I had an 243 m77 that frozen from the steam coming off my hand. Once i finally got the bolt out, the round was frozen to the bolt face. Lol. No yotes that day either.
Make sure the bolt and action is bone dry and consider leaving the rifle outside to minimize the condensation/freeze cycle to minimize any moisture accumulation that can freeze.
Did this malfunction make you reconsider the Ruger GSR for doing Elk hunt guides in subzero weather or did you find it to not be a big enough issue to change to a different rifle in that climate?
It is a concern but there’s ways to mitigate it like brining in the bolt to a heated tent or checking the bolt and using a lighter to heat up that pin. Once the pin is free the bolt needs to be kept uncocked!
@@OnTheScout I guess out there in the wilderness an open flame is all you can do other than putting the rifle under an armpit, though I don't know if that would be enough heat in that environment and then you've got a freezing cold piece of steel in your armpit in subzero temperatures lol. Do you find yourself sticking to carrying it chamber empty, striker down, safety off in those conditions or does the noise/time to chamber a round before firing outweigh the issue with the bolt lock pin?
I have the same rifle. Can you provide any recommendations to prevent such a lockup? Was it precipitation or condensation? Keep the safety off during cold weather? Thanks.
The bolt lock pin is what freezes up and stops function. Chamber empty, striker down, safety off is the only way to ensure 100% function. Another option is loaded chamber, and safety on, but bolt lock off, but this is more dangerous as it is easy to flick into "fire".
1- 40 weight motor OIL....my preferred gun lube only freezes at -20 Deg. Might help. 2- I love bolt actions. But honestly your best sub -0 deg weapon is the AK platform. THE RUSSIANS know cold weather, and an AK....is the best cold weather firearm period. Even the ALASKA STATE TROOPERS use the AK for that same reason.
@seriousfaith to be fair, I have seen photos of local Alaskan sheriff's deputies that carry AKMs issued by their department, but it's still not the state police.
This happened to me on a moose hunt. Good thing I brought a back up gun. I will be more liberal with the oil in the future. It was alot of freezing rain that week. Keep your powder dry boys!
I found that if I took out the bolt and manually dried it it in a heated room wouldn't matter the oil. The problem is water pooling in the tiny bolt lock pin.
This is extremely interesting. Ive had break open H&R single shots and Rem 700 rifles freeze ul solid on me but my Ruger GSR and Mauser 98 rifles run for me no issues. I will note that in those conditions i dont typically use a safety and just keep an empty chamber most times. Ill have to watch for this on my Rugers.
I can see the pin and spring mechaniam on that bolt lock could be an issue. Maybe the Mauser with its flag and cam design is more reliable? Reliable but not very ergonomic.
Frequent trouble here in Quebec. To avoid: clean it with some solvent, relube with little & thinner action trigger/lube.
KG gun products works great.
I had an 243 m77 that frozen from the steam coming off my hand. Once i finally got the bolt out, the round was frozen to the bolt face. Lol. No yotes that day either.
Make sure the bolt and action is bone dry and consider leaving the rifle outside to minimize the condensation/freeze cycle to minimize any moisture accumulation that can freeze.
Nah, that still wont work. It'll find its way in. Need to juice everything up with non-freezing grease.
This rifle was left outside but daily temp ranges are 50*F to -10F.
Higher temp synthetic greese mixed with high temp synthetic oil to the consistency of thin honey is a great anti freeze lube.
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Did this malfunction make you reconsider the Ruger GSR for doing Elk hunt guides in subzero weather or did you find it to not be a big enough issue to change to a different rifle in that climate?
It is a concern but there’s ways to mitigate it like brining in the bolt to a heated tent or checking the bolt and using a lighter to heat up that pin. Once the pin is free the bolt needs to be kept uncocked!
@@OnTheScout I guess out there in the wilderness an open flame is all you can do other than putting the rifle under an armpit, though I don't know if that would be enough heat in that environment and then you've got a freezing cold piece of steel in your armpit in subzero temperatures lol. Do you find yourself sticking to carrying it chamber empty, striker down, safety off in those conditions or does the noise/time to chamber a round before firing outweigh the issue with the bolt lock pin?
Safety of, chamber empty is the most reliable way to carry this rifle in freezing conditions.
Working the bolt slowly is not super loud, but it is a bit slower than flicking a safety.
I have the same rifle. Can you provide any recommendations to prevent such a lockup? Was it precipitation or condensation? Keep the safety off during cold weather? Thanks.
The bolt lock pin is what freezes up and stops function. Chamber empty, striker down, safety off is the only way to ensure 100% function. Another option is loaded chamber, and safety on, but bolt lock off, but this is more dangerous as it is easy to flick into "fire".
1- 40 weight motor OIL....my preferred gun lube only freezes at -20 Deg. Might help.
2- I love bolt actions. But honestly your best sub -0 deg weapon is the AK platform. THE RUSSIANS know cold weather, and an AK....is the best cold weather firearm period. Even the ALASKA STATE TROOPERS use the AK for that same reason.
I'm not sure where you get that from, the Alaska State Troopers don't use Ak pattern rifles.
@@The_Austin_Doell Yeah, AK Troopers don't use AKs at all. Not sure where he pulled that "fact" out of.
@seriousfaith to be fair, I have seen photos of local Alaskan sheriff's deputies that carry AKMs issued by their department, but it's still not the state police.
This happened to me on a moose hunt. Good thing I brought a back up gun. I will be more liberal with the oil in the future. It was alot of freezing rain that week. Keep your powder dry boys!
Is this something synthetic oil would correct?
I found that if I took out the bolt and manually dried it it in a heated room wouldn't matter the oil. The problem is water pooling in the tiny bolt lock pin.
@@OnTheScout Thanks!
Where are you located in the video?
Under a tarp over our tack storage area, in Bear Basin Wyoming.
This is extremely interesting. Ive had break open H&R single shots and Rem 700 rifles freeze ul solid on me but my Ruger GSR and Mauser 98 rifles run for me no issues. I will note that in those conditions i dont typically use a safety and just keep an empty chamber most times. Ill have to watch for this on my Rugers.
I can see the pin and spring mechaniam on that bolt lock could be an issue. Maybe the Mauser with its flag and cam design is more reliable? Reliable but not very ergonomic.
@@OnTheScout hey brotha, are you local to Wyoming or just hunting in that area? I love this beautiful state and will never move from here.
@@Internaught-The-Wise I guide elk hunts out here.