Hodgdon extreme powder

243win

243win

CGN Regular
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Location
SW Ontario
Just wondering if it is worth shooting the extreme powders exclusively? I am getting decent results with them but often wonder how much variance would occur in just a standard powder over the course of a hunting season?
 
If you hunt without temperature swings in your ammo's temperature then no need to stick to the extreme powders, if you hunt outdoors and your ammo gets cold it makes a large difference in velocity and point of impact
 
If you have good results now, you can go chasing the 'better powder/accuracy/higher MV' fairy if you wish, knowing that you have a load that works well in most any conditions if it doesn't work out.
 
one thing i have noticed with my varget is I'm running over max load listed bye about 2 grains and I'm just at the point where primers are about to crater.. when i was using IMR4320 running this load in the summer it was way over pressure but in the winter i was not... i switched to Varget and summer or winter I seem to have the same results and not as much change in pressure.. sight of impact is slightly different in the summer vs winter but nothing that is going to make a difference when hunting... Varget is now my 22-250 powder
 
Dogleg said:
I wouldn't believe everything they say about temperature insensitivity, unless you can prove it for yourself.
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X2!! This issue of temp sensitivity is blown way out of proportion, IMHO.
Sure, there are powders that lose noticeable velocity in cold temps, but it is not new news that
this is easily compensated for.

One should always shoot their hunting loads/rifle under the conditions they will be using them to verify POI.

Then they know exactly what to expect.

Regards, Eagleye.
 
Extreme powders are better than others...Load a max load of each varget and W748 in the winter and then shoot them on a warm summer day and let me know what happens.

Even worse in temp variations are the dbl base ball powders.
 
I think as long as you dont go over max load you are fine with regular powders but having said that I just started using extreme powders for the simple fact that it is one less thing to worry about
 
liberty said:
Extreme powders are better than others...Load a max load of each varget and W748 in the winter and then shoot them on a warm summer day and let me know what happens.

Even worse in temp variations are the dbl base ball powders.
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I'll bite. I've got a 30-06 Varget load useing various 165 grain bullets.I developed it in the winter with temperatures hovering around -30C. I needed a load that used an Australian powder or one that was readily available to the custom loader I had at that end.My IMR 4064 wasn't. Max loads produced a whopping 2650 fps at -30, but that got into the mid 2700s by the time it warmed up to minus 7-10. In our summer or the Australian winter it starts chugging right along at a bit over 2800 fps. When spring came I was ordering another CDS dial to make up for it.

You might wonder why a guy would put up with something like that. I was on a deadline because the rifle was already listed on my Australian gun licence, and the loader needed the load data right away so he didn't run out of time. Besides, the go fast powders like H4350, RL22 and RL19 actually were even slower in the coldest temps. The only thing they did was kick more to go 2600 fps.

H1000 on the other hand has been very good to me in big cases and changeing temps. Thats why I don't believe anything until I see it anymore.
 
It is an unfortunate fact of life, powder does indeed react to large changes in the ambient temp.
Will Varget be less affected than R22 ?, IMO yes ... but the fact remains that all of my tighter shooters will still need a loading tweak to stay at their best over sizable temp. swings.
Most powders/cart's seem to noticably benefit with Mag. primers, at about -10C temps., or below.
wonder how much variance would occur in just a standard powder
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For me, R22 winter load in 6.5x55, needs a half grain reduction in charge, and a switch to standard primers, to stay on node/pressure in hot summer temps..
.308 with varget?, it needs only a change from mag. primers to standard.

If I wasn't so dang anal on accuracy :runaway:, I wouldn't continue to bother with non-extreme powders.
 
Eagleye said:
X2!! This issue of temp sensitivity is blown way out of proportion, IMHO.
Sure, there are powders that lose noticeable velocity in cold temps, but it is not new news that
this is easily compensated for.

One should always shoot their hunting loads/rifle under the conditions they will be using them to verify POI.

Then they know exactly what to expect.

Regards, Eagleye.
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If just a hunting rifle and you are not on the edge of over presuring then dont worrie too much. When shooting for competion thoughs guys have a load for almost every weather condion there is. I found if your not running nere max, usuaslly 2 gr below max and in normal hunting condition +10 to about -10 is what I hunt,I never have any problems. I try to get to the range and zero at about +5. This results in dead deer all season long, year after year. Even if there are large swings in temp I still dont worrie. I shoot IIMR 4350 in my 30-06 with a 150 nosler partition, and the biggest factor in my hunt is still the jerk on the trigger.
 
twosmokinspades said:
If just a hunting rifle and you are not on the edge of over presuring then dont worrie too much. When shooting for competion thoughs guys have a load for almost every weather condion there is. I found if your not running nere max, usuaslly 2 gr below max and in normal hunting condition +10 to about -10 is what I hunt,I never have any problems. I try to get to the range and zero at about +5. This results in dead deer all season long, year after year. Even if there are large swings in temp I still dont worrie. I shoot IIMR 4350 in my 30-06 with a 150 nosler partition, and the biggest factor in my hunt is still the jerk on the trigger.
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X2 on that
For 223 I am now loading 25.8 gr of IMR4320. According to the 2012 IMR load data 27.5C gr is listed as max load. That puts me 1.7 grains below the listed max load. 25.8 is still slightly compressed and shows no pressure signs unlike the max 27.5 in the heat of summer in my 223. Loading imr4320 below max has been a great performer in the field in the heat and the cold. I am not saying the POI doesn't change but I can say the change is so slight that it is unnoticeable. I am guessing that overall generally speaking for most powders and calibers in extreme heat and cold temps, staying below max loadings would produce similar results.
 
I don't know that ambient temp swing will be the largest factor you are dealing with (say -40C to +20C). The actual temp of your ammo (is it in your pocket or rifle mag, stored inside or outside?) may or may not be ambient. The largest temp swing will likely occur if a cold barrel shot on a very cold day is followed by a round allowed to cook in that chamber (powder burn temps vary but 3000C is achievable) and shot through a warm barrel (this introduces two variables though; barrel and powder temps). Most of the very hot burning powder will get pushed out the end of the barrel but the chamber is likely to store a much greater temperature swing (A couple hundred degrees C although not all will heat soak into your ammo) than the "extreme" 60C caused by weather. Just some thoughts on this as I am by no means an expert.
 
If your powder is going to shoot 100fps slower in the winter, maybe it's time to see just how much difference that makes with your cartridge. Go out and try it at the expected temp or a bit colder. See if the difference at your normal hunting ranges WRT accuracy and drop is worth the effort.
Hogdon makes excellent powders, and I admit I use mostly that brand, however, for me, the temperature variance doesn't matter a whit.
 
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