Cold Weather and Carbon Fiber

Frigid temperatures have set in across most of North America, and many of us are finding it increasingly difficult to do outdoor activities. Shooting sports can be both enjoyable and difficult after a heavy snowfall. You may find noise levels perceivably dampened in an open snowfield, while white-painted steel targets are more difficult to find. Ask the competitors at the 2024 NRL Hunter match in Pueblo, CO. Let's discuss some practices that will set you up for success regarding your rifle and the winter weather!

Before setting off into the snowy hinterlands, I apply a light coat of gun oil to any non-finished metal surfaces. Oil displaces water, and this barrier will keep your rifle in tip-top shape. Areas to consider include: the chamber and bore, bolt, muzzle break, the exterior of a stainless or blued barrel, and any bolts exposed to the elements, i.e., scope mounts and action screws. Once oil is applied, wipe down these surfaces with a clean shop rag. The amount remaining is plenty.

NOTE: Carbon Fiber and Cerakote barrels do not need gun oil, though the oil will not hurt the finishes. 

Once afield, avoid snow accumulating on the rifle and scope, particularly on moving parts like the magazine bottom metal/ floor plate, bolt handle, safety, or ejection port. If snow does accumulate, brush it off quickly and avoid crushing it, then perform a function check. Packed snow is much more difficult to remove. Sometimes, snow gets on lenses. At a minimum, I recommend an objective lens cap to cover the glass when not actively aiming. Keep a microfiber lens cloth and a lens bulb in a waterproof pocket. A few puffs of air in the center of the lens will drive moisture to the edges, where the microfiber can easily remove it. Using only a lens cloth results in a smudged lens.

Take specific measures to seal your barrel's end to prevent snow, ice, and other debris like pine needles from falling in. I keep a roll of electrical tape in my pack when hunting and recreating with firearms in these conditions, as well as a few rubber bands to ensure the bolt is not inadvertently opened when traveling through heavy brush. I have had the misfortune of a bolt being frozen shut with a round in the chamber due to ice, pine needles, and tree sap falling into the bore while on a hunt. Keeping a cleaning rod in your pack is necessary in this situation and is the sole reason I opt for a rod over a bore snake when carrying a rifle in the backcountry.

Avoid rapid temperature changes when returning indoors or to a warm tent, like placing the rifle near a fire or heater. This will cause condensation inside the rifle at best. At worst, you could catch your rifle on fire. Instead, keep it near a door or window. Likewise, when moving outdoors, any lenses will likely fog up and may need several minutes to acclimate before a sight picture is possible.

NOTE: Keep ammunition in stable temperatures and dry.

Know your offset or re-zero. When traveling to a destination, the elevation and climate in which the rifle was last zeroed are different from the conditions in which we find ourselves shooting. With a ballistic app like Hornady's 4DOF and checking the rifle's zero once on the ground, apply an offset to the zero. This takes the guesswork out and ensures a greater chance of success. Cold weather and elevation can have an effect on external ballistics if the difference is extreme enough. Make sure the temperature data and elevations are accurately measured and accounted for. After this, update your range card. I prefer to use a physical card that is easily accessible on an armband or mounted to the rifle instead of relying on electronics to function.

A simple range card has a lot of advantages in the snow. 

CARBON FIBER IS BETTER IN THE COLD

Cold weather and metal aren't known for being tenets of comfort. Consider carbon fiber composite stocks that insulate against the cold in addition to gloves and other cold weather equipment. Not only are they the lightest and strongest stocks and chassis available today, carbon fibercomposite is impervious to moisture. Whereas wooden stocks will swell over time, creating inconsistencies and affecting accuracy.

Check out this awesome video on our YouTube channel!

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