Hiya guys:

I noted the previous post about a missed bull moose in -40F weather, and thought I'd add a few oberservations.

I'd hazard to guess that 90+% of cold weather failures to fire are the result of one of two things: Too much lube, or frozen condensation.

It seems like most people lube the heck out of their firearms. They are afraid of rust and corrosion, so tehy lay the oils and lubes in heavy. All that lube turns to goo in cold weather and retards firing pin movement. It either locks it up tight, or slows it down enough to impede proper ignition. Go easy on the lube!

The other factor is condensation. Even if the rifle is dry, many people bring it inside the hunt camp, tent, whatever. It hits that warm moist air and condenses water. At that moisture inside the rifle then freeze solid soon after you leave camp. Leave the rifles outside!

Keep em clean, go easy on the lube (or skip it entirely in cold weather), and once the rifle is cold, leave it outside. It will shoot without a hitch...

frozenny