Semi Auto in Foul Weather

D

Danny Boy

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I have a BAR ShortTrac 308 ready for the deer season this fall. Some folks at the range told me they have all sorts of trouble with semi in foul weather – freezing rain, snow and cold temperature.

What is your experience with your semi in foul weather?


Danny
 
My SKS functions perfectly in any weather I've been in: snow, rain, heat, etc. Mind you I live on Van. Island, the epidemy of the word "mild".

-Rohann
 
I hear this jamming argument all the time... quite frankly it is bologne. I have had semis jam on occasion as well... and there was always a reason for it.... they don't fail randomly or by magic!!
The bottom line is that if they are maintained properly this is unlikely.
The other thing is... How long does it take you to pull the bolt manually on a Semi? Longer than a bolt action rifle? Have you ever had the action freeze shut? This jamming argument is just a non issue in real terms.
I have seen more failures with all types of firearms actions including bolts due to human error... short stroking... improper loading... bad ammo... you know what I mean.
 
My old 742 would ice-up, hunting in the mountains when the day went from wet to friggin cold in short order. I nicked my knuckles a couple of times unloading the thing so I'd just drop the mag and fire off the chambered round. A bolt is much easier to cycle when frozen due to the mechanical action offered by both handle length and the camming action. My 742 was very accurate and in any other hunting conditions worked very well.
 
I had the action freeze on my Sauer last season. -28, facing directly N into a 40 k wind. Metal,condensation and cold are the bad combination; not type of action.
 
I had the action freeze on my Sauer last season. -28, facing directly N into a 40 k wind. Metal,condensation and cold are the bad combination; not type of action.
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True.But it can cause the semi auto to not load the next round properly after firing which is what happened in my case.If a quick second shot would have been required,it would not have been possible.On the other hand,it will not hinder the ability to cycle the bolt on a bolt action.
 
The other thing is... How long does it take you to pull the bolt manually on a Semi? Longer than a bolt action rifle? Have you ever had the action freeze shut?
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When you are expecting the gun to fire but nothing happens when you pull the trigger,you will lose time as it will take a second to react to the fact that there is a problem.Then you have to take your finger off the trigger and cycle the action manually and possibly clear the action.The total time will take longer than for someone to cycle the bolt on a bolt action rifle.
 
dry lubes are not the cat's sneeze in semis.
a very light - I said very - lubrication with an oil and then wipe it off. Use synthetic grease on the hi-pressure friction parts.

no rifle is 100% reliable. You'll be far better off than the guy with the Encore, don't matter what... :p

If you'd have jams now.... I wouldn't take it hunting.
If you've never had any, you're OK.

as long as you don't increase substantially the water intake... your rifle will be fine.
as far as freezing goes, hugging is the best practice to thaw... like a babe... :cool:
 
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