rimfire in the cold, what do you know about it?

[jbell]

So I decided to try BM11 rimfire challenge today in the cold to see if I could learn anything. I have been waiting for a nice calm but cold day to try this so I could just see the effect on accuracy not my ability (or lack there of) to read wind. I just copied this from my post in the rimfire challenge thread so sorry if you have already read this. If you don't know about that thread it is 6 groups of 5 rounds shot prone at 50, 100, and 200 yards for size. If you have not already tried it out go shoot it, its a good course of fire and requires a lot of concentration to shoot it all the way through in one session.

It was 15f with little wind, clear and sunny (but dropping fast, damn Maine winter...). I shot Center X at 50 yards and Center X and also Lapua Ploar Biathlon at 100 yards and Center X and Polar at 230 yards (I decided to shoot as far as I could to see most dramatic effect the cold has on these rimfires). Here are the results:

50 yards



100 yards (I shot 2 extra groups just because using a 1/2 mil hold below the target above the 2 extra groups, but I circled them and didn't include them in the average)



230 yards (left to right & top to bottom) : 5.050", 3.809", 2.460", 3.825", 3.128", 3.703"
* the 2 groups to the right that were high were the Polar Biathlon*


Average for 50yds = 0.369"
100yds = 0.936"
230yds = 3.663"

So what did this tell me? First I noticed flyers that I usually don't get with this rifle & ammo combination, they were sporadic and not called. Every shot felt pretty good, however the flyers could of been me after all I was shooting with 2 pair of gloves on (liner and a heaver over glove) and my bipod was on glare ice which made things interesting to say the least. I did put a towel down for the bipod to sit on which usually gives me a bit more grip but this ice wanted no part of that, it was just plain slick!! I also had been chowing on some high sugar foods and plenty of java just a few hours prior so some of this could of been me.

It is easy to tell that the accuracy was not as good as it usually is for this rifle & ammo combo in the warmer weather. But with that being said I was pleasantly surprised with the way it shot considering the temp. As far as the Center X vs Polar Biathlon in cold weather. I just don't see the justification in the 50% or more increase in cost at least not for my Sauer. I also noticed the Polar sounded louder than the Center X but saw no major POI shift at 100 yards, however at 230 yards the POI was 4" to 4.5" higher than the Center X (see the two groups to the right). The Polar also seemed to have much more lube on the bullets than the Center X. I have shot it in the warmer air and never noticed any difference but today the Polar was sticking in the blue plastic trays that they are packaged in. I also felt them chamber and extract just a little harder, but not much. I probably would not have noticed it with any other rifle but the Sauer's bolt just runs that smooth.

As far as bullet velocity in the cold I didn't bother to chronograph the ammo but the drop was consistent with the warm weather. I had 1.9 - 2 mil from 50yds to 100yds and 9.5 - 9.7 mil from 50yds to 230yds. Keep in mind the Sauer has a 26" barrel and therefore drops a bit more than your standard 18" rimfire barrel.

Here are a few pics from today to show the ice I was dealing with:





the 230 yard berm is at the most distant tree line, you can also see the 100yd berm with the old target set up in the center





So that was what I found today in the cold. I plan on shooting more when I get a chance, hopefully in colder weather but with out wind as that really kills what I am trying to see. Usually here in Maine during the winter the cold comes with wind, there are not too many still days to see how the cold really effects a rimfires accuracy. I look forward to hearing from others in what they find while shooting rimfire in the freezer.

 

[jbell]

HA, well it is Christmas...

But I think Ill have to pass. If you ever come to Maine give me a shout and you are more than welcome to shoot it. I know BM11 loves to kick my ass with my own rifle, I am sure you would find it enjoyable as well.

 

[rundm]

I would be blown away if I could shoot my mpr 64 that good at 200 on any day. That is some good shooting for a 22.

