What about humidity

bigHUN

bigHUN

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The AC season is over and the heating season didn't really started yet. But couple days ago outdoors below 10C and I gass up my furnace for my own convenience.
Going up and down the house with a digital, researching the humidity. Pretty much in a range of 50-57% from basement to garage.

I had in mind to reload couple batches for ladder testing the powder for 200-300 rings.
Last year I did a last ladder testing in mind to go shooting at Borden longer 500-1000 ranges, ended up with a decent performer:
Lapua 30 cal, Sierra Match 155 gn, Varget 45.8 gn powder, 0.028" seating depth, AV 2980 fps.

Tinkering now that the powder speed is hot for shooting @ 300 rings. Next I would bring the speed down to mid 2800's.
Or I am just bored :)
My guess is to start finding a new ballpark with powder somewhere in between 45.0 and 45.8 grain.

Shall I be concerned for humidity? My reloading equipment base is in my garage, currently 19C and 57% and the forecast is not promising any better soon.
 
After reading thisā€¦.. it sounds like I would be asking you that question šŸ˜‚ You are developing for 1000+ ranges?!? Way ahead of me. Go get em man, and donā€™t forget to let us know if humidity was a problem. I live vicariously through everyone here.
 
I would think the humidity would have more effect on your scale than on your powder charge. Unless of course they are huge swings in humidity or you leave the powder in your hopper for days/weeks/months at a time.
All the ammo that I load is for long range. The way I see it, if it is accurate at 1000 yards (and still super-sonic to work on electronic targets) then is should work accurately at shorter range. However ammo made to shoot well at short range may not work at long range.
 
My place is centered between Great Lakes (North of GTA), and inside a little valley.
Today morning 12C and 85% humidity outside, measured 52% inside. No way to lower that without running an AC a whole day (Jun till Sept).
Monday when the family on work duty :) I may warm the house to a max and turn on the AC ??

Now the Sierra bullets...
The Match King 2155 is more friendly with seating depths in a 0.028" ballpark, but for scoring 200-300 meters rings still better to do a ladder test.
The 2156 on other side - meant for longer ranges 1000> meters - prefers a bigger jump 0.050" or maybe longer, again needs a ladder testing for environmental changes.
For me a long range shooting finished for this year, next time maybe next summer. Up to 300M I have access every day and this what I am reloading for .
Only the humidity is my main concern.
 
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Eric cortinna and eric stautts do an intersting pod cast . He does the Advanced balistics stuff, for elr shooting.

Had interesting views on moisture control for tour powders and ammo cases.. to specific %
Humidity will effect ammo that isnt sealed..
Cool rabbit hole to look into
 
The 2155 bullets are still used with the issued GGG ammo at Bisley. The ammo this year was crap in some rifles, but that had nothing to do with the bullet itself.
Down in the West Indies where again issued ammo is used, most the time it is loaded with 2155's. When the Brits send a team overseas they will choose ammo loaded with Berger 155.5 Fullbore. All Palma teams all shoot 155.5 Berger bullets these days.
Most 155 gr .308 bullets will make the trip to the target at 1000 yards, however some just do it a little better.
There was an American shooter that used to come to Canada to shoot our National matches. While everyone was trying the new 2156, Nosler J4 Competition, Berger VLD's and Berger 155.5 Fullbore bullets, he won the Grand Agg 3 times shooting 2155's.
Bottom line is...It isn't the bullet.
 
You need to improve your understanding of relative humidity (RH), which is what humidity meters read. The readings are affected by ambient temperature. BTW - A normal RH reading in a house at room temperature is 40-60%.
 
cosmic said:
You need to improve your understanding of relative humidity (RH), which is what humidity meters read. The readings are affected by ambient temperature. BTW - A normal RH reading in a house at room temperature is 40-60%.
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itā€™s ALL pointless for what heā€™s thinking heā€™s going to accomplish

Iā€™m waiting for his pharmacology thread on lowering heart rate
 
I keep 2 dehumidifiers set at 45 % and %50 year round in my gun room and I have no issues. Now in the in-between weeks no AC and furnace not on, I run a small canadian tire Honeywell fan on low to keep air moving. Year round temperature is stable at 66 to 71.
 
