Effects of cold weather on firing pin

[Prose]

Was discussing small primers for 6.5x47 and 6.5 CM SRP and other moderately sized cases and whether magnum or standard primers are most popular.

Regarding a time I lived in Alaska, we used cold wx greases because the normal stuff would impede or stop the firing pin from making it to the primer. The cold weather reduced the power of the firing pin/spring so greatly that it's very noticeable when dry firing.

My anecdotal evidence was that regular lubes starting seizing at about -10, whereas the cold weather lubes worked to about -40. Once it got colder than that you had to put the bolt in your pocket until ready to fire. I've shot SRP (223 and 308) will 100% success down to -60F so long as the bolt was not allowed to get that cold.

So maybe it's not so much about a SRP not igniting the powder, maybe it's more about the loss of speed and strength from the firing pin to activate the primer. Maybe the debate about SRP in cold wx should be about lube.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Why would you lube anything besides the lugs- especially in very cold weather?

 

[ireload2]

I think a military bolt gun with minimal lube would probably have enough energy at any temperature. Many of the Mannlichers and GEW 88s have huge heavy cocking pieces that should always work.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

There shouldnt be any grease anywhere that would affect firing pin speed

 

[watercam]

I agree. No reason to lubricate a firing pin/spring. I once sold a Swedish Mauser to a gentleman in Montana in the dead of winter. He called wanting to return it as it was misfiring or not firing at all. It dawned on me that it might be much colder there than on the west coast. Suggested he clean the oil form the spring and it worked like a charm.

 

[jr600yd]

-40 to-60? Noooooo..........stay home in my PJ’s, wrap up in my favorite Blakee, hot coco and turn on NetFlix

 

[MagnumManiac]

I agree with Dusty, there should be no grease anywhere near a firing pin or spring. I keep all of my bolts very lightly lubed, it wouldn’t even show on your finger after wiping it.

Before it was banned here, we would sit our bolts, even .22’s, in an ice cream container with leaded gasoline (petrol here) and let them sit overnight, then take out, drain and blow any excess out with compressed air. This worked a treat. The dry residue was visible and it made a difference to firing pin fall.

Just yesterday, I was at a spot that is just below the snowline here (1200mtrs give or take) and it was hovering around -1-0 C degrees, none of my rounds showed any hesitation to fire. I was checking a new crown I put on my 338WM last weekend.

Cheers.

 

[Dans40X]

A dab of EP grease on aft side of bolt lugs.
A dab of EP grease on handle extraction cam surface.
A drop of oil on firing pin shroud threads.

Firing Pins & springs need to be drier than a popcorn fart in the Arctic.

 

[JohnKielly]

.........drier than a popcorn fart in the Arctic.

I'm betting that this is only anecdotal.

 

[243winxb]

Reminds me of the new Rem 700 in 7 mag that didnt fire hunting. Guy took gun hunting with no cleaning. Misfired when the buck appeared.

Worked fine after he cleaned it.

After cleaning, i store rifles with muzzle down.