How many of us shoot during bad weather at outdoor ranges?

[Lennyjoe]

Nope I’m a fair weather outdoor shooter. When snow hits the ground and I’m not out hunting, I’m indoor reloading. I do, however, go to the I door range during cold weather

 

[Caplock]

Been shooting when it was cold enough I couldn't get my ar to fire. Light primer strikes every time. Too much lube and too cold

 

[AK103K]

Been shooting when it was cold enough I couldn't get my ar to fire. Light primer strikes every time. Too much lube and too cold

See, you learned something that you wouldnt have likely known, if you hadnt been out shooting in the cold with an overly lubed gun.

The big advantage to shooting year round in all weather is, you get to really know your guns and things like above, or wood stocks moving due to temps, moisture, etc, that you dont see, when you only shoot when its pleasant out. Hey, just different lighting can mess with your sight settings. All sorts of stupid "environmental" stuff like that.

 

[Waveski]

Shooting and practicing in a wide range of weather and light conditions broadens the shooting skills. It is not good to be conditioned to a "normal" shooting environment.

 

[Australian410hunter]

We are having bad weather now for the last 4 days & I have been to the range twice but it doesn't look like many others have been out. Last night we got more snow than we have had in the last three years combined & a lot of businesses have shut down. Now all those drivers that are off from work & haven't let a wheel slip for three years now want to learn how to drive all over again. LOL
I would go to the range to have a little fun if it wasn't for those crazy drivers.
Do you think training during bad weather is all that necessary?

When with the military, training in ALL conditions, was a requirement... nowadays I like my comfort... I will go to the range and shoot, from a shelter; if I am hunting I don't mind the rain, as long as it isn't hammering and cold. As you get older a bit of comfort becomes more important!
Plus driving under ice and snow conditions, unless necessary, appears not to be the smartest choice.

 

[ejfalvo]

Lived in Northwest corner of NJ. Belonged to Cherry Hill Range. Like clockwork, every Sun AM, I was the first (and usually) only one on the 200/300 yard range - it was great in the winter, esp with snow when I had the range all to myself.

 

[magyars4]

Today is the 15th day straight with temp below freezing.10" of snow on the ground
Some drifts close to 2'....
I've been down to the lower field where my range is...once in over two weeks....
Not to shoot. But to put hay out for the deer.
M gonna wait until temps get a bit better

 

[magyars4]

When with the military, training in ALL conditions, was a requirement... nowadays I like my comfort... I will go to the range and shoot, from a shelter; if I am hunting I don't mind the rain, as long as it isn't hammering and cold. As you get older a bit of comfort becomes more important!
Plus driving under ice and snow conditions, unless necessary, appears not to be the smartest choice.

Been there myself. In my early days I'd go for weeklong canoe trips and take a blanket and a tarp..then a few years later, added a tent and sleeping pad, then a sleeping bag....the older I get the more I like my small comforts

 

[22250Rem]

By this time in February I'm pretty well acclimated to cold, at least it seems that way, and a 20 degree day is no big deal as long as the wind isn't blowing too hard. That's how it was on my range trip recently with just some on & off light snow. Was shooting a 22, and did some 7mm-08 handload chronographing, and zeroing the scope recently put on my T/C Encore so I didn't shoot at anything beyond 50 yds. If I had been shooting on the 200 yard range I would have used the snowshoes mentioned in a previous post. Had 'em in the truck just in case. Haven't had any thaw for what seems like weeks now and the snow just gets deeper any inch or two at a time. Here's a shot of the Encore with some freshly fallen snow visible on the bench.... ..

 

[CapnMac]

Matter of fact, one of the things I did during the first power outage (12 hrs) was re-lube a 1911 and the M4 for sub-zero conditions (house only got down to 50º indoors and it was only down to 17º outside--balmy compared to the next day with the 21 hour outage).
I have spent today (it's 67º today) returning to 'normal' lube on the arms.

I've been out when it was cold enough to change how the firearms worked. Which can be considered good training--if some frustrating.

Now, the range I use (they allow rifle FMJ) is 50 miles away. They posted on f/b that they were closing Saturday afternoon as conditions for having the employees show up were deteriorating. While my power was out, I had other worries to focus upon (and could not find out what was open anyway). They did not report re-opening until late Thursday, by which point the Interstates were no longer at Limited Use (only one lane open Tuesday-Thursday, and many bridges blocked off). Now, there's no sign of the storm that closed my State for a week.

I always get a kick out of wind chill and heat index.

Scoff if you want to, but, there is science behind those numbers. When the WC gets to -20º the ambient can be 0º and exposed skin is still at risk for frostbite. Get a HI more than 5-8º higher than ambient and your risk for heat exhaustion doubles. Being outside every day in the ever-changing weather will help acclimatize, but that's not a sure protection at extremes. Heat Index over 108º can kill you clean dead.

 

[AK103K]

There may be science, but those people are usually figuring it out comfy indoors too, and not outside with us busting our asses in it.

Our temps here range from below zero (was around 10 here this morning when I went for my walk) to over 100 at times in the summers, and with 80-90+ % humidity. 10-14 hour days of basically steady heavy labor too. It might be 98, and supposedly feel 105, but, once things get that warm (or cold), WTFD?