Snow has never been a concern with me . It has never done anything to the accuracy or to my gun stocks and I've been out when the snow's coming in hard . Clean your rifle / shotgun after use and you'll be fine . Blackpowder shooters may be more concerned about it . A major safety concern would be if the muzzle was shoved into the snow , where it could freeze and plug the barrel . The same precautions would be taken if the muzzle was shoved into soil . The only scoped rifle I have is a Marlin .22mag that I use for coyote. The scope has clear lens covers whick wipe off fine without touching the actual lens.