Shooting in the cold

[Alex Wheeler]

To those of you who shoot their bench guns year round, what have you noticed from summer to winter? I am trying to continue my shooting in the winter months, but I can't seem to shoot a group. I don't know if I am just more tense due to the cold, or if the rifle shoots differently due to cold steel. The groups are not going vertical like I'm out of the node, I tend to get wild shots. Which would tend to say its me, but I am concentrating very hard to be consistent and I believe I am. What experiences have you guys had?
Merry Christmas,
Alex Wheeler

 

[Terry]

Alex

Try keeping your ammo warm till fired.

 

[Milo 2.0]

To those of you who shoot their bench guns year round, what have you noticed from summer to winter? I am trying to continue my shooting in the winter months, but I can't seem to shoot a group. I don't know if I am just more tense due to the cold, or if the rifle shoots differently due to cold steel. The groups are not going vertical like I'm out of the node, I tend to get wild shots. Which would tend to say its me, but I am concentrating very hard to be consistent and I believe I am. What experiences have you guys had?
Merry Christmas,
Alex Wheeler

I had to check your profile, being from Montana, the reason you're messing up is, it's cold out there. I try not to shoot if under 45 degrees, that's about my limit these days without wearing gloves. About the second time you have to jump in the truck to warm up it's over.
I shot Monday, 30 degrees, 13mph wind coming right at us, I made it 13 shots before I had to warm up. Lasted quite a bit longer the next string, with a leather glove on shooting hand. If there's no wind, it's bearable at best, but when your fingers are freezing, your eyes watering, go drink beer.
Also, the DA was 4200, the actual elevation is 4700 ASL, so dopes were off by a mile anyway, very rarely is the DA below 5500.

 

[johara1]

Alex, Ask Tom and the gang…… LOl…. jim

 

[Alexander-M]

Alex,

I have shot in 10°F weather, with little or no wind, and have had no problems. Years ago I switched to Varget because of its reputation for being less affected by temperature, and so far so good. Here in the St. Louis area we need to be able to shoot in 100° to 10° and lower, and it makes for a good 'experience', to say the least.

Good luck,

Alex

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I need to get out one of my guns with a known good load to see what I can do. I am working with a new gun that seems to want to shoot but I can't duplicate any of the good groups, it will always toss a shot. I just moved back to the cold so I havent shot below 40 in awhile.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Alex, Ask Tom and the gang…… LOl…. jim

Ya I had better learn quick if I want to play with them guys. ;D

 

[MTlager]

Alex, What part of MT you in. Be able to make it to Deep Creek this spring?
Lonnie

 

[hedditch]

Dress very warm, use hand warmers and gloves. We shot at Whittecar Rifle Range on the 19th of Dec. Our little self directed match lasted three hours and it was time to quit. The cold soaks in after a while. I shot my 6 PPC using N133 and everything worked good. Then I shot my 6 BR using Varget and it worked good.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Alex, What part of MT you in. Be able to make it to Deep Creek this spring?
Lonnie

Dillon. I plan to shoot all season next year at deep creek. I am really looking forward to it.
I am gonna head out with my dasher that I know shoots very small and see what I can do.

 

[MTlager]

Welcome, I'm in Deer Lodge about 90 miles North along I-90 on the way to Missoula. Used to have some other shooters from Dillon in the club, but didn't see them last year. Glad to see some new shooters in the club.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Thanks, at the rate I'm going I wont be much competition. I went out and shot my dasher, lousey. Its my f-class gun so I was shooting it prone. I moved up to the bench to try free recoil and my gun decided to start firing when I close the bolt because my Kelbly trigger quit. The cocking piece rides over the sear in the trigger, and the trigger is still cocked. Took it all apart, nothing broken, still does it. Put a jewell in when I got home, works fine. So I guess my Kelbly doesnt like to be cold. I think I will wait till spring.

 

[hedditch]

MTlager,
Does Deer Lodge have a range or is Deep Creek the closest. How about Butte or Anaconda?
Dave

 

[82boy]

I have shot year around and can not say that I see much of a difference at all. (Shot in temps from 10 to 100 degree f.) The main thing is you have to be more careful of your contact with the rifle. Heavy jackets, gloves, and hats, can interfere with the bench, and the gun. Pay close attention that your not moving the bench, or the set up with your bulky clothing. Pay attention to you body, make sure you stay warm, no too warm, and don't fool your self when your cold. Take breaks, and warm up. I find that the cheap thin mechanics style gloves work great. (Like Menards pushes with their name for $4.99) Hunting Mitts with the finger cut out can be a pain in the butt. A good shooter I know uses cold weather golf gloves. You may have to tweak the load a bit, depending on powder. (6PPC shooters shooting N133 really step it up and shoot loads on the very hot side of things when it is cold or damp.)

 

[82boy]

One last thing to consider with cold weather, watch grease and lubes as they get gummy. They can also travel into weird places. You may have to use a different grease, or keep the tube in your pocket. I douche my trigger with lighter fluid before and after use.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I think the issue is the clothing. Hard to tell how much your on the gun. I have been doing some research. It seems like I need a different pin in my Kelbly trigger to give more sear engagement.

 

[SS427]

I shoot in the winter months more than the summer. Often shoot in 30-40 degree weather but rarely colder. Some of my best groups and aggs have been shot in these conditions. Winds are usually light and predictable. The range is often deserted.

We have a covered three sided shelter build over our benches with a wood stove going full bore. When the cold starts to really set in, wander down and hang out by the fire. It is a great place for the shooters to wait for barrels to cool and shoot the bull.

 

[MTlager]

hedditch, Deer Lodge does not have a range yet. Have a local club trying to buy some land and build one. Butte has one, called Rocker gun club. They shoot HP Silhouette, match service, f-class, NRA and black powder out to 800 yds. They have a website. I have not been their. Have my own range that I can shoot to a mile and a short range at my house. Deep Creek is 1 1/2 hour away.

 

[johara1]

Alex, I tried changing those pins,If you look real close they should look the same as a RCBS decaping pin. I would say you may have some dirt or old lube keeping it from coming up. Clean it out of the gun and try it inside first. I had that happen this year and it was from lube getting in it…… jim

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Jim,
I have had the trigger apart a couple times. Its clean. There is not enough sear engagement so the cocking rides over the trigger sear. The trigger is still cocked, you can see it through the cut out. It jams the bolt up and you have to pull the trigger to release the sear to open the bolt. This is on a Kelbly action as well. I'm gonna call Kelblys today and see what they have to say. I have the .540 pin in there now, I am sure a .545 would fix it.

Just talked with them, they are sending out a .550 pin. Should fix it.