 

[russ10x]

So I decided to try BM11 rimfire challenge today in the cold to see if I could learn anything. I have been waiting for a nice calm but cold day to try this so I could just see the effect on accuracy not my ability (or lack there of) to read wind. I just copied this from my post in the rimfire challenge thread so sorry if you have already read this. If you don't know about that thread it is 6 groups of 5 rounds shot prone at 50, 100, and 200 yards for size. If you have not already tried it out go shoot it, its a good course of fire and requires a lot of concentration to shoot it all the way through in one session.

It was 15f with little wind, clear and sunny (but dropping fast, damn Maine winter...). I shot Center X at 50 yards and Center X and also Lapua Ploar Biathlon at 100 yards and Center X and Polar at 230 yards (I decided to shoot as far as I could to see most dramatic effect the cold has on these rimfires). Here are the results:

50 yards



100 yards (I shot 2 extra groups just because using a 1/2 mil hold below the target above the 2 extra groups, but I circled them and didn't include them in the average)



230 yards (left to right & top to bottom) : 5.050", 3.809", 2.460", 3.825", 3.128", 3.703"
* the 2 groups to the right that were high were the Polar Biathlon*


Average for 50yds = 0.369"
100yds = 0.936"
230yds = 3.663"

So what did this tell me? First I noticed flyers that I usually don't get with this rifle & ammo combination, they were sporadic and not called. Every shot felt pretty good, however the flyers could of been me after all I was shooting with 2 pair of gloves on (liner and a heaver over glove) and my bipod was on glare ice which made things interesting to say the least. I did put a towel down for the bipod to sit on which usually gives me a bit more grip but this ice wanted no part of that, it was just plain slick!! I also had been chowing on some high sugar foods and plenty of java just a few hours prior so some of this could of been me.

It is easy to tell that the accuracy was not as good as it usually is for this rifle & ammo combo in the warmer weather. But with that being said I was pleasantly surprised with the way it shot considering the temp. As far as the Center X vs Polar Biathlon in cold weather. I just don't see the justification in the 50% or more increase in cost at least not for my Sauer. I also noticed the Polar sounded louder than the Center X but saw no major POI shift at 100 yards, however at 230 yards the POI was 4" to 4.5" higher than the Center X (see the two groups to the right). The Polar also seemed to have much more lube on the bullets than the Center X. I have shot it in the warmer air and never noticed any difference but today the Polar was sticking in the blue plastic trays that they are packaged in. I also felt them chamber and extract just a little harder, but not much. I probably would not have noticed it with any other rifle but the Sauer's bolt just runs that smooth.

As far as bullet velocity in the cold I didn't bother to chronograph the ammo but the drop was consistent with the warm weather. I had 1.9 - 2 mil from 50yds to 100yds and 9.5 - 9.7 mil from 50yds to 230yds. Keep in mind the Sauer has a 26" barrel and therefore drops a bit more than your standard 18" rimfire barrel.

Here are a few pics from today to show the ice I was dealing with:





the 230 yard berm is at the most distant tree line, you can also see the 100yd berm with the old target set up in the center





So that was what I found today in the cold. I plan on shooting more when I get a chance, hopefully in colder weather but with out wind as that really kills what I am trying to see. Usually here in Maine during the winter the cold comes with wind, there are not too many still days to see how the cold really effects a rimfires accuracy. I look forward to hearing from others in what they find while shooting rimfire in the freezer.

I'd just be happy to be able to have a range like that to shoot at!!!!
Try Iceland in the winter some time!!!!

 

[sinister]

I think you're getting about as good as you're going to get with a quality biathlon cartridge at 15F or lower.

Lapua Polar, Fiocchi Extra, and a couple of other sub-freezing biathlon specialty cartridges are really designed to hit a (small) target at 50 Meters by the Olympic Biathlon course -- anything else past that is gravy.

.22 Long Rifle in Biathlon has only been standardized since 1978 -- everything before that was center fire. Not sure how many people are out there shooting in temps below 20F.

Use a standard NRA SR target at 200 yards in the cold and I think you'll find you're doing exceptionally well. .22 Palma shooters equate a .22 LR at 200 (on the SR target) as the equivalent of a 308 at 1,000.

A Tennebraex or polarizing filter may also help you shoot through the glare off the snow and ice.

