22LR sensitive to cold?

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

We were shooting a match this weekend and using the same CCI Standard Velocity 22LR we have been using all season and it Lil’ JB had a lot more Ruger go rounds and second strikes on his Henry to ignite the primer. 
This ammo has been very consistent all season. The only thing I can think was different is the truck was loaded the night before with cart and ammo. It was high 30’s and probably warmed up to 50’s at the match. 
Anybody else experiencing cold affecting 22LR ammo? 

[Crisco]

Yep.  We shoot a lot of speed steel all year and avoid the standard velocity stuff when the weather cools off.  We pretty much stick with mini-mags or the Remington stuff that comes in buckets, and even then stick handwarmers in with the ammo and keep loaded mags in our pockets.

I think most of the problems with the standard velocity ammo in cold weather relate to the lube (collecting in the action, inhibiting cycling, and even making them tougher to fully chamber).

 

[Widder, SASS #59054]

Sorri JB.

Most, if not all, of my .22 shooting is during warmer weather..... 50's and above.

 

..........Widder

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

1 hour ago, John Barleycorn, SASS #76982 said:

We were shooting a match this weekend and using the same CCI Standard Velocity 22LR we have been using all season and it Lil’ JB had a lot more Roger go rounds and second strike on his Henry to ignite the primer. 
This ammo has been very consistent all season. The only thing I can think was different is the truck was loaded the night before with cart and ammo. It was high 30’s and probably warmed up to 50’s at the match. 
Anybody else experiencing cold affecting 22LR ammo? 

You sure if ain't the gun? 

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

39 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

You sure if ain't the gun? 

I don’t think so. Same guns he’s been using all season and no changes springs or anything. 

[Tell Sackett SASS 18436]

If this helps: once I went to shoot when it was 25 degrees. 1st stage first shot: cartridge wouldn’t go into chamber!

I’m positive the cold contracted the chamber to the point it wouldn’t take the cartridge! When it warmed up everything was fine!!

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

1 hour ago, John Barleycorn, SASS #76982 said:

I don’t think so. Same guns he’s been using all season and no changes springs or anything. 

Springs weaken 

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Lube congeals in cold weather.   Clean the bolt/firing pin and rest of action.  Use a cold-weather lube on reassembly  (CLP).

good luck, GJ

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Take a hard look at the firing pin. 

Also check the bolt headspace too.

[Widder, SASS #59054]

JB,

If that Henry is a Widder Soft Stroke .22,  check out what Lumpy stated above.

 

When I set up the bolt and firing pin, I give a good polish to the bolt channel AND the firing pin to where the firing pin

will freely movel in and out of the bolt after you remove the pin at the rear of the bolt.

 

If the firing pin won't freely fall out, then something is obstructing its free movement.

ALSO, measure the firing pin AND the bolt slot area.   The Firing Pin should be anywhere from .025 to .035 longer than the bolt slot

that it sits.   The .025 to .035 gives adequate indentation on rimfire cartridges when the FP is smacked by the hammer.

 

If ya got any questions, feel free to call me.

 

Good luck.

 

..........Widder

 

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

9 minutes ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

JB,

If that Henry is a Widder Soft Stroke .22,  check out what Lumpy stated above.

 

When I set up the bolt and firing pin, I give a good polish to the bolt channel AND the firing pin to where the firing pin

will freely movel in and out of the bolt after you remove the pin at the rear of the bolt.

 

If the firing pin won't freely fall out, then something is obstructing its free movement.

ALSO, measure the firing pin AND the bolt slot area.   The Firing Pin should be anywhere from .025 to .035 longer than the bolt slot

that it sits.   The .025 to .035 gives adequate indentation on rimfire cartridges when the FP is smacked by the hammer.

 

If ya got any questions, feel free to call me.

 

Good luck.

 

..........Widder

 

I was the one you built for yourself. I’ll give you a ring this week and I’ll get the calipers out 

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

12 minutes ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

JB,

If that Henry is a Widder Soft Stroke .22,  check out what Lumpy stated above.

 

When I set up the bolt and firing pin, I give a good polish to the bolt channel AND the firing pin to where the firing pin

will freely movel in and out of the bolt after you remove the pin at the rear of the bolt.

 

If the firing pin won't freely fall out, then something is obstructing its free movement.

ALSO, measure the firing pin AND the bolt slot area.   The Firing Pin should be anywhere from .025 to .035 longer than the bolt slot

that it sits.   The .025 to .035 gives adequate indentation on rimfire cartridges when the FP is smacked by the hammer.

 

If ya got any questions, feel free to call me.

 

Good luck.

 

..........Widder

 

PS The O rings you sent seems to have fixed the mag tube problem. Thanks for sending them.

[Kid Rich]

Cold effects the lube in the guns action. We used to take the bolt out of our hunting rifles in extreme cold weather and remove all of the lube with 90% rubbing alcohol and then blow the excess out with an air compressor. There is enough lube in alcohol to still provide good movement of the firing pin and other parts in the bolt for good function.

kR

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Definitely a firearm and a lubricant issue and not a ammo issue. 

I live in Michigan and we get severe cold weather at times.

Most people way over lube the guns to begin with.

Rooster 

[Rye Miles #13621]

I’ve been told by a few folks that know more about guns and ammo than I do to never put ammo in my car overnight no matter the weather. Extreme heat can affect it as well as cold  I was told. 

[Chantry]

On 11/3/2025 at 1:47 PM, John Barleycorn, SASS #76982 said:

We were shooting a match this weekend and using the same CCI Standard Velocity 22LR we have been using all season and it Lil’ JB had a lot more Roger go rounds and second strike on his Henry to ignite the primer. 
This ammo has been very consistent all season. The only thing I can think was different is the truck was loaded the night before with cart and ammo. It was high 30’s and probably warmed up to 50’s at the match. 
Anybody else experiencing cold affecting 22LR ammo? 

 

Yes, I used to shoot plate matches indoors during the winter months with .22 LR and due to the way the ventilation worked it was always cold, not much warmer than outside.   CCI Mini Mags out of a Ruger MKII would fail to fire sometimes unless I kept the loaded magazines in a pocket.  I don't remember having the same problem with center fire ammo.

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

as to lube for the bolt , in extreme cold , I use lighter fluid 

 

wash out the bolt , clear with compressed air 

 

CB 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

OK, Sure.

 

Anybody take notice, Barleypop said they had the same problem, Lil' JBs Ruger (JB miss-spelled it) pistols as well as his Rifle.  Unless there is something weird (possible), the cross-over fail to fire is ammo/temperature related.  Center fire shooters reaching for that "How Low Can You Go" load, experience that same temperature sensitivity.

 

Don't put yer ammo inna truck/car/bus/ambulance over night.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

20 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

OK, Sure.

 

Anybody take notice, Barleypop said they had the same problem, Lil' JBs Ruger (JB miss-spelled it) pistols as well as his Rifle.  Unless there is something weird (possible), the cross-over fail to fire is ammo/temperature related.  Center fire shooters reaching for that "How Low Can You Go" load, experience that same temperature sensitivity.

 

Don't put yer ammo inna truck/car/bus/ambulance over night.

Again I'll say, it's the springs 

In cold weather(40* and less), I use liquid lock lube with Graphite. 

)

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

When I use to compete in smallbore rifle silhouette we kept or .22 ammo in small insulated coolers when it was hot or cold outside. 

[Pb Mark]

Best thing I've found to use for 22's in the winter is to remove the old lube and powder fouling by giving the action (and bolt inside and out) a good cleaning and a fresh dry film lube using this:

 

Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner and Lube

 

Not the case lube we all know, but the gun cleaner and lube spray.

 

It provides excellent corrosion protection also.  Can be used year-round too.  Personally think it is some great stuff.  Might just spray everything down.  Can be used to clean inside bolts too where lube or dirt is a no-no.

 

The above other people's comments cover the temperature situation.

 

[tangleridge slim]

Running semi autos for steel challenge in cold weather and hot weather I've learned to tumble all my 22 ammo in a small Frankfort tumbler, fill to about 2 thirds full of media and dump in 500 rds and let run for 30 minutes the issue is the wax build up, now with that being said I only use cci mini mag target which is a plated rd 

[Lazy Eeyour]

The fact that they sell cold weather 22 LR ammo should be a hint.

SK Biathlon Sport 22LR Ammo 40 Grain Round Nose

[watab kid]

everything is temperature sensitive - why would 22 rim fire be any different ?