Motownstan
New member
Shooting on a cold snowy day is the best especially on weekdays. I have the range all to myself. Rifles with stripper clips are easiest to handle with gloves on.
I don't care how cold it gets,,,
- Thread starter aarondhgraham
- Start date
i have to convince the wife to go when it is cold
(more like: beg)
i usually offer to let her stay in the car so she can keep warm
i bought her a handwarmer, but she doesnt like the smell of the lighter fluid
once the snow gets too deep, though, then all bets are off
might have to deal with a couple inches this weekend, but that is okay
could be one of the last times....but....last year at this time, we already
had gotten about 3 feet of lake effect, which quickly put a damper on things
(more like: beg)
i usually offer to let her stay in the car so she can keep warm
i bought her a handwarmer, but she doesnt like the smell of the lighter fluid
once the snow gets too deep, though, then all bets are off
might have to deal with a couple inches this weekend, but that is okay
could be one of the last times....but....last year at this time, we already
had gotten about 3 feet of lake effect, which quickly put a damper on things
Magnum Mike
New member
I wont shoot when I see dogs stuck to fire hydrants
!
!warbirdlover
New member
Well, it was 27º F this morning. Packed everything up and drove 30 miles to the range and got lucky and got a bench in the enclosed, heated area. Put my targets up and got back to the bench and ..... forgot my ammo. And I have boxes of it. I decided to just get my money back and try another day when my senility wasn't running rampant... 
I could have drove 10 miles and bought more ammo but I was too PO'd at my most recent "senior" moment...
I decided to just get my money back and try another day when my senility wasn't running rampant... I could have drove 10 miles and bought more ammo but I was too PO'd at my most recent "senior" moment...
bigautomatic
New member
A thermos of hot chocolate will do wonders. Also, I can't remember the brand, but last year I found some chemical toe warmers that were thin, not like the ones that feel like a piece of plywood in your shoe. They had an adhesive on one side to stick to your sock and not slide around. Need to find some more. When all else fails, build a fire! (in a safe place of course).
thedaddycat
New member
I have used the chemical heat packs, I think they have iron, salt and carbon or something like that. The chemical reaction is like super fast rusting that gives off heat. Anyhow, I have what looks like shoe inserts that have a open space at the toes to fit the heat packs into. It keeps them from feeling like you have a pencil under your toes.
I have also used the hand warmers in my pockets and put them inside my gloves, depending on what I'm doing. If it's something like sitting at a late season football game then pockets get the nod. If it's sitting on stand where I need to be able to minimize movement and have my hands ready or hold the bow then inside the golves (either in the palm or on the back of your hands) is the way to go.
I've even used safety pins to hold the large size ones on one of the under layers of shirt over the kidney area on both sides. It will keep you pretty warm even in the coldest weather, but the down side is that if you start getting too warm there isn't much you can do so it's best to not put them in place until you're afield.
I have also used the hand warmers in my pockets and put them inside my gloves, depending on what I'm doing. If it's something like sitting at a late season football game then pockets get the nod. If it's sitting on stand where I need to be able to minimize movement and have my hands ready or hold the bow then inside the golves (either in the palm or on the back of your hands) is the way to go.
I've even used safety pins to hold the large size ones on one of the under layers of shirt over the kidney area on both sides. It will keep you pretty warm even in the coldest weather, but the down side is that if you start getting too warm there isn't much you can do so it's best to not put them in place until you're afield.
HAMMER1DOWN
New member
I once was man enough to attempt to call coyotes in -21 below weather. I had long johns and other layers on underneath my carhart bibs and hunting coat all topped off with "onesy" snow camo suit I had made. Stayed nice and toasty but it didn't matter. Those Montana coyotes were hearin my calls but weren't about to come out haha!
Willie Lowman
New member
40 degrees? Suck it up. Put on your wool socks and hat and go.
If you need to feel warmer, listen to To Build a Fire by Jack London on audio-book while you shoot.
If you need to feel warmer, listen to To Build a Fire by Jack London on audio-book while you shoot.
