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Versa max and cold weather

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Copper BB
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2013 11:53 am
Location: ontario canada
PostPosted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 3:26 pm
Well today I had my first issue with the gun not cycling. It was -18 degrees up here in cold Canada. I was shooting 1oz target loads. So after I fired the first round the action was hanging up and wouldn't close. So after every shot I had to pull my hand up and assist the action to close for a second shot. I was shooting in sporting clays so it really thru me off my game. There was no oil or anything on the action. I thought having it dry was the way to go? I'm wondering if I was shooting heavier loads it wouldn't be a issue. When pulling back the operating handle in the cold it really hangs up about half way back. I have closed to 4000 rounds thru this gun and haven't had any problems till now. Anyone else have this issue or have any suggestions? Thanks
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.410
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 10:35 am
PostPosted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 5:52 am
That is definitely on the cool side, when temperatures get this low there is a good chance that the metals have shrunk sufficiently to cause some binding. When Accuracy International designed their AW (arctic warfare) rifle they took this into account to stop the guns sticking in extreme cold. As for lubrication, you need some albeit only a thin film. When oil gets cold it's viscosity increases to the point where it can start to gum things up. You could try using a lubricant designed for low temperature use and see if that helps.
Finally the cold can also affect the propellant used in the cartridges. One top shooter of my acquaintance has an electrically warmed cartridge bag to keep his shells warm. Another who is contracted to a cartridge manufacturer has the powder charge filled to a slightly different specification. They both claim it helps with consistency throughout the year. Competitive rifle shooters may also have different loads for winter and summer shooting.
PostPosted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 4:01 pm
At -18 degrees, not much of anything would work that requires any type of lube / oil to operate.

Copper BB
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2013 11:53 am
Location: ontario canada
PostPosted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 4:53 pm
Thanks for the feedback guys. I think the shells I was using was part of the problem. When I'm hunting birds with the heavier loads it doesn't seem to be a issue with cycling. Maybe time to bring out the 870 on those colder days. But darn it I wanna shoot the vm. Lol. Such a good gun on waterfowl. Do any of you guys use the vm in temps like what I'm experiencing.
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.270 WIN
Posts: 216
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2012 10:08 pm
PostPosted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 10:43 pm
Make sure your action tube, follower, and action spring are clean and only lightly oiled and then make certain that the trigger group is clean and not wet with oil
We have done so much for so long with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing!

Copper BB
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:16 pm
PostPosted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 6:35 pm
SHOOTER13 wrote:At -18 degrees, not much of anything would work that requires any type of lube / oil to operate.

That's not true. Keep in mind that he is Canadian, and O C is 32F. I expect my firearms to run down to -10F.
JD

.22LR
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:58 pm
PostPosted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 10:31 am
I was out Saturday shooting clays with my 11-87 lubed with CLP and had no problems. One of the guys was shooting a very well worn versamax that was dirty as well and shooting 2 3/4 dram 7/8 ounce Federal target loads with no problem. It was -20C here. Strange you where having problems. That is -1F

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.270 WIN
Posts: 130
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:53 pm
PostPosted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 7:10 am
Also note that some powders can tolerate the cold better than others. 700x is notorious for lower pressures in cold weather.

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I would rather die on my feet, than live on my knees...

From George Washington

Copper BB
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:16 am
PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:42 am
You need a thinner lube. Eezox works great in cold weather !!

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