Scope Sunshades

[Gamo X-Ring Shooter]

Hi Everyone,

I was at a big smallbore match this weekend and during the scope part of the match everyone had these giant sunshades on their scopes.  I was wondering what sunshades really do for you so I made one out of cardstock and put it on my airgun.  I personally don't see that it does anything at all.  The sight picture looks just about the same to me.  So does anyone have an opinion on sunshades for scopes?

Brian

[shadow]

Brian, I use Sunshades on some of my Airgun hunting scopes. I make them myself out of PVC tubing and shoot them flat black. They do work very well if your scanning up into the tree's or across a open field with lot's of sun. I found out the hard way awhile back, had the crosshairs set on a treerat up in a tree, he moved just enough to cause a reflection of the sun to enter the front of the scope. I lost him but with my Sunshade, it extend's the tube and the glare is absorbed before it reaches the glass. Work's for me.   Ed

[Rixtrix]

hey, Ed what size/schedule Pvc to you use for the shades? Do you have to turn it on a lathe to make it fit, and what holds it on? Since I'm going to an airgun match in 2 weeks, I just HAVE to have all the airgun bling to make up for my lack of ability, hehe!

Ric G

I don't shoot without sun shades anymore. I lost too many targets and game to glare. Especially at sunrise and sunset.
Ric you can buy them from some scope manufacturers quite cheap and are usually made out of the same materials as the scope body. They screw into the front of the scope. If you have a look you will see there are ridges. They are actually a very fine thread. Home made ones are usually just slipped over the outside of the objective lense onto the scope body. If you are lucky you can find pvc piping that has an I/D that is the same as the O/D of the scope body. Sometimes you need to use a lathe to get them right. The other way is to match the O/D's and machine to fit internally which is usually neater looking.
Hope this helps.

[shadow]

Ric, as Andre said mine slip over the outside of the scope . I measured each of my scopes and then go to my PVC bin and find what I need. Sometimes you will have to take them to the lathe, if you have one. As far as keeping them on the scope I've found that lining the ID where the cover meet's the scope with black felt work's great for me. It make's a snug fit and will not scratch the scope, a couple dab's of super glue around the ID where the felt go's hold's the felt in place. Before the black felt go's on I shoot it with flat black paint and seal it with flat clear, clean with spirit's first to get any finger oil's off. I made my own after looking at the prices of them . ;(  Ed

[Rixtrix]

I'll look into all the possibilities!

Ric G

[phillyb]

I have been considering a sunshade for a while.  My scope is a 3x9 44, does that mean a normal scope sunshade for a 44 will work?  I found one for like 20 bucks, but I dont want to order it online unless I know its right.

[Crzyfrlss1]

This is gonna sound funny...but

I've used a cardboard toilet paper roll thingy as a scope sunshade and that works too, and it's REAL CHEAP too. :p

[johncedarhill]

Cardboard from paper towel rolls work very well in a pinch.

[phillyb]

LOL!  I want the super scope look.  I had considered the pvc tubing fix, but I think I wanna get an actual tube thing.  Maybe I will get like 10 and screw em all together!  lol

[Izzie45895]

Especially for scopes that aren't threaded for them, you may want to look at these soft-shades:

http://www.dvorakinstruments.com/scope.htm

$10 a piece with minimal USPS shipping. I got a couple for my Golden Antler scopes and they really help! They sell for about $20 at retailers but are half that from the source.

Iz