Cold Truth: How Winter Affects Your Firearms and Ammunition

We all know that extreme cold profoundly affects our ability to hunt and shoot firearms. When our hands get cold or wear extra clothing, we lose the feel for the firearm, affecting our accuracy and timing. But extreme cold can affect our guns and ammo as well. Understanding these effects is crucial for maintaining performance and safety during chilly outings.

Ammunition in the Cold

Cold weather can slow down the burn rate of smokeless powder, resulting in lower chamber pressures and decreased bullet velocities. This phenomenon could potentially alter accuracy, especially over longer distances. Here are some things that can happen when leaving ammo out in the cold:

• Lower Chamber Pressure: The slower burn rate in cold conditions reduces the pressure inside the gun's chamber, affecting performance.

• Decreased Bullet Velocity: With less pressure, bullets travel slower, potentially altering their trajectory and point of impact.

• Temperature-Sensitive Performance: Ammunition stored in colder temperatures may perform differently than at room temperature.

• Ammunition Reliability: Modern ammunition with sealants is designed to withstand cold, but always check for performance under extreme conditions.

Testing your ammo in similar conditions before the hunt would be wise if you know you will be hunting in very cold conditions. You can better understand how the cold will affect your shot and can adapt if needed. Also, storing your ammo close to your body before shooting can help protect it from the cold.

Guns in Winter

Like any metal surface, the biggest problem with firearms in winter is the rapid temperature change from a heated to a cold environment. Firearms brought from cold to warm environments can experience condensation, or "sweating," on their surfaces, potentially leading to freezing issues once taken back outside. This condensation can affect moving parts and internal mechanisms, causing reliability issues. There are a couple of ways to help prevent any issues.

• Let it acclimate: Before doing any maintenance or cleaning, let the firearm acclimate to the environment. Doing this too early can lead to condensation build-up.

• Cold weather-specific lubricants: Use lubricants designed for cold weather performance as standard lubricants can thicken and gum up, leading to malfunctions.

• Field-strip and clean: Before heading out into the cold, field-strip and clean your firearm, applying a suitable lubricant sparingly to avoid attracting dirt or causing jams.

Aside from condensation issues, Metal surfaces become more thermally conductive in cold conditions, which can be uncomfortable to touch and may even cause cold burns if handled without gloves. Having the right pair of gloves that protect your fingers from the bitter cold but also allows you to keep the feel for the gun is crucial. 

Protect Your Firearms and Ammunition Against the Cold

Bracing for winter means more than just layering up; it extends to protecting your firearms and ammunition from the extreme cold. Various products can help ensure your equipment remains reliable and safe throughout the colder months:

• Cold Weather Lubricants: Specialized gun lubricants designed for low temperatures help prevent your firearm's moving parts from freezing or malfunctioning.

• Silica Gel Packs: Placing these in your gun safely absorbs moisture, reducing the risk of rust and corrosion on metal parts.

• Waterproof Gun Cases: These cases protect your firearms from moisture when transporting them in snowy or wet conditions.

• Battery Warmers: For firearms equipped with battery-powered accessories, battery warmers can maintain battery life and efficiency in cold weather.

• Anti-Fog Lens Cloths: For scopes and sights, an anti-fog lens cloth keeps your optics clear, ensuring visibility is not compromised by condensation.

• Heated Storage Solutions: For extreme conditions, heated gun safes or storage cabinets can provide a controlled environment, preventing cold damage to firearms and ammunition.

Investing in these products not only extends the life of your firearms and ammunition but also ensures that they perform optimally, even when the mercury dips.