Cold weather powders

Falconeatingdeadpig · Jul 13, 2018

I have a Nevada deer tag in the middle of December,was wondering if the below freezing temps would affect certain powders over others my rifles are 280 rem. 7mm rem mag 270 short mag not sure yet which rifle I will take but all use similar powders is there powders that are not affected by temp?

Homer · Jul 14, 2018

....I think proper functioning of the firearm will be of alot more concern, clean and lube it properly for freezing temp conditions...

BIGJOHNT · Jul 14, 2018

Yes there are temperature stabilized powders out. Do you or are you go to handload for your hunt ? I always use Extreme powders from Hodgdon when I reload. But more for the heat of the desert as it is always above 100 degrees in the summer where I live. If you are buy over the counter ammunition I am not aware of any company?s that put on the box what powder and how many grains it contains. There are a few things you can do other then worrying about your ammo. Like carrying it in a pocket inside your coat. Or keeping the shells out of the sun from getting hot. In most cases and at any normal range. You wouldn't need to worry about the little change in a few FPS. Some powders may lose 1 FPS per one degree but this is the most I have seen. Some maybe half of that. So unless your reloading? Just take care of your ammunition in extreme conditions . Cycle the ammo from your mag to your pocket. But some years it's warmer then others . So make sure your gun is sighted in and know where it hits. Have a fun hunt.

Falconeatingdeadpig · Jul 14, 2018

Yes I reload I just was concerned about working up a handload when it's warm then having it shoot to different point of impact in the cold I have read that this can happen was wondering if certain powders don't lose velocity

littlebighorn · Jul 14, 2018

It's obvious from his posts that BIGJOHN is a serious shooter, so I'd pay close attention to what he said. I'd try some of the powders mentioned to see if they shoot well in your gun.
I think it would also be critical to fine tune your gun in the same conditions you will be hunting in. If it's possible for you to do that just prior to your hunt, then you can go with confidence, which is ultimately what you are looking for.
Good luck on your hunt and be sure to report how it goes.

OchocoKid · Jul 15, 2018

I've taken elk at temps as low as -33 with 7828. Use and normal powder you like and forget about it.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

Zeke · Jul 17, 2018

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>low as -33 with
>7828. Use and normal
>powder you like and forget
>about it.
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>Stay Thirsty My Friends

That's great advice for shots up to about 300 yards. Any load, powder or bullet will do so don't worry about it.

If you, however, are looking to maximize an accurate rifle and the ranges might be long-ish, where velocity swings WILL affect trajectory, move to the "extreme" powders.

Why not do everything you can to produce the best ammo?

Zeke

PS: like other have said, firearm preparation and function are of utmost importance when the weather turns bitter cold. It matters little if you've got great ammo and your rifle doesn't work!

#livelikezac

257Tony · Jul 17, 2018

Bring your chronograph on your hunt with you, shoot when you get there in the temps you are expecting to hunt it.

Cahunter805 · Jul 18, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Jul-18-18 AT 03:26PM (MST)[p]There were most certainly be some velocity loss going from a load developed in warm temps to freezing temp. How much depends on a number of factors. What powder are you currently loading?
Like stated above under 300 yards it won't matter much. I'd be more concerned with checking the rifles zero when you get to your location and using grease/lube that functions in freezing temps.
If you really want to test it and have a chronograph you can also test your rifles load for colder weather. Take 3 rounds and place them in a ziploc bag. Place them in your cooler with ice and head to the range. Chronograph them vs 3 rounds from current temp.