These are .22 rimfire holes on an NRA SR-1 highpower rifle target at 100 yards. Your groups would all fit well within the 10- and X-rings if centered-up.

 

[jbell]

Sinister, you know I shoot a lot of score targets with my air rifle but never think about doing it with my 22lr shooting prone with a bipod but I think I will order some targets and give it a go...

 

[sinister]

Maine-iacs are a lot like Rocky Mountain folk -- a little cold doesn't scare you off the range.

I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised how your little rimfire performs below freezing. Beautiful rifle, by the way.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

What do I know about 22lr in the cold? They don't like it. Looks as good as anything I have seen when it is cold at 200yds. Biathlon is a remedy for 200yds, not a dead solid fix. You shoulda shot some Center X along side the Biathlon(paying attention to lube switch of course). I think you would appreciate your results a LOT more with that comparison. My results with summer ammo at 200yds even as low as 50deg, has been dismal at best. Bi-Polar is much better but still won't equal 80deg with a good lot of Center X or Midas.

 

[jbell]

chikn,
I did shoot the Center X with the Biathlon and didn't see much difference in accuracy at all, just a higher POI for the Biathlon. I know the cold (sub 45f ish) takes a toll on rimfire accuracy as can been seen on my targets. But from a lot of the rimfire shooters I know and grew up shooting around and also on other fourms (the general consensus) is that it just isn't worth the time or effort. I was just wanting to see what others are finding. Because although my accuracy isn't close to good warm weather I don't think its so bad that I shouldn't even go shooting in the cold.

 

[komishe]

Interesting.....

You say below 45 takes a toll on accuracy?
I've been watching my groups with centerX turn to crap in the high 30's.

Ive been chalking it up to me being a puss ass bitch in the "cold" (still not counting that out)

 

[armorpl8chikn]

I see that now. What I get for posting 2 days after reading a post. For me it has less to do with, "shooting is better than not shooting", and more to do with "I need that ammo for matches in the summer". Plus I spend winter catching up on all the honey do's I have neglected during the height of shooting season.

 

[jbell]

I hear ya on the saving the good ammo for the summer. I just have been suck with rimfire for a while now as my TRG has been getting a make over, so that's what I have been shooting. I also like pushing the limits at times and if that means finding the coldest days I have free to shoot then Ill be on the range freezing. I enjoy hearing you cant do that, or I would not bother with it and then tring to see what I can good or bad.

 

[Nathan11B]

rimfire in the cold, what do you know about it?

Jbell your post has intrigued me so here are some groups I shot with normal SK Standard + this afternoon.

Here were the weather conditions:
28* F
Winds north @ 5-8mph
91% humidity
Pressure @ 29.73

Average grp: .493
Smallest grp: .217

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jbell]

Nathan, very nice! How far and what rifle?

 

[Middle Man]

This thread made me flash back to Chemistry 101 and ideal gas laws...

 

[Nathan11B]

Nathan, very nice! How far and what rifle?

Range 50 or so yards, I'll have to google earth it. Rifle is a 77/22LR with custom work from a member from rimfirecentral.com. It's the same rifle I shot the challenge that BM started. Been working on proper form when shooting prone, but I still seem to pull shots regardless.

 

[jbell]

I thought that it may of been. Just keep shooting and you will get it sorted out

 

[Nathan11B]

I thought that it may of been. Just keep shooting and you will get it sorted out

Thanks! I'm running out of practice ammo and all I have left is my Eley Match which doesn't like the cold.
So I'm on the hunt.

 

[jbell]

Well I decided to give this a go again.

Today the conditions were less than ideal. It was staying between 11f and 13f with winds at 5mph up to 15mph switching very bad. I hate shooting in switching winds, and today it would come full value left to full value right then mix in some half value with plenty of swirl thrown in for good measure. Long story short it was not easy to get a fix on. I shot center fire for a little over 3 1/2 hours with my 22lr ammo and rifle sitting outside to cold soak. So needless it was all good and cold to include me, haha. I found it interesting that the targets were so cold that several of them just cracked with the first round impacting and chunks of them would fly off as the groups progressed.



