Shooting in the 'Cold'

[Kamicosmos]

Went to the range yesterday instead of the mall. Well, it was very very crowded, and as such, they had the ventilation system on full blast. Now, this is a non heated indoor range. Outside temp was 37. It was literally colder inside since the system brings in outside air, and blows it directly onto the firing line at your back. The breeze is quite forcefull, it will blow the targets around at about 15-20 yards! I was shaking and seeing my breath. I shot horribly. (I only fired 30 rounds. Normally, all of those 30 rounds would be in the black of an 8 inch bull, but...well. Lets just say quite a few missed the paper entirely...)

I've been kicking myself for not 'being man enough' to shoot well in the cold. And, it wasn't that cold...I've shot rifles a few times outside in the rain and cold. I think it was mostly an issue of mindset. I wasn't expecting the indoor range to be...well. Cold, windy and fridgid.

I'm sure right now someone from Alaska is reading this saying '37! Dang, where's the sunscreen?' while someone from Arizona is saying 'Dang 37! Where's the parkas and snowmobiles?'

Anyone else not shoot well outside of 'normal' conditions for your neck of the woods? Do you do anything about it? I think I am just enough of a wuss to not want to actually plan a trip to the range in the snow and sub freezing weather...

 

[Devonai]

Well, trying to do anything with gloves on is hard enough. I've gone target shooting in all kinds of weather, and down to +12 F. The weapons never minded the weather, but it's definitely harder on the shooter. The cold can have quite a negative effect on my marksmanship. But then, that's why I'm out there.

GitS: Good flick.

 

[nondescript]

Miserable weather conditions make it more likely for me to be at the nearby range, because its more likely to be nice and quiet and empty.

 

[JeepDriver]

I just put on a Carhart jacket and hat and enjoy the shooting! When I'm out doors that is.

My indoor range is heated but the vent do blow right on my head. I have to wear a wool cap while shooting only because I'm bald.

But I'll take the cold over the heat. During the summer months it's unbearable at the indoor range. Even with the fans and the ventalation system running at full speed it's still to hot to shoot very long.

 

[Kamicosmos]

During the summer months it's unbearable at the indoor range.

I don't mind the heat when shooting. ALthough, physically I have to watch the heat when it gets over 95 or so...I've been known to have mild heat strokes....heh.

Well, trying to do anything with gloves on is hard enough.

I think that was the problem. No gloves, no hat (no stocking cap at least, was wearing a ball cap), no scarf. Just my leather jacket. I wasn't expecting the cold inside. The few times I have gone outdoors in the cold, I'm bundled up well, and the rifles don't seem that bad with gloves. And I usually take the gloves off, shoot a few rounds, then put the gloves back on and warm up a bit. Hop in the Jeep to warm up if it's really bad out.

Sounds like I just need to up my toughness and get out in the cold more.

 

[Valkman]

Same thing happened to us the other day - wife wanted to shoot her brand new "first gun", a Ruger Mk II, but the air was freezing and blowing right on her and she couldn't stand it. This is an indoor range and like you my target was blowing all over. Well she did ok until a dweeb* with a rifle set up next to her and the noise from that really drove her away. Have to find a place where she's comfortable to shoot, and I just got my membership to a large outdoor range so hopefully it'll be better there.


*dweeb - guy who shows up with a M4 carbine with every accessory you can buy on it, and then can't figure out how it works. Tried inserting the magazine and firing, finally figured out the charge handle. Never ran the target out past 10 yards, and could barely hit it then. My wife in her first outing shot better than that.

 

[igor]

I've shot decently at -30 Celsius, but obviously no extended stages of prone firing... did staff officer school a couple hundred kilometers north from the Polar Circle.

You need appropriate, comfortable clothing (no Michelin man gear, well thought tailoring) for the weather and double gloves. When it's really cold you don't want to expose anything but the trigger finger for the duration of your COF, so the glove underneath the fur mitt should have a slit for that.

This was last week, something like five below (Centigrade again, sorry for not understanding F ).

 

[M67]

I think it was mostly an issue of mindset.

