Keeping ammo warm in cold weather

[cognac jack]

Does anyone have a good way to keep ammo warm in cold weather? When you go to a match in a cold weather location how do you keep your loaded ammo warm ?

 

[watercam]

I shot a Palma match in central Oregon last fall where the temps were 9ºF. Did not even try and keep my (our) ammo warm and our 1000yd. strings did not show any adverse performance. Powders on the line were Varget, H4350, and H4831SC. My loads were with small rifle primers (CCI 450s) as well.
Thankfully there was no snow to go with the temps.
FWIW.

 

[shoot4fun]

I saw someone putting hand warmers on theirs.

 

[Ringostar]

Where are you thinking that matches are held in cold weather? How cold are you talking? I’ve seen guys keep their ammo in small lunch coolers when it’s hot. You could do the same in cold with a hand warmer put in with it.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Does anyone have a good way to keep ammo warm in cold weather? When you go to a match in a cold weather location how do you keep your loaded ammo warm ?

I use a Black & Decker portable electric warmer / cooler. - (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013AV9B0/?tag=accuratescom-20) -

Run it off the 12 V DC lighter or a battery or portable generator into a AC to 12 Volt D.C. inverter. - Once warm it will keep your ammo warm enough for your courses of fire in most any discipline. - I purchased the ones I'm using to keep ammo with V/V 20N29 powder warm (120-130 deg. F for FCSA competition)

- Ron -

 

[Joe Salt]

If the ammo is to warm and you take it out in the cold, your not going to like it when you put a round in the chamber that condensates! Don't try and make thing harder than they already are.
The best temperature is the same temperature, never had a problem doing that. I know guys that keep theirs in a coolers in the summer but the again if there to cold they sweat.

Joe Salt

 

[Bc'z]

Put your ammo in your rig the nite before.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

If the ammo is to warm and you take it out in the cold, your not going to like it when you put a round in the chamber that condensates! Don't try and make thing harder than they already are.
The best temperature is the same temperature, never had a problem doing that. I know guys that keep theirs in a coolers in the summer but the again if there to cold they sweat.

Joe Salt

Joe - Never have had a problem coming straight out of the warmer with sighters & shooting during sighter period or 5 for the record target.

Condensation occurs when an object goes from a cold temperature environment to a warmer environment. - Look at your beer or cold beverage next time you've pulled one from the cooler on a hot summer day about 2-4 minutes after you popped the top.

- Ron -

 

[Joe Salt]

Ask Duckhunt what happened to him!

Joe Salt

 

[Joe Salt]

Ron I don't think you get the weather we get up here!

Joe salt

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Ron I don't think you get the weather we get up here!

Joe salt

I've not yet had the pleasure of spending any length of time in the Great State of PA. (just through Philadelphia on a flight & a couple one week trips to New Kensington for some training). Williamsport is on my list though.

- Regards Joe,

- Ron -

 

[Prose]

When I lived in Alaska, keeping ammo in your pocket was the norm, or inside your jacket.

 

[dcali]

It's generally better to test your load under match conditions and not worry about it. I don't see why a small cooler wouldn't do the job, if you really wanted to keep it warm though.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

What happens when you have a delay and your ammo is 10deg warmer or 20deg colder than the last group? Let it normalize and be on the lookout for the next stressor.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

My experience with using the warmer comes from shooting V/V 20N29 in the 50 cal.'s - Unwarmed to a stable temp. of 120 F (or a bit more) it's know to produce some erratic velocities (which equates to a lot of vertical). - Back before Alliant brought out Reloder 50 it was H50BMG or V/V 20N29 (slowest commercial canister powder normally available & is single base)for the Big 50's. v/v 20N29 yielder higher velocities in longer barrels at safe pressure levels and I was taught the warming of it by the other shooters at matches and I've also tested normal ambient temp ammo versus warmed to +120 deg. F and the velocities are way lower in SD and it shows as well at 1000.

 

[cognac jack]

I am trying to load for 70 degrees and that way if it is a little colder or a little warmer it will be all right. The problem is keeping the ammo at 70 degrees.

 

[mikecr]

I keep it in my pants pockets for shooting all year round. My body regulates temperature in that area pretty well.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I am trying to load for 70 degrees and that way if it is a little colder or a little warmer it will be all right. The problem is keeping the ammo at 70 degrees.

- I think your way over thinking this if that is the case. - Are you a competition shooter & your concerned about the tune due to temperature ?

 

[Zero333]

I agree with those who say to let it normalize.
Majority of my best and most consistent shooting was (is) in freezing temps where the ammo is out in the open.

 

[dgeesaman]

I like to shoot year-round and play with load development endlessly.

In winter i shoot in single digits and I’ve tried to control ammo temps (25 rounds is not a problem in heavy winter coat). I’ve ignored them too and let the ammo get cold. I did not see a difference in performance either way.

If it concerns you just bring a small cooler, towel, and several handwarmers. Keep your ammo box packed in there with a handwarmer underneath.

David