50 yards (I didn't have the balls to try any further today )




So as you can see the groups were pretty bad for what this rifle and ammo will do in the summer. Not only were the groups large but there were some weather reports thrown in too (wind blowing the bullets way off). I suppose for 55 rounds a 1 MOA isn't as bad as it can get. Today did show that the Polar didn't really do any better than the Center X. I need to order some Eley Biathlon to try.

Just thought I would give some more info as it is the season...

 

[yoteman]

jbell, dammit man, you must have cabin fever.LOL
i hate working outside in weather like that let a long shoot in it
i have not been able to try any more 5x6 latley
we have had some very uncomming weather here this month!!!
an work keeping us ;out to late to get to the range with any daylight left,
my son has begged to be out an try his 455 rig, but smith has it now putting coat job on all the metal.


i dont know if polar vs center x make much diffirents at 50, but would like to see a report from you at 100yd
when u get a day with light winds, if that every happens there this time of the year.
PS you must have a pare of polar bear pj's on (thats for chikin)

 

[terrible tim]

Damn, makes me shiver just to see this stuff. I was at the range this morning at about 8:00, and it was a chilly 50 this morning for the low. I don't think I could stand it that cold, not after all these years in the desert! Nice shootin'.

 

[jbell]

Tim, thanks. I would love to be able to move out that way. I hear the mountain biking is nice and FAST, not a lot of mud, rocks and roots like here in New England...

Yote, I shot the Polar and Center X in the first post in this thread but the winds were blowing some then just not as bad as this last one.

 

[Hammer47]

Mr. Bell, you are one dedicated sumbitch....... My results in cold weather shooting are nowhere near as good as yours.

 

[bm11]

Yeah, it was a fun day yesterday. Damn cold, but better than sitting inside. I did not bother to come along for the rimfire portion of the session, only the first part where we shot centerfire. Even that seemed a bit off, though it probably was shooter fatigue (cold) more than the effect of the temp on the rifle/ammo.

 

[jbell]

Hammer47, thank you but I think dumb sumbitch would be more accurate I just am to stupid to quit haha

BM11, I agree it was fun! But the weather was starting to wear on me toward the end of the day. I was having a hard time loading those little 22's the dexterity was about gone. I am anxious for the warm weather to come back to us here in Maine, only 5 more moths to go!

 

[yoteman]

Yeah, it was a fun day yesterday. Damn cold, but better than sitting inside. I did not bother to come along for the rimfire portion of the session, only the first part where we shot centerfire. Even that seemed a bit off, though it probably was shooter fatigue (cold) more than the effect of the temp on the rifle/ammo.

you 2 or tuff,
here i am bitching about temps in the teens'

jbell yep i remimber now about your 1st post, sorry about repeating myself, like i said work has been a pian in the ass.
hey jump in a truck head south, we should hit hi 30s later this week, should be short sleves for ya LOL

bm good looking sticks there, info please gotta know. dont show a sexy picture an leave us hanging

 

[bm11]

you 2 or tuff,
here i am bitching about temps in the teens'

jbell yep i remimber now about your 1st post, sorry about repeating myself, like i said work has been a pian in the ass.
hey jump in a truck head south, we should hit hi 30s later this week, should be short sleves for ya LOL

bm good looking sticks there, info please gotta know. dont show a sexy picture an leave us hanging

Just a pair of AI's... Jbells green AIAW 2.0/S&B 5-25 and my AIAX/S&B 3-20/SAS Ti Arbiter.

 

[Rlb40x]

That looks like some fine winter rimfire shooting! One thing about cold weather, your shooting through very thick heavy air, and the wind has much more effect on those little lead bullets than in warm humid air, especially at the longer distances.

 

[jbell]

That looks like some fine winter rimfire shooting! One thing about cold weather, your shooting through very thick heavy air, and the wind has much more effect on those little lead bullets than in warm humid air, especially at the longer distances.

OH I am reading your mail...

