Tips to keep warm/prepared in Winter at Outdoor ranges

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jackolo

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So I've gotten a lot of good info from this site so far about all aspects of firearms usage, care and etc but I was hoping to get some tips about just keeping warm when outdoors.

I'm just getting into firearms and have only been to an outdoor range a handful of times in fair weather. I'll be looking at going to Spruce Grove and Genesee starting in February. I'm used to the cold being born in Alberta and doing plenty of outdoor ice hockey in -20c conditions. With that though, I am moving a lot and it keeps me warm as opposed to being more stationary.

Aside from layering up, keeping those Hot Hand pads readily available (maybe stick some in my boots), and taking occasional breaks to warm up in my car, are there any other tips from the outdoor cold weather veterans? Would one of those propane powered radiant heaters be worthwhile at all?

I'll more or less just suck it up and go when the time comes but I'd like to be prepared. Thanks for your help!
 
Layers is the most important. Layer yourself properly and you'll be OK. Ive got a fleece base layer and LOVE it.

Keep your hands and head warm. You lose most of your heat through your head. Dont get dressed to early. Leave it until you get their. Especially your feet.

For my hands, I prefer two layers. A light glove covered by a heavy insulated snowmobile/leather mitt

Buy quality clothing!

A heater seems like a waste of money to me. If its possible, make a fire. A good tip is to get a metal bucket and build the fire in that. Makes it easier to put a grate on it for toasting lunch too

EDIT - Fires at a range are probaly a no no, lol. Save that for crown land shooting
 
I would load my mags in the car with my gloves off. Then put the shooting gloves back on and go out and shoot. Leave the gun outside though as hot and cold temps produce condensation. With that in mind I would add the mags into the cleaning rotation after a range trip such as this.
 
This princess uses a small portable propane radiant heater under the bench at the range! :D

Why deny yourself such simple pleasures? :p

Mr_Heater_Portable_Buddy_Heater-3.jpg
 
Im all about lighting fires, a few of them... I love the smell of the smoke and the !BOOM! of the full bore round... gets me all giddy just thinking about it...then there is the cook out... my friends are always ranting at me about how much food I bring just to cook over the fire.

I like the idea of using a metal bucket, I think I`ll collect a few of those 4 gallon paint buckets and make a grate for the top.
 
NO LUBRICATING OIL! My father came out for the last EOHC winter milshoot. He'd used some thin penetrating solvent on the No.7's bolt and it stuck. I forget what we did to unstick it, but then he froze his fingers firing. I single loaded standing beside him, while he pulled the trigger barefingered and worked the bolt with his mitt back on.

I've discovered those Lycra balaclava hoods. Wear one against your skin, with one or more tuques and you're all set. I also have a good set of Nylon outer and quilted lining snowpants, probably designed for skiers or boarders. Great in the wind. Something else I've found are fleece lined jeans. Better than an extra pair of longjohns for coolish days. The only problem is I have to worry about is getting the layers to lie flat and not work their way down. You know, a man has to do his #1 and #2 throughout the day.
 
Besides dressing appropriately of course I use a couple of pairs of gloves, when one set gets cold I put them under my jacket to warm up, keep alternating. That and disposable hand warmers / toe warmers help a lot on cold days if you're not moving around that much. Thermos full of hot coffee, tea or soup is nice too.
 
All the clothing you bring is useless if you sweat inside the car in all of your layers and then just let that sweat freeze outside and freez your sack off...i keep my boots and as many layers off (jacket hat gloves) while enroute than pop them on when i get there. A nice thermos with your favourte hot bevvy will work wonders as well
 
I have shot a fair bit outdoors this winter and so far the best thing other than what was mentioned above is shoot from an inclosed area if possible on the windy days. I find that the wind is the worst part.

reload your mags with thin gloves on, the mechanics gloves from Crappy are great for this. Once you grab a metal mag with your bare hand it takes a while to get warm again.

I am fortunate and most of the times I have been out to the range I was the only one there so I was able to park very close to the shooting area so I was able to get a quick warm up in the truck when needed while keeping an eye on my gear.

IMO pack light. Bring out only a couple guns. Summer is the time to bring em all out not -20 + wind. Have a plastic shovel with you and different targets incase the target stand is frozen to the ground. Shooting at a plastic jug filled with snow sitting against the burm is better than 100 paper targets with nothing to staple them to. Just clean up before you leave.

Bring a thermous of a warm drink but be prepared for a piss break LOL

Cactus
 
adrian84 said:
+ 5 in cowtown tomorrow! Probably gunna bust out my hawaiian shirts and shorts to the range. lol
Click to expand...

We Hate you too!:p
It's too dang cold here to shoot without freezing your hands.:confused:
(For me anyway, I'm an old fart- with the rhumatiz, arthuritiz, hairyarm pits and a runny nose):eek::(
 
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