RE: What could I have done?
I too use the Butler Creek flip up scope covers. The front of my nikon scope has a clear flip up so I don't have to flip it up. The back is the standard black with thumb button.
I really like the clear because I can get the gun up quckly and not have to worry about reaching for the front cover. When it rains I pop it up and have a crystal clear lense to see through. These are probably the best investment to my A-Bolt set up.