 

[Hammertime]

Interesting thread, shot some Eley Match a couple weeks ago in the cold and it or I shot like crap. I just ordered a brick of RWS R-50 and R-100 ( happy birthday to me) . Should be here next week and will experiment. Sounds like the R-100 will handle the cold better, we'll see.

 

[jbell]

Interesting thread, shot some Eley Match a couple weeks ago in the cold and it or I shot like crap. I just ordered a brick of RWS R-50 and R-100 ( happy birthday to me) . Should be here next week and will experiment. Sounds like the R-100 will handle the cold better, we'll see.

I look forward to the results.

 

[jbell]

Yote, from what my parents and brother are telling me it looks like you and armorpl8chikn are having some ideal weather for this thread. How about some show and tell...

but in all seriousness I hope you guys are making it through this winter ok, I know it has been one of the worse in a very long time

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Yote, from what my parents and brother are telling me it looks like you and armorpl8chikn are having some ideal weather for this thread. How about some show and tell...

but in all seriousness I hope you guys are making it through this winter ok, I know it has been one of the worse in a very long time

Dude...I been worried about the strength to even make it to work since about 1/13. I have been sick that long. I have one more Augmentin supository to ingest(no they aint for that end but they autta be...E Normous pills), and I will be done with my run of anti-bionics. The bad news...I still have lungs full of crap and feel like Fezzik is pressing down on my chest every time I breathe.....inconTHEEvable! I am worried about running my 3 Gun match this weekend....I just wanna lay on the couch and cough a while, maybe cuddle up to that codeine cough medicine bottle. yeah...rough winter for me. Same time last year I had the flu, second year in a row my January has been ruined. But I digress...

Yeah we have had the cold <ptthttt> whoopeee, good shooting Bell...you win...now leave me to my meds and my bed.... LOL.....<cough..cough...hack..snort cough>

 

[yoteman]

Dude...I been worried about the strength to even make it to work since about 1/13. I have been sick that long. I have one more Augmentin supository to ingest(no they aint for that end but they autta be...E Normous pills), and I will be done with my run of anti-bionics. The bad news...I still have lungs full of crap and feel like Fezzik is pressing down on my chest every time I breathe.....inconTHEEvable! I am worried about running my 3 Gun match this weekend....I just wanna lay on the couch and cough a while, maybe cuddle up to that codeine cough medicine bottle. yeah...rough winter for me. Same time last year I had the flu, second year in a row my January has been ruined. But I digress...

Yeah we have had the cold <ptthttt> whoopeee, good shooting Bell...you win...now leave me to my meds and my bed.... LOL.....<cough..cough...hack..snort cough>

yep for us southern hiilybillies, bad winter,
my job is almost all outside, yes i'am a wussy,
not as young as i once was,
would not want to even think about working outside up there in bm,jbell land,shit its cold

JL (aka the chikn) i will be there to help all i can (3 gun match) if work leaves me along
bother it is kicking my ass, we need 2 more tech to help, we have built up business that much,
try to get apache on board as salesman, but he stayed at japland LOL
bother if it's that bad call it off, ant worth being sick an running a match to get yourself worst
i think eveyone wil understand, but like i said will help all i can if you don't
maybe a good shot of granny's clear, would burn it out, are make you forget about it an sleep LOL

 

[jbell]

Dude...I been worried about the strength to even make it to work since about 1/13. I have been sick that long. I have one more Augmentin supository to ingest(no they aint for that end but they autta be...E Normous pills), and I will be done with my run of anti-bionics. The bad news...I still have lungs full of crap and feel like Fezzik is pressing down on my chest every time I breathe.....inconTHEEvable! I am worried about running my 3 Gun match this weekend....I just wanna lay on the couch and cough a while, maybe cuddle up to that codeine cough medicine bottle. yeah...rough winter for me. Same time last year I had the flu, second year in a row my January has been ruined. But I digress...