Probably. Cold is relative. The Alaskan members may remember this year's Iditarod winner. I haven't seen him for years, but I grew up 20 yards down the street from the guy. He said after the race that the challenges were the lack of sleep and motivating the dogs. The cold? He preferred to rest during the heat of the day...

Anyone else not shoot well outside of 'normal' conditions for your neck of the woods?

I used to shoot at an unheated indoor range at a local military installation in the middle of town. It was the basement of an unheated storage building and it was usually colder indoors than outside. So I have tried to shoot indoors in double digit Fahrenheit temperatures (yes, below -10). You don't know what you've missed if you haven't tried a field target match in -20 Celsius, prone in the snow. Do I shoot "outside of normal conditions"? Sure, every time I go to the climate controlled indoor range at my current place of work, with indoor parking ten feet from the door to the range. Hey, I'm not a masochist!

I think I am just enough of a wuss...

Of course you are. You're an American, aren't you?

The flames, the flames! Where did I put my nomex undies?

 

[Monkeyleg]

Don't know what's happened to me the last year or two, but I've been wimping out on shooting in cold weather. Not long ago I'd shoot my pistol when it was as cold as 5 degrees. Shoot a mag, then take pistol and hands into car to warm up both, then back outside for another mag.

Now I opt for the indoor ranges.

Same thing with motorcycles. I used to ride when temps were in the 20's. Now I don't ride until they're in the 50's.

 

[Thrash1982]

Blizzard in Indiana! Well sort of. Not sure how cold it was but I think it was hovering around about 30 degrees or so. But the snow was definately coming down pretty good.

 

[Dionysusigma]

That's the great thing about AK copies... the grips were designed to be used while wearing gloves

This is the first winter that I've ever owned guns. When I went to the range a couple of days ago, I realized how much fun shooting in a cold breeze is. Also, less chance of a gun overheat.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Just digging this up to say I went to the range today, properly bundled up with a big hooded coat and stocking cap, and some nice fingerless gloves, with a pair of full fingered gloves for backup.


I shot much better than last week, about on par with my normal skills. I'm even coming down with a cold, so I don't feel quite as embarrassed now.


Proper Prior Planning and all that.

 

[P-35/53]

I went shooting the other day and it was cold out - 51 in florida. Seriously though the coldest I have ever shot in was 20 below zero. We went target shooting just to try it .

 

[TonyB]

Here in the great north east we got like 18" of snow yesterday.....no shooting just shoveling......I hate winter more and more the older I get....I WILL go to IDPA tonight even if I have to rent a Dogsled........the range I got to has a pretty good indoor range...hopefully I'll get there this week also.......the cold doesn't bother me so shooting outside is OK....if you can get to the range......

 

[Norton]

Based on today's first experience shooting trap (thanks again Dave McCracken!) I'd say that I've found a good winter time outdoor sport.

It's a whole lot easier to load a 12 gauge shell than a 9mm cartridge with gloves on.

 

[yorick]

I love shooting in the cold

 

[Langenator]

Judging from the pics, what's cold here (Ft Jackson, SC) probably isn't cold to a lot of ya'll. But the experience was interesting none the less.

My unit shot M-16 qualification this week-Thursday and Friday. I shot Thursday. Weather was cold (for SC) upper 30s to low 40s with on and off drizzle, showers, and rain. So cold and wet (the wet part is not fun when it comes time to do the 'prone unsupported' portion). It must have been the rain or some other moisture getting into the handguards, but every shot would produce a decent cloud of steam emerging from the vent holes on the handguard. Made the 2 target engagements something of a pain.

Gloves-at least the thinsulate ones I was wearing-didn't give me any problems.

And yes, I qualified-didn't shoot well, just 24 of 40-but overall not bad for doing it lefty for the first time ever and under adverse conditions.

 

[mdsteele]

I went yesterday for about thirty minutes. Indoor, ventilation on full blast and about ten degrees colder inside than out. It was in the twenties I suppose.

No socialising, just do your shooting and get out of there type of thing.

Brrrr!