If loading lighter weight bullets for the 260 AI in blown out Peterson SRP brass in cooler temps is it best to lean to the faster burning powders or does it really make a difference ?
SMALL RIFLE PRIMERS IN COLDER WEATHER
- Thread starter Bill Norris
- Start date
HandgunHTR
Gold $$ Contributor
I tend to lean towards faster powders for lighter weight bullets regardless of temp. If I plan on shooting in cold temps a lot, then I try to stick to powders that are known to be temperature insensitive, such as Varget or 8208XBR.
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Bill, it isn’t the burn rate that is the issue, as much as it is certain ball powders.
If you are tuned to warmer temperatures with ball powder, you do need to pay attention to going much hotter and much colder since ball powders are typically not the best at this. For the most part, you should make a point of sticking with the better extruded ones when you are trying to count on large swings in temperature. That said, it doesn’t mean you should be afraid of ball powders. It just means you will probably want to test when the climate swings very far away from where you set your load.
The recent Winchester 6.5Staball ball powder is a newer thing and their claim is that it is more temp stable than historical ball powders. While it is certainly more stable than older ball powders, it still doesn’t compare to ones like H4350 or Varget.
So the bottom line is that if you plan to use ones like H335, H380, etc., plan on testing on a really cold day to make sure you don’t drift out of tune or experience hang fires.
If you are tuned to warmer temperatures with ball powder, you do need to pay attention to going much hotter and much colder since ball powders are typically not the best at this. For the most part, you should make a point of sticking with the better extruded ones when you are trying to count on large swings in temperature. That said, it doesn’t mean you should be afraid of ball powders. It just means you will probably want to test when the climate swings very far away from where you set your load.
The recent Winchester 6.5Staball ball powder is a newer thing and their claim is that it is more temp stable than historical ball powders. While it is certainly more stable than older ball powders, it still doesn’t compare to ones like H4350 or Varget.
So the bottom line is that if you plan to use ones like H335, H380, etc., plan on testing on a really cold day to make sure you don’t drift out of tune or experience hang fires.
Thanks guys. I was kind of looking at H-414 under some 100 gr. Amax but not really made up my mind yet.
Yea, I have decided to use the CCI 450 primer for sure.
You formed 6.5CM cases out of Palma brass?
Looks like the burn rate may be a tad faster for H-414 than W-760.
No, I used Lapua small primer brass, I just take it that when referring to cases that usually take LP's and you go to SP's that when you say Palma brass people know you are referring to the primer size.
But I have gone that route with 260.... but I had already figured the primer issue by then.
H414 and W 760 are the same arent they?
But I have gone that route with 260.... but I had already figured the primer issue by then.
H414 and W 760 are the same arent they?
I guess some might, but the word Palma has nothing to do with primers.
Yea, Seems like I heard somewhere they were really close. I was comparing chamber pressures on Hodgdon's website and they show the same.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
Bill,
Idk if this helps but I’m burning a very stout load of RL-26,.... very slow powder in srp Lapua 6 creedmoor brass cci450’s I was told i world get hang fires below 35 degrees I’ve shot it as low as 17 degrees but that’s just my experience others may vary also I’m shooting heavy bullets you ask about lighter ones,.... good luck
Wayne
Idk if this helps but I’m burning a very stout load of RL-26,.... very slow powder in srp Lapua 6 creedmoor brass cci450’s I was told i world get hang fires below 35 degrees I’ve shot it as low as 17 degrees but that’s just my experience others may vary also I’m shooting heavy bullets you ask about lighter ones,.... good luck
Wayne
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
I have done this and 7-08 brass as well except for a 6 creedmoor not 6.5
Edit: and it worked fine when I couldn’t buy 6 creedmoor brass.
Wayne
Thanks Bro for the info.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
I do not use small rifle primers for any load over 40gr. Im sure some may be fine but the cold makes it even worse. Trying to use srp in 243 coyote loads made from palma brass is where my experience comes from. Im sure some do it successfully but i wont even bother anymore
FNSafari
Gold $$ Contributor
I had what I think was a split second hang fire at a IBS match in late October 2020. It snowed the day before and Saturday dawned COLD. On my fourth target I had a shot go into the 6 ring at 9 oclock position. There was no wind condition to push a bullet that much at 100 yds. All powder charges were weighed. I didn't hear a click, bang or any other indication but really do think it was a hang or a split second ignition of some of the powder followed by a burst from the rest of the charge. 34.6 gr H4198 in a 30BR, CCI BR4.
dgeesaman
Gold $$ Contributor
If you’re trying to avoid hang fires, I resolved my mid-winter issues with SRP 6.5 creedmoor by selecting powders that filled the case and Remington 7-1/2 primers instead of BR-4s, 450s, or 205s.
My temps were consistently below freezing but above zero F.
Thanks guys for all the great comments. Looks like since I'm in the S E part of the country the temps at the time I actually shoot may not be low enough to bother with. Normally it is at least in the high 40 s or better thru the mid day in the winter time here in N C.
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