Author Topic: Cold weather shooting (Read 3048 times)

hortonstn · « **on:** March 16, 2023, 04:40:10 AM »

Does black powder shooting in cold 30 degree temp act the same as in 70-80 degree temp
Accuracy is my concern ?

Semisane · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2023, 05:18:39 AM »

I've never noticed a difference in group size that was weather related. However, sweat in your eyes and foggy glasses when it really hot and humid, or shivering cold can affect the shooter.

Wil · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2023, 12:15:16 PM »

I don't take anything for granted when it comes time to place a humane kill on an animal. Even though I shoot pretty much at any time throughout the year, I always try to re check my zero's in the type of weather conditions that I will be hunting in, no matter what type of firearm I will be using. I have some that hold to zero all year and some that simpy, do not. And yes, there could me an adverse effect on accuracy between cold and hot weather and one of the variables that can affect that is simply the wood stock being affected by the temperature swings.

Daryl · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2023, 08:10:58 PM »

with my 14 bore hunting rifle, there has not been a poi change, no matter the weather, between 110F and -40F. Seems to be unaffected by temp.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2023, 04:26:47 PM »

With the charge you burn Daryl, I think it warms the barrel and countryside on the way out!

At minus 40 I used to like to try and keep my lock inside my coat for fear of busting the mainspring.
Now I don't do minus 40 anymore!

Daryl · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2023, 08:58:33 PM »

We don't either, Richard. One hunt we were on, was -40 all day long. Taylor, my late hunting partner Brad and I - late special weapon's moose hunt. It was pretty cold.
Got skunked.
Too many main springs were breaking at -30 and -40, so we drew a limit to -20F. Over the years, that climbed and changed to C and now if it's freezing at all, it's too cold.
The old hands just can't take it any more.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2023, 08:51:21 PM »

To answer the question, I have never seen a change in poi and accuracy caused by temperature changes. I won a gold medal at the BC Northern Winter games in Ft. St. John, BC, some years ago, shooting an A. Verner styled longrifle with a .50 cal Teonges barrel 43" long. There was a blinding blizzard blowing hard from the left, and one target was clay pigeons hanging at 100 yards, offhand. I broke 5 in a row confident that the rifle would do it's part if I did mine...glory days!

PAhunter · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2023, 03:35:23 PM »

I have hunted in NE PA with both a 54 cal flintlock and a 30.06 in sub 0 yes sub 0 temps. Had no problem at all with hitting what I aimed at.

Austin · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2023, 03:48:46 AM »

Only thing I can blame a miss on is me, not the temp

MuskratMike · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2023, 04:19:30 AM »

Not to rub it in but mowed and edged the lawn today.

Daryl · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2023, 09:06:14 PM »

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA - couldn't resist. Just kook this picture 3 minutes ago. Maybe I'll do mine next week - maybe not.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2023, 09:35:59 PM »

WHY anyone would ask someone from Northwest CANADA about hunting in cold weather defies all common sense and reason

.
Bob Roller

Daryl · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2023, 12:50:46 AM »

I took that picture standing at ground level. The pile of snow at the end of our driveway, is taller than I am & I am standing 2' or 3' taller than it's base. It's also been melting for a week now. I'm 6'1"(or used to be lol)

Too, we aren't the best to ask about cold weather shooting as we don't do much of that any more. Used to, but then with age comes "some" wisdom, or at least we hope it does.

walt53 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2023, 05:29:37 AM »

Daryl my yard looks very similar to yours and it’s trying to melt hear also.preaty soon we”ll be able to go to the range and shoot 🤞😁.walt

Daryl · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2023, 06:12:02 AM »

Sounds great, Walt. We go to the range as long as the temp is up near 0C or higher. Cold weather shooting is getting hard on us old fellas.
The snow seems to have gone down maybe a inch or two today. Just 4' to go. It's still freezing at night and they really doesn't help things.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2023, 04:55:51 PM »

Around here looks like your yard Daryl.
Want to get these targets shot (at!) but the road I kept clear to my range is now under water as it melted there first.
Mind, it freezes at night, but nothing worse than breaking through ice with a truck.
Will get there though, supposed to be cooler again so should firm it up!

Chocktaw Brave · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2023, 05:13:23 PM »

Nice thing about shooting muzzleloaders in the deep snow is you don’t have to look for any brass that melts down in it.

I have had issues with my patch lube freezing up, and getting ice in the jar of Balistol/water mix that I use to clean between shots.

ed lundquist · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2023, 05:26:30 PM »

Nice having heat in the shooting shed.

rich pierce · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2023, 05:43:37 PM »

Quote from: ed lundquist on March 24, 2023, 05:26:30 PM

Nice having heat in the shooting shed.

That is definitely a pro-level setup! Hope it’s a hunting blind too.

ed lundquist · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2023, 06:09:36 PM »

Rich, on the days I can't wander it will allow me a warm nap as long as the deer don't interfere.

walt53 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 24, 2023, 08:29:18 PM »

Daryl sounds like you and Richard are way a head of us as we still have 2 feet on the front lawn and at the range.We are on the cold side of the province.I can’t wait as I got powder this spring and know have some4 f to try and see if I can clear up my problem with 2 f in the main charge.Hope every one is well and ready to shoot if your not already shooting.walt

bob in the woods · « **Reply #21 on:** March 24, 2023, 08:44:27 PM »

We still have lots of snow, with more coming tomorrow. The ponds and lakes are still frozen. I saw some guys out ice fishing yesterday. High of 0 degrees today, so I'm going to print some targets. My wife went to visit our daughter in Kingston, only an hour's drive south, and there was no snow, with the grass starting to green up.
My trees are tapped, and I've started to boil for syrup, so I'll have a nice fire to warm me while shooting

Daryl · « **Reply #22 on:** March 25, 2023, 02:44:03 AM »

Still freezing here for another week or so. After that, the snow will leave quickly.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #23 on:** March 25, 2023, 07:12:51 AM »

They likely said that at the start of the last Ice Age, Daryl!

Daryl · « **Reply #24 on:** March 25, 2023, 08:17:50 PM »

Well, that's just the way it goes.

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Author Topic: Cold weather shooting (Read 3048 times)