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gunlaker
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using old scopes in cold weather
Nov 12th, 2025 at 2:29pm
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I've never used by Unertl, or Lyman Targetspot & Super Target Spot scopes in below freezing weather for fear of fogging them up when I bring them back inside.  Should I be worried about that or would they be fine?

Chris.
  
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bpjack
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Re: using old scopes in cold weather
Reply #1 - Nov 12th, 2025 at 3:07pm
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Move out of Canada, Chris, maybe Arizona.  Then you can worry about other things like your lube melting.   

Jack
  

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rifleman
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Re: using old scopes in cold weather
Reply #2 - Nov 12th, 2025 at 8:10pm
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Slide the rig into a guncase before taking it back inside and it shouldnt condense. If its cold enough outside to worry about condensation I will do with a gun scope or no just to protect the gun.
  
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gunlaker
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Re: using old scopes in cold weather
Reply #3 - yesterday at 12:41pm
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Ha. I don't like heat.  I've been to the Ben Avery range in March and it was as much heat as I want.  I can't imagine later in the year.

Rifleman, I always case my rifles before leaving the range.  In winter they are still below freezing when I un-case them in my gun room and I can definitely see condensation on the barrels when they get into the house.  Any time metal parts are cold like that they'll cause some amount of condensation.  Before I put the rifles back into the safe I make sure they have fully warmed up.  In really cold weather I blow warm air from my heat gun ( set on low ) down the barrels to prevent moisture buildup. 

Chris.
  
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Schuetzendave
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Re: using old scopes in cold weather
Reply #4 - yesterday at 12:57pm
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I have barreled a number of rifles for hunters in Canada that wandered the bush for a week without shooting their rifle and then storing them in a closet at home. 
They never realized condensation had formed inside their barrels which ended up being severely pitted when they took them out to shoot the next season.
I always barreled them with stainless steel barrels and always recommend hunters always immediately clean their rifles when they bring them indoors regardless if they have been shot or not.
Picture of a Sako I put a new barrel on that had condensation rusting.

People using moly coated bullets shot in barrels with condensation would form a carbide which could not be removed and which destroyed the accuracy of the rifle.
I replaced a few of them as well.
Only use moly coated bullets in dry and warm conditions.
« Last Edit: yesterday at 1:07pm by Schuetzendave »  
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