FairWarning
New member
Cold weather only makes me want to shoot MORE, especially in the snow! I love cold weather, the crisp, clean air recharges my batteries. 
I'm far less likely to shoot when it is very hot.
I'm far less likely to shoot when it is very hot.
It was 40 yesterday i was shooting in blue jeans, boots, and a decently heavy camo pull over with a T-shirt on. Fingers got semi-cold but i didn't care. I'm at that point like you aron i'm shooting and nothing is stopping me 
It's more than likely going to get in the 20s-30s in the coming weeks, but i have some under armor long johns that keep me warm with only one layer of clothing in 15 degrees during duck hunts. Only part that's going to actually be hard is keeping my fingers warm.
Agreed, i shot once this summer down here with 100% humidity on most days it's miserable, i was ringing wet at 9 in the morning. Barrel heated up after 4 rounds. Shot yesterday after a 7 shot string barrel was fine hehe cold helps a little.
It's more than likely going to get in the 20s-30s in the coming weeks, but i have some under armor long johns that keep me warm with only one layer of clothing in 15 degrees during duck hunts. Only part that's going to actually be hard is keeping my fingers warm.
fairwarning said:
Agreed, i shot once this summer down here with 100% humidity on most days it's miserable, i was ringing wet at 9 in the morning. Barrel heated up after 4 rounds. Shot yesterday after a 7 shot string barrel was fine hehe cold helps a little.
It hit 60 yesterday and I stayed home! Mostly because if I went my wife would miss out for the second week in a row. We're going this afternoon.
I went a couple of years ago in the snow and it was a lot of fun to shoot trap with a pure white background. We don't get that kind of chance very often in SoCal. Even then it was about 32.
Mostly because if I went my wife would miss out for the second week in a row. We're going this afternoon. I went a couple of years ago in the snow and it was a lot of fun to shoot trap with a pure white background. We don't get that kind of chance very often in SoCal. Even then it was about 32.
aarondhgraham
New member
Well, I went shooting,,,
By the time I got to the range at 11:00,,,
It was the days high of 48 degrees.
I wore levis and a flannel shirt, a jersey hoodie, and Carhartt overalls,,,
I did take a pillow to insulate my buttocks from the metal chairs,,,
And since I don't own any insulated boots I did take a blanket,,,
I cut half of the trigger finger off a pair of old jersey gloves.
I took my scoped Henry Accubolt and shot 100 rounds of .22 LR.
I didn't do too badly,,,
I was shooting at my 4" spinner,,,
I was shooting at 100 yards and hit it 61 times out of 100.
Again, not too badly for a cold, shaky,,,
Fuzzy eyed sixty year old man.
Happy for the trigger time,,,
Viva single-shot rimfire rifles.
Aarond
By the time I got to the range at 11:00,,,
It was the days high of 48 degrees.
I wore levis and a flannel shirt, a jersey hoodie, and Carhartt overalls,,,
I did take a pillow to insulate my buttocks from the metal chairs,,,
And since I don't own any insulated boots I did take a blanket,,,
I cut half of the trigger finger off a pair of old jersey gloves.
I took my scoped Henry Accubolt and shot 100 rounds of .22 LR.
I didn't do too badly,,,
I was shooting at my 4" spinner,,,
I was shooting at 100 yards and hit it 61 times out of 100.
Again, not too badly for a cold, shaky,,,
Fuzzy eyed sixty year old man.
Happy for the trigger time,,,
Viva single-shot rimfire rifles.
Aarond
BigMikey76
New member
I live in Nebraska, and I have a difficult time thinking of 40 degrees as cold, but it is all relative, I guess.
There are a few key things to remember when dressing for outdoor activities in the cold.
1) Dress in layers. The seperate layers of clothing allow warm air to get trapped in between the layers which keeps you warmer. Also, if it warms up while you are out, you can make adjustments by removing just a single layer instead of going from all to nothing.
2) COTTON IS THE DEVIL!!! It is ok to have cotton in your outer layers (jeans, for example), but the inner layers -especially the one right against your skin - should never be cotton. I recommend a polypro thermal base layer. Wool will also do fine, but it may be a bit warm for the kind of weather you see down there.
