Cold weather blues

[wlsnmike]

I had a friend get a sako varmint 243 1:10 twist, sweet rifle. He had some 95 smk's loaded up that we shot during break in. They seemed promising this summer! Shot today and couldn't even hit a sheet of note book paper, they was all over the place. I went up to the house and brought back some 75 vmaxs I had loaded up for coyotes. Bam 1/2 to 3/4 and we wasn't really giving it our all. .?.??.?

 

[BigDMT]

Drastic temperature changes can definitely do that to certain powders. Which powder were you using in the loads with the 95gr Sierra MKs?

 

[Rtheurer]

Isnt a 1:10 right on the edge of SG for the 95gr SMK?

Just athought.

RT

 

[wlsnmike]

Can't remember powder. I knew we was close to the edge but I thought it would work. Our goal is to get out to 900 yards. I've done well with my 1/8 and he wants to give it a shot. I think it was 100 hv

 

[BigDMT]

Shooting unknown loads in rifles? Careful man...

 

[wlsnmike]

Easy! My buddies rifle and load. I have my own rifles and loads. All in a lil black book

 

[Rtheurer]

Sounds like a Summer load only... Ha!

Check out Berger bullets web site. They have a bullet SG calculator on there sight that will give you the info you need to make good bullet selections.

I shoot a 95gr VLD in a 243AI Krieger 1:10.. Had to get them smoken before it would work. Plus the 1400 Elevation helped a lil bit.


RT

 

[spclark]

Not so much powder's affected by lower temps, but those 95's in a 1:10 are gonna be iffy when the air gets thick.

I don't have my copy of Litz's book handy but I'd wager 1:9's a more reliable twist for the 95's, 1:8'd be even better for most conditions.

Cold air hurts ballistics, it's enough trouble in the summer whether it's moving or not! Get below 32F & bullets won't stabilize if they're marginal @ 50F.

 

[BigDMT]

Easy! My buddies rifle and load. I have my own rifles and loads. All in a lil black book

oh! I interpreted your post as "you" had loaded them for him. Sorry bout that.

 

[wlsnmike]

I wonder if 87 vmax would be any count at longer distances?

 

[North Fork]

Try the 80gr Berger's my 243 and 6mm loves them