Is there a perfect Humidity range for V-133 in 6 PPC

[borderghost]

Just wondering if you guys that have all the experience with 6PPC and V133 can tell me if there is a humidity range that works the best with V133, or is the constant powder load change just a way of life with V133, Does V133 work better out west then in the east or south and north, I assume that humidity is the same all over at 40 percent it is no different no matter where you are shooting, just a question that maybe has no black and white answer.

 

[BoydAllen]

Your assumption about the uniformity of humidity is incorrect, unless by everywhere you are talking about a smaller area than that would generally describe. You might want to do some serious research on that. The best way to learn about 133 is to use it exclusively for a while, in various conditions, loading at the range making changes as needed to stay in tune. IMO you will not learn this any other way. I would say that you live in 133 country, but there are other powders that would work, LT 32 for example. When you go to a group match, nothing that you see is done just for show. It is all necessary, for the results that they are after.

 

[Webster]

Just wondering if you guys that have all the experience with 6PPC and V133 can tell me if there is a humidity range that works the best with V133, or is the constant powder load change just a way of life with V133, Does V133 work better out west then in the east or south and north, I assume that humidity is the same all over at 40 percent it is no different no matter where you are shooting, just a question that maybe has no black and white answer.

Are you referring to humidity when you pour the powder into the case. Seems so. External shouldn't matter.

 

[borderghost]

Are you referring to humidity when you pour the powder into the case. Seems so. External shouldn't matter.

Yes think that is what i am asking about , even if the powder is in the container, does the humidity still effect the powders performance , or is it temperature/humidity to gather that causes the shooters to be changing the load during the day , once you open the container are you effecting it performance, guess what i want to know if the humidity is 95 or 22 is the powder in the jug still has the same loading characteristic.

 

[BoydAllen]

Yes think that is what i am asking about , even if the powder is in the container, does the humidity still effect the powders performance , or is it temperature/humidity to gather that causes the shooters to be changing the load during the day , once you open the container are you effecting it performance, guess what i want to know if the humidity is 95 or 22 is the powder in the jug still has the same loading characteristic.

You need to do some testing. Have you ever loaded at the range? Do you have wind flags? What is your most accurate rifle? There is casual shooting truth, and there is competition benchrest truth. If you do not follow the procedures or have suitable equipment then your particular truth may be different. For group, 6PPC shooters load at the range because they are there to win. If you think that you can ignore what they have learned, come back and tell us about your first sanctioned match.

 

[borderghost]

Your assumption about the uniformity of humidity is incorrect, unless by everywhere you are talking about a smaller area than that would generally describe. You might want to do some serious research on that. The best way to learn about 133 is to use it exclusively for a while, in various conditions, loading at the range making changes as needed to stay in tune. IMO you will not learn this any other way. I would say that you live in 133 country, but there are other powders that would work, LT 32 for example. When you go to a group match, nothing that you see is done just for show. It is all necessary, for the results that they are after.

Thanks for your reply and experience Boyd

 

[borderghost]

You need to do some testing. Have you ever loaded at the range? Do you have wind flags? What is your most accurate rifle? There is casual shooting truth, and there is competition benchrest truth. If you do not follow the procedures or have suitable equipment then your particular truth may be different. For group, 6PPC shooters load at the range because they are there to win. If you think that you can ignore what they have learned, come back and tell us about your first sanctioned match.

Yes load at the range, yes have wind flags, have my own range out to 500 yds, and i shoot at competition shoots, I kept my powder in a air proof container with the humidity that stayed at about 35 percent ,bought one of those little gadgets that you put in your gun safe and kept it in the container with the powder, it seemed to me that the v133 was more consistent , I only took out what i needed for loading a couple of relays , maybe it was just the day or just luck that it seemed that way, also have two BAT 3L`s that i use.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have been shooting 133 since 2000. Here is what I have found.

Humidity plays a huge part in the tune. By tune, I am referring to a rifles agging capability.

I live in Houston, where the humidity is usually pretty high. My typical load is around 30.0 to 30.2 grns with a typical 65 to 68 grn bullet.

if we get a front through, usually a northern cool front, and the humidity drops below 40 percent after, I usually have to go up. I have shot as much as 30.5/30.6 grns to keep the rifle agging at a competitive level.

I have no idea why 133 acts this way. As long as the humidity stays in the 70%+ range, I can usually stay competitive. When the bottom falls out, it’s a crap shoot, and usually means digging out the 2015BR.

 

[BartsBullets]

Jackieschchmit is right on the money. What I’ve see is once the humidity gets below 40% you either have to go out the top like Jackie does or go out the bottom load wise to keep it shooting.

Bart

 

[Webster]

Just wondering if you guys that have all the experience with 6PPC and V133 can tell me if there is a humidity range that works the best with V133, or is the constant powder load change just a way of life with V133, Does V133 work better out west then in the east or south and north, I assume that humidity is the same all over at 40 percent it is no different no matter where you are shooting, just a question that maybe has no black and white answer.

Years ago I bought a large dehumidifier at Home Depot for $350. I didn't buy at for reloading just to remove dampness from the basement. It removes gallons of water a day from the basement and I don't have a water problem. It's just humidity. You can control the humidity.

 

[BoydAllen]

Yes load at the range, yes have wind flags, have my own range out to 500 yds, and i shoot at competition shoots, I kept my powder in a air proof container with the humidity that stayed at about 35 percent ,bought one of those little gadgets that you put in your gun safe and kept it in the container with the powder, it seemed to me that the v133 was more consistent , I only took out what i needed for loading a couple of relays , maybe it was just the day or just luck that it seemed that way, also have two BAT 3L`s that i use.

