Precision Shooting in sub-zero temperatures

TheSil3nce

TheSil3nce

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Quebec - FR
Hello All,

Winter is coming and I want to know if you gentlemens shoot your precision rigs outside in sub-zero temps.

How do you prepare the rifle? Any tips or is it a big no-no. I don't care much for velocity loss but does it foul the barrel faster?

I have identified a few nice spots where I can really stretch my rifle's legs and it's easily accessible with my snowmobile,

Thanks for any feedback!
 
We shoot as much as we can in the winter if it's -20c, but our 600 to 1,000 targets areshot out of a heated tower. 25 to 500 is shot outside on our standard outdoor range
I wear heavier under clothing and a good , sensitive glove on my right hand.
Cat
 

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I shoot out in the cold every winter, granted here -20C is about as cold as it gets and it's normally more like -5 to -10. Our range isn't heated though and I also shoot a lot on crown land on spots that I can access by either sled or on snowshoes. You don't need anything special for your rifle, just dress for the cold. Gloves are the hardest part. I find a thin liner glove inside larger/warmer gloves or mitts works well. Just remove the over glove for shooting.


Photo 2020-12-24, 11 47 33 AM.jpgPhoto 2020-12-24, 11 30 25 AM.jpg
 
rugbydave said:
I shoot out in the cold every winter, granted here -20C is about as cold as it gets and it's normally more like -5 to -10. Our range isn't heated though and I also shoot a lot on crown land on spots that I can access by either sled or on snowshoes. You don't need anything special for your rifle, just dress for the cold. Gloves are the hardest part. I find a thin liner glove inside larger/warmer gloves or mitts works well. Just remove the over glove for shooting.


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That is an awesome view; great spot !
 
oneadam12 said:
Once they get cold let the rifle and ammunition stay cold. Condensation freezing on either is a bad thing.

Powdered graphite or silicone based lube is a must once you get a little below -25.
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This. We shoot in winter and the only issue, other than cold hands, is improper lubricant on the bolt.
 
If reloading, you may need to increase your powder charge and/or switch to a hotter primer. Just watch the temp ranges where this is necessary.

If using modern extruded powders, I found this to be more reliable then trying to keep the ammo warm (never stays that way unless you only single feed).

I use a synthetic lube on my firing pin spring, and whatever else needs regular lubing like the lugs and bolt body (same lube all year long). By the time it gets cold enough to matter, I will not be shooting.

Jerry
 
Just be careful with sitting in a cold.
I was playing hero once as well.
During covid hysteria over winter one day I got cold at my 300M range and until midnight started bleeding from my bladder.
Wife packed me to an Emergency, but during covid no surgeries were allowed unless life threatening.
The blood clotting was very severe, a second day "they" finally gave up and did the surgery.
Problems with bladder health ever since.
 
As said before, over lubrication and condensation are not your friends.

If the oil on your firing pin is visible, there is too much oil on your firing pin.

Avoid going in and out. Once the rifle is cold, leave it cold if you can. If you MUST warm it up, remove the magazine and bolt and leave everything open until the inevitable condensation dries out completely. Do not take it back out into the cold unless you are 100% sure it is dry inside and out.

Last winter, I started putting cold ammo into sealed ziplock bags before bringing them in, keeping the condensation outside the bag until it warmed up. Was a PITA, but seemed to work.

I know you don't care about velocity loss but, as you plan on stretching it's legs, it would be a good idea to get some chrono data and see how temperature is affecting MV.

And spend some time before you go training yourself to not breathe on your scope.
 
EXCRider said:
As said before, over lubrication and condensation are not your friends.

If the oil on your firing pin is visible, there is too much oil on your firing pin.

Avoid going in and out. Once the rifle is cold, leave it cold if you can. If you MUST warm it up, remove the magazine and bolt and leave everything open until the inevitable condensation dries out completely. Do not take it back out into the cold unless you are 100% sure it is dry inside and out.

Last winter, I started putting cold ammo into sealed ziplock bags before bringing them in, keeping the condensation outside the bag until it warmed up. Was a PITA, but seemed to work.

I know you don't care about velocity loss but, as you plan on stretching it's legs, it would be a good idea to get some chrono data and see how temperature is affecting MV.

And spend some time before you go training yourself to not breathe on your scope.
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I kinda force myself to exhale "down" to keep condensation off the ocular, if that makes sense.
 
rugbydave said:
I kinda force myself to exhale "down" to keep condensation off the ocular, if that makes sense.
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It does make sense and I'm pretty sure I do something similar. What gets me is dialing: I'll move my head to see the turret and the ocular gets it! Hopefully, my new bifocals are going to help that. LOL!
 
If you are doing the small primer thing on say a 308 or 6.5cm size case, be aware they may not work in the cold. or produce hangfires, w/o going to mag primers, depends on the powder primer combo too.
 
TheSil3nce said:
Hello All,

Winter is coming and I want to know if you gentlemens shoot your precision rigs outside in sub-zero temps.

How do you prepare the rifle? Any tips or is it a big no-no. I don't care much for velocity loss but does it foul the barrel faster?

I have identified a few nice spots where I can really stretch my rifle's legs and it's easily accessible with my snowmobile,

Thanks for any
Click to expand...
 
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