If concerned about humidity, get a plastic bin, put your powder bottles inside with some desiccant. Plenty of low priced options available that can also be 'recharged'.

If you want ideas, search 3D printer filament drying and storage.

If your home is stable in humidity, I wouldn't worry about it... but you got to feel confident in your set up so structure it as you see fit.

Jerry
 
Within reason, so long as your storage conditions are relatively consistent, you wont see any difference.

The only time I have noticed a change is fresh from the store powder compared after I had added a desiccant packet and stored it for a few months. As the moisture content changes the density changes, dryer powder yields higher velocity.

with a climate controlled environment and 45-55% humidity I do not see any noticeable difference after the powder has equalized. I have 1lb of Varget that shoots the same today as it did 6 years ago.

Also keep the containers out of direct sunlight for longterm storage.
 
I have a filament dryier for my filament printer, also a heated tent for my resin printer, so I have seen anomalies and I am well educated what the temperature or humidity swings can do to 3d prints.
I just asked a question, because I shall make couple reload batches for ladder testing mid distance 300 meters.
I see some individuals making a fun from this.
Thanks anyway.
 
Get a dehumidifier? It makes a world of difference for home comfort, let alone your reloading. I keep a dehumidifier in vault room and garage. Tools and firearms no longer get rusty in the fall through to spring.
 
bigHUN said:
I have a filament dryier for my filament printer, also a heated tent for my resin printer, so I have seen anomalies and I am well educated what the temperature or humidity swings can do to 3d prints.
I just asked a question, because I shall make couple reload batches for ladder testing mid distance 300 meters.
I see some individuals making a fun from this.
Thanks anyway.
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I have 52% bovita humidity packs in my powder bottle and 52% humidity bovita packs in my sealed ammo case , storing my ammo for ladder test.
Keeps my e.s. and s.d. lower to make my ladder test worthwhile bigHun.

300 yards has alot of environmental affects. Fine for groups, but o.c.w. ladders . ladders i try at 150 yards
 
Big bore dinosaur said:
.......300 yards has alot of environmental affects. Fine for groups, but o.c.w. ladders . ladders i try at 150 yards
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Usually I do tuning and testings at distances I am planning to shoot.
200 meters or anything shorter the 5 shot group size or pattern is almost not readable. Only one way maybe each shot in its own ring.
A 10 shot group in a good day at 300 may becom a big ragged hole, so I stay with 5 shots mostly.
It is not only me :) but somehow this barrel is really accurate and precise.
 
bigHUN said:
Usually I do tuning and testings at distances I am planning to shoot.
200 meters or anything shorter the 5 shot group size or pattern is almost not readable. Only one way maybe each shot in its own ring.
A 10 shot group in a good day at 300 may becom a big ragged hole, so I stay with 5 shots mostly.
It is not only me :) but somehow this barrel is really accurate and precise.
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Very nice.. 10 shot ragged holes at 300Y makes life tuff... ahhaha.. agreed .
Hope you get good use from your unicorn barrel
 
redbirddog said:
I keep 2 dehumidifiers set at 45 % and %50 year round in my gun room and I have no issues. Now in the in-between weeks no AC and furnace not on, I run a small canadian tire Honeywell fan on low to keep air moving. Year round temperature is stable at 66 to 71.
Click to expand...
A fan to keep air moving is only useful for the comfort of people. It does nothing at all for non living things. Humidity level is all that matters.
 
Big bore dinosaur said:
Very nice.. 10 shot ragged holes at 300Y makes life tuff... ahhaha.. agreed .
Hope you get good use from your unicorn barrel
Click to expand...
I also said "in a good day" :), but usually I don't see groups larger then 1.4-1.5" 300.
yes, this W308 barrel is impressive, or, by coincidence the barrel tuner happen to be in a right place.
But I am mainly an airgun shooter 99%, training and practicing for N50 and BR 100 meters. A benefit is ... I buy only lead no need for primers and powders. If you follow the prices a 350 shot tin cost as much a single hamburger.
 
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