Cold Weather Shooting

[grimreaper1973]

Didn't see anything on this site specifically concerning cold weather conditions, so I wanted to start a brief forum for discussion. I just started shooting recently and since the weather is cold here I wanted to know the effects the weather would have upon my rifle and my marksmanship.

I did get a bit of good information here:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/31-70/Appd.htm

Your rifle will warm up due to the heat generated from the firing of it.
The more you fire the warmer it will get.
The less frequently you fire the less it will warm up.
Apparently the rapid heating and cooling can impact performance of the firing mechanisms.
I have been shooting due to the concerns above in 3 shot groups with each shot separated by 30 seconds of time. The FM manual above mentions the amount of heat that can be generated (I'm assuming in the M-16) as between 200 to 700 degrees depending on fire frequency. Some marlin .22 model 60 figures would be nice if anyone has them, but the bottom line is if you are going to fire in cold weather, you are taking a chance at ruining your rifle.
I try to let my rifle sit in a cold spot in the basement where the cold always comes right through the wall or, if the kids aren't home, out in the garage in its case. Never let the rifle go from warm to cold or vice versa rapidly, as the materials that make up the rifle will expand and contract at different temperatures, causing cracking in the stock at the least. It may, I'm guessing, warp the firing mechanisms as well. Any information about this would be appreciated from readers.

[RAM]

I gotta ask what the hell kind of fun is it shooting in weather cold enough to freeze your fingers to the weapon? :eek:

I love shooting but I must admit that frost bite and having to shoot a gun warm to defrost the fingers isn't my cup of tea... or iced tea as the case may be! :D

[Brownie]

One of the reason more rifles have been seen with synthetic stocks over the years.. No warping, change of zero, cracking, etc.

Any real extremes in temp will affect zero on the gun. Sighting it at 90 degrees F will change the bullet impact when the rifle is fired in colder climates like 20 degrees F.

Extremes in temps should be avoided if possible as you mentioned by letting the gun acclimate to the weather. Also, the ammo you use will shoot faster the hotter it is. In extreme cold, especially, the bullets fps will suffer by as much as 100 fps.

Your rifle will warm up due to the heat generated from the firing of it.
The more you fire the warmer it will get.

In cold weather, long strings of fire, and reloading fairly quickly can heat up the barrel some, but unless you immediately reload another mag and rap them off, the barrel's not going overally warm. Normal shooting, even with semi autos using highcap mags and having fun, will cool fairly quickly in cold weather if let sit for just a few minutes.

[grimreaper1973]

That's good...I was thinking that due to the smaller size of the round it would generate less of a temperature difference. Now finding people who want to shoot in this type of weather...maybe I could start an outdoor winter competition...whoever shows up to shoot the most times wins a prize...

[grimreaper1973]

Yes, you never want to have your finger freeze to your rifle. With that being said, don't let anyone fool you if they tell you licking the barrel will help it cool down more quickly; you'll be stuck on the range with a mouthful.

What Is Extreme Cold Weather (ECW)?

What constitutes extreme cold and its effects can vary across different areas of the country. In regions relatively unaccustomed to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered “extreme cold.” Whenever temperatures drop decidedly below normal and as wind speed increases, heat can leave your body more rapidly.
These weather related conditions may lead to serious health problems. Extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies in susceptible people, such as those without shelter or who are stranded, or who live in a home that is poorly insulated or without heat. Acclimatization to the weather conditions will reduce weather related problems.
Statistically a home should be evenly maintained at 65 degrees to help prevent illness, but with extreme cold you may not be able to do so and other complications may arise from alternate backup heat sources. You may have to cope with power failures and icy roads. Space heaters and fireplaces increase the risk of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Especially in confined spaces, where wall outlets service many appliances and create a heavy load on the electrical line, and in maintenance sections around pipe if used to prevent freezing must be monitored to ensure a pipe burst does not create an electrical/fire/water hazard.
Exposure to cold temperature can cause other serious health problems.
When temperatures drop below normal, heat can leave your body more rapidly. The colder it gets the faster the heat leaves, putting more demand on your body for calories to continue conversion of sugars and calories into energy.
Muscles will start to involuntarily convulse and shiver in an effort to create this heat energy. Unless you are in a survival situation or some other circumstance applies, it is best to move around and maintain circulation to your extremities. Gloves are never as good as mittens for preserving heat (I call gloves in ECW situations "finger-sicle makers"), and any moisture or dampness in socks will sap the heat right out of your feet as the wet areas cool down.
Wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing to insulate your body by trapping warm, dry air inside. Loosely woven cotton and wool clothes best trap air and resist dampness.
The head and neck lose heat faster than any other part of the body. Your cheeks, ears and nose are the most prone to frostbite. Wear a hat, scarf and turtleneck sweater to protect these areas. If you aren't protected properly you eventually WILL get frostbite if you stay out in the ECW long enough.
The extent of frostbite is difficult to judge until hours after thawing. There are two classifications of frostbite:

* Superficial frostbite is characterized by white, waxy or grayish-yellow patches on the affected areas. The skin feels cold and numb. The skin surface feels stiff and underlying tissue feels soft when depressed.
* Deep frostbite is characterized by waxy and pale skin. The affected parts feel cold, hard, and solid and cannot be depressed. Large blisters may appear after rewarming.