I think that your approach has obvious merit. With powder exposed to the elements in a measure or even Chargemaster, it will gain or loose moisture through the day so that you are dealing with two variables, the effect of ambient temperature on tune, and a changing powder burn rate.

I have some scans of an article from Precision Shooting in which the author did an extensive test of the effects of the moisture level in powder on velocity. The results are quite dramatic, and his methods quite clever. PM me with your email and I will forward that information to you.

If you look at the weather history of some locations on weatherunderground.com you will see some major temperature and humidity changes through the day. The local range that holds short range group matches is at Visalia, CA. I live about 45 min north of there. Do a little research on match dates and weather history and I think that you will see what I mean.

 

[Webster]

You need to do some testing. Have you ever loaded at the range? Do you have wind flags? What is your most accurate rifle? There is casual shooting truth, and there is competition benchrest truth. If you do not follow the procedures or have suitable equipment then your particular truth may be different. For group, 6PPC shooters load at the range because they are there to win. If you think that you can ignore what they have learned, come back and tell us about your first sanctioned match.

In Tony Boyer's book I believe he says he just fires a few groups during warm up practice and uses the best results. Doesn't this account for temp and humidity without being a scientist about it? He may check tune with a few practice loads as the day warms up. Maybe you need to shoot at a level close to Tony to see the difference. You guys are making it more difficult than it is.

 

[ckaberna]

I have been shooting 133 since 2000. Here is what I have found.

Humidity plays a huge part in the tune. By tune, I am referring to a rifles agging capability.

I live in Houston, where the humidity is usually pretty high. My typical load is around 30.0 to 30.2 grns with a typical 65 to 68 grn bullet.

if we get a front through, usually a northern cool front, and the humidity drops below 40 percent after, I usually have to go up. I have shot as much as 30.5/30.6 grns to keep the rifle agging at a competitive level.

I have no idea why 133 acts this way. As long as the humidity stays in the 70%+ range, I can usually stay competitive. When the bottom falls out, it’s a crap shoot, and usually means digging out the 2015BR.

Is this due to powder absorption or humidity in the air, “external ballistics” I think? I have a “had” a bat 3L that will shoot one hole IF the powder charge is found for that particular time on that particular day. My problem is I have no idea which way to go, up\down a 10th to bring it back. I guess practice will teach me but I hate to put that many rounds thru this barrel learning.

 

[Mulligan]

Question for you guys with a lot of experience with N133.
Where I live, the RH is normally 10-15% during the heat of the day, mornings are 30ish.
Except....
July and Aug when the Southwest Monsoon sets up, then we can see 50-70% in the morning and a sweltering 25-40% in during the heat of the day.
With the exception of 5 or 6 weeks in July and Aug we can typically see 40+ degree temperature swings daily.
I had a jug of N133 and gave it away after the frustration of trying to keep it in tune. I started shooting LT 32 and have been fairly happy with it.
However, I want to learn to shoot N133 so I can shoot competitively in other parts of the country.
Looking for suggestions on what I should expect to see for powder charge movement to keep the rifle in tune over the course of the day.
Short range benchrest....PPC and Waldog.
Thanks
CW

 

[Redfoxcreed]

If you are interested Applied ballistic have a video in that subject .

I use two way humidity control bag to control and monitor powder humidity. Works really well .

 

[borderghost]

I have been shooting 133 since 2000. Here is what I have found.

Humidity plays a huge part in the tune. By tune, I am referring to a rifles agging capability.

I live in Houston, where the humidity is usually pretty high. My typical load is around 30.0 to 30.2 grns with a typical 65 to 68 grn bullet.

if we get a front through, usually a northern cool front, and the humidity drops below 40 percent after, I usually have to go up. I have shot as much as 30.5/30.6 grns to keep the rifle agging at a competitive level.

I have no idea why 133 acts this way. As long as the humidity stays in the 70%+ range, I can usually stay competitive. When the bottom falls out, it’s a crap shoot, and usually means digging out the 2015BR.

Hey thanks Jackie , that is exactly what i was wanting to hear from you experienced shooters, so Jackie if you pre loaded your ammo in a controlled environment at 70%+ humidity, and took it and shot it during 40% humidity shoot, how do you think it would act as far as agging , being in a sealed case , there should be no moisture to cling to the powder, have you ever tried this in your years of shooting , guess i am wondering about what would pre loading and the use of the tuner do to stay competitive.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Hey thanks Jackie , that is exactly what i was wanting to hear from you experienced shooters, so Jackie if you pre loaded your ammo in a controlled environment at 70%+ humidity, and took it and shot it during 40% humidity shoot, how do you think it would act as far as agging , being in a sealed case , there should be no moisture to cling to the powder, have you ever tried this in your years of shooting , guess i am wondering about what would pre loading and the use of the tuner do to stay competitive.

This is just my opinion based on my own experience.

It makes little difference where you load the rounds. I your basement, in a controlled environment, or where ever.
It makes a lot of difference what the conditions are when you shoot the rounds.

As I said in my original comment. I don’t know why humidity, or the lack of it, affects 133 the way it does In a 6PPC. But it does.

keep in mind. I am not referring to velocity, standard deviation, or extreme spread. All I am referring to is the rifles tune as defined by it’s ability to stack one bullet on top of another.

 

[CharlieNC]

If you are concerned with humidity and want to track its effects you should focus on dew point, which is a measure of moisture content in the air. RH means content relative to how much moisture the air can hold at that temperature. So for a constant moisture content, the RH will change as temperature changes.