Weather Get Too Bad To Shoot?

[InkEd]

I predominately shoot handguns at indoor ranges. Recently, I have acquired a Sig556 rifle and it is pretty darn nice.

The problem is my regular range only permits (expensive) frangible ammo to be used (understandably) AND only from 6-9 on Saturday night. This has made me look into shooting outdoors. I actually enjoy getting a little fresh air and can shoot at longer distances. Also, the reports don't seem as loud because I'm not in a confined space.

However, I live in Memphis Tennessee. Which means the weather is not the best for (IMHO) ENJOYABLE shooting outdoors. Basically, I have from mid-September through mid-November for great weather. (No rain and temperatures between 80-65 degrees.) The rest of the year it's extremely hot and HUMID or cold with some rain. We don't get much real snow. We get ice instead because of the humidity.

Anyway, I was wondering..... How bad does the weather have to be to keep you from enjoying a day at the range?

Don't count days when you force yourself to go for practice or risk frostbite for hunting. Just laid back days of leisurely plinking at paper.

 

[M-Cameron]

well i know over the summer we had MANY 90 degree days with 80-100% humidity........safe to say i didnt do a lot of shooting....


as for cold.....as long as there isnt 4 feet of snow......im fine to shoot.

dont really enjoy rain all that much either.

 

[oneounceload]

However, I live in Memphis Tennessee. Which means the weather is not the best for (IMHO) ENJOYABLE shooting outdoors. Basically, I have from mid-September through mid-November for great weather. (No rain and temperatures between 80-65 degrees.) The rest of the year it's extremely hot and HUMID or cold with some rain. We don't get much real snow. We get ice instead because of the humidity.

I live in central FL- which means inland with heat and humidity, especially during the summer, that can get index factors into the 100's. We shoot sporting clays year round. We know when it is hot to start as early as possible, because when we finish in a few hours, it will be getting really warm.......You bring your water, and drink a lot of it and just realize when you go home, you'll need a shower.........

 

[Carne Frio]

I don't enjoy shooting at -20F and below.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

The dominate factor in whether (excuse the pun) I get to go shooting has always been affording ammo and gas to get out into the woods. If I have both, then there isn't much that is going to keep me from shooting. I've shot in sub-zero temps (that's what gloves are for), in 100+ degree heat, torrential downpour, blizzards, and everything in between. It may not be as pleasant as a nice temperate day, but I can't afford to do much plinking any more anyways. Any time I shoot, I consider it more training that simply shooting, so I accept bad weather as a fact of life and consider it more realistic training. I do it on a regular basis, so now I know I can put rounds on target tired, wet, and cold in my winter gear. I also know I can cope with the sweat dripping down my face, focus on that front sight, and get rounds on target in summer heat after packing my M1A to the top of a mountain. Been there, done that. And since shooting is about the challenge for me, and inclement weather only increases the challenge, I do get some enjoyment from it. And finally, some people don't like shooting in bad weather, so the ranges/popular shooting areas are less congested during bad weather.

 

[PRM]

I've have shot in weather minus 30 degrees at home, in Afghanistan last year, I was on ranges with the ANP when it was between 135-140 degrees. Always, enjoy putting rounds downrange.

 

[CZ223]

I live in Maine

If I didn't shoot in bad weather, I would save a whole lot of money on ammo. The fact is that is either too cold, too wet, too hot or, too humid too darned often. This summer has been the exception, we have had the best weather ever. I only shoot at an outdoor range. While we do have covers over most of the ranges, it certainly isn't real warm in January. If the temps break 30 with sunny skies and little to no wind I am at the range in January, February etc.

 

[CoRoMo]

Tornadoes

I'd rather shoot in blowing snow and negative temperatures than 100° heat & 95% humidity.

I've done a lot of shooting in light sprinkling rain, but heavy rain ends it. I always try and take a video camera when I go shooting. One spring day within the last year or two, I headed out to the range and it was raining lightly when I got there, so I sat in the truck and listened to the radio, waiting for it to pass. After a while, I turned and looked up to the north, and saw a tornado running eastward. I guess it had been on the ground for a while, but I grabbed the camera and videoed it for another 10 minutes or so until it dissipated. Then I got out and busted some clays, but I kept an eye to the north.

 

[Furncliff]

Colorado has great weather for shooting. I live in the south western part of the state and we get a lot of sunshine. So even in winter when the sun is out it is usually O.K. to shoot. I shoot on B.L.M. land, and the roads is not always passable, so that stops me more than the weather.

 

[ChefJeff1]

I live in Idaho and only shoot outdoors. Hot in summer and cold in winter. In the summer I go in the morning or the evening to avoid the heat. In the winter, if there's not too much snow, i shoot midday to get the sun. I dress accordingly and stay home if it's raining.

 

[mcdonl]

I find that *I* and the limiting factor when it comes to the environment. The guns will perform under any circumstances, I on the other hand start to fade when the temp is below -10 or so....

I used to hunt with a sidelock Muzzle Loader and the weather did play a role in those days. I love the inline!