What to do?

1. Get the victim out of the cold and to a warm place immediately.
2. Remove any constrictive clothing items that could impair circulation.
3. If you notice signs of frostbite, seek medical attention immediately.
4. Place dry, sterile gauze between toes and fingers to absorb moisture and to keep them from sticking together.
5. Slightly elevate the affected part to reduce pain and swelling.
6. If you are more than one hour from a medical facility and you have warm water, place the frostbitten part in the water (102 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit). If you do not have a thermometer, test the water first to see if it is warm, not hot. Rewarming usually takes 20 to 40 minutes or until tissues soften.

What not to do

1. Do not use water hotter than 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Do not use water colder than 100 degrees Fahrenheit since it will not thaw frostbite quickly enough.
3. Do not rub or massage the frostbite area.
4. Do not rub with ice or snow.
5. Do NOT allow re-freezing as the prior frostbite affected areas
will develop more extreme second occurrences at a faster rate than unaffected areas and spread more quickly.
Hypothermia, as compared to frostbite, occurs when the body loses more heat than it produces. Symptoms include change in mental status, uncontrollable shivering, cool abdomen and a low core body temperature. Severe hypothermia may cause rigid muscles, dark and puffy skin, irregular heartbeat and respiration, and unconsciousness.

Treat hypothermia by protecting the victim from further heat loss and seeking immediate medical attention. Get the victim out of the cold. Add insulation such as blankets, pillows, towels or newspapers beneath and around the victim. Be sure to cover the victim's head. Replace wet clothing with dry clothing. Handle the victim gently because rough handling can cause cardiac arrest. Keep the victim in a horizontal (flat) position.

Finally, the best way to avoid frostbite and hypothermia is to stay out of the cold. Read a book, clean your rifle or watch MacGuyver. Be patient and wait out the dangerous cold weather. And keep your tongue off the barrel. :)

[E.Shell]

One of the reason more rifles have been seen with synthetic stocks over the years.. No warping, change of zero, cracking, etc.The synthetics are great from this aspect.Any real extremes in temp will affect zero on the gun. Sighting it at 90 degrees F will change the bullet impact when the rifle is fired in colder climates like 20 degrees F.With fully floated barrels (not possible with many rifle designs) and properly torqued synthetic stocks, rifle-induced changes in point of impact are usually not too dramatic.Extremes in temps should be avoided if possible as you mentioned by letting the gun acclimate to the weather. Also, the ammo you use will shoot faster the hotter it is. In extreme cold, especially, the bullets fps will suffer by as much as 100 fps.This ammo variation is the biggest factor once the rifle reaction is controlled. Many powders are extremely temperature sensitive. Shooting .308 loads made up with milsurp IMR4895 in 20o weather last winter, I was able to change point of impact by 3 feet at 1,000 yards by using ammo stored in the rifle magazine at 20oF, then pulling rounds out of my pants pocket at 80oF.

Some of the more modern powders are marketed as "extreme", meaning the effects of broad temperature variations are lessened, but it is still very important to gather and use data that reflects the firing environment.

One other thing that is often unnoticed at closer ranges, but becomes increasingly important at longer ranges is the effects or temperature on air density. Cooler air is denser, and thus present greater drag on the bullet. Barometric pressure varies with weather and physical altitude, and also has a big effect on air density. The effect of changing air densities is quantified by the aeronautic term "density altitude", and in extreme cases can make 1-2 MOA difference in your point of impact as well.

[DocH]

Pretty good scientific information there,Ed.....and welcome to the forum.:)

[E.Shell]

Thank you DocH!

[Brownie]

Ed does seem to add a lot of information to be considered in the discussion here.

Having taken long range rifle training myself [ counter-sniper at H+K, Sterling, VA back in 94-95 I understand much of what he is talking about but not to the extent his post mentions.

Doc, you're right, it is scientific information. As a science, the more one studies in that discipline, the better at calling the shots under any conditions.

I'd like to be as well versed as Ed in this field as well.