Cold to warm weather powder?

[Boisblancboy]

Is there a powder you guys would suggest me being able to use in the winter shooting a .308 out to a 1000yds?

I'm thinking of using either reloader 17, varget, or possibly h4895 during matches but wasn't sure how they would preform in the cold Michigan winters.

The reason I would be shooting in the winter is that where i live we have a few small lakes that freeze over and would offer me a place to shoot 1000 yds without having to travel.

I appreciate the thoughts and suggestions.

 

[fredhorace77]

i like varget and h4895 both..if either one has a tendency to not give u the velocity you want in the really cold weather you can always try a magnum primer also..but be sure to lower your load a little before you try it then work up from there. varget has given me some of the lowest ES that my chrono has ever seen...cant speak for reloader powder ive never tried them...most of what hodgdons has does everything i need so i just stick with them..not that the others arent good i just seem to use hodgdon all the time

 

[Tom Bear]

Varget and IMR 4895, both less temp sensitive. 4895 originally developed as a military powder, good all around quality powder.

 

[paul223]

IMR 8208XBR is supposted to be " totally temperature insensative" . I just started to use it and so for don't have any problems on hotter days.

Paul

 

[amlevin]

I'd go with Varget. Although our winters here in the NW don't compare with Michigan's I've used it over a spread of 90 degrees (Winter to Summer). My problem in winter is to avoid shivering which tends to open up my groups ;D ;D

As for shooting over the lakes, is this public land? If so, there are often laws or regulations regarding shooting over "bodies of water" (ie Forest Service Reg's regarding target shooting). I think a frozen lake is still considered a "body of water". Have you looked into this for your area. For me, I'd be worried about "nailing" a snowmobiler" (although at times I've been sorely tempted". 8)

 

[Boisblancboy]

Yeah it is public land. Where I live is on a very secluded island in the Great Lakes and in the winter we have between 30-60 residents. Also I know where al the trails head onto the lake. I understand your thinking but I wouldn't have even considered doing it if I knew that I couldn't do it safely.

But it's going to look pretty cool with range flags and a target setup out there. Nice thing is too is it will be a great challenge with all the wind out there.

 

[markm87]

We shoot ALL extreme powders in our loads... Varget, H1000, etc.

Every one of those loads was flying over the gongs at long range when summer hit.

We went from 70ish degree weather to 100+. I'm convinced that external ballistics as well as hotter barrels both play a role. But it was amazing.... across the board, .308, 300WM, etc... all flying over the steel or hitting high on the steel at long range. (500 yards and out.)

 

[amlevin]

But it's going to look pretty cool with range flags and a target setup out there. Nice thing is too is it will be a great challenge with all the wind out there.

Right up to the point some snow machine rider thinks the flags are some sort of slalom course set up for people like them : :

 

[Boisblancboy]

But it's going to look pretty cool with range flags and a target setup out there. Nice thing is too is it will be a great challenge with all the wind out there.

Right up to the point some snow machine rider thinks the flags are some sort of slalom course set up for people like them : :

Moving targets are even better! One well placed round into the engine will slow'em down haha!