Rimfire accuracy in cold weather

[ditto1958]

Does cold weather affect .22 accuracy? I tried to zero a scope today with my Marlin 25. I had a target out at 100 yards, and I normally can shoot pretty well from a bench at that distance. The Marlin shoots well, so I know it’s not a problem.

It was cold today, about 8, but the winds were calm, so I hoped I was good to go. Unfortunately, my shots were erratic. I’d get one to go right in where I wanted it. The next shot, though, would seem to curve off and hit 6 inches away- and not in any predictable direction.

It may have been me. Triggers are stiff on cold days, so it’s possible I was jerking the trigger. But I don’t think that was all of it. Some shots that felt good still seemed to have minds of their own. I only had one kind of ammo with me today. It’s supposed to get up in the 30’s the rest of this week, so I’ll try to get back and give it another go.

[JEBar]

just curious .... are you absolutely certain aren't any issues with the scope or it mounting ..

[North Country Gal]

This gets quite a bit of discussion over on RFC and the consensus is, yes, temperature does affect rimfire accuracy, though some brands and loads are more temperature sensitive than others.

Ditto, in your case, I would suggest holding off at 100 yard work and shoot closer in at those temps. For a 22 LR to do its best at 100 yards requires really ideal conditions. I do shoot 22s at 100 yards, but I pass on days that are less than optimal in terms of wind, mirage and so on and that's even in warm weather. By the way, mirage can actually be a factor at 100 yards on a sunny day, shooting over snow. Have experienced it a number of times.

[ditto1958]

just curious .... are you absolutely certain aren't any issues with the scope or it mounting ..

As far as I can tell, it’s mounted tight and the scope is good.

[bandit1250]

The greasy ammo made in Europe is some of the most accurate ammo produced for rim fire accuracy shooting but it suffers in the cold weather with the coating getting thick. There could possibly be ignition issues also in play in winter time low temps. I don't shoot any of my very good shooting more expensive warm weather ammo in the cold because I know it will not shoot to its warm weather accuracy potential. Better to shoot ammo with the waxed type coating or even shoot copper washed ammo if just wanting to send some rounds down range for fun. I read some where that 2 mils extra hold over at I believe a 100 yds. was required in cold temps because of the velocity loss due to the cold. If you have to shoot in the cold put ammo in a small cooler with a few of the hand warmers in with it. Even keeping it in a inside shirt pocket helps some. The problem seems to start once temps get in the mid 40's and lower around here with the European greased up rounds. CCI standard with the waxed coating may be a decent choice in the colder days of winter or auto match. The loss of accuracy in the cold is why there is ammo types made like Biathlon and Polar but for casual shooting it will be expensive.

[ditto1958]

It was warm today, so I went back and popped off a few rounds. Things were much better today, and I believe the scope is about as zeroed as I’m gonna get it.

I found a Weaver Kaspa 3-9x40 scope online for $35. It comes with rings, and with shipping was $45. It so far seems like an excellent scope. I’ve seen them priced at $99-125 in stores, and I think it would certainly be worth $99. The scope replaced a vortex 3-9x40 that I sold back to the guy I bought it from. I think the new scope is better. I never warmed to that Vortex.

[ditto1958]

The new Weaver 3-9x40 on my Marlin:

E3F1242E-8B0B-419E-BB11-1E1234B21D18.jpeg (201.52 KiB) Viewed 3170 times

00F67878-95B8-44C9-AFAD-219BB021BB70.jpeg (146.96 KiB) Viewed 3170 times

[Mistered]

Don't discount the effects of cold weather on the body.
Increased heart rate, breathing - the body working to stay warm takes its toll on the ability to stay relaxed to do things - like shoot accurately!
When I shoot in cold weather I experience similar reductions in accuracy as well, over that of when shooting in warm weather.

[krunchnik]

Also for future reference towards the Vortex they will warranty any of their scopes to anyone that owns them-doesn't matter whether a person is the first purchaser or not.

[Mgr2]

I tried to shoot some .22LR the other day, when it was -9C / 15 F at the range. The ammo box lay on the bench for some time, while I was shooting other calibers. When the time for the 22 came none of the rounds would fire. I warmed them in my pocket, and eventually some would fire, but I gave up due to the cold. It was CCI Blazers, and they had good strikes on the rim so it was not the rifle.