Cold! Still Shoot?

[Smokey Plainsman]

I personally find it miserable to shoot muzzleloaders when it’s cold.

My fingers get so numb and I can’t even feel the things right and end up spilling powder and dropping balls and it’s just not so nice.

Anyone else out there on the internet still shoot during the winter and if so what are some tips n’ tricks to do it without suffering?

 

[LawrenceA]

LOL! Winter is still 80 here. 120 atm (NOT winter).

When I was South it used to drop to about 20 below.
I have found if you shoot a couple of rabbits and skin them for gloves it helps.
Bit awkward but really warm.
Still it was not cold enough for snow to be around very long.
The other thing that helped was stay in the car with the heater on. Not productive but warmer.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

LOL! Winter is still 80 here. 120 atm (NOT winter).

When I was South it used to drop to about 20 below.
I have found if you shoot a couple of rabbits and skin them for gloves it helps.
Bit awkward but really warm.
Still it was not cold enough for snow to be around very long.
The other thing that helped was stay in the car with the heater on. Not productive but warmer.

I love Australia and Australian people, even though I am an American. I’ve been researching your countries roll in WW2 recently and it’s just been fascinating. I’ve also tried Vegemite and think it’s really tasty on toast! !

 

[griffiga]

There’s a group of us guys that do quite a bit of shooting during the winter. Most of them belong to the same civil war group and coming up is our annual Fredericksburg shoot. I use those period wool half gloves in my hands, wool socks, a nice wool Beanie. We also bring hot chocolate or coffee and use a portable fire pit made from a 50 gallon barrel cut in half and placed on legs. Likewise, we shoot a lot of shotgun, both BP and modern. Trick for your gun if there is a chance of light precipitation. Rub car wax on the metal and any slight rust spots wipe right off.

 

[LawrenceA]

WW1 is even more interesting in my opinion.
Look at a term called "Peaceful penetration".
You know when the red baron was shot down the Americans gave the guy a medal.
The Australians gave him a case of beer.

 

[griffiga]

I love Australia and Australian people, even though I am an American. I’ve been researching your countries roll in WW2 recently and it’s just been fascinating. I’ve also tried Vegemite and think it’s really tasty on toast! !

Spent a couple of years in good old Melbourne back in the mid 70’s. Likewise loved the country and the people, but hated the huge flies in summer. I never did acquire a taste for vegemite, but loved their chocolate and Devondale apple cider. Bickies and Milo to all you mates!

 

[firestick]

Hunting is one thing but out shooting ofr practice or plinking is another. I killed a WT doe once in northeast MT and it was so cold and windy when I stepped out of the garage to start the truck my eyes watered and when I blinked they froze shut. I hauled her back to the corral with a wind break to field dress her. NO WAY am I out in that crap to shoot targets or water jugs (ice blocks in this case). Never checked the thermometer but it had to be -15 and a 25mph wind. NOPE NO WAY!

 

[Josephg]

Been wondering how I'll manage the postal targets I get from Marc Smith now that winter is here. Last one was shot in a heavy 20F cold wind. Used my Jeep for a wind break and loaded out of the Jeep. I'm thinkin I'll wipe the barrel real good, pop some caps and wipe again. Load the rifle, put it in a case and set it in the Jeep. Put on my long Johns and woollies. Take along a thermos of hot chocolate. Then head out to my shooting spot on the other side of the mountains. If the snow isn't to deep I think I can manage it. Planning to preload some powder vials and have them, balls and patches in my coat pocket so as to lessen the time for froze fingers. Planning and taking my time, I should have no problems. We get snow and it can get -30 here. -30, I'm staying home. It's only five shots but I know all about cold.

 

[LawrenceA]

Been wondering how I'll manage the postal targets I get from Marc Smith now that winter is here. Last one was shot in a heavy 20F cold wind. Used my Jeep for a wind break and loaded out of the Jeep. I'm thinkin I'll wipe the barrel real good, pop some caps and wipe again. Load the rifle, put it in a case and set it in the Jeep. Put on my long Johns and woollies. Take along a thermpus of hot chocolate. Then head out to my shooting spot on the other side of the mountains. If the snow isn't to deep I think I can manage it. Planning to preload some powder vials and have them, balls and patches in my coat pocket so as to lessen the time for froze fingers. Planning and taking my time, I should have no problems. We get snow and it can get -30 here. -30, I'm staying home. It's only five shots but I know all about cold.

Bugger that for some sick sort of joke. More fun having your extremities stapled to a fast moving train!

Maybe run out and set the target so you can aim through the window from next to the fire!
Sure the missus will understand.

 

[Josephg]

Sometimes............. the things we'll go through for a little fun! Now I wonder, shooting from the seat of the Jeep out the window with the wind rocking the Jeep. That should be the same as offhand, right? If I don't rest the barrel on the door...........

 

[Josephg]

Of course it will help to build moral to have the frau fix a hardy breakfast, start the jeep and clear the driveway first then point the way.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

Pre-Covid, our club held First Sunday of the Month muzzleloader shoots her in Upstate New York. At a range that is known for sideways winds, along the Mohawk River. There have been days when patches were freezing and fingers got numb, be we kept shooting. You learn "Kentucky Windage" real fast when it is 15 degrees with a twenty mile per hour wind! Always a good time. Here's hoping that this can start up again soon.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Nazgul58]

I prefer the cold myself. Grew up in Western NY, we got Lake Effect snow/wind, very cold. Live in the South now and not a fan of the humidity . Like it better when it is below 50 degrees, especially below freezing.

-20 degrees might not be fun though....

Don

 

[Many Klatch]

I have been shooting when it was so cold that the spit patches were freezing in the barrel. Wound up shooting bare ball to finish the match.

 

[Carbon 6]

What do you call "cold" ?

 

[smo]

I go fishing when it’s to cold too shoot......

 

[Bob McBride]

I grew up in Alaska and we played outside when it warmed up to -40. To this day I don’t put on a long sleeve until it drops below 50f. As I’ve gotten old though, I wear Gortex over wool and hand warmers by the dozen when it drops below freezing.....

 

[Billy Boy]

What do you call "cold" ?

Coldest I ever hunted deer with ML was -21 F. Nice gentle breeze brought wind chill to approx - 37 F. Looking back on it now, I really should have talked to a professional earlier in my life.....

 

[Ames]

Pick a warmer day and shoot mid day in the sun. After a few shots the barrel will keep you warm.
Happiness is a warm gun.

 

[mushka]

I moved to Yuma Az to get out of the cold. 31 years of it was plenty for me. It doesn't get really cold here but when it's a little chilly my arthritic fingers let me know how clumsy I am. Only time I consider shooting in the cold is if I get drawn for an elk tag up north. Below fifty is the cut off for a day of shooting. Did I mention that I hate wind, hot or cold?