Ice/snow comparison between rifles

[HighUintas]

I would really be interested in seeing how a Blaser R8 did in this kind of test.

See post #62

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Without having to sell the faulty rifles and replace them with better alternatives, is there anything that can be done?

Rifle cover with a hot hand placed near bolt and trigger?

 

[Wrench]

Without having to sell the faulty rifles and replace them with better alternatives, is there anything that can be done?

Rifle cover with a hot hand placed near bolt and trigger?

The soto torch I posted solved my frozen issue pretty fast. It really is going to depend on what's frozen and where. At -20* no amount of snuggling with your rifle is going to make a difference in short order. If it's 31* you might be able to work through it.

One thing I do is to dry fire my rifles in the field. You won't get 100% feedback....perhaps a slowed pin drop, etc that's hard to recognize for most....but it will let you stay confident and/or show you that you need to get your rig warmed up or cleared out.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

The soto torch I posted solved my frozen issue pretty fast. It really is going to depend on what's frozen and where. At -20* no amount of snuggling with your rifle is going to make a difference in short order. If it's 31* you might be able to work through it.

One thing I do is to dry fire my rifles in the field. You won't get 100% feedback....perhaps a slowed pin drop, etc that's hard to recognize for most....but it will let you stay confident and/or show you that you need to get your rig warmed up or cleared out.

Thanks. More curious about preventing or reducing the likelihood rather than having to do a field fix.

 

[BjornF16]

Without having to sell the faulty rifles and replace them with better alternatives, is there anything that can be done?

Rifle cover with a hot hand placed near bolt and trigger?

The soto torch I posted solved my frozen issue pretty fast. It really is going to depend on what's frozen and where. At -20* no amount of snuggling with your rifle is going to make a difference in short order. If it's 31* you might be able to work through it.

One thing I do is to dry fire my rifles in the field. You won't get 100% feedback....perhaps a slowed pin drop, etc that's hard to recognize for most....but it will let you stay confident and/or show you that you need to get your rig warmed up or cleared out.

Main concern I would have is the slam fires with R700 triggers

 

[wind gypsy]

In relation to this, I noticed that seekins' havak HIT line has dust covers on them. Seems like a good idea for field used bolt actions to keep unwanted shit out of the action. Anyone used one?

 

[Formidilosus]

In relation to this, I noticed that seekins' havak HIT line has dust covers on them. Seems like a good idea for field used bolt actions to keep unwanted shit out of the action. Anyone used one?

It’s a great thing, and rifles should have them. Unfortunately Seekins decided to use the most unreliable trigger system made for it. If not for that, I’d be using them.

 

[Marbles]

I turned my nose up at a Tikka in 2010, got a used M700 instead, that got traded on a used Remington 7600, which got sold to buy a Sako 85, which got sold to get a Kimber.

Now I'm thinking I might offload the Kimber and get a bloody Tikka.

 

[CBB1]

As a father of 2 boys that hunt with 700s this is very concerning. Granted 99% of our hunting is done above 32f. I was hoping you would say an aftermarket trigger would solve this.


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[HighUintas]

I wouldn't worry about it much if I did have a 700 style rifle. I'd probably just get a small torch to put in the backpack and then consider a model 70, Kimber, sako, or Tikka next time I buy a rifle.

I don't think it's something the vast majority of hunters should be concerned enough with to go sell their 700s immediately. It's just something to be aware of

 

[ElPollo]

As a father of 2 boys that hunt with 700s this is very concerning. Granted 99% of our hunting is done above 32f. I was hoping you would say an aftermarket trigger would solve this.


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The issues with 700 triggers go back 5 decades, are well documented in court cases, and it’s not about freezing up. It’s about them not being drop safe and going off when they aren’t supposed to. One of my good friends almost killed his father when they were hunting together with a 700. I really don’t understand why this design remains so popular. My friend and his dad are both still Rem 700 devotees.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I have sold off my 700s, between the inconsistent factory headspace, lack of an integral rail, and the trigger, there's no compelling reason to buy one imo.

 

[mtnwrunner]

I turned my nose up at a Tikka in 2010, got a used M700 instead, that got traded on a used Remington 7600, which got sold to buy a Sako 85, which got sold to get a Kimber.

Now I'm thinking I might offload the Kimber and get a bloody Tikka.

That's is what is known as "the tikka circle."

Randy

 

[SDHNTR]

Thanks. More curious about preventing or reducing the likelihood rather than having to do a field fix.

Clean periodically and do not over lube your bolt and firing pin mechanism. Most FTF’s and slow pins are a result of old, congealed, hardened, dirty lube. Lube only very lightly, if at all, and use a quality synthetic oil/grease that is rated for low temp use. Keep it fresh. Grease only the rear shroud threads, lugs and primary extraction points.

 

[SDHNTR]

As a father of 2 boys that hunt with 700s this is very concerning. Granted 99% of our hunting is done above 32f. I was hoping you would say an aftermarket trigger would solve this.


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This can’t be the first you’ve heard of this issue! My goodness, it’s been all over mainstream media even!

 

[SDHNTR]

I have sold off my 700s, between the inconsistent factory headspace, lack of an integral rail, and the trigger, there's no compelling reason to buy one imo.

Most popular POS in firearm history. Malfunctions aside, the thing has so many design flaws it’s simply a sad statement about humanity that they were/are so popular!

 

[gtriple]

Those poor rifles. Lol. I swear these rifles and scopes probably go through more abuse from Form in one day than they will with most people for a lifetime. Makes me confident that I chose a Tikka and Nightforce.

 

[Wrench]

Thanks. More curious about preventing or reducing the likelihood rather than having to do a field fix.

Best thing is to not start with a hot rifle and then bail into the snow when its sub zero. A cold rifle will not have much snow stick to it. A lot of what we're "fixing" is worst case scenario stuff that not a lot of guys get into.

Imo, the best PM is to clean with lighter fluid/naptha and give the lugs a super light dab of grease.

 

[Leaf Litter]

When you say Browning, are you talking x-bolt or a-bolt? Have you seen safety issues associated with browning freezing like in the 700?

I have an x-bolt so I'm trying to decide what measures I need to take beforehand and in the field to keep things flowing during inclement weather. I could just use my Tikka on dodgy days, but that doesn’t work when you only pack in one rifle.

 

[03mossy]

I just want to chime in an say thank you for this thread. I love hunting in snow and crappy conditions so things like this are always on my mind.