Cold weather load development

[hockeyref]

Does anyone do any load development in the cold/winter? I have devised a way to keep the ammo warm/hot but i know that a cold barrel will suck that heat out really fast but have yet not tested how fast. I’m thinking of ways to warm the barrel and maybe make some sort of portable heated enclosure around the bench.

If i can satisfactorily control the temp of the rifle and ammo how much effect will the atmospheric conditions between muzzle and target affect the chrono and grouping given that temp/pressure/humidy have an effect on external ballistics.

 

[K22]

I don't do much load development anymore because I have long established loads that work for me that I've used for years. However, I a lot of shooting (practical practice) and sight in work with my dedicated predator rifles in the winter.

Since I'm trying to simulate the conditions that I will be hunting in, I do not apply any artificial heat application to the ammo or rifle.

The one aspect that I've observed during cold weather shooting vs. warm weather, is that the same load will shoot lower. Whether this is due to air density changes and / or, temperature effect on the powder or combination of both I cannot say but the effect is real.

Also, ball powder, which I stopped using years ago, seems to be more sensitive to temperature changes than extruded powders.

Unless you are insensitive to cold weather, for me, trying to do serious develop loads in cold weather is physically not optimum for me. Cold fingers don't work to well for me. You need to be comfortable for the tedious task of engaging in load development. For me, the more comfortable the weather, the better I do at it.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Software like GRT or Quickload can calculate changes using the temperature setting in the powder model. I dont know if this will help but thought it worth mentioning.

 

[mgunderson]

I shoot from a heated building all winter long in the Midwest. Seating depth is ok, but tough to get a handle on speed and pressure. Building is typically 60f. Tried a few things to keep the ammo warm, but nothing I would feel comfortable with.

 

[6.5 forever]

I don't do much load development anymore because I have long established loads that work for me that I've used for years. However, I a lot of shooting (practical practice) and sight in work with my dedicated predator rifles in the winter.

Since I'm trying to simulate the conditions that I will be hunting in, I do not apply any artificial heat application to the ammo or rifle.

The one aspect that I've observed during cold weather shooting vs. warm weather, is that the same load will shoot lower. Whether this is due to air density changes and / or, temperature effect on the powder or combination of both I cannot say but the effect is real.

Also, ball powder, which I stopped using years ago, seems to be more sensitive to temperature changes than extruded powders.

Unless you are insensitive to cold weather, for me, trying to do serious develop loads in cold weather is physically not optimum for me. Cold fingers don't work to well for me. You need to be comfortable for the tedious task of engaging in load development. For me, the more comfortable the weather, the better I do at it.

I follow the same procedure. My loads do not change much from component lots or barrel changes. I don't load near max and don't do cold weather testing. I just follow the dope changes from my Kestrel and Strelok and I'm happy with results.