Anyone else have any problem with proper eye relief when hunting with heavy clothing on? My favorite rifle is set with the scop

[.30-06Hunter]

Anyone else have any problem with proper eye relief when hunting with heavy clothing on? My favorite rifle is set with the scope as far back as it can go which is perfect for "normal" sighting in conditions and when hunting with mid weight clothing on. When it is bitter cold and I have on thick coveralls I have to really stretch my head forward to get a proper sight picture. I usually accomplish this by leaving my coveralls unzipped and sloping the stock under my coveralls when I shoulder it to shoot. My newest solution for this is a Ruger M77 compact which has a short length of pull. It almost seems too short without heavy clothing on but the sight picture is perfect with heavy clothes. I have had this issue with most normal length of pull stocks once you throw some heavy clothes into the equation. Just wondering if I'm the only one.

[DakotaMan]

That is a common problem. I do have to lean forward a little with my Eskimo clothes on but I don't really have too much of a problem with any of my rifles. Most of my hunting scopes have about a 4" eye relief so that helps I'm sure. I also use low magnification 2x-3x most of the time and that helps too.

[Ontario Honker Hunter]

I use a slip on recoil pad for warmer weather and then shed it when I shed the layers. It will pull on over the existing recoil pad no problem if you pick the right size sip on.

[chuckles]

It is definitely an issue in MN and I usually set the eye relief at the closest distance when I mount a scope knowing that clothing will push it to the farther distance when I am wearing hunting clothes.
The only rifle where it has been a major issue so far is my Ruger #1 which puts the scope farther forward than most. I will have to buy extended rings to solve the problem.
What kind of scope are you using?

[jhjimbo]

Sounds like you need two guns, a hard top and a convertible. Good reason to get another gun.

[Treestand]

JMO~ This is a case for Tip-off mounts or see-thru for Iron sights.as per:jimbo

[.30-06Hunter]

The scope I'm using is a Nikon Prostaff.

[chuckles]

Those have pretty good eye relief in the 4" range for most. Sounds like your options are:
- extended rings
- shorten length of pull or new stock
- possibly different scope with more room to slide back or more eye relief. I have found that with more than 4" you are looking at rather than through many scopes that are not "scout" style.
- carry the compact M77 in cold weather
Extended rings are probably the cheapest route to modifying your set-up and will let you move the scope back. Usually around 1/2" which might be enough. Good luck. It is a frustrating situation.