shooting in cold temperatures

Jump to latest Follow Reply
I just got done shooting both the cricket and the matador outside. I set both guns outside for 1.5 hours and the temp started at 32 degrees fahrenheit and dropped down to 28 degrees when I started shooting. The POI for the matador dropped another mildot from this afternoon so I was holding over 2 mils. The POI for the cricket was almost off the sight picture where as this afternoon I was holding 2 mils. The matador held an ok group at 50 yards but I was getting a flyer one out of every 4 or 5 shots. The cricket couldn't hold a group. Pellets where hitting all over. According to these two guns, there is a noticeable difference in POI if the gun is left in the cold. I'm not sure if cold temp affects the tank pressure, hammer spring, or the grease for the hammer. The matador's hammer looks different then marauder's hammer but I don't remember what the cricket's hammer looks like so I doubt the cold temp affects the matador's hammer very much. The breech was also very cold against your cheek.
 
Upvote 0
"wyshadow"I just got done shooting both the cricket and the matador outside. I set both guns outside for 1.5 hours and the temp started at 32 degrees fahrenheit and dropped down to 28 degrees when I started shooting. The POI for the matador dropped another mildot from this afternoon so I was holding over 2 mils. The POI for the cricket was almost off the sight picture where as this afternoon I was holding 2 mils. The matador held an ok group at 50 yards but I was getting a flyer one out of every 4 or 5 shots. The cricket couldn't hold a group. Pellets where hitting all over. According to these two guns, there is a noticeable difference in POI if the gun is left in the cold. I'm not sure if cold temp affects the tank pressure, hammer spring, or the grease for the hammer. The matador's hammer looks different then marauder's hammer but I don't remember what the cricket's hammer looks like so I doubt the cold temp affects the matador's hammer very much. The breech was also very cold against your cheek.
Click to expand...

You are probably experiencing the effect of the lube freezing causing lighter hammer strikes. If you hunt in cold temps especially freezing or colder you need to use appropriate lube on moving parts or they will freeze up. Based on your example it sounds like the longer they sat outside the slower they were shooting. If thats the case it sounds like the lube is getting thicker as they get colder. I live in western MT and hunt in temps as cold as -30 degrees F. I just spent the last week shooting my new Scorpion and temps went from 50 degrees to 8 degrees F and the Scorpion had no issue with the temp swings. Remove the lube from the hammer and see what happens or try a lube thats designed to work in freezing temps.
 
Upvote 0
This may or may not be relevant;
Anecdotal evidence from personal accounts or first hand knowledge, that cold and altitude affect exterior ballistics;

First hand knowledge;
In the 1980's the Warfighting Labs specified the M16A2 barrel twist be 1:7 (very FAST twist) in order to be effective to -40F/-40C (same temperature) at sea level... Arctic contingency... the densest atmosphere on earth. The 1:7 twist was essential in those conditions, and only those conditions.

Personal experience;
Testing the same East German .22LR rimfire with known lot of ammunition, firing 40 gr ammo from a 1:19 twist barrel (VERY slow twist)
  • Poor performance in humid conditions, at or near sea level, 30ft ASL, Temp 55F Alvin Texas
  • Much better performance at 2,120 ASL, Temp 96F, 29 Palms MTU California
  • Superior performance at 4,430 ft ASL, Temp 99F, Butterfield Range NM
The rifle in question is widely regarded as an "Albatross". I had it on good authority that it was superior in high desert "summer" matches. Found it to be true...
at the other end of the spectrum, its accuracy diminishes significantly in cold, dense air near sea level.
 
Upvote 0
"LDP"

You are probably experiencing the effect of the lube freezing causing lighter hammer strikes. If you hunt in cold temps especially freezing or colder you need to use appropriate lube on moving parts or they will freeze up. Based on your example it sounds like the longer they sat outside the slower they were shooting. If thats the case it sounds like the lube is getting thicker as they get colder. I live in western MT and hunt in temps as cold as -30 degrees F. I just spent the last week shooting my new Scorpion and temps went from 50 degrees to 8 degrees F and the Scorpion had no issue with the temp swings. Remove the lube from the hammer and see what happens or try a lube thats designed to work in freezing temps.
Click to expand...
Very good points !!
Use to live in Freedom Wyoming, and at those temperatures, the oil in our manual transmissions made the shifter feel like a boat paddle in a tub of peanut butter.
The wrong lube would likely have a similar effect on an airgun hammer/striker.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu