I'm now convinced all my hawke scopes are temp sensitive to heat .Is there a foolproof way to wrap them in an insulate that won't obstruct the use of the scope ? FT target shooters use this practice ?2 of my Hawkes sit on springers with wood stocks .
I had I think the same issue with my Falcon 50X in 102 degrees heat in Oregon's recent Grand Prix. Some Targets were in crystal clear focus when my parallax wheel was at 60-70 yards (Max target distance should have been below 55 yards).
The second day, I started to put ice packs into my gun case. I don't think it helped. Mainly because the scope was sticking out above the soft gun case.
Thinking back, there are a number of things I could have done to mitigate heat effects on my scope and rifle.
1. I should have put lens caps back on my scope. I'm sure the huge scope bell is very efficient in gathering heat waves and turning the internals of the scope into an oven.
2. Wrap aluminum foil around the scope. Or a more semi-permanent solution. Silver spray paint?
3. keep both gun and scope in the shade. This probably has limited value because at 102 ...in the shades...your equipment is still getting cooked at 90?.
4. Cover your gun/scope with those car sun shades. Tape the sides into a taco shape and cover.
5. I shoot a wooden Maccari FT stock. Don't know if a polyurethane spray would help to "heat/moisture" stabilize the wood
6. There are a number of thermal sensitive items in my TX200. I'm in the process of replacing those. I'm still running a Delrin Spring guide. Looking to go with a metal spring guide in the future and bronze piston bushing instead of Delrin.
7. (tongue in cheek). Buy a March FT scope. I hear those are less temperature sensitive. (spend-y though...$3000+)