Cold weather question

norlandgeese

norlandgeese

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Hi all,

I won’t call it extreme cold, fully aware we have many true arctic circle folks here :)
I was shooting outside yesterday, maybe between -20C -16C give or take. First few minutes all’s good and I was able to put everything in the same dime hole from my gallery distance. But after 10 minutes or so the POI starts shifting and then the group opened up drastically. .

Just wondering if anyone else have experienced similar situations? Looking for your expert opinion whether it is my ammo, gun or red dot affected by the temperature. I am used to shooting centre-fire in the cold so I’m pretty shoot it wasn’t me.

I was using cheap Winchester Wildcat. In a new Henry pump, with a red-dot.
I’m thinking about going out again today to test, it’s -23 ish today, might try with “heated” ammo but in a cold gun to see. Hoping it’s just ammo behaviour.

Cheers! Thanks for reading.
 
This has been discussed previously, rimfire ammo does not do well in the cold. Others will undoubtedly chime in with a more detailed answer. I've experienced this myself but nowhere as cold as you experienced yesterday.
 
If you have a chrony you will see that you are likely seeing the velocity fall off as the ammo cools off. Using copper plated bullets or "biathlon" bullets is better in the real cold as "normal" lube turns from pretty slick to pretty hard and pasty. Once the temp drops below zero I find my rimfire expectations have to be moderated... and I keep the good stuff in the cabinet (mini-mags are my go-to).
 
The groups will open up as the ammo gets colder, if you keep it warm it lessens the effect a bit. I treat .22LR accuracy as a seasonal endeavour as it seems there is a noticeable drop in performance at around 10C.
 
Ammo for sure. Real target .22 ammo can go from one hole at 25 to 5" at 25. I know for a fact cus it just happened to me shooting at -23c.
 
I'd like to chime in, that I have some experience shooting in deep cold (North BC, -30 deg. C. etc)
Two major issues is that #1, the priming compound in most .22 ammunition produced for general consumption is very temperature sensitive below -10. It will delay ignition in microseconds, causing all manner of grouping instability.
Secondly, as the barrel warms up and cools down with consecutive shots, that will throw accuracy.
Third, powder can be susceptible, as well as bullet lubes, to low temps.
If anything, if shooting in deep cold is your need and accuracy your game (such as small game furr/pelt hunting), I would recommend either match-grade or biathlon specific ammunition. I know Anschutz used to work with a Swedish company that made specific ammunition for deep cold temps, no idea if it is still made.

On a side note, I recommend CCI Stingers. I have found them accurate and effective even in these temps from a heavy barrel .22 rifle at distances exceeding 50 meters.
 
Nabs said:
I'd like to chime in, that I have some experience shooting in deep cold (North BC, -30 deg. C. etc)
Two major issues is that #1, the priming compound in most .22 ammunition produced for general consumption is very temperature sensitive below -10. It will delay ignition in microseconds, causing all manner of grouping instability.
Secondly, as the barrel warms up and cools down with consecutive shots, that will throw accuracy.
Third, powder can be susceptible, as well as bullet lubes, to low temps.
If anything, if shooting in deep cold is your need and accuracy your game (such as small game furr/pelt hunting), I would recommend either match-grade or biathlon specific ammunition. I know Anschutz used to work with a Swedish company that made specific ammunition for deep cold temps, no idea if it is still made.

On a side note, I recommend CCI Stingers. I have found them accurate and effective even in these temps from a heavy barrel .22 rifle at distances exceeding 50 meters.
Click to expand...

Is why rimfire biathlon ammo is a thing.

Uhm. Cartwheel mentioned it already.
Oops
 
Nabs said:
I'd like to chime in, that I have some experience shooting in deep cold (North BC, -30 deg. C. etc)
... I recommend CCI Stingers. I have found them accurate and effective even in these temps from a heavy barrel .22 rifle at distances exceeding 50 meters.
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks.
 
I read somewhere on a forum where a shooter kept his ammo in an insulated lunch/six-pack carrier with some zip-locks holding hot water. Only took out one mags worth at a time. As long as the bags don't leak. A plastic lined thermos would do if you dont plan to shoot a lot. 2-3 boxes of 22 would fit.
 
