Winter shooting shelter, what you use to keep warm???

surfclod

surfclod

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
46   0   0
Location
S.E Saskatchewan
Was testing out a recent purchase (used Savage .223 heavy barrel single shot) yesterday in the cold and snow.

Opened up both doors of the truck, rested the bipod on the passenger seat and the rear bag on the drivers seat. Still I was darn cold and uncomfortable, plus optics fogging from my breath; learned that the gun has potential (just a bit over MOA with Winchester White Box) but not really a true test.


Some of you might have a permanent shelter at your range to shoot at (which would be great) but nothing like that here.


Instead I bought an ice fishing tent off of kijiji and hope to pop that over my shooting bench and fire up a little propane heater. Will see how it works during the holidays.

Anyone have a similar or alternative setup to keep you skills sharp during the cold winter months???
 
I set my shooting mat up in the living room with my rear bag just like I would at the range and let off thousands of imaginary .1" 15 shot groups. I shoot a little in the winter, but I wait for decent weather.
 
I shoot in -35 to +35.... Wear the right clothes and head out.... If my gun or lube can't keep up, sell it... Good base layer is your main layer. I sold my 1911 using frog lube. Now I am using a Glock with G96...we will see how my precision Rem 700 does this winter. I do most of my shooting in the winter. No bugs no people.....
 
Last edited:
I did one stellar group in cold conditions a few years back.

A buddy and I planned an early Saturday range day/morning a few weeks in advance but the day ended up being -20 with snow. We did some load tests while cursing the cold the whole time feeling the results were of mediocre value. Began packing up and rather than put away an MTM 50 round box with 5 rounds of 204 Ruger left I decided to blast them off rapid fire. 5 shots in 12 seconds and got a .350" group; more luck than anything but I think part of it was the total lack of pressure or nerves; just wanted to be out of the cold.

But a 12 ounce trigger is of limited value when you no longer can feel your fingers.
 
I have a window in the back of my saddle shop, right beside the wood stove, that looks out onto one of my 100yd ranges.

Half of the bench is inside, half is outside the window.

No cold, and no muzzle blast! :)
 
Maybe a popup blind would be better then the ice fishing shack, the popup is made for shooting out of. I made it two hours the other day then my digits couldn't take it anymore.
 
rl4930 said:
I set my shooting mat up in the living room with my rear bag just like I would at the range and let off thousands of imaginary .1" 15 shot groups. I shoot a little in the winter, but I wait for decent weather.
Click to expand...

Classic...., try aiming at the TV next time when a nature show is on, that's the Best for indoor hunting...... Come on, we all do it right?????
 
As an extension of the OP's question what do you do with your gear in the cold? Pre chill it? Try to keep it warm? I find if my ammunition is warm at all and any snow touches it it melts and freezes leaving ice on my ammo.
 
Last edited:
Kerosene forced air heater setup nearby, couple of shots then a warm up. Helps when you are trying to test loads with different temperatures all in the same sitting too! You end up with lots of friends at the range huddled around the heater.
 
Tested my shooting shelter today.....

Got all my plans together and spent Christmas day out shooting.

It was -22 C out today so it was certainly a reasonable test to my theoretical system for keeping comfortable while winter shooting.

Spotted my newly build "sturdy" bench in place......


Then I set up my ice fishing shelter and dropped it over top.....
(note, barrel poking out window).


Had a propane radiant heater and coffee to keep it toasty inside.....



What I learned though is that the temperature difference between -20 outside and comfortable inside creates a mirage like I have never seen before. Such that it was not possible to do any serious precision work. It was trying to shoot at a target that was behind a waterfall.

Was hoping to test some ammo types in my Shultz & Larsen to see what its capable of but shooting the 36x target scope with that mirage was a real challenge. Instead I just shot at my metal swinging target at 100 yards but found that I run out of scope adjustment. So some MOA inserts for my zee rings are in order.

Did get to try out my 223 a bit more, but with the heavy mirage and cost of that ammo I called it quits after 6 rounds.

Blasted off 100 rounds of .22lr so the day was enjoyable in that regard.
 
surfclod said:
Got all my plans together and spent Christmas day out shooting.

It was -22 C out today so it was certainly a reasonable test to my theoretical system for keeping comfortable while winter shooting.

Spotted my newly build "sturdy" bench in place......

Then I set up my ice fishing shelter and dropped it over top.....
(note, barrel poking out window).


Had a propane radiant heater and coffee to keep it toasty inside.....


What I learned though is that the temperature difference between -20 outside and comfortable inside creates a mirage like I have never seen before. Such that it was not possible to do any serious precision work. It was trying to shoot at a target that was behind a waterfall.

Was hoping to test some ammo types in my Shultz & Larsen to see what its capable of but shooting the 36x target scope with that mirage was a real challenge. Instead I just shot at my metal swinging target at 100 yards but found that I run out of scope adjustment. So some MOA inserts for my zee rings are in order.

Did get to try out my 223 a bit more, but with the heavy mirage and cost of that ammo I called it quits after 6 rounds.

Blasted off 100 rounds of .22lr so the day was enjoyable in that regard.
Click to expand...

That would have been the hot air escaping out the window;)
 
20151205_142649_zpsmgezgchz.jpg~original


Also serves to help clean up after others
 
The DND research guys have a custom built trailer that they can shoot out of. It has heat, air and just about anything one could think of for making testing in any weather possible.
 
CGNer's dedicated shooting building

I was PMed by a fellow CGNer who wanted to share his solution to winter (and spring, summer & fall) shooting.

He emailed me these photos, (and a few more) and gave permission to post them here.

Seems like a nice little cabin or garden shed....


But with a funny shaped and large shuttered window on the back...............wait......whats that protruding out the opening???



Keeping warm while shooting in the winter. (Or bug free in the other three seasons)


With a wood stove to keep warm and plenty of room for other projects.


Opens up for good weather, and room for a friend.



This well set up CGNer said he has "Target backstops at 300- 600- 900 and 1000 yards"

As well as another building "in an old gravel Pitt at the back of the farm. It's only 80 yards but great for .22's , lever guns and the SKS"


It has certainly given me some ideas for future plans for an "off grid cabin" and/or a private (CFO approved) restricted range.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom