With the first HP match of the year only days away I thought I would ask for some opinions here. This is my first time planning a cold month match since last year we did not shoot in Jan or Feb. Right now the 10 day forecast for the Jan 26th HP match at Consolidated Sportsmen of Lycoming County is showing a cold snap moving in. How cold is too cold??
I really want to shoot and I think if we have any snow left by then we will still find a way to get up the mountain to set rams. The only issue I am concerned about is the bitter cold. At what temperature should I cancel? I don't really want to think about cancellations but we need to remember the safety of our setters.

Your input will be appreciated.

Adam

Its too cold when nobody shows up We've had them when it was snowing and followed by 10 degree ambient temp with wind 8 guys showed....ice formed by breath on the stocks. We cancel only when no one shows

A club that I shoot HP XTC at uses the 30-30 rule. The high temp forcast for the day has to be above 30 degrees F and the chance for precip has to be less than 30%. If the forecast on the chosen weather site does not meet that, the match is cancelled. 30 degrees F in the sunny Rocky Mountains is quite a bit different than places with humidity. But it might give you an idea.

Remember silhouette is an outdoor sport Although I will admit that I had to call one of our two daily matches because the wind was so strong we couldn't keep the animals on the rails

Snake wrote:Remember silhouette is an outdoor sport Although I will admit that I had to call one of our two daily matches because the wind was so strong we couldn't keep the animals on the rails

C-Clamps.. especially on McAlice's bank ;)

If you have to wear a coat it's too cold.

Here on Vancouver Island we're considered to be blessed among Canadian shooters for our mild weather, but we've still been having to shoot in sub-zero celsius snow and ice the last couple months. I don't think it could get bad enough to cancel the shoots here unless the snow stacked up over the target rails.

Just right......if no wind and the sun is out.

If too treacherous to set the rams skip them and have a 30 shot CPT match. Dress warm, use one of the Jon-E hand warmers and have fun.

Jerry G wrote:If you have to wear a coat it's too cold.

I agree...

Don't have to C-Clamp McAlice's rams.....a) he cross fires and b) uses his chicken loads

Shooting over the weekend in Canberra. 18th 107.6 , 19th 78.8 , 20th 85 , 21st 92
It's summer in Australia

Bob259 wrote:

Jerry G wrote:If you have to wear a coat it's too cold.

Whats a coat?

Adam,
Have the kids dress warm and use your best judgement. Remember, target setters are hard to find. You don't want to scare any of them off by freezing them to hold a match that will most likely be sparsely attended due to the upcoming inclement weather. Unfortunately I have to work this weekend so I won't be in attendance either. Mark Varner

It is a shame that you can't be there Mark, but there is no reason your new rifle can't be there! Ha,Ha
Butch

I spoke to my contact for the setters today and he said they will be ready to go and dressed for it. We have a snow storm expected to hit Friday but I am not going to call it off. We are going to shoot. If we get too much snow and can't get up the mountain we may need to do a 30 round match, maybe not. We will make that call Saturday. If we get a good snow and some black animals it may be a good day for the M1A's!

Hope to see you all there and thanks for the input everyone!