Yeah we have had the cold <ptthttt> whoopeee, good shooting Bell...you win...now leave me to my meds and my bed.... LOL.....<cough..cough...hack..snort cough>

Hey chikn, sorry to hear about it! Not to compare but I understand what you are going threw, I have had my share of lung issues. They can be tough, you just have to be tougher... I wish you a speedy recovery so you can enjoy the warm weather coming your way.

 

[Bill Larson]

Well Done...... good info.........THANK YOU..

 

[Rlb40x]

Eley match and ten X have a pretty heavy lube and I can feel it in cold weather when I push a round into the chamber, it statrs feeling "gummy". Lapua and some others have a silicone based lube on their polar biathlon and is better suited to the cold. That said I've had eley do good in cold weather. I also think 16 twist is a must, I have a 17 3/4 twist benchmark and it lays down a little in the cold. I had a 16 1/2 twist fitted last fall and it is more constant in the cold. I think with the heavier cold air the faster twist helps stabilize the bullet. My 17 3/4 twist flat out hammers in hot humid weather, it especially shines in the wind.

 

[jbell]

Rlb40x, why do you think the slightly slower twist is better in the wind? Not that I doubt you, just interested... How does the 17 3/4 shoot (when its shooting well)? Do you see any difference at longer ranges with that barrel?

 

[Rlb40x]

Rlb40x, why do you think the slightly slower twist is better in the wind? Not that I doubt you, just interested... How does the 17 3/4 shoot (when its shooting well)? Do you see any difference at longer ranges with that barrel?

Hey Jbell, i don't have a good solid reason as to why. but shooting them side by side, slow twist vs the standard 16 twist.I think it has to do with the slower RPMs the bullet is spinning,and less disturbance. A guy I shoot with from PA figured the RPMs between the two, he also shot a benchmark 2 groove 17 3/4 twist like mine.I can't remember exactly, but I think he said 16 twist was around 300,000 and an 1 3/4 less made a huge difference. Like I say I can't remember the exact number but I was surprised of the difference. It just seems like I can get by with shots in a hard wind that would drift further with a 16 twist. But the other side of the coin is I think they need spun at the normal 16 faster twist in cold heavy air, again, not based on anything scientific. I could defiantly see a difference when I had the 16 1/2 twist installed last fall, my slow twist would sometimes key hole a little, when I say keyhole I don't mean sideways just a little more black on one side of the hole than the other. When it's not completely stable the bullet makes a bigger profile for the wind to get ahold of and drift it further. One other unexplained ass backward thing is slower rimfire ammo shoots through the wind better,, I know,,, longer time of flight further drift,,, but it ain't so with rimfire. When you go from super sonic to sub sonic it disturbs the bullet, that's why I think if you start out near sub sonic your better off, 1020 to 1080 fps. This from a Remington 40x McMillan stock Jewell trigger with a 42x night force on top. With good match ammo it will shoot 5 in the low .1s sometimes less, if it shoots over .2 I'm looking for something wrong unless its a really windy day. just my experience shooting bench rest Ara and IR 50/50 matches. The old german suhls had twist rates all over the place, anywhere between 16 and 19. I once had one that was a 19 and it shot well. As far as longer ranges that looks like a great time, just never have tried it that far. That's why I was so impressed with your shooting and nice looking rifle. I love good shooting factory rifles. With custom ones your paying a bunch for that last two to three tenths of an inch. I have a factory martini mark 2 international, I need to get it out and try some long range rimfire, it looks fun!

 

[Rlb40x]

I Forgot to add, all my shooting is only 50yds 50 meters.

 

[jbell]

Very cool, crazy how many variables go into accuracy. I could only whish to have the time and tools (and skills of course) necessary to be able to install my own barrels to play with lengths, twist rates, contours, ect to find accuracy or at least knowledge of what does what. However I think that with my OCD I would never do anything but try different variables and just drive myself crazy.

Thank you for the compliments as well.

 

[Rlb40x]

Very cool, crazy how many variables go into accuracy. I could only whish to have the time and tools (and skills of course) necessary to be able to install my own barrels to play with lengths, twist rates, contours, ect to find accuracy or at least knowledge of what does what. However I think that with my OCD I would never do anything but try different variables and just drive myself crazy.

Thank you for the compliments as well.

It really is. Right down to thumb pressure on the tang, Rimfire's are finikie little bastards! But think they will make you a better wind shooter. I know several good centerfire shooters that shoot rimfire also. Tony Boyer, he sure dosent need an interduction, Alan Hall, Jerry stiller viper actions and many others. It's hard to believe, but i have seen them shake their head and say "damned Rimfire". Centerfire is much easier! Just so many little things go into the equation. I'm going the other way, thinking about having a center fire built, just need to figure out what to shoot, theres so many different games out there. I must say, DO NOT ATTEND A SANCTIONED MATCH, it will drain your wallet, you will think about nothing but rimfire, wind flags and other doodads and drive you crazy,, but it is a mini blast ! Besides, a good factory rimfire will do 75 to 80% of what a custom will do. I've shot matches just south of you in mass, there is a nice club down there that shoots 50/50 and their a great bunch of guys. I started shooting with a factory rig and finished mid pack, so it's not all about the gun.

 

[jbell]

I don't think Ill be shooting any 50/50 anytime soon, but have been fighting the urge to get a 50 meter prone rifle and throwing on a jacket and slinging up...

 

[JG26_Irish]

Cold weather accuracy

We are into our 2nd month of continuous cold here and it has been intermittent cold since November. I been shooting in the cold when I can. I try to wait til it gets into the 30's but I have also been shooting in mid 20's. My best 22 likes the bbl to be warm before it will really print good groups. In the cold, I have noticed that if I stop for even a few minutes to let one of the guys go downrange or any other reason, my barrel cools and it takes 10 or more shots to get it back up to speed. Also noticed that the Lapua lube get hard in that kind of cold, where is is tacky when it is in the 40's or warmer.

I posted a 100yd tgt in the 6 groups of 5 shots recently (not with 22, but with 17HMR) that was fired in weather that was hovering right under freezing. I also seem to see more un-called, un-explained flyers in the cold. It is windy more often and the winds are switchy at our range making any accuracy with the light weight bullets a challenge at best. I think the heavy air when it is cold also hurts the ballistics dragging the velocity down sooner. I noticed this with the 17 as the POI had dropped by about 1" in the cold at 100yds.

I am so done with winter. Ready for some "Warm Up" forecast here for next week. Supposed to be in the 60's. Whoo Hoo! Finally get to see if my Remington will shoot better in warm weather, lol.

Irish

 

[jbell]

HA I hear ya on being ready for warmer weather... It has been well below zero every day here for the last few weeks and hardly gets into the 20's if we are lucky. Also plenty of snow, a foot last Thursday, one more foot or so tonight and then more on Tuesday and that's just 1 week.

Could be worse I guess, might as well make the best out of it and shoot!

 

[Geno C.]

Once I get my computer fired up I'll post the pics. I shot yesterday in less than ideal conditions, about 15 with switching winds 5-10mph. And did I mention over a foot of snow on the bench, I had to plow my shooting lane and the belly of my truck draggin in the snow to get there. I had a bunch of different lots of Tenex and wanted to shoot as much as I could with the weather being above zero! I had done some work on my quad and switched barrels. The groups were impressive to say the least! I can't wait for warmer weather to see what it can really do!

 

[Geno C.]

 

[jbell]

Well here is a bit more info. We have had a heat wave here in Maine so I thought I would shoot my Sauer again. I shot this at 50 yards with light and switching winds (1mph up to 3-4mph) and the air temp was 40f. I know a few of the rounds that got away were me just being an idiot and not shooting well. But still is better than what "tradition" says about rimfire...

 

[steve123]

Good shooting J!

 

[jbell]

Thanks Steve.

It could of been a lot better if I could of held on to those 2 flyers on target #2 and #6. Oh well that's why I keep shooting to attempt to get better...

I am starting to think this rimfire in the cold (say above 20f) that I have always heard about is just an excuse for people to not shoot well. That or I am just lucky to have a temp insensitive combo. However several others have proven it too, so it makes me wonder....