 

[Shadow 7D]

Just dress for the conditions, anything past that is all you, me I hate the heat, but like carne, when I have to start wearing arctic mittens to protect my fingers and my ears (thank Fairbanks...) get that tingling feeling under my beenie, I believe it's time to go in, or find more layers.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Speaking of which, this is the second year in a row I've opted to hunt with my M1A. It really gives you confidence in your equipment and your ability to use it when you see ice forming on your rifle--you know it is as cold and wet as you are--but it keeps functioning, and you continue to be effective with it. You also learn things shooting in less than optimum conditions--like knowing you have to constantly watch for snow, mud, foliage, and other debris getting stuck on your sight post or in your rear aperture. And that long flash suppressor on the M1A seems to collect stuff like that as well, so you have to be vigilant keeping it clean. When I am hunting by myself I stop, look, listen, do a 360 to orient myself and check my six, ect. every 50 to 60 feet. Every time I do this, I've gotten in a habit of sighting on something both to ingrain the movement as muscle memory and to confirm that I can still see through my sights. I wouldn't know to do this if I had never taken my rifle out in less than optimum conditions.

 

[Rail Driver]

I don't know about anyone else, but I grew up in Detroit, and now live in Florida... I've been from one extreme to the other when it comes to weather, and short of an active tornado or lightning storm I haven't found weather too bad to shoot in yet. Shooting in bad weather really helps build skills... Shooting when you can't see as well, when you're distracted by being pelted with rain, sleet or small hail, even just when it's very overcast and you can't see your targets as well all helps a lot in my experience.

When you NEED to shoot, the weather and situation isn't always going to cooperate.

 

[Tim the student]

I least like to shoot if it is above 85 or so, or below about 5. I really dislike the heat and humidity, but am generally ok if it is cold.

I'm ok with warmer temps if there is a breeze. In the winter, I tolerate cooler temps less if there is one.

 

[sherman123]

I love shooting in different weather conditions it is just another part of the training for me. If I plan on shooting, I won't let weather keep me from doing what I love to do. Besides, it's good to practice in bitter cold with numb hands because I'll never know if one day I'll have to defend myself under those same conditions with limited movement in my hands due to the chilling cold.

 

[LemmyCaution]

The only thing that really slows me down is when the precipitation is so heavy I can't see the target any more. Usually I just move the target in closer, though. My morning ritual in the winter is often strapping on the snowshoes and tromping down a couple of feet of fresh snow in a 100M path to the target, so I can shoot prone.

 

[Cosmoline]

I don't enjoy shooting at -20F and below.

Ditto here. Get much below -20 and it gets too troublesome to work with steel or remain still outdoors. That's also my switching point to change from regular winter clothes (fleece with a medium jacket) to cold weather clothes and insulated boots. Short of -20f thins are still pretty "normal", but then it starts getting weird. By -40f it's getting downright bizarre with LED freezing and materials behaving strangely. Then there's the deep cold below that, when the moose stand absolutely still and the trees are cracking their sap. Below a point my skin no longer seems to be able to distinguish temperatures. I like it down here in warm Anchorage!

Other than that snow is actually a lot of fun to shoot in. I ride my bike year round in the stuff.

I do draw the line at very cold, heavy rain. That's just not fun at all to go out in.

 

[smallbore]

I live north of Laconia, New Hampshire and do most of my shooting outdoors. Our local range has covered shooting stations with benches. There's also an indoor pistol range, which I access 1x mo.

 

[gearchecker]

I live up in the far north end of Idaho, not far from MTMilitiaman and I agree we need to shoot in all weather and condition. Living up in Troy, MT shurely makes outdoor shooting that much better. It's beautiful country over there, plenty of reason to go outside to shoot.

Most of us hunt in the cold and snow, why not practice in the same weather? works for me.

 

[Mike OTDP]

My normal outdoor limits are 40 to 90 F. But I've got a 10m air pistol setup in my living room, and use it whenever the weather is inclement.

 

[Prion]

When it's really cold the wind chill factor plays a huge role.

The wind sends me scurrying for cover.

On windless days I'm game for almost any temp.

I love shooting in a snowstorm on a windless day or when it's sunny, white, and still.

 

[THe Dove]

I like to shoot when it's 110 in the shade and sweat is dripping off my nose. I hate shooting when it's 32 degrees or less. I love warm and hate cold!!!

That's just me though!!!!

The Dove

 

[XxWINxX94]

I'm pretty picky. I shoot in Northeast Wisconsin and the weather can change numerous times in one day. I try to leave my shooting for the perfect days: Good temp (60-80), little wind, if any. And definatly no rain. Also don't really shoot in the cold/snow.

My reasoning:
I shoot alot of antique/old firearms which I don't want to be exposed to water/snow/etc.
I'm only really combfortable in the conditions described. I don't like being hot, cold, or having to worry about damaging my guns while shooting.

Its personal preferance I guess, even though I'd love to shoot more than I do.

 

[hardworker]

I made the mistake of shooting skeet in a light drizzle with a blued 11-87. Made the bigger mistake of not drying it completely before storing it for several months. Fast forward to me wiping a fine coat of rust off the barrel. I don't mind the cold days as long as the wind isn't blowing and there's no snow. I do mind the really cold days and the really hot ones too.