3) Add extra layers for your core. If your core gets cold, your body responds by reducing blood flow to your extremities in order to make sure your vital organs keep working right, which results in cold hands and feet.
4) Keep your head warm. Your body vents a large amount of its heat through your head, so a good knit cap is an essential item.
Example layered outfit for cold weather (I would wear this at about 10 - 15 degrees, but it works up to about 40 without making you overheat):
Polypro thermal base layer pants and shirt - avoid the name brands here. Wally World has their own brand for about 1/3 the price of what you will find at the sporting goods stores, and it works just fine.
Fleece vest - again, look for a good price. I actualy bought a fleece jacket with a full length zipper (12 bucks at Walley World) and removed the sleeves. I then made the sleeves into a fleece neck gaiter for colder weather.
Windproof jacket - I recommend nylon for this. There are lots of newer fabrics that will do the job, and maybe even better, but nylon is cheap, effective, and naturally water resistant. I would also suggest one with a hood and a light fleece lining. This one from Dickies is cheap and works nicely:
http://www.constructiongear.com/dic...ined-33-237.html?lsku=CSGJMDK1000016630-BLK-S
Socks - go with wool or a wool/poly blend to keep your feet warm and dry. These will not be cheap, but this is not an area to skimp.
Gloves - get a pair that fits, but has some extra room. Being too tight ruins their ability to insulate. I like a glommit, myself - all the warmth benefits of a mitten mixed with tactile advantages of fingerless gloves. If your winters are windy, make sure your gloves are windproof.
There are a few key things to remember when dressing for outdoor activities in the cold.
1) Dress in layers. The seperate layers of clothing allow warm air to get trapped in between the layers which keeps you warmer. Also, if it warms up while you are out, you can make adjustments by removing just a single layer instead of going from all to nothing.
2) COTTON IS THE DEVIL!!! It is ok to have cotton in your outer layers (jeans, for example), but the inner layers -especially the one right against your skin - should never be cotton. I recommend a polypro thermal base layer. Wool will also do fine, but it may be a bit warm for the kind of weather you see down there.
3) Add extra layers for your core. If your core gets cold, your body responds by reducing blood flow to your extremities in order to make sure your vital organs keep working right, which results in cold hands and feet.
4) Keep your head warm. Your body vents a large amount of its heat through your head, so a good knit cap is an essential item.
Example layered outfit for cold weather (I would wear this at about 10 - 15 degrees, but it works up to about 40 without making you overheat):
Polypro thermal base layer pants and shirt - avoid the name brands here. Wally World has their own brand for about 1/3 the price of what you will find at the sporting goods stores, and it works just fine.
Fleece vest - again, look for a good price. I actualy bought a fleece jacket with a full length zipper (12 bucks at Walley World) and removed the sleeves. I then made the sleeves into a fleece neck gaiter for colder weather.
Windproof jacket - I recommend nylon for this. There are lots of newer fabrics that will do the job, and maybe even better, but nylon is cheap, effective, and naturally water resistant. I would also suggest one with a hood and a light fleece lining. This one from Dickies is cheap and works nicely:
http://www.constructiongear.com/dic...ined-33-237.html?lsku=CSGJMDK1000016630-BLK-S
Socks - go with wool or a wool/poly blend to keep your feet warm and dry. These will not be cheap, but this is not an area to skimp.
Gloves - get a pair that fits, but has some extra room. Being too tight ruins their ability to insulate. I like a glommit, myself - all the warmth benefits of a mitten mixed with tactile advantages of fingerless gloves. If your winters are windy, make sure your gloves are windproof.
TheNatureBoy
New member
I get my best work done during the coldest months of the year (Feb and March) up here in Virginia. By then the hunters are done till spring, the fields are clear, and I can shoot as far as as want to. Over the past 3 years I've invested in some very good cold weather gear that makes it a lot easier to stay outside as long as I'm moving around a bit. That coupled with a thermos of hot coffee and I'm good to go for a few hours.