hunting in the snow ??

Question

am trying to find out how a weapon would do in cold freezing conditions or at -0 weather that gos for the ammunition also
would it function freeze get wet and not work?

If so how can avoid this problem ?

I would hate to need to use it and not be able to get a shot off.

Answer 1

I hunt every year in freezing temps (30 to 0) in all kinds of moisture. If you encounter any moisture a coat of oil is necessary, if no moisture as little oil as possible. My rifles stay outside the whole week that I'm in camp. Do not constantly warm them up then freeze them again. Before each day of hunting, I just ensure the action is freed up and then I go.

Answer 2

You shouldn't have a problem normally. Just make sure you don't have a lot of oil on the gun or it will thicken up and that is bad. The accuracy MAY be a tiny bit off if the weather is getting that cold, but most likely not enough to matter. If you have a bolt or single shot you are pretty much home free, I have never seen one mess up because it was just cold out. Even your gun is not a bolt, my hunting party rarely gets a chance to hunt on over 0 days and gun problems caused by the cold are very rare.

Answer 3

This is the best way I can discribe it. I am going out the next two days to hunt for rabbits in the snow. I love hunting in the snow for rabbits. I am not thinking about the snow much and plan on cleaning the gun good when I get back and try to keep it as dry as I can. I will say it will not be at -0 conditions but it will be below freezing.

Answer 4

So are you using a pellet gun or a regular rifle? As others said, most rifles will function to well below 0-. But there are lubricants designed for this so that they will not gum up, or freeze the action place. Keeping you rifle near the temperature outside is important though. When I lived in Anchorage Alaska, if you kept your rifle warm and then went outside, different metals in the firearm shrink at different rates and sometimes, the rifle did not fire, as well as the problem of condensation in the scope. Your local Fish and Game office guys can help with some Winter firearms maintenance, for your area of the country. Good Luck, and stay warm.

Answer 5

Temperature will not be an issue, but MOISTURE most certainly could be. As long as you keep your ammunition dry you shouldn't ever have problems. As far as firearms are concerned the lower temperatures can "thicken" oil or whatever lubricant you are using, but that in and of itself won't stop the firearms from functioning..

Answer 6

I've shot guns well below zero. Think about it: the inuits hunt with 30.06.....in extreme arctic conditions. Get a bolt action rifle, oil it, load it, and that thing will fire from the bottom of the ocean 100 years from now.

Answer 7

As long as the powder was dry when the round was made it should not be a problem... I have gone hunting as cold as -10F and never had a problem.

Answer 8

when hunting in sub 0 temps it is important to make sure your gun is completely free of any oil or other lubricants. you can degrease your gun by going to your local harware stored and buy and arosole degreaser. just spray this in the action of your gun and give it a few seconds to dry and you will be ready to go. i wouldent worry about your ammo, it will be fine. good luck and good hunting.

Answer 9

There won't be any problem if you lubricate it with powdered graphite.*

Answer 10

that sounds fun!!!! anyway just make sure it is covered when you are hunting so the cold wont get to it as much. good luck to ya!