problem is they cost as much.
Eddie Gunks
.338 Win Mag
Only the good ones that dont break, fog, return to zero loose zero, transmit light well, transmit color well, have good eye relief, and have good warranties.
Buy once cry once with glass.
I learned that the hard way.