Shooting rimfire in the cold
- Thread starter tommy88
- Start date
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Biathlon isn't a good example as you are dealing with acceptable accuracy. As targets range from 1.7 to 4.5" you either hit or miss.
We shoot F class in the winter.
We shoot F class in the winter.
You been talking to that guy from Loogey Lake ??
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I do notice some ammo drops faster than other. Accuracy opens up like a inch.
Leuchtkafer
Member
Avoid Eley non-biathlon ammo since the lube is wax based and gets hard, use a biathlon ammo which has lube formulated for cold weather and is loaded a little hotter to make up for the velocity decrease standard ammo experiences. Maybe use dry graphite lube in your firing pin mechanism instead of oil as well. Let the ammo stabilize to the ambient temperature, and shoot a few sighters every time you've let the rifle rest to do a target change or whatever before shooting for score.
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I tested S&B Canadian Match from 11 to -3 and only dropped 9 fps average. I was using a Caldwell chrono at the time which would shut off once it got too cold. Not the greatest scientific analysis. I think it’s Graphite Coated.
Edit: went into my strelok pro app and pulled the logged numbers.
MV averages are always 20+ shots.
1147 @ 11
1145 @ 0
1138 @ -3
Edit: went into my strelok pro app and pulled the logged numbers.
MV averages are always 20+ shots.
1147 @ 11
1145 @ 0
1138 @ -3
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I shot every day it is above -16 and sometimes a degree or two cooler. Below that scores suffer a bit.
As said above not really relevant. I will add that SK Biathlon is biathlon in name only. I've shot Lapua biathlon ammo and found it didn't make a measurable difference.
Post #8 is good info. Carbon rings will form earlier. Dress warm. I move fast to keep the barrel warm for as long as possible. But seriously, -10C is not cold.
Velocity drops. I've only needed a squib rod the once...
Other tip is to have a bagload of magazines for your favourite .22, charge them up in the warm, then have a session as long as it takes to cycle through all your mags then go warm up.
Other tip is to have a bagload of magazines for your favourite .22, charge them up in the warm, then have a session as long as it takes to cycle through all your mags then go warm up.
Yeah, but is that true for the three different Eley biathlon loads, "Biathlon Club" and the two shown below for competitions, all of which I assume are among the best choices for the cold. Of course, biathlons are called in true subzero conditions, last time in Canada it was for colder than -20.
https://www.eleyammunition.com/biathlon-ammunition-22lr/
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As Williwaw suggests above, there may well be a temperature below which accuracy performance falls. But at least down to as low as a few degrees below freezing, non-biathlon .22LR match ammo certainly remains accurate. It probably does down to the temps referred to by Williwaw.
In many cases, cold temps affect shooters more than ammo. Shooting doesn't always involve the movement needed to help generate warmth.
Some shooters keep their ammo in a warm container. I keep it at ambient temps so that some rounds aren't warmer or cooler than others due to variations in time exposed out of heat. Whatever method is used, it's best not to have significant differences in ammo temp from round to round.
As others have noted a difference between match biathlon ammo and standard match ammo is average MV. Biathlon ammos are a little faster, for Lapua it's a nominal 1106 fps vs. 1073 fps. Lapua biathlon bullets are shaped differently to aid in chambering in repeater biathlon rifles. Eley bullets appear unchanged but the cartridge itself has a slightly smaller diameter to assist in chambering.
While any differences in Eley biathlon match ammo lube and Eley standard match ammo is not known, Lapua has confirmed that the lube used on all Lapua .22LR ammo is the same.
In many cases, cold temps affect shooters more than ammo. Shooting doesn't always involve the movement needed to help generate warmth.
Some shooters keep their ammo in a warm container. I keep it at ambient temps so that some rounds aren't warmer or cooler than others due to variations in time exposed out of heat. Whatever method is used, it's best not to have significant differences in ammo temp from round to round.
As others have noted a difference between match biathlon ammo and standard match ammo is average MV. Biathlon ammos are a little faster, for Lapua it's a nominal 1106 fps vs. 1073 fps. Lapua biathlon bullets are shaped differently to aid in chambering in repeater biathlon rifles. Eley bullets appear unchanged but the cartridge itself has a slightly smaller diameter to assist in chambering.
While any differences in Eley biathlon match ammo lube and Eley standard match ammo is not known, Lapua has confirmed that the lube used on all Lapua .22LR ammo is the same.
Leuchtkafer
Member
My apologies for the confusion, I have edited my post with a correction.
Cold trigger fingers suck.