Buck1950 said:
I read somewhere on a forum where a shooter kept his ammo in an insulated lunch/six-pack carrier with some zip-locks holding hot water. Only took out one mags worth at a time. As long as the bags don't leak. A plastic lined thermos would do if you dont plan to shoot a lot. 2-3 boxes of 22 would fit.
Click to expand...

Good quality cooler with pre-heated glycol freezer packs work like a charm. (Just go easy on the microwave time to avoid mess in the microwave….)
 
Buck1950 said:
I read somewhere on a forum where a shooter kept his ammo in an insulated lunch/six-pack carrier with some zip-locks holding hot water. Only took out one mags worth at a time. As long as the bags don't leak. A plastic lined thermos would do if you dont plan to shoot a lot. 2-3 boxes of 22 would fit.
Click to expand...

Problem is the Henry is tube feed. Mag’s (especially rotary) have mass to keep heat longer, tubes not so much. Your concept does work. I use hand warmers.

OTOH, you could just shoot out the truck window with the heater on, like hunting. Kidding. Lol.
 
Buck1950 said:
I read somewhere on a forum where a shooter kept his ammo in an insulated lunch/six-pack carrier with some zip-locks holding hot water. Only took out one mags worth at a time. As long as the bags don't leak. A plastic lined thermos would do if you dont plan to shoot a lot. 2-3 boxes of 22 would fit.
Click to expand...

Problem is the Henry is tube feed. Mag’s (especially rotary) have mass to keep heat longer, tubes not so much. Your concept does work. I use hand warmers.

OTOH, you could just shoot out the truck window with the heater on, like hunting. Kidding. Lol.
 
OTOH, brass from semis gets underfoot while you're drivin' or down your shirt :eek:
For my Marlin-60 I have 2x 'bubba Spee-d-loaders' - holds 60 rounds = 4 reloads each 'loader. Made from clear vinyl water tubing and cut-off .308 cases wrapped with clear packing tape and a piece of 1/4" rod to 'stiffen'. Cost about $5 for tubing, $2 for rod and some used cases. OR you can import them from Ohio for about $50 + shipping - from Tilsonburg or Amazon.ca BUT both are OUT OF STOCK right now. Maybe caught by ITAR ?
I'd keep mine in front of the car heater vent going to the range, and only bring out one at a time. Or a really long cooler ;)
View attachment 556082
 
Buck1950 said:
OTOH, brass from semis gets underfoot while you're drivin' or down your shirt :eek:
For my Marlin-60 I have 2x 'bubba Spee-d-loaders' - holds 60 rounds = 4 reloads each 'loader. Made from clear vinyl water tubing and cut-off .308 cases wrapped with clear packing tape and a piece of 1/4" rod to 'stiffen'. Cost about $5 for tubing, $2 for rod and some used cases. OR you can import them from Ohio for about $50 + shipping - from Tilsonburg or Amazon.ca BUT both are OUT OF STOCK right now. Maybe caught by ITAR ?
I'd keep mine in front of the car heater vent going to the range, and only bring out one at a time. Or a really long cooler ;)
View attachment 556082
Click to expand...

Haha, to keep them warm does the model of your vehicle blow heat when not running?
 
Southcountryguy said:
Haha, to keep them warm does the model of your vehicle blow heat when not running?
Click to expand...

Doesn't take long to run thru 60 rounds :rolleyes:. . . And I warm some 50-boxes there too, for my other toys. But my SKS doesn't mind the cold, the Chinese surplus must have come from Manchuria. ;)
 
I just tested some ammo at 4C through my T1X. The Biathlon versions of Eley Match and Tennex were both significantly less accurate than the non-Biathlon versions. At -27 to -30C, I tried some CCISV in my 10/22 that normally groups right around 1 3/4” at 100 for 10, and it had opened up closer to 2 1/2”. I shoot offhand mostly when it’s too cold for better groups, and I keep the rifle and ammo in a running vehicle when it’s below -15.
 
Try using Biathlon 22lr. , I have had great luck with SK Sport Biathlon and Lapua Extreme. This ammo is made for cold weather biathlon shooting . Tesro and Nordicmarksman both carry these brands
Regards George
 
I've long known that hunting in real cold is when a single shot bolt action .22 comes into its own, I now realise it's best if the shooter loads only as needed and keeps the ammo in a warm pocket.
 
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