Shooting in cold weather

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Prion

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Hey, I live in a cold clime and was wondering about the effects of cold on firearms. The lube I have is rated to some absurd -100F or the like so that is a non-issue. Any other things I should consider or be concerned with besides my fingers and toes/nose? We get sub-zero so we're talking fairly chilly here. I read somewhere that powder is effected at low temps. True? I'm shooting a polymer 9mm and an AR. Thanks.
 
No issues here with my AR. I have taken it out shooting on the top of a mountain, in knee-deep snow, in 1 or 0 degree temperatures twice in the last month--Put over 400 rounds through it, and no issues at all.

I even dropped it in the snow with the dust cover open--knocked the barrel against the sole of my boot once and proceeded to fire 120 rounds without a hitch. I just tore it down real good that night and oiled with Remington Gun Oil.

Edit: I have an AR-15 by DPMS.
 
i shoot in the cold often. the best part is there usually aren't many people if anyone at the range i go to.

a good cleaning after a range trip in cold temps is a good idea.
 
My bulk of shooting time is done in February. Barrel doesn't heat up as much, no one at the range and let's me pretend I'm a Russian Sniper with my 91/30 with PU scope :D

Only thing I worry about really is the possibility of snow/ice getting in the barrel. I've never done it and never put it muzzle down but it's always in the back of my mind.
 
there are three rules of cold weather survival. i can only seem to remember two of them

1. pee in squirts
2. never eat yellow snow

as far as the rifles are concerned, i've heard so many different things i don't know what to believe. the stories about how Accuracy International's "Arctic Warfare" model came to be are pretty entertaining whether or not they're true
 
I haven't shot an AR style rifle up here, but my Ruger Mini 30 never gave me any trouble. There are a lot of other Natives up here who shoot AKs all year long and don't have any problems with them.
 
The coldest I've ever shot in was 23 degrees and raining. Yes rain not snow. I was qualifying in basic training and it sucked but I still got expert. I had no problems with accuracy or reliabilty but it wasn't near the temps your asking about.
 
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