Thread: Best scope for wet weather - bush stalking distances

Have heard good things about bushnell with rainguard, sounds like nothing matches their performance in the rain. Dreaming of a small simple scope with a bdc style reticle
Does anyone have any experience with rainguard or suggest any other glass? Not really interested in iron sights only or putting caps or covers on the lens, want it to be ready to go in case of quick shots
Cheers peewoks

Have just gotten it so can't really comment but the Leupold firedot looks like it would work well in the rain

Have heard leupold have some coating but my vx3 seems to just hold the drops on the lens making it impossible to get a clear picture especially in dark bush. Be interested to hear your feedback on the bushnell once you get a chance

I find the worst problem for me is condensation from warm hand onto cold scope.

Originally Posted by Bagheera

I find the worst problem for me is condensation from warm hand onto cold scope.

I've found the Burris's suffer from this more so than a leupold.

Originally Posted by Bagheera

I find the worst problem for me is condensation from warm hand onto cold scope.

Surely you don't carry rifle by scope?

well for bush work I love my old fixed 4x leupold.....in wet weather....you just have to keep stopping and checking,then drying scope...it will slow you down and make you stop..... toilet paper in plastic bag..... the big soft windscreen cloths the servos give out usually in next month or so are ideal...

Hi piwakawaka, my suggestion would be get the highest quality, low-powered, illuminated scope you can for your bush stalking. There's nothing better than a true 1x scope when it's pouring with rain in my opinion. I'm using Swaro glass myself, Z6i 1-6 and Z8i 1-8, opted for the buy once cry once option. Your scope glass can be grubby and wet all over and you won't notice on really low magnification. Reasonable quality glass and coatings will probably determine your experience though. Simple solution to help reduce wet lenses, get some bike tyre tube and make a couple of scope lense covers. The Delta 1.5-9x42 illuminated scope Sarvo has been advertising looks like it would be an ideal NZ scope!

Iron sights.

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

Surely you don't carry rifle by scope?

Why not?

I'd be using a red dot in that situation.
I have a cheap holosun I like, but haven't used it in the rain yet.

I carry a piece of chamois leather on a cord attached to my swandri pocket.

Works even if chamois is wet.

Originally Posted by piwakawaka

Have heard good things about bushnell with rainguard, sounds like nothing matches their performance in the rain. Dreaming of a small simple scope with a bdc style reticle
Does anyone have any experience with rainguard or suggest any other glass? Not really interested in iron sights only or putting caps or covers on the lens, want it to be ready to go in case of quick shots
Cheers peewoks

@piwakawaka I have 5 several Bushnell Elites 6500's, 4500, 4200, 3500's and 3200. The rainguard is fantastic! The 3500 2-7x32 is great during the day but lack at first and last light.

@Fireflite what reticle does the 3500 2-7 have? That does sound like an ideal option I'll have to hunt one down to have a look through

I owned a Bushnell Elite 2-7x32 with duplex reticle for a few years and sold it last year. I always thought the eye relief was a bit unforgiving. It's got quite a small ocular lens which might be part of the reason, and the field of view never felt very good I thought. Just my 2 cents. If you could find a second hand Kahles 2-7x36 that would be a whole step up in quality, more dollars though. I've never looked through the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24 so I'm not sure how nice the glass is, but might be ok at the lower end of the market with ballistic reticles